TWO York fitness enthusiasts proved inspirational indoors to hit a silver load.

John Booth and Malcolm Fawcett each gained silver medals in the Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships, which were part of the 2002-03 British Grand Prix series held at the Welsh Institute of Sport in Cardiff.

Ironman triathlon competitor Booth collected his silver in the men's 50-59-year-old lightweight section in a personal best time of six minutes and 50.1 seconds. That sheared more than four seconds off his performance in the recent British Championships in Birmingham.

Knavesmire Harrier Fawcett, meanwhile, was competing in the 60-69 lightweight category.

His silver medal was posted in another personal best time of 7-06.03 and was just 2.6 seconds adrift of gold medal-winner Philip Stubley, from Wetherby, who is the reigning world champion and British record-holder.

Fawcett's silver followed on from his bronze in the British Championships, where he competed with his arm in plaster after breaking his wrist three weeks before the event.

Indoor rowing is one of the fastest growing sports with more than 500,000 people in the United Kingdom working out on Concept 2 rowing machines each week.

Championship races are held over the standard Olympic outdoor distance of 2,000 metres. There are four standard weight classes - lightweight men (75 kilogrammes or less), heavyweight men (over 75 kg); lightweight women (61.5 kg or less) and heavyweight women (over 61.5 kg). There are also separate age group categories usually in five or ten-year bands.

Updated: 11:56 Saturday, January 04, 2003