THEY are more used to lengths rather than laps but 14 members of Pioneer 79 Swimming Club recently competed in the North West Regional Biathlon Championships.

And they showed they are equally as talented on the track as they are in the pool as two members were crowned North West champions while a total of seven booked their place in the national finals.

Eleanor Collin, competing in the U15s girls section, finished in first place overall while Thomas Baynes did likewise in the U13s boys age group.

With the top six competitors in age groups U10s-U14s – and those involved in winning teams – automatically qualifying for the national finals, Simone Ellson, Ellie Perris, Olivia Nicholls, Alice Harding and Joe Murray also booked their place in the finals that take place in Solihull at the end of the month.

Results:

Under 13 Girls (Swim 100m/Run 1600m)

Simone Ellson – Swim 5th 1.06.11/Run 17th 6.44.69 – overall 10th

Charlotte Collin – Swim 21st 1.19.60/Run 23rd 7.06.93 – overall 23rd

Caitlin Armstrong – Swim 20th 1.18.39/Run 28th 7.46.69 – overall 26th

Under 14 Girls (Swim 100m/Run 1600m)

Charlotte Dunn – Swim 5th 1.07.42/ Run 15th 6.54.51 – Overall 10th

Ellie Ward – Swim 10th 1.11.09/Run 13th 6.44.45 – Overall 12th

Abigail Murray – Swim 12th 1.12.12/Run 18th 7.09.82 – overall 15th

Martha Smith – withdrew due to injury on run

Pioneer 79 – 4th place

Under 15 Girls (Swim 200m/Run 1600m)

Eleanor Collin – Swim 1st 2.16.91/Run 5th 6.14.50 – overall 1st

Ellie Perris – Swim 3rd 2.20.62/Run 6th 6.35.29 – overall 5th

Olivia Nicholls – Swim 2nd 2.18.84/Run 9th 7.31.94 – overall 7th

Pioneer 79 – 1st place

Under 16 Girls (Swim 200m/Run 1600m)

Alice Harding – swim 2nd 2.13.11/Run 7th 6.31.09 – overall 7th

Ribble Valley MPT – 1st place

Under 13 Boys (Swim 100m/Run 1600m)

Thomas Baynes – Swim 1st 1.05.96/Run 5th 5.47.18 – overall 1st

Ben Makin – Swim 3rd 1.07.87/Run 11th 6.28.91 – overall 10th

Under 16 Boys (Swim 200m/Run 1600m)

Joe Murray – Swim 2nd 2.14.08/Run 5th 6.21.62 – overall 4th