Leatherhead Swimming Club members took a national title and a silver medal from the British Modern Biathlon Championships in Sheffield.

Mark Inkester, 10, from Epsom, who was seeded first in his age group, was awarded trophies for overall winners and the best run in his age group.

His biathlon started with a 1,000m run in which he finished in first position to collect 1,006.

The following day Mark swam 50m at Sheffield's Ponds Forge, finishing ninth in a long course lifetime best performance to collect 1,036 points.

His total of 2,042 gave him first position by more 50 points ahead of 34 other competitors who had qualified from regional championships.

Unseeded James Lock from Ashtead had a tougher programme with a 2,000m run and a 200m swim.

Over the difficult 2000m course, 16-year-old James ran an excellent race to take fourth place in 6:30.35 improving on his previous personal best performance by 15 seconds to collect 1,040 points.

James then finished fifth in the swim to collect 1,228 points. This gave him a fantastic second place on 2,268 points an agonising four points behind the overall winner.

Both boys train for Leatherhead Swimming Club but neither belongs to a running club.

December 3, 2001 16:30