A deputy editor for Archant London has scooped a top medal after taking part in the world’s biggest running and cycling event.

Kate Bryson, who works on the Kentish Times series, was among more than 2,000 competitors who took part in the London Duathlon at Richmond Park.

Athletes ran 10km around the course before jumping on bikes to complete another 20km. This was followed by a further 5km jog.

Kate, (pictured), took part in the challenge event set aside for serious athletes and finished the course in one hour, 57m 49s. Almost 400 women took part and Kate was placed 97th.

It was her first duathlon following a series of successful road and cross-country events including the notoriously gruelling events in Dorset known as The Beast and The Grizzly.

Kate said: “The duathlon was much easier than I thought it would be. In fact it was a picnic compared to some of the running events.

“The cycling part of the race was great because it was not so aerobically exhausting as running.”

To keep in shape Kate runs at least 30 miles a week and her ambition now is to be in the top 50 at next year’s duathlon. She will need to knock seven minutes off this year’s race time. The fastest woman this year was Fiona Ford who completed the event in 1h 31m.

Kate’s next big event is ‘The Stickler’ – a tough ten miler across Dorset countryside.

Kentish Times Newspapers’ group editor Melody Ryall said: “It’s great to know we have an athlete on the editorial team. Kate’s relationship with speed comes in handy when deadline is looming!”