PORTLAND’S Chris Perham repeated his success of last year by finishing as the top junior male at the Youth and Junior National Aquathlon Championships in Hyde Park.

Perham travelled from Lough-borough to compete at the event, part of the British Triathlon Youth and Junior Super Series, which was held just before the elite men and women battled it out in the World Triathlon Series.

The islander’s race consisted of a 750m swim in the Serpentine and a 5km run around the park.

And he completed the course in 25 minutes 18 seconds, winning his category by more than 30 seconds.

“The crowds were amazing as the next race was the elite men’s triathlon,” he said. “I was able to stand on the same podium to receive my medal.

“Unfortunately, our British guys were unable to come in the top three of the elite race but my first place gives me points which go towards the Super Series.”

Perham followed up his victory in London by racing in a tria-thlon at Blenheim Palace which was also part of the Super Series.

The junior men raced the same distance – 750m swim, 19.8km bike ride and 5.4km run – as the elite athletes, giving Perham good practice for when he moves up to that level next year.

On the race, he added: “I timed the swim right and came out with the top elite men.

“I was able to get in the first cycle pack of six and stayed with them for a lap and a half and felt really comfortable.

“Unfortunately, while on the second lap, I had problems with my back wheel as the skewer had come undone.

“By the time I had sorted this problem I had to enter the third pack to cycle round with for the rest of the second and third laps.

“I had a good run, getting the fastest junior split, and finished in a time of one hour, four minutes and 15 seconds.

“However, I was disappointed, as not only was this race with the top juniors and the elite senior men, it was a qualifier for the junior European triathlon.”

Perham went on to thank local organisations that have supported him and TRI UK, the country’s largest triathlon store based in Yeovil.

He said: “Without their help and support it would be harder to compete and move up to senior elite level next year.”