humid conditions to take the national triathlon sprint titles at Clearwater Beach on Sunday.

In front of a large crowd on the St. David's shore, Herring beat off strong challenges from Kent Richardson and Neil de ste Croix to win the 750-metre swim, 20-kilometre bike and five-kilometre run event.

Herring, who returned last week from 10 days in a Hawaiian triathlon training camp, won in one hour, three minutes and 32 seconds, with Richardson second in 1:04:00 and de ste Croix third in 1:04:28.

Hawley, who has regained the form that made her the Island's number one triathlete a few years ago, took her title with a time of 1:06:08, good enough to place seventh overall.

Her closest challengers were Karen Smith (1:07:47), in her first year of competing on the Island, and national champion Laurie Orchard (1:11:04).

Herring came out of the water in second place and soon reeled in Tim Dewailly on the bike, and opened up what turned out to be an unassailable lead by the time of the run transition.

Richardson and Jim Butterfield duelled for second place and 40-49 age group honours, before Richardson, fresh from an excellent performance at the Canadian National Triathlon Championships, dropped Butterfield and narrowed the gap on Herring.

Herring faded after the first loop of the run and de ste Croix continued his blistering pace to close in on Richardson, but the 16-year-old had enough in reserve to stave off all the chasers.

In the women's event, much attention was focused on 19-year-old British junior triathlon champion Joanne Hind, one of the world's top juniors.

After emerging from the water in third place, Hind opened up a comfortable lead on the bike.

Hawley enjoyed an excellent bike ride, dropping Orchard and opening up a narrow gap on Smith. And Hawley even had Hind in her sights as the youngster began to suffer in the humidity. But Hind held on to her narrow lead to win the women's event in 1:05:44, good enough for fifth place overall.

Brian Steinhoff came good after a series of disappointing performances this season to take the boys' title in 1:07:15, which earned him a place in the Bermuda national team.

Chris Conway and Nick Taylor finished second and third respectively in the 13-15 age group with 13-year-old Matthew Herring finishing just behind Taylor.

Thirteen-year-old Robyn Dickinson took the girls 13-15 title in a fast 1:19:05, ahead of Melissa DeSilva and Ashley Kirkpatrick, who both clocked 1:20:12.

Bermuda international middle distance runner Ashley Couper displayed her all-round athletic ability by winning the 16 to 29 age group in 1:15:44, ahead of British junior Chloe Ashpole.

Giles Watson took the men's 16-19 title in 1:12:06, while runner Brett Forgesson took the men's 30-39 title in 1:07:44.

Newton Adcock was the men's 50-plus winner, while Lea Butterfield and Carolyn Conway took the 30-39 and 40-49 women's titles respectively. Christine DeSilva survived a flat tyre on her bike to win the women's 50-plus title.

In the AON Junior Triathlon, seven to 10-year-olds completed a 100-metre swim, five-kilometre bike and one-kilometre run course, while the 11-15 age group faced a 200m swim, a 10K bike ride and a 2K run.

Andrew Nichol was the seven-10 boys winner in 18:09, with Tim Fox second, while Caitlin Conyers took the younger girls title in 21:00, ahead of Lianna Lambert.

Flora Duffy won the girls 11-15 age group in 32:49, ahead of Chelsea Burns and Chloe Kempe, while Mandy Oliver won the 13-15 title.

Geoffrey Smith (30:59) won the boys 11-15 title, holding off a strong challenge from 11-12 winner Chayce Smith (31:15). Robert Pantry won the 13-15 title in 33:17.

Jonathan Herring: pipped Kent Richardson by 28 seconds.

Jonathan Herring: pipped Kent Richardson by 28 seconds.