ULVERSTON Tri Club produced three top-20 finishers in the Kendal Sprint Triathlon.

The race saw competitors take on a 400-metre swim in Kendal Leisure Centre, followed by a 20k cycle and 5k run.

Mark Laithwaite came home as the winner – the only entrant to finish in less than an hour as he crossed the line in 59 minutes and 16 seconds.

UTC’s Mike Gregory produced a great display to finish eighth in a time of one hour, two minutes and 23 seconds. Gregory’s efforts included the fastest bike ride of the day, in 30:32.

Next home for the Ulverston club was England Masters runner Bob Atkinson, who clinched victory in the 55-59 age category and 12th place overall in 1:03:56, which included the second quickest run time of 18:39.

And UTC’s Ben Park proved a solid all-round performer as he landed 17th position in 1:05:07.

Completing the UTC contingent was Stephen Leadbetter, who came 117th in in 1:18:07, in an event entered by a 280-plus strong field.

Newly-crowned English light-heavyweight professional boxing champion and triathlon novice Liam Conroy also took part and demonstrated his strong fitness levels, finishing 115th in 1:18:01.

Conroy, who made his triathlon debut at Ulverston in the spring, took part alongside his friend Dean Reynolds, who finished in 1:17:32 for 108th spot.