OLLY Freeman, British medal hopeful for the 2012 Olympics, stormed to victory in the 2006 Blenheim Triathlon.

Set in the grounds of Blenheim Palace, the second staging of the event, supported by The Oxford Times, last Saturday and Sunday attracted more than 3,000 entrants from all over the country, and 7,000 spectators.

The palace in Woodstock played host to international elite triathletes, and amateur fun-runners and celebrities who swam, cycled and ran around the scenic grounds.

Mr Freeman, 20, from Eastbourne, recorded a time of one hour two minutes and 22 seconds in the men's elite event, beating off competition, including last year's winner, Stuart Hayes, and Richard Stannard, who came second and third respectively.

Mr Freeman, the current under-20 European triathlon champion and world junior duathlon champion, was competing as a senior for the first time this year.

He said: "I was looking forward to competing at Blenheim. My training has been going well and I've had a lot of support from my coach and my nutrition sponsors, Herbalife.

"I am thrilled with my victory as Blenheim is a key part of my race schedule leading up to the Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon in August. The race has given me added confidence to do well this season."

Rosie Clarke, the under-23 British champion, won the women's elite event in 1:11:23. The 20-year-old triathlete raced to the finish to beat fellow Briton Henrietta Freeman, who finished in a time of 1:12:25.

The female elite race took place on the first day of the Blenheim Triathlon, and the field set off in windy and rainy conditions to fight for the top place.

Miss Clarke said: "I am thrilled at winning this event having only confirmed my entry this morning. The field was strong and the race exciting.

"I am really pleased with my performance and am looking forward to the rest of the season."

Miss Freeman added: "This was my first triathlon for a while and I'm happy with my race.

"The wet weather conditions affected the course which was a little slippery but all competitors had to face these conditions and I'm happy with the overall result. I am now very excited about my next competition."

Former Labour Party press secretary, Alastair Campbell, took part in the male super sprint and finished in a time of 1:01:32, while hotelier Sir Rocco Forte recorded a time of 1:32:16.

The Oxford Times reporter Emma-Kate Lidbury recorded a time of 1:18:46 in the female sprint. Stuart Dillon, 28, from Dublin, who completed his first triathlon in one hour and 20 minutes, said: "It was my first triathlon and it was a wonderful experience, although it was a shame about the weather.

"The course was extremely muddy, but when we were swimming the water was actually quite warm."

Adam Preston, 34, from Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, who recorded a time of one hour and 35 minutes, added: "The rain made it quite difficult to see where you were going on the bike, but it's a fabulous location, and now I am hooked."

Nick Rusling, event director for Blenheim Triathlon, said: "We are delighted to welcome back so many competitors from last year. It's a challenging course set in unique surroundings that gives each competitor a huge sense of achievement."