ONE of the first events of the tri-season kicked off yesterday in Marlow with the first woman home being disqualified.

The first man in the Marlow Duathlon, Daniel Pebody, came storming in at 1 hour 41 minutes and 40 seconds with the first woman, Lou Collins, not too far behind.

She confessed to receiving help from another competitor after he leant her a front wheel when she got a puncture, and race officials had no option but to discount her time.

Tamsin Neale was therefore the first woman with a time of 1 hour 51 minutes and four seconds.

The Duathlon organised by the Marlow Striders consists of a 7km run followed by a 25km bike ride and a 7km run again.

Ms Collins said: “I know the score. I just wanted to continue racing. I punctured at a time trial last weekend and I really wanted to finish at least.”

Mr Pebody, 32, said: “It is a brilliant race- well organised, well marshalled and it is a fantastic course. They have done a brilliant job.”

Ms Neale, 38, said it was a bit of a shock to come in first as she was fourth last time.

There were about 185 people taking part, with one competitor only able to do the run as he had forgotten one of the wheels on his bike.

Organiser Rod Woodland said: “It is a popular course. It is fairly flat and the first of the season.

“People just see how their winter training has gone. No-one goes out to do good times as the conditions aren't in their favour.”

He said there was a slight set-back as temporary traffic lights had been put up on part of the course but these were turned off for an hour as cyclists went through.

To find out more about Marlow Striders go to www.marlowstriders.co.uk.