An Ashby-based duathlon competitor has collected his first medal of the year in an event which involved taking on an Alpine ski slope.

Simon Ward raced in the World Winter Masters Games in Italy, competing in the Classic Snow Run, which is a 2,000 feet high vertical race up a steep ski slope and back down the other side. 

Despite the gruelling conditions, Simon came away with a silver medal in his first attempt at the event, racing in the V50 category.

He said: "The race began in Ponte di Legno, a picturesque ski resort in the Italian Alps, and host of this year's World Masters Games.

"Running with Crampons and carbon poles to aid climbing, the 14km course climbed steeply through snow and ice until it reached the summit of a ski resort, and then plunged dramatically downhill for an adrenaline rush finish.

"It's a great start to 2024, a year which will see me compete in the European and World Duathlon Championships in Portugal and Australia respectively, with the hope of some warmer races to come."

The event was being used as a test ground for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in the Lombardy region. 

It is considered the biggest Wintersports festival for active adults over 30 years old. 

Simon was formerly a top 800metres runner who was denied a place at the 1992 Olympic Games after being attacked while out training.

After that, Simon, aged 53, turned his hand to motor racing and briefly competed in the NASCAR series which has a huge following in the USA.

But then he switched his attention back to running - with the addition of a bike - to turn his hand to duathlon.