SOME 350 competitors enjoyed perfect weather for the Taunton Deane Triathlon held at Wellington Sports Centre on Sunday.

The main event was a Sprint distance triathlon, combining a 400m pool swim, 23km cycle race from Wellington to Wiveliscombe via Milverton and back, and an undulating 5km run around Tonedale area before crossing the finish line back at the sports centre.

The event also hopes to encourage newcomers into the sport and therefore offers 100 places in the Novice race made up of a 200m swim, 12km cycle and 2.5km run race.

Some 191 competitors finished the Sprint distance and 65 novices crossed the line – and with all their friends and family either having volunteered to help marshal the race or just there to support and enjoy the day out, it was a fantastic community atmosphere at the sports centre.

Oli’s Bike Services provided on-the-day bike mechanical assistance and advice, Crescent Clinic provided free massages for the tired athletes, local caterers were on hand to keep everyone supplied with refreshments and hot food, and the bouncy castle allowed children to burn off a little energy while parents competed.

The race winners recorded fast times as always. Overall winners were Tom Robertson of Phoenix Tri Club in a time of 1:02:32, and Sally Silsby from Somerset RC Tri in 1:15:33. Second went to Marc Molloy (1:05:57) and Liz Pye (1:15:45), and third overall fastest times were Andy Bussell (1:06:21) and Abigail Stead ( 1:16:03).

These top six athletes took home cash prizes as well bespoke trophies made locally by Custom Plastics, while all the age category winners received custom trophies to commemorate their success.

The Taunton Deane Triathlon is organised by Somerset RC Tri club members and is the longest standing triathlon event in the Deane.

The Sprint Triathlon is held on the third weekend of May each year – entries open on January 1 and typically sell out by the end of April. Entrants are also invited to attend a free training day, hosted by Somerset RC Tri Club one week before the event – this is a fun day and highly valued by Novice entrants as well as many first-timers on the Sprint course.

The BTF-sanctioned race uses chip timing and prizes are awarded to age group winners as well as the overall fastest male and female in each race. Every competitor receiv-es a commemorative T-shirt.

The race depends on the support of the community and organisers’ thanks go to local residents for their co-operation and enthusiasm on the day, to local businesses which support the event through donations of gifts, snacks, services for the competitors, as well as prizes in some cases, and to students of Kingsmead School, Wiveliscombe, and Wellington Majorettes who help marshal the event.

Tone Leisure also supports the event by providing its facilities and through the assistance of its staff for the weekend.