SIX Harriers entered the multi-discipline arena by completing the 400m swim, 22.4km bike and 5km run of the Pendle Triathlon from Barnoldswick.

First of the Blue Suits, Tom Carson, continued his build-up towards gaining GB qualification with seventh position overall in the 147-strong field and a swim that beat his pre-race expectations by half a minute.

An 18mins 42secs jog on top of the cycle shows he is on course, particularly as he predicted “there is more to come”.

Andrew Doyle (25) eclipsed fellow vet Nick Howarth (31) courtesy of a superior swim, though Howarth’s consistency over the three race elements is encouragement for future European aspirations.

If a team prize had been awarded, the top three’s 63 points narrowly beat the hosts’ Pendle (68).

Debutant Steve Houghton did well on the bike, twice trading places with Howarth in their own mini on-course battle.

It was a good recovery after expending too much energy at the start attempting to mitigate a sluggish T1, but the anticipated struggle with the run materialised.

Alex Donnelly demonstrated his prowess in the water with a sub-eight-minute time, while his son, junior athlete Cameron, also a first timer in triathlon, showed off his quick learning with the difference in the two transition times – T1 of 2:40 before a barnstorming T2 of 0:36.

Donnelly Jnr’s potential was also highlighted as this triathlon came fast on the heels of his track and field exertions at last weekend’s Youth Development League meet and the upcoming endurance four-miler on the trails of Astley Park.

BUH&AC results:7 1:05:26 Tom Carson (5:34; 0:40; 40:02; 0:27; 18:42), 25 1:14:39 Andrew Doyle (6:54 1:03 43:33 0:43; 22:22), 31 1:16:21 Nick Howarth (8:30; 0:51; 43:20; 0:43; 22:54), 59 1:22:34 Steve Houghton (8:28; 1:37; 42:33; 0:49; 29:06), 79 1:26:33 Alex Donnelly (7:40; 1:50; 47:57; 0:59; 28:05), 98 1:30:55 Cameron Donnelly (9:33; 2:40; 52:26; 0:36; 25:38).

Elsewhere, Dom Gavin clocked 38:04 for eighth in the Wigan Trail 10K, while John Grimshaw warmed up for the upcoming Central Lancashire Grand Prix fixture with 37:43 in the first of the Astley Park Trail Races at Chorley.