Last updated at 16:32, Monday, 10 September 2012

A YEAR of British sporting success was evident in the pool, along the roads and on the beach as around 130 people took part in this year’s Ulverston triathlon.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

Sunday’s event saw plenty of tributes to the Brownlee brothers’ Olympic success with many of those tackling the final 5.5km leg of the three-stage route decked out in Team GB running vests and t-shirts.

Amongst those cheering on the first few runners to complete the loop from Ulverston Sports Club to Priory Crossing, along the beach and back, was event organiser, Marc Laithwaite.

Mr Laithwaite said it was a bit too soon after the Olympics for numbers to have been influenced by Great Britain’s double triathlon success, but added: “I think what might happen is that, over the winter, we’ll see more people trying to get involved in triathlon, and maybe more people taking part next summer.

“To be honest, even before the Olympics, the profile of triathlon was on the increase – we’ve seen more and more people getting involved in the sport over recent years.”

Sunday’s challenge started in the Ulverston sports club swimming pool, where each participant swam 400m over 16 lengths.

After pulling themselves from the water, it was onto the second stage, which saw them cycling from the sports club to Rampside and back.

The 28km bike ride gave participants the chance to emulate another of 2012’s sporting heroes, with dozens of riders donning Team Sky replica shirts and bright yellow jerseys inspired by Bradley Wiggins, the first Briton to win the Tour de France.

The coast road was lined with supporters cheering and waving their loved ones on, and the sports club car park was packed with families and friends waiting to welcome them back.

Mr Laithwaite said: “It’s quite a low key event, we get a lot of novices, so it’s usually quite a chilled out atmosphere.

“It’s very friendly and fun, whereas some of the bigger events it’s very very competitive and can be a bit intimidating.”

Among those taking part was triathlon first-timer, Helen Crawley.

The 49-year-old, of Beech Drive, Ulverston, said: “It’s such a lovely day for it, it’s been perfect weather, absolutely gorgeous.

“Everything’s been lovely - it’s so well organised and there’s a really great atmosphere.”

First published at 16:18, Monday, 10 September 2012
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk