KINGTON St Michael triathlete Chris Maxwell earned his best-ever finish at an international age group event at the European Championships in Portugal late last month.

Competing in the 40-44 age group, Maxwell, who is the chairman of Chippenham Tri Club, completed a 1500m open water swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run in two hours, 11 minutes and 24 seconds to cross the line in 21st position – the 10th-fastest of 17 British competitors in a 78-strong category in Lisbon on May 26.

The Wiltshire man achieved his goal of improving upon finishing 31th at the 2015 World Championships in Chicago and was also delighted to have overcome a build-up blighted by injury.

“Thanks to everyone for all their messages of support,” said Maxwell, whose wife Michelle is an ultra marathon runner.

“I’m really pleased with 21st position, given the month I had with hamstring problems.

“The swim start was extremely competitive and consequently, I had to recover from serious oxygen deprivation after 300m.

“The bike element was long, but solid, and the run was very twisty and congested.”

Maxwell, who completed his first triathlon in 2002, first qualified for the World Duathlon Championships in 2011 and also works as an athletics and tri coach.

His Lisbon foray was supported by Chippenham-based sports and health clinic Active Potential Therapy.