Pat Harbord wins Keith Stephens Memorial Duathlon

Pat Harbord won a low-key duathlon staged by Velo Club Baracchi near Carlton Colville on Sunday with a strong performance, though it was a close finish.

Numbers were few but competition was intense.

The informal event has been organised by the club annually since 2002 is a tribute to former club treasurer Keith Stephens, who was well known in running and cycling in Lowestoft and died in an accident that year while riding for the club.

Four VCB members took part and the second place went to Paul Wright, who gave Harbord close competition throughout.

Harbord went out fastest on the 4.2km run and his first split time was 17:05. Wright came in nearly 20 seconds later but set off on the bike leg just ahead. On the bike and in the last run Harbord was just the quicker.

The other two competitors, Paul Dennington and Paul Hayward, were similarly matched with each other, but with Dennington a bit quicker at every point, so he drew ahead for third place.

Full overall results were Harbord 1-27:15, Wright 1-27:23, Dennington 1-36:08 and Hayward 1-37:48.

This Sunday, the VCB hill events will take place.  A freewheeling competition at Sotterley will be followed at 11am by a hill climb at Dove Hill, more correctly known as Station Road Alburgh.

This year the VCB riders have joined the Diss CC club event but the Bernard Dale trophy will still be on offer to the fastest Lowestoft rider.