MORE than 200 triathletes of varying ages and abilities will converge on Ulverston this Sunday for the town’s annual swim-cycle-run showpiece.

Now a firmly fixed early-season date in the calendar, the Ulverston Triathlon course offers plenty of challenges for the experienced and novices alike.

While seasoned campaigners will be aiming for podium finishes or personal bests, beginners will be hoping just to get round the circuit in one piece.

Organised by Epic Events, the race has been going since 2009 and its appeal shows no sign of diminishing – helped by the fact it is a friendly and well-run event held on an interesting and scenic course.

After completing a 400-metre swim in the Ulverston Leisure Centre pool, competitors head out onto the Coast Road for an 28km out-and-back cycle ride followed by a 5.8km circular run, which includes a section along the canal towpath.

Entrants will be hoping for better conditions than last year when the bike ride had to be shortened due to strong winds, which, along with spells of torrential rain, made the going particularly tough.

Several members of Ulverston Tri Club will be in action – including Duncan Eley – who will represent Great Britain in the European Championships in Austria in June – plus 2012 winner Kie Jackson and veteran GB Masters runner Bob Atkinson.

Double title-winning Barrow professional boxer Liam Conroy is also competing, swapping his gloves and gumshield for a bike and swimming goggles to test his skills at something new.

Last year’s race was won by David Cullen of Total Tri Training who finished in one hour, one minute and 43 seconds – more than a minute ahead of runner-up Steven Gregory (1:02:51).

Cullen completed the swim in the Ulverston Leisure Centre Pool in four minutes, 58 seconds, blasted the shortened cycling route in just 34:22 and swept round the 3.6-mile running course in 22:23.

The best finishing local triathlete was Ulverston Tri Club ace Jackson who clocked 1:07:56 to finish in ninth place. Ella Thorogood repeated her 2014 success by winning the women’s event. The 21-year-old Aberystwyth-based Cerist Triathlon Club member completed the race in an impressive time of 1:14:02.