A bracing sea swim was among the three activities that more than 70 athletes completed during an Olympic distance triathlon in Burnham-On-Sea on Sunday morning (September 16th).
Triathletes from across the UK competed in the event, which comprised of a 1,500 metre sea swim, 40km bike ride and a 10km run.
After the swim in Bridgwater Bay, the athletes cycled to Wedmore, passing through Cheddar, Rooksbridge and Brent Knoll, and then finished the event with a 10km run along the seafront.
The winner, Andrew Martin from Pencoed Tri, completed the event in 2:14:14. Second was Jim Bishop of Team Bobblewash in 2:15:35 and third was Gethin Parham from Newport in 2:15:54 – all pictured above.
Among the local competitors was Toby Duggan, 17, (right) from Middlewater Water Park, near Burnham, who completed his first Olympic distance triathlon in 22nd place in a time of 2:29:07.
One of the organisers, Mark Cox-Conklin, from Burnham Swim and Sports Academy, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is only the second time we’ve held an Olympic distance triathlon, so I am super pleased with the number of athletes. We had a great event with good sea conditions and weather. Thanks go to those who took part, plus the marshalls, organisers and volunteers including the canoe club and RNLI for marshalling the event.”
The winner, Andrew Martin from Pencoed Tri, celebrates his win
One of the swimmers leaves the sea at the end of the 1,500 swim
The competitors pedal along Berrow Road at the start of the cycle stage
The swimmers listened to the advice during the safety briefing
Organiser Martin Rogers gives out instructions at the start of the sea swim
On your marks… the swimmers head into the sea at the start
The winners of Sunday’s triathlon with their medals
The first three ladies – Diane Hier, Caroline Haywood and Lizzie Bradshaw
