SEVEN members of Chester Triathlon Club rubbed shoulders with elite athletes from all around the world in Germany on Sunday.
An appearance at the International Triathlon Union's World Champion-ships in Hamburg marked the culmination of months of hard work for the Chester athletes.
They competed over the Olympic distance, comprising a 1,500m open water swim, 40k bike and 10k run, and turned in some excellent results in their respective age groups.
Ellie Debenham, of Vicars Cross, was first over the line, finishing 19th in the 20-24 age group in an impressive time of two hours, 23 minutes and 45 seconds.
She was followed by Wirral-based Ruth Isaacs, (24th, 45-49, 2:36.26), Hand-bridge's Kelly Crickmore (53rd, 30-34, 2:36.36), Dave Taylor of Hoole (45th, 55-59, 2:38.20), Linda Worrall of Vicars Cross (13th, 50-54, 2:39:35), Newton's Emer McCarron (74th, 30-34, 2:51.28) and Ellesmere Port's Dave Humphreys (68th, 60-64, 3:01.44).
While McCarron was representing Ireland, the other six Chester athletes were flying the flag for Great Britain.
Worrell finished as the second Brit in her age category, while Debenham was third.
Humphreys summed up the feeling of the squad when he said: 'The race was the end of a long hard road of training and competing for a place in the GB squad.
'But it was worth all the blood, sweat and tears to be flying the flag in Hamburg. What a fantastic experience!'
* Two members of the City of Chester Triathlon Club were competed in the Big Woody Triathlon in the Forest of Dean. Phil Brown completed the gruelling 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run in 11 hrs 55 mins, followed by Dave Bottoms (13:43).
