THIRTY-EIGHT local athletes took part in the first race of the 2013 British Biathle Series at Millfield School in Street.

The Dorset Pentathletes team took four individual gold medals, four silvers and three bronze.

The event consisted of a run/swim/run competition with distances comprising of 500m to 1500m runs and 50m to 200m swims, followed by the same distance run again. The distances varied with each age group.

The standard was very high with competitors also trying to qualify for the European Championships.

The weather conditions were ideal for racing with a warm sunny day and little wind.

Ryan Symington, Travis Bramley, Paige Matthews and Harry Lane all struck gold while top-three finishes went to Sam Cobb, Ben Samuel, Zoe Gowers, Victoria Halford, Jamie Price and Mark Bramley.

Dorset team coach Michael Flaherty said: “The team is looking in good shape for the forthcoming season and have got off to an excellent start.

“As long as the athletes keep performing like this the team will have a few British Series winners.”

The next race in the British Biathle Series is at Blackpool in June with the third race set for Greenhill Seafront, Weymouth on July 6.

For information on training and how to get involved in biathle contact Flaherty at flaherty121@aol.com or go to the Dorset Pentathletes website at dorsetpentathletes.co.uk

RESULTS

Girls 10-and-under: Anya Evens 4th, Georgia Gussey 5th, Elektra Covell 8th.

Boys 10-and-under: Ryan Symington 1st, Sam Cobb 2nd.

Girls 12-and-under: Daisy Davies 4th, Phoebe Mills 8th, Eleri Brown 11th, Poppy Boyden 17th, Aegean Bramley 18th.

Boys 12-and-under: Ben Samuel 2nd, George Case 4th, Jack Sherborne 6th, Charlie Madden 10th.

Girls 14-and-under: Zoe Gowers 2nd, Kizzy Price 4th, Kara Hughes 7th, Olivia Manson 11th, Jessica Sutton 13th, Olivia Foice 14th, Ellie Gussey 16th, Connie Baker 20th.

Boys 14-and-under: Travis Bramley 1st, Bradley Seager 4th, Jed Skilton 5th, Tom Boulton 9th.

Girls 16-and-under: Victoria Halford 3rd, Leanne Symington 7th.

Boys 16-and-under: Jamie Price 3rd, Jake Whittall 5th, Elliot Laville 6th.

Youth 18-and-under: Paige Matthews 1st.

Junior Men 21-and-under: Harry Lane 1st.

Masters A 40-and-over: Mark Bramley 2nd, Andy Price 4th, Andy Whittall 5th.