The European Triathlon Union race in Targu Mures consisted of a 5km run, 20km bike ride and a further 2.5km run.
The course was flat and fast, resulting in some fast racing.
Pay went out hard and achieved a personal best in the first run.
The straight bike route with a slight incline suited her, and she came fifth in her category in a time of 1hr 12min.
It was an excellent achievement for her international debut.
Seven clubmates were taking part in the Leeds Castle triathlon, with George Woodhouse (Male 40-44), Graham Hubbard (M50-54) and Mark Poulton (M55-59) racing in the Sprint distance (750m swim, 26km cycle, 5km run).
The scenic swim section took place in the moat around the castle with competitors going under the ancient arches.
The bike course, which was described as fast, took in sections of the A20, while the run offered spectacular views of the venue on a challenging cross-country route.
Poulton put his training to good use and finished second in his age category in a time of 1hr 36min 53 sec, while Hubbard was sixth in his group in 1:35.03 and Woodhouse ninth in 1:33.21.
In the standard distance (1500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run), Clare Roche (F60-64) finished ninth in her category in 3:18.16 and described the swim as ‘like a warm bath’.
Jenny Rhodes (F30-34) finished 15th in her age group in 3:11.58, Thomas Readman (M30-34) completed the course in 2:43.33, 20th in his category, and Alex Yeo (M40-44) placed 62nd in 3:38.06.
