In contrasting fashion, Evan Naude and Lynn Patchett lifted the men?s and women?s titles at Sunday?s National Duathlon Championships.

The latter coasted to victory in such easy style that she had time for an extra lap, having lost count in the latter stages of her race.

However, Naude ? for the second straight year ? endured a keen tussle with his twin Riaan.

In a dramatic reversal of fortune, Riaan, who was leading until the penultimate lap of the second five-lap run, was suddenly struck by cramps in his left leg. This allowed Evan to overhaul him and capture first place in one hour, 25.04 minutes. Riaan was the runner-up eight seconds adrift while Ricky Sousa was third in one hour, 26.02 minutes.

The scene evoked memories of last year when Evan suffered cramps as his brother crossed the finish six seconds ahead of him.

?It went pretty well but my bike chain came off and they (Riaan and Ricky) got away from me. I started catching them up during the last run. I passed Ricky and then Riaan with about 400 metres to go,? recalled a jubilant Evan.

It was a sterling effort by the 27-year-old who had earlier set a blistering pace with his twin in humid conditions at Clearwater Beach, St. David?s, in the first 5km run.

They opened a lead on Sousa knowing the latter?s cycling prowess would give him the edge in the 30km bike ride.

The Naudes had a good, but not insurmountable, lead of 43 seconds over Sousa ? with 16-year-old Coyatito Smith, three-time duathlon champion Neil de Ste Croix and Greg Reid not far behind going into the cycling.

As Evan succumbed to chain trouble, Riaan opened a small gap before Sousa assumed the lead on lap four of the ride with Riaan dropping back about ten metres.

As the bike ride ended, Sousa looked around to see Riaan stalking him. The latter quickly took advantage of his youthful energy and passed the elder Sousa in the early part of the second run. Meanwhile, Evan ? who seemed well beaten going into the second transition ? attacked the second run with great pace and purpose, determined to run down at least Sousa. This he did and when disaster struck his brother the title was his for the taking.

?I was surprised by my time. I?ve just come back from a long injury lay-off. It?s great ? something to write home about!? declared the South African expatriate who is considering competing in the World Duathlon Championships again this year.

De ste Croix held on comfortably for fourth while Reid and Smith were fifth and sixth respectively. Patchett would have finished fifth overall but her extra run lap cost her two places and she eventually placed seventh.

Patchett?s runaway victory in a time of one hour, 36.08 minutes ( closer to 1:32 if adjusted for the extra lap) was predictable.

?I had a good day. I managed to be competitive with Neil de ste Croix the whole way. He really pushed me,? noted Patchett.

?In comparison to last year my time would have been faster if I didn?t do the extra lap.?

The top runner, who turns 37 next week, will now switch focus to training for the May 24th Marathon Derby in which she is expected to challenge Anna Eatherley for the women?s crown.

Flora Duffy, still only 16, had no difficulty taking second (one hour, 45.19 minutes) with a steady performance on both runs and the bike leg. Caroline Mitchell produced another solid showing to be third in one hour, 51 minutes.