A TRIO from Wyre Forest running club Hash House Harriers successfully tested their mettle at biggest half Ironman event in the gruelling heat of Majorca.

Ironman debutantes Rachel Ward, Richard Sheldon and David Hunter joined an international field of 3,500 to conquer the 70.3 mile course in Port d’Alcudia.

The popular holiday resort is turned into gruelling test of human endurance.

Hunter also survived a potentially serious heavy bike fall to make the finish.

Ward was fifth fastest out of 16 athletes in the women’s 55 to 59 category.

She completed the 1.2 mile sea swim, 56m bike ride and 13.1m half marathon run in a total time of five hours 43 minutes and 22 seconds.

The Stourport GP, 55, also saw that her running time of 1.45.49 was second quickest in her age group.

Meanwhile, Sheldon recorded a time of 6.21.11 in the men’s 45 to 49 category.

Hunter suffered severe cuts and bruises in a crash towards the end of his bike ride, picking himself up to post 6.45.43 in the men’s 50 to 54 men’s age group.

A shaken Hunter said: “My helmet was split almost in half. There is no doubt it saved me from what could have been a serious head injury.”

Germany’s Andreas Dreitz won the men’s elite race in 3.51.38 while Lisa Hutthaler took the women’s title.