Matthews wheels get in

1hr 1sec to finish just over five minutes ahead of Mark Stirling. Luke Wraight was first junior in 1:14:19.

Aberdeen AAC’s Rebecca Eggeling, 16, produced the best novice performance of the day when leading home the women’s field by finishing third overall in 1:07:38 despite suffering from a pain in her side which reduced her to walking pace for much of the run. Charlotte Stirton was second in 1:11:47. Turriff’s Anne Taylor posted the fastest time in the women’s division of the competition when completing the course in 1:40:02.

The veteran competitor, who finished 21sec ahead of Edzell’s Jeni Warden (Montrose Tri Club) and 34sec ahead of Fraserburgh’s Nicola Moir, earned her victory courtesy of her sleeker transition times.

Taylor spent a total of 1:34 in the swim to cycle and cycle to run transitions compared with Warden’s 2:41 and Moir’s 2:48.

She was surprised to learn that she had achieved the best time of the day, saying: “During the race

BEST IN FIELD: Anne Taylor on the way to victory in the women’s race and, inset, Pete Matthews after his win

Anne Taylor is all smiles after her race triumph