Danica Bonello Spiteri recently took part in the British Duathlon Championships, earning a creditable third place in her Age Group and ninth overall in the women’s classification with a time of 2 hours 42 minutes.

Fresh from her success in the European Triathlon Union Age Group championships in Eilat, Bonello Spiteri was up against a number of seasoned athletes in the British event.

The first segment consisted of a 12km run of constant undulation and gravel paths held in strong winds.

The cycle included two steep climbs which made this leg very technical and hard.

The last 4km of the run saw Bonello Spiteri start strongly but was overtaken in the last 800m by a fellow athlete who had been running neck-and-neck with the Maltese champion.

“This was a race definitely not designed for beginners,” Bonello Spiteri said.

“The terrain and weather conditions made it very difficult for all competitors.

“Having raced in the European Championships before this duathlon, I guess I still hadn’t recovered fully for this one but I am still very pleased with the result.”

Bonello Spiteri’s next commitment will be the International Triathlon Union’s World Championship qualifier in Madrid next Friday.

Meanwhile, Margaret Seguna, of Mellieħa AC, also took part in the British Championships race.

She finished sixth in her Age Group.

Seguna is a relative newcomer to the sport and is currently in a phase of building more on experience for next season.