There was plenty for the people of Horst to celebrate as a number of Dutch athletes claimed medals in the Age Group categories of the ETU European Long Distance Championships.

After a wall of colour raced around the streets of Horst, nine different nationalities shared the medals and the podium positions with the Netherlands coming out on top.

In the 25-29 category, Franziska Ruf claimed gold in for Germany in the Women’s race. In the Male category, Seppe Odeyn won the gold medal for Belgium with his compatriot Nico Klaesen in second and Mads Münster Karlsson (DEN).

In the 30-34 category, Victoria Gill (GBR) was the overall Age Group winner on the day as she secured the gold medal in the Women’s race. Steffi Jansen (GER) and Daniela Hafner (GER) finished on the podium.

Rutger Uli (NED) led home a Dutch one-two in the Men’s race with Leon Van Leusen (NED) in second and Danny Papi (LUX) third.

In the 35-39 category, Charlotte Hooft (SWE) held off the challenge of Marleen Stroomer (NED) in the Women’s race. In the Men’s race, Paul Bentner earned gold for Luxembourg ahead of German duo Marcus Kohlhase and Tobias Hempel.

There was another gold for Luxembourg in the 40-44 Female category thanks to Daniele Peters-Flammang. Sandra Fuchs (GER) was second and Marian Van Hilst (NED) third. In the 40-44 Male category, Christopher Dettmar (GBR) finished ahead of Carl Ferri (GBR) and Paulo Goncalves (LUX).

There were three medals for the Netherlands in the 45-49 female category as Geke Venema led home Dorothe Vrieze and Monique Haans.

Michael Krüger (GER) was the winner of the 45-49 male category with Hans Bader (NED) and Werner Oberweis (LUX) completing that podium.

Wendy Gooding became European Long Distance Champion in the 50-54 Female category. Regine Bette (GER) was second with Boo Alder (GBR) earning the bronze medal.

Peter Van Egdom (NED), whose son Jorik won the Junior Sprint Distance title later in the day, made it a successful day for the Van Egdom family with victory in the Male 50-54 race. Hilmar Schneider (GER) and Jordi Moreno (ESP) finished behind him in the top three.

In the Male 55-59 category it was another one-two-three for the Netherlands as Jack Niessen  finished ahead of Aart Van Wijk  and Tini Delaat.

Elspeth Knott claimed the European title for Great Britain in the 60-64 Women’s race as she defeated Karin Schulz (GER). In the 60-64 men’s race, Bart Mulder (NED) won another medal for the home nation ahead of Miroslav Kresek (CZE) in second and Bram Heikamp (NED) in third.

Roberto Felaco is the European Champion in the 65-69 Male category as he held off the threat of Geoff Russell (GBR) and Jorgen Ladegaard (DEN).

In the 70-74 Male category, Jorgen Eisfeld (GER) becomes European Champion. Ake Jonson (SWE) won the silver medal and bronze went to Helmut Beck (GER).

Germany’s Lothar Bathe (GER) was the oldest competitor in the Long Distance Championship and he completed the course to win gold in the 70-74 male age category.

In the European Long Distance Open race, Phil Holland led home a British one-two-three, w inning the race ahead of countrymen Richard Anderson and Darren Jenkins.

Stefanie Adam (BEL) took the honours in the Women’s open race with Annette Niderau (GER) in second and Benedicte Reis (LUX) in third.

Full results for the Age Group and Open race European Long Distance Duathlon Championships are on the ETU website here.