DENISE FARNHAM shrugged off a cut knee to continue her stranglehold on the national biathle grand prix series in Bath.

The veteran athlete, from Sturry, near Canterbury, led from start to finish to secure her second win in as many starts in the women’s 40 to 50 years’ age group.

The event comprises a 100m swim sandwiched between two 1,000m runs and Farnham finished a full minute and a half ahead of her nearest rivals despite hurting her knee during the second transition phase.

Farnham competed the first run in 3min 28sec and then had an excellent first transition, but after completing the 100m swim in 1.38, she hit trouble.

She said: “I really messed up my second transition. I caught my leg on the lane line which meant I ripped my custume and cut my knee."

“I didn’t notice my knee was bleeding until my husband pointed it out at the end. I was more worried about the damage I’d done my costume.”

Farnham’s aggregate time of 9min 28sec was exactly the same as she had clocked in winning the opening event and she bids for a hat-trick at Millfield on July 17 in an event which doubles up as a qualifer for the world championships - being held in Bavaria in September.

Farnham also has a busy summer programme of athletics, starting next month with the Kent Championships at Ashford where she defends her veterans’ 5,000m title.

She also plans to defend her Southern Counties 1500m title at Battersea Park in June and the following month travels to Denmark to run over 1500m and 5,000m in the European Outdoor Masters Athletics Championships.

Farnham, who runs for Medway and Maidstone AC, is always looking for sponsors and can be contacted at the King’s School recreation centre on 01227 595602.