BOLTON Triathlon Club continued to enhance their reputation when they clinched second place in the England North West Senior Series.

As they were competing against much bigger clubs from the region, the runners-up spot was impressive for the Leverhulme Park-based club.

Five members took on the Helvellyn Triathlon in the final event of the series – a race described by Triathlete Europe magazine as one of the top 10 toughest in the world. It consists of a one-mile swim in Ullswater, a 38-mile cycle ride – including the notorious Kirkstone Pass – and a nine-mile run up 3,118ft of Helvellyn, England’s third highest peak.

The bike route includes several one-in-four ascents along Kirkstone Lane, which is aptly named The Struggle.

Lying second in the series before this final race, the Bolton five were looking for a strong performance against the 602 other starters.

Top finisher from Bolton was Martyn Pollitt in 131st place and 12th in the over-50s category.

He clocked 4hrs 33mins and was followed by Mark Jackson (4:51) in 237th. His brother Steve finished in 5:23, his daughter Natalie recorded 5:29 and was 35th female finisher.

Steve Spamer clocked 6:04, which may take him up into first place in the individual league in the overall series. He will have to wait until the overall positions are calculated.

He completed all the races in the series, which was a challenge in itself.

Natalie completed the swim in a speedy 24 minutes, which was the 22nd best swim time overall.

Mark Jackson said: “The Struggle is exactly that. The crowds on it keep you going though.”

Spamer said: “The run is more like rock climbing. The run down was horrible, my toes are in bits from being squashed to the front of my trainers.”

Natalie said: “I think I nearly died twice,” while Steve Jackson added: “And to think I paid to do it.”

Manchester Triathlon Club won the series with Mersey Tri Club third.