Triathlon - To Helvellyn and back.... (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Triathlon - To Helvellyn and back....

9:53am Saturday 13th September 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

HUNDREDS watched and more than 600 athletes took part in the gruelling Helvellyn Triathlon last weekend.

The event started with a one-mile swim of Ullswater before competitors faced an 38-mile cycle ride that took in the highest road in the Lake District, the Kirkstone Pass.

Athletes then had to lift themselves for a run up the flanks of Helvellyn, the third highest peak in England. Despite poor weather preceding the event the Triathlon went ahead with only minor changes to the route.

Ambleside AC's Ben Abdelnoor had an exceptional day to finish in the top 15.

He came in 13th with a time of three hours and 25 minutes - 15 minutes behind the winner, Sports Science and Coach Director Marc Laithwaite.

Oxenhome's Ian Atkinson was also up among the early finishers to be 40th with a time of three hours and 39 minutes.

Kendal’s veteran female runner Judith Irving arguably came away with the best time of all the local triathletes, crossing the line on the four-hour mark.

Her impressive finishing time was rewarded with a sixth place overall among the female competitors.

For a full list of finishing times go to www.tryhard.co.uk