Lunn and Hope book their places at World Championships

Paul Lunn came fourth in his age group in the Cascais Ironman in Portugal which was good enough to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii next October.

Lunn took one of the 55 slots in an event that had over 2,000 finishers. He was in the 50-54 age group that had more competitors than any other, and moves up an age group next year, so will have a real chance of a podium position. This was Lunn's 26th Ironman Triathlon.

Steve Hope came sixth in the Challenge Paguera Triathlon in Majorca and took the final age group place for the Challenge World Championships in Slovakia next May.

Lunn enjoyed a good swim that kept him in contention and, after his usual super-fast bike leg, he came into the second transition second place with a full marathon to follow.

He managed to hold the gap on the leader to eight minutes, although in spite of a 3:39 hour marathon, he was caught, first with four miles to go and then again, just before the line to miss out on a podium spot by 17 seconds.

Hope moved up an age group this year and was eighth at the start of the run. He gained two places on the run to clinch the final qualifying place for Samorin in Slovakia next year.

This is the ninth time Hope has finished the triathlon season in Majorca and the third time that he will be racing in Samorin. With another 15 triathlons under his belt this year, he has also qualified to represent Team GB in the European Championships in Kitzbuhl, Austria next year.

Elsewhere Chris Northern continued his exploits in Ultra running with the 28-mile trail run in Berchtesgaden, Germany on the Austrian border.

The technical trails and exposed ridgelines climbed up the Bavarian Alps and overlooked the border between Germany and Austria. This presented a significant test with a substantial elevation gain of 2,843 feet, ideal for experienced trail athletes seeking a demanding mountain challenge.

Northern had to carry additional clothing and a survival bag, plus emergency food and a first aid kit, and he finished in 40th place, despite suffering a fall and a tumble down a mountain that required medical assistance.

Richard Moys competed in the Chester Marathon, recording a time of 3:05:26.