Two Cirencester athletes starred at the ETU Traithlon European Championships in the Netherlands which saw Olympic gold medalist Alistair Brownlee win the elite event.

Jenny Manners and Oliver Pritchard finished 19th and 11th respectively in their events in what was a successful weekend in Weert for Cirencester Athletics Club.

In the women’s elite race on Friday, Manners competed in her highest profile race.

She had been presented with her triathlon suit the evening before the race by Alistair Brownlee as this was her first Great Britain championship race.

The standard distance event comprised a 1500m swim, 40k bike and 10k run. Coming out of the swim in the lead group, in 17.26, Jenny was in the strong peloton of 18 athletes and they worked hard to close-down the threat from the chase group.

The lead grew until it was over 90 seconds with Jenny well placed as the group entered T2 with a 54.08 bike leg.

The technical course for the 10k run took its toll after a recent lay off from running, but nonetheless Manners achieved 37.00 for an overall time of 1.49.22 and a superb 19th place, third GB.

In the circumstances Jenny was very pleased with her result and looks forward to another season of high-level competition.

Two days later Royal Agricultural University student Pritchard took part in the men’s age group 20-24 race. Again, this was his highest profile race having qualified for selection after he competed in a standard distance event in Arundel, West Sussex last summer.

On the same technical course Pritchard, who has been deaf since birth, enjoyed the overall experience and exited the swim in 24.32.

His strong 59.20 bike leg kept him with the main contenders, but he found it was a run for survival in heat of 25 degrees, but still achieved a credible 40.45 and achieved a superb 11th place and was fourth GB athlete in 2.08.40.

Oliver is also aiming to raise awareness for deaf athletes and deafness in sport and encourage other children not to feel put off by sport if they have a health condition.

He's aiming to turn professional after his final year at University.