The Standard Distance British Championships marked the start of day two of AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series with athletes competing to be named British Champions and for a place at the Standard Distance World Championships in 2024.

In the Open race Robin Hughes, who claimed gold in Open 20-24 category, was the first person to take to the blue carpet and cross the line with a time of 01:57:38.

He said: “It felt really good. It’s only my second year of triathlon so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t know that I was the first one back until I crossed the line.

"My family were here cheering me on which I appreciate, the hill out of transition was pretty horrendous and they were cheering me on up that which kept me going.”

The honour of fastest athlete in the Open race went to Donald Brooks, the winner of the Open 45-49 category, with a time of 01:54:07.

In the Female race Megan Chapple was the first to cross the line taking both the fastest female time of the day and the Female 25-29 British Championship crown.

She said: “I’m over the moon. You never know what to expect coming to these events. I was third in my age group last year and fourth overall so to come away with the win is great. I think I have improved since then so it’s great.

Chapple was joined on the top step of the podium by Emma Yates, who won the Female 50-54 category.

“I like being up North,” Yates said. “It was very unexpected [winning the championships] it’s brilliant and I was well supported.

“The swim was really cold, the bike was nice but very busy. Then the run I enjoyed it because it’s my thing and it was a nice course.”

The athletes were cheered on by the Sunderland crowd as well as friends and family, who made the trip to Roker and Seaburn. Open 17-19 winner Jamie Meldrum was watched on by his Dad who said: “I couldn’t be prouder. He keeps going from strength to strength from last year into this year. So onwards and upwards, I’m really excited to see where he goes.”

Several Yellow Jersey Age-Group ambassadors were also on the start line and achieved medal success in their categories.

One of the ambassadors Kate Hutchinson, who won the Female 30-34 category, said: “I did better than I thought, I came third overall. It was a good swim; the bike was really fun with lots of twists and turns and I just held on for the run.

“It’s amazing for spectators. It’s great to see them four times on the bike and the run. It just feels like you’ve got constant support.”

Yiannis Christodoulou, who picked up a silver medal in the Open 40-44, added: “I’m over the moon with it, I wasn’t expecting it. My goal this year is to enjoy the races and I find when you do that the results come.

“It’s important to have something like this, you’re racing against the best in the country in your age group. You don’t have to be at the top, I’d recommend anyone taking part just to see how they get on.”

See below for a full list of category podiums.

Open 17-19: 1^st Jamie Meldrum, 2^nd Zach Seenan, 3^rd Joshua Weston
Open 20-24: 1^st Robin Hughes, 2^nd Kester McQueen, 3^rd Angus Lindsay
Open 25-29: 1^st Jack Bristow, 2^nd William Kirk, 3^rd Hamadel Ndiaye
Open 30-34: 1^st Matthew James, 2^nd Oliver Crossley, 3^rd Tom Bill
Open 35-39: 1^st Daniel Geisler, 2^nd Craig Dale, 3^rd Thomas Marshall
Open 40-44: 1^st Matthew Stratford, 2^nd Yiannis Christodoulou, 3^rd Kris Whitelaw
Open 45-49: 1^st Donald Brooks, 2^nd Ben Redman, 3^rd Simon Peltenburg
Open 50-54: 1^st Robert Harrison, 2^nd Stephen Greene, 3^rd Paul Robson
Open 55-59: 1^st Innes Wright, 2^nd Simon Nicoll, 3^rd Marius Kwint
Open 60-64: 1^st Richard Bewell, 2^nd Keith Tannetta, 3^rd Mick Flaherty
Open 65-69: 1^st Chris Goulden, 2^nd Alexander Whyte, 3^rd Patrick Finn,
Open 70-74: 1^st Nick Hewitt, 2^nd Alan Dewey, 3^rd Chris Owens
Open 75-79: 1^st James Lemin, 2^nd Steve Walsh

Female 20-24: 1^st Indi Lacey, 2^nd Gemma Parkinson, 3^rd Sarah Seal
Female 25-29: 1^st Megan Chapple, 2^nd Natasha Harris-White, 3^rd Amie Buttle
Female 30-34: 1^st Kate Hutchinson, 2^nd Courtney Hyde, 3^rd Fern Gardner
Female 35-39: 1^st Sarah Harding, 2^nd Rebecca Goodwin, 3^rd Sarah Watts,
Female 40-44: 1^st Christine Lutsch, 2^nd Elizabeth Earle, 3^rd Kathryn Holm
Female 45-49: 1^st Gwen Kinsey, 2^nd Elizabeth Richardson, 3^rd Karen Graham
Female 50-54: 1^st Emma Yates, 2^nd Joanne Smith, 3^rd Gaynor Beckett
Female 55-59: 1^st Nicki Rushton, 2^nd Karen Murphy, 3^rd Denise Drummond
Female 60-64: 1^st Juliet Vickery, 2^nd Hilary Briggs, 3^rd Ruth Isaacs
Female 65-69: 1^st Linda Russell-Bond, 2^nd Joyce Mark, 3^rd Sally Marples
Female 70-74: 1^st Judy Orme