Halstead Road Runners will be preparing a hero’s welcome when Maurice Young arrives back in the UK after his latest ITU Duathlon World Championship success.

It was a fantastic performance from the 81-year-old Halstead member as he retained his world title in the 80 to 84 age group at the championships in Adelaide in Australia.

The reigning world champion put in a faultless performance in his duel with Canada’s John Marriott.

Over the five kilometre run, 20km bike ride and another 3km run, Young, who had already claimed gold for Great Britain at the European Duathlon Championships in April, battled against hot conditions in the South Australian city.

However, he finished in a total time of one hour 53 minutes 49 seconds, which was almost eight minutes ahead of his Canadian rival and saw him retain the title that he won in 2014.

Young said: “I’m delighted with the victory; it was a warm day and conditions were tough, however, I felt strong throughout.”

Halstead Road Runners are now looking forward to putting on a stylish welcome back for their star duathlete.

Club chairman Paul Harrington said: “Maurice is a phenomenal athlete.

“We are all so proud of him within the club and look forward to giving him a world champion welcome when he returns home.”