ATHLETES from around the United Kingdom take part in the popular Kendal Summer Sprint Triathlon on Sunday.

Despite appalling weather conditions, 229 competitors competed.

The event saw the racers swim 400 metres at Kendal Leisure Centre swimming pool, a cycle ride of 20 kilometres on undulating roads throughout Natland and Sedgwick, before returning to Kendal for the last stage, a new scenic 5km run up and around Kendal Castle.

Benjamin Hodgson, from Kendal Tri Club, was the first local member to finish, with an impressive time of 1 hour 9 minutes and 27 seconds, coming in 18th position overall.

He was closely followed by Kendal Tri Club's Mark Dixon, who finished the race in a time of 1 hour, 11 minutes and 57 seconds, and his brother Justin Dixon, who followed in 1 hour 13 minutes and 50 seconds.

Kath Finn, a long-serving member at Kendal Tri Club, acted as an aide in the race for Andrea Logan, who is a partially sighted athlete.

Since being partnered three years ago the dynamic duo has been racing in a number of triathlons.

Kath, who ran in the race alongside Andrea, said: "Andrea flew and it is great to see that improvement."

She explained that people with disabilities had to work extremely hard to access training but the partnering system, embraced by the Kendal club, allowed them to take part in events and overcome some of the barriers.

The next Kendal sprint tri will be held on April 28, 2019.