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James Raw and Millie Wells secure gold medal double for Ellesmere Titans

Ellesmere Titans duo James Raw and Millie Wells dominated the Swim England Open Water National Age Group Championships 12 Years 2k races.

They both won their respective races at Rotherham’s Thrybergh Country Park with Raw victorious by an impressive 43.8 seconds margin.

He touched home first in 25:41 with silver medallist Ioan James, Bridgend, clocking 26:25 and Watford’s William Fawcett third in a time of 26:27.

Raw said: “I enjoyed it, I was ahead at the first buoy by about five seconds I think so I stayed ahead.

“I competed at the Welsh Nationals the other day and I came second to the guy that came second today so I beat him at this one.

“There’s a bit of a rivalry but we’re friends.

“The conditions weren’t as bad as they were in the Welsh one, it was quite peaceful.”

Wells wins in first-ever open water nationals

Millie Wells won gold in the Girls 12 Years 2k race

Meanwhile, Wells took the title in the girls race in her first-ever open water competition – although it was a much closer contest.

There was only seven seconds between the top three with Wells clocking 26:54 to take the gold medal.

Lincoln Vulcan’s Rachel Webb was second in 26:59 while the bronze medal went to Thanet Swim’s Olivia Parpworth in 27:01.

Wells said: “I enjoyed that race – it was my first open water nationals.

“I haven’t done much open water training before this, just in the pool.

“The conditions were alright. It was a bit wavy coming up to finish. I’m hoping to come to Nationals again next year but I’m really happy with my gold.”

Pictures: Will Johnston Photography

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