The City of Edinburgh got what it hoped for when local girl Catriona Morrison stormed to victory at the 2010 GE Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships. 

 

Gwen Jorgensen (USA) made the early running in the elite women's race as expected, but dropped back to the leaders before starting the tough seven lap bike course around Arthur's Seat.

 

Morrison was quick to form a lead in a pack that gradually whittled down to just two riders, herself and Sandra Levenez of France. It was Morrison that did all the work until she slowed to walking pace, forcing Levenez ahead of her with two laps remaining. On the final 5km run Morrison broke away and was never caught, with time to celebrate her fourth Duathlon world title as she crossed the line in 2:02.48.

 

Levenez held on for silver, to repeat her finishing position from last year, and Felicity Sheedy-Ryan (AUS) was delighted with third.

 

Morrison said: 'I just made her (Levenez) do some work and I was hoping that her legs were more trashed than mine. It feels pretty good to be World Champion!'

 

 The GE Great Britain Team had further success in the team events, winning women's gold and men's bronze. Morrison, Katie Ingram (who finished an impressive 6th) and Sophie Coleman combined for the women's overall title and Bowden, Hobby and Gunby made up the men's medal winning squad.

 

In the under 23 events there was more success for Great Britain with a win for Sophie Coleman in the women's race. Coleman was the World Junior Champion in both 2008 and 2009 and demonstrated that she is just as good over the longer distance Under 23 event.

 

Britain's Matt Gunby was second in the men’s under-23 event, winning an excellent silver medal in 1:54.27 and Oscar Vicente of Spain was third. Gunby said: 'I was just hanging on on the bike. I was surprised how quickly I got going on the run. I got the silver which is fantastic!'

 

In the junior events there were wins for Sofie Hooghe of Belgium and Uxio Abuin ares of Spain. Britain's Eli Thorogood was fourth in the women's event whilst David Bishop and  Sam Chambers were 12th and 18th.

 

RESULTS

Elite Women:

1. Catriona Morrison (GBR) 2:02:47

2. Sandra Levenez (FRA) 2:03:05

3. Felicity Sheedy-Ryan (AUS) 2:06:14

6. Katie Ingram (GBR) 2:07:10

 

Elite Men:

1. Bart Aernouts (BEL) 1:50:22

2. Rob Woestenborghs (BEL) 1:50:24

3. Joerie Vansteelant (BEL) 1:50:30

7. Adam Bowden (GBR) 1:53:38

10. Richard Hobby (GBR) 1:54:16

 

Women's team event:

1.       Great Britain

2.       USA

3.       Japan

 

Men's Team Event:

1.       Belgium

2.       France

3.       Great Britain

 

Under 23 Women:

1. Sophie Coleman GBR 2:15:02

2. Lois Rosindale GBR 2:15:56

3. Alice Capone ITA 2:20:41

 

Under 23 Men:

1. Etienne Diemunsch FRA 1:53:33

2. Matthew Gunby GBR 1:54:27

3. Oscar Vicente ESP 1:56:01

5. Ritchie Nicholls GBR 1:57:44

7. Mark Threlfall GBR 1:58:41

10. Phil Wolfe GBR 2:04:42