The aquathlon, the latest leg of the British Triathlon Youth and Junior Super Series, provided a thrilling spectacle for the spectators on a glorious day in London with intense competition among the athletes who battled it out over the swim-run course (750m swim/5km run for the juniors and 500m swim/2.5km run for the youths).

 

In the junior men's race, Chris Perham (25:18sec), who was fourth in the first round of the Super Series at the British Elite Duathlon Championships at Rockingham in March, took full advantage of the absence of the top three in the standings to win in some style, eventually beating James Teagle (25:48) by 30 seconds, with Luke Penney third in 26:03.

 

"The swim was a bit rough to start with, getting to the first buoy and getting my position sorted but I tucked myself in on the feet of the leader and got out of the water feeling good," said Perham, who won the Junior Super Series last year. "I then pushed on the run and built through it. I felt really good towards the end, so I was really pleased.

 

"The atmosphere here in Hyde Park is great, especially because there are the elite races next. Loads of people have come out to support us and there are lots of families here. It's a nice venue to come and watch, it's always well organised.

 

"The main focus for me is next weekend at the 2014 Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon, which is also part of the Youth and Junior Super Series. It's also a qualifier for the ETU Junior European Championships."

 

The sharp end of the junior women's race was a family affair as sibling rivalry (a not unknown state of affairs in triathlon at Hyde Park) saw Sarah Hodgson (27:59) beat her sister Mary Hodgson into (30:19) second place, with Leah Peploe third in 30:27. 

 

"It was great to be able to run the course all the elites are going to use and it was a fantastic atmosphere, especially with the boys to chase down," said Sarah Hodgson. "My swim was the weaker part so I was surprised to come out of the water with the leaders. From there it was just a question of running to bring it home. It's amazing to be able to do it on the Olympic course and the atmosphere is great for it.”

 

Sarah Hodgson is focusing her efforts this year on the British Triathlon Youth and Junior Super Series, with Blenheim next weekend in her sights. "I'm going to do Blenheim next week and the nationals at Liverpool, so I've got a lot to look forward to," she added.

 

In the men's youth race Alex Chantler-Mayne held off Alex Yee, on the run leg to win in 14:39, with Yee, who had also been second at Rockingham, 18 seconds back in 14:57. Jack Ryan was third in 15:04.

 

"I found clear water really quickly on the swim so I got a bit of a lead and I just held off Alex Yee on the run, which I was pleased about because my run has been a bit weak this year," said Chantler-Mayne.

 

"Racing here in Hyde Park on the same course as the elites was great and the atmosphere was great with all the crowds. The Super Series is a big focus for me this year. I'm looking forward to Blenheim, the British Triathlon Championships Liverpool and the British Under-20s' Festival at Nottingham at the end of the season."

 

The women's youth race was a hard-fought affair, with the top three separated by a mere 11 seconds. Kate Waugh (15:48) came out on top and Sophie Alden (15:54) held off Emer Wintsch (15:59) in the battle for second place.

 

"It was an amazing experience to race where the elites are racing and it was really good to get another first place," said Waugh, who led the women's Youth Super Series going into the London race after winning the opening duathlon round at Rockingham. "It was amazing to see all the great names here. Now I'm looking forward to Blenheim. I haven't raced there before but I've heard it's a great course."

 

Results below