THREE veteran sporting heroes made a good start to the season at the Taunton Deane Aquathlon as part of their build-up to the European Triathlon Championships in June.

Ron White, who lives in Wotton, won the Super vintage category (60+) in the sprint distance event, 500m swim in the local pool followed by a 5k run, in the time of 33 minutes 44 seconds.

Olveston-based Jon Greenwood won the super vintage category in the long distance race, a 1,000k swim followed by a very hilly 10k run, in the time of one hour, three minutes, 56seconds.

Jane Leslie, who lives in Easter Compton, came second in her super vintage category in the long race in a time of 1:10:44, winning the swim section but outrun on the 10k.

All three athletes will be representing Great Britain in Kitzbuhel at the European Triathlon Championships, White in the sprint distance event (750m swim, 20k bike and 5k run), with Greenwood and Leslie in the Olympic distance event (1500m swim, 40k bike and 10k run).

White has been an inspiration to all his fellow athletes having had a total hip replacement in April 2013, and determinedly fighting his way back to fitness in the past months.

This was his first win since the operation and bodes well for the future.

The trio train at Tockington Manor swimming pool with a small group of competitive masters swimmers, as well as at Yate Leisure Centre.

Three Thornbury Running Club members also took part.

Andrew Darton chose the long course, finishing fifth in the senior male category in 57:45.

Sandra Webber and Richard Phillips did the short course and both came second in their age categories; Phillips having third quickest swim of the day in 7:22, and an overall time of 30:06, while Webber put in two good performances to finish in 37:06.