A PARALYMPIC gold medallist set a new record in a race run by a Northwich cycling club.

Dame Sarah Storey, from Pearl Izumi Sports Tours International, rocketed up Weaver Valley Cycling Club's Cat and Fiddle Hill Climb in 21 minutes and 50.8 seconds on Sunday.

This was just the second time that Storey, also reigning Cheshire Classic champion, had raced in the event, run by the club since 1998.

Organiser Adrian Japp said: "Becky Lewis was out early and set a blistering time of 22:17.4, which was unchallenged until Dame Sarah Storey hit the road, on only her second ride up the Cat and Fiddle, to record a stunning 21:50.8 and clinch not only top lady for the day, but also smashed Joanne Blakeley's 2013 event record."

A field of 111 riders were listed on this year's start sheet for the race, a vast increase from the 40 riders it attracted in the early years.

Adam Kenway, from SportGrub Kuota Cycling Team, won the event overall, with a time of 18 minutes and 37.2 seconds.

The veterans aged between 40 and 49 category was won by Peter Tadros in 20:00.02, veterans aged over 50 won by Paul Robinson in 20:58.2, veterans over 60 won by Peter Greenwood in 22:11.3, and juniors won by Daniel Minor in 20:39.7.

Paul Robinson, from Lyme Racing Club, also set a new record for veterans over 50.

Adrian said: "Thanks must go to all who helped in organising and running this year, and to all riders who enjoyed a clear and fast day this time round.

"Only 11 riders came off the start line before rider 12, Peter Tadros, set the bar very high with a 20:00.2 ride, which gave him the Vets prize, unchallenged for the day.

"After this, times were fast and 39 of the 94 starters finished in under 23 minutes."

The 6.5-mile course starts in Buxton Road, in Macclesfield and climbs up to the finish at the Cat and Fiddle pub, with an average gradient of 3.2 per cent.