OFFENHAM ace Alister Brown won an age group silver medal at the England National Standard Distance Duathlon Championships.

Brown, who has joined Evesham Rivers Leisure Centre's gifted and talented scheme and took on a professional triathlon coach in November, has been upping his game and working hard.

The efforts paid off in the Tri Energy competitor's first race of the season with the podium place in the men's 25 to 29 year section at the nationals at Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire.

Brown tackled a 10-kilometre run, 44km bike section and 5km run, completing the distance in two hours 17 minutes three seconds for 24th place overall.

The 28-year-old, who said he took up the sport to help with his mental health, admitted: "I knew I was feeling strong and training had been going well and consistently but I didn't envisage myself stood on the podium with some bling round my neck!

"Having a coach has really aided my mental health too as I have someone to be accountable to, to ask any questions to and to support me.

"It certainly gives me extra boosts when setting an alarm for 5.45am to train before work and then after work too most days.

"I have also started back swimming and aim to do well in Ironman 70.3 (middle distance triathlon) events this year once I have raced the European Sprint Duathlon Championships in June."