After a fabulous 2003 for Darlington athlete Mike Trees which culminated in being crowned British Duathlete of the Year, 2004 has begun even better.
The 41-year-old has become champion of the world in the World Masters 10K Road Race held recently in Auckland, New Zealand.
In this race the main opposition came from Kerry Rodger of New Zealand who had been fourth in the Commonwealth Games. He set a cracking pace from the start and out of a very large field only Trees was able to go with him.
As Rodger said: "Mike sat on me most of the way then he really hammered the uphill on the second lap."
After the race an elated Trees said: "I badly wanted a world title.
"I have trained hard through the winter for this win. I just hope it has also qualified me for the world duathlon championships next month in Belgium."
Great Britain took second place in the team event; the markers being Mike Trees (1), Steve Murdoch (8); Peter Gray (9).
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