BOLTON’S Tom Carson warmed up for his Team GB debut with a duel for silver with Scott Welsby in the Decathlon Bolton Duathlon from Belmont.

His running forte was on show as he came into the first changeover at the Wilton Arms leading after the 6k run.

The 28k bike ride saw specialists Danny Hope and Scott Welsby overtake before another consistently quick transition (40 seconds – the quickest of the leading contenders).

Still recovering from a second biking incident within nine months and little competition since February, the second run was two minutes slower than his first over the same course by Scout Road, and despite closing with every step, the ground ran out and Welsby hung on by eight seconds (1hr 37mins 24secs).

Club-mate Shaun O’Dwyer was edged out of the podium to fourth, three minutes further back (1:40:31).

The mixed endurance disciplines have been gaining interest from the Blue Vests, with Stewart Brierley (2:04:06, 65th), Dave Flitcroft (2:05:56, 71st) and daughter Deb Flitcroft (2:26:10, 116th) also in the 158 field.

Completing all three disciplines of a triathlon, Hannah Edwards (2:30:07, 241st overall, 37th in the female standings) edged club-mate Alex Donnelly (2:30:17) by three places in the Clitheroe Triathlon.

The 400m swim was followed by a 30k bike ride and 8k run.

Elsewhere in Lancashire, Edge Hill University in Ormskirk was the scene for the West Lancashire Spring Triathlon. Incorporating a 400m swim, 20km bike ride and 5km run, it pitted the Doyles together for a father-son battle. Experienced tri veteran Andrew came home in 71st position (1:12:29), whilst Frazer completed his first multi-discipline event only 10 minutes behind but in 177th (1:20:48).

Previously, the Philbin siblings put on another demonstration of growing confidence and ability on the fells, as the picturesque village of Barley was the setting for the Pendle Fell Races.

In wet and windy conditions, Lily Philbin won the girls’ u10s race in 5:33, whilst sister Molly was sixth in the u14s (25:25) after a strong finish on a tough course.

For the u12s, Emily Petch ran bravely to finish 20th (27:07). The performances come after the Hollingworth Lake 5k on Easter Monday where, aged 13, Molly Philbin competed in her first open age road race – a flat course around the lake.

On a windy day, she finished 79th out of a field of 216, recording a personal best of 20:47 and finishing 10th female overall.

The Golden Mile Fun Run preceded the 5k and saw Lily clock 5:40 for eighth out of 55 (third girl), younger brother Sam finished 25th in 6:46.