Up-and-coming 400-metre sprinter Richard Buck missed his dream of becoming European junior champion but still landed a relay gold medal.

The 18-year-old Nestl Rowntree Athletics Club runner raced into the semi-finals in the championships held in Lithuania with the third-best heat time of 47.18 seconds after finishing third in the first heat.

Automatic qualification to the final was then earned with another third place in the semis.

But three races in two days just weeks after recovering from appendicitis seemed to have taken their toll on the Pickering teenager when he took the line in the final.

Croatian Vincek Zeljko stole his European title dream in a time of 46.14 seconds, while Buck's relay team-mate, Martyn Rooney, was second in 46.56.

Buck crossed the line in eighth place.

The North Yorkshireman's blow was softened, however, after he led off the Great Britain 4x400m team also comprising Set Osho, Leeds Athletic Club's Richard Strachan and individual medallist Rooney.

They sped round in 3 minutes 6.67 seconds to take the gold medal ahead of Russia (3-07.19) and Poland (3-09.75) and thus continue the renowned Great Britain relay tradition.

Meanwhile, more than 50 children from around the Yorkshire region travelled to York on Saturday to compete in the York Junior Triathlon, the latest round of the British Triathlon Regional Children's Series.

The event was organised by British Triathlon's Michael Burch, with assistance from York-based White Rose Triathletes and York City Council.

Comprising the three elements of triathlon - swimming, cycling and running - there were separate races for each of the five age categories, with local triathletes well represented in all races.

The next race in the series is the Leeds Aquathlon on September 25. Details can be obtained from regional development officer Michael Burch on email michaelburch@ britishtriathlon.org or telephone 0113 278 4377.

Local results from the York Junior Triathlon

Tristart Boys (8 years): Edward Dick (White Rose Triathletes) 5th; Thomas Simpson 6th.

Tristar 1 Boys (9-10): Will Hannon (White Rose Tri) 3rd; Edward Dixon (White Rose Tri) 5th; William Holford (White Rose Tri) 8th.

Tristar 1 Girls (9-10): Francesca Sanderson (White Rose Tri) 3rd; Haley Dodsworth (White Rose Tri) 7th; Kate Chapman (White Rose Tri) 8th; Eleanor Holford (White Rose Tri) 9th.

Tristar 2 Boys (11-12): Oliver Dixon (White Rose Tri) 1st; Stephen Dodsworth (White Rose Tri) 4th.

Tristar 2 Girls (11-12): Kirsty Smith (White Rose Tri) 1st, Emily Simpson 4th.

Tristar 3 Boys (13-14): Laurence Whiteley (White Rose Tri) 2nd.

Youth Girls (15-16): Victoria Graves (White Rose Tri) 1st.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, July 26, 2005