Azevedo clocked a time of 8 min 33sec in the 3km to finish 15 seconds ahead of compatriot Christiano Pereira and a further 20 seconds in front of Great Britain's James Hamilton.

In the 6km, the Portuguese crossed the line bang on 20:00, with Hamilton 52 seconds off the pace in second and Pereira 1:34 behind in third.

The performances of Azevedo and Pereira helped Portugal to secure team gold medals, with Vitor Pleno's fifth-placed finishes in both events also being taken into account as the nation's third-highest ranked competitor.

Hamilton's results combined with those of Chris Lazenby, seventh in the 3km and eighth in the 6km, and Adam Wilson, ninth in the 3km and 6km, saw the UK Sports Association (UKSA) GB team take silver at the event, which took place from Thursday (February 19) until yesterday. 

"This GB Team was a great bunch of athletes who gave 100 per cent the entire time," said manager and coach, Vic Collins.

"James Hamilton put in the strongest performance overall, but the whole team came together encouraging each other throughout the entire weekend."

The UKSA GB Team claimed a silver medal ©UKSA



Czech Republic, The Netherlands and Sweden also competed at the event, held at Thornes Park. 

The Championships were hosted by UKSA's England member Mencap Sport in collaboration with the support of Wakefield Council.

Mencap Sport works with the governing bodies of sport and other sports providers to promote opportunities for people with a learning disability at all levels.

Tracey McCillen, chief executive of the UKSA, added: "It was a pleasure welcoming our European colleagues, athletes and coaches to Wakefield.

"My thanks to them all as well as to the Local Organising Committee, our England member Mencap and to all the sponsors including Wakefield Council and Shanks [Waste Management] all of whom made this a successful weekend."

Sweden's Kristin Bjorfelt won the women's 2km and 4km races, although she was the only athlete competing. 

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