A SUPERSTAR from Teignmouth has scooped a first place in a European Triathlon championship for his age group. 

Donald Brooks, 43, qualified to represent Great Britain at the European Triathlon Championships held in Valencia, Spain, as part of the Great Britain Age Group Team.

Last Sunday saw the British Age Group triathletes compete alongside 400 European competitors, battling over the Olympic distance course. 

The grueling challenge featured a 1.5-kilometre swim, 40-kilometre bike and 10-kilometre run, finishing under the gantry on the famous blue carpet.

He swam in the lead pack coming out the water 40 seconds behind the lead swimmer. He then set to work on the bike, which he says, has become his strongest discipline, with the help of riding with Mid-Devon Cycling Club.

Donald took the lead within the early stages of the bike and extended this throughout the 40KM.

Donald put a solid 34:20 time in for the run finishing in an overall time of 1:54:53 just over six minutes ahead of second place within his age group of 40-44. This also gave him the fastest overall time of the race across all age groups by a margin of 1 minute 41 seconds.

Donald, also won the race overall at the British Championship in Leeds this year and concurrently holds the British, European and World champion title for the Olympic distance.

Donald said: ‘I am very pleased. It’s a top achievement to win my age group but to take the overall win as well in the 40-44 age group is outstanding.’

There’s no rest in sight however, as his next challenge is this weekend’s postponed London Marathon.