A CHANCE meeting between two of the country's top triathletes has led to them joining forces as they attempt to make their mark in the gruelling sport.

Mike Trees, who has been racing professionally in Japan for the last ten years, and relative newcomer to the sport Dave Gamble, live in the neighbouring villages of Hurworth and Croft-on-Tees, near Darlington.

They are now training together after striking up a conversation while both were getting in some swimming practice at Darlington's Dolphin Centre a couple of months ago.

The pair have since spurred each other on to some top class performances, the most recent coming at the Bournemouth International Triathlon earlier this month.

Trees, who has won nine national duathlon and triathlon titles during his career, won the elite race in one hour, 55 minutes, eight seconds, while Gamble posted the third fastest time of the day at 1:56.26.

Gamble, a top fell runner who took

By Paul Pearson

up the swimming, cycling and running event only two years ago, has made great strides in the sport.

The 34-year-old joiner is hoping to win a medal in the European championships in the Czech Republic next weekend, before travelling to compete in the world championships in Edmonton, Canada next month.

He said: "I've been racing very well lately and I'm more confident than I was about getting in the top ten at the world championships, but there are so many things that can go wrong.

"Mike has given me a few tips and I've started to change my training a little bit. Hopefully, that will pay off."

Gamble has received plenty of support from his employers, Mansell Construction North-East, who have paid his expenses for the trip to Canada.

Trees, who was born in Darlington and attended Abbey Road and Hummersknott schools, moved to Japan to take up a post teaching English at the University of Kwansei, where he also coached the track and field athletics team.

The 39-year-old took up the triathlon after learning to swim at the age of 28 and enjoyed tremendous success in a sport which has a much higher profile in Japan.

He also proved himself as a coach, helping to prepare three members of the country's Olympic team.

Having moved back to his parent's house in Hurworth with his wife Haruko and their two children earlier this year, Trees intends to return to Japan for the summer to coach and compete.

In the meantime, he continues to help his fellow triathlete prepare for the challenges ahead.

Both compete in the Windsor International Triathlon this weekend and have been braving the icy waters of the River Tees to gear up for the swimming leg of the event in the Thames.