young multi-sport athlete with a convincing win in the inaugural Hallowe'en Triathlon at Dockyard on Sunday.

But victory this time didn't come without a spirited challenge from another up-and-coming junior, 15-year-old Jonathan Herring.

In almost perfect weather conditions, the triple triathlon format used for the first time in Bermuda proved to be popular with the athletes and exciting for the large crowd.

Competitors started with a 100 metre swim in the harbour followed by a three-mile cycle which took place over three circuits of a one-mile loop within Dockyard, and finished with a one-mile run, affording spectators an opportunity to see all the action unfold as the course was completed three times.

Herring, as expected, exited the water first and held onto his lead throughout the first bike segment and after a strong run managed to hold off a fast closing Butterfield.

But in an event where the transitions were to play a big part in the overall outcome, Butterfield was first into the water for the second swim as Herring struggled to find his swim cap and goggles.

Despite Herring again passing him in the water, Butterfield quickly pulled back the deficit on the bike and never looked back.

From then on Butterfield dominated, even treating the crowd to a touch of humour as he donned a hallowe'en Batman mask for the final run.

His finishing time was one hour and 17 seconds, with Herring following in 1:01.57.

In an exciting battle for third place Mike Jeffrey and Marcus Betschart fought tooth and nail until the final run when Betschart made a break with half a mile remaining to claim his place on the podium.

In a small women's field, missing national champion Laurie Orchard, it was Julia Hawley who prevailed, overcoming an early deficit behind strong swimmers Sarah Manuel and Clare Morrall.

Once Hawley took the lead, her cycling and running strengths ensured a clear victory with Morrall passing Manuel in the final run for second and third places respectively.

In earlier races for 14-year-olds and under, Nick Taylor was a clear leader in the two-loop triathlon until he encountered mechanical problems at the start of the second bike segment which gave a hard chasing Chris Conway the chance to catch him.

The two traded the lead until the final run when Conway powered to victory.

Taylor finished second and a fast closing Mark Morrison third.

In the 10-and-under category over one loop, Tyler Abbott was the boy's winner with Shiane Nisbitt taking honours in the girl's division.

Full results, see Scoreboard.

Photos by Ras Mykkal TYLER BUTTERFIELD -- held off a strong challenge from Saltus school-mate Jonathan Herring to win Sunday's first Hallowe'en Triathlon at Dockyard.

WINNER -- Ashley Robinson Roberts led home the junior girls in Sunday's triathlon.