Triple test daredevils

12:05pm Saturday 19th July 2008

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MORE than 300 daredevils faced a gruelling swim on the River Severn, a bike ride and run at the second annual Upton Triathlon.

Competitors took part in a host of different categories on Saturday including male veterans, standard male and female juniors, youth and seniors and relay events.

The standard distance saw participants tackle a 1,500m swim in the Severn at Fish Meadow, followed by a 40km cycle ride and finish off the test of endurance with a 10km run.

The sprint distance saw competitors start with a 750m swim, then a 21.5km bike ride and a 5km run.

In the standard event, Andrew Shipton was the first to finish, notching up a time of one hour 59 minutes.

Relay teams of three participants also took part as part of the field, completing one discipline each.

In the sprint section, Rhys Davey, of Tri UK, was the first past the finishing line in a time of one hour two minutes and two seconds.

Rachel Hobbs, of Worcester Triathlon Club, was the first sprint woman to complete the course in a time of one hour six minutes and 17 seconds.

Competitors from triathlon clubs located across the country including Bath, Sheffield, Chester and Plymouth took part in the event.

Jessica Surman, event organiser, hailed the success of this year's event.

She said: "It's been brilliant this year.

"We've doubled the competitors to last year. The river ran faster which was good.

"Last year we had the floods so we couldn't set up the site how we wanted but we could this year.

"There was a real party atmosphere. Everyone seemed to really enjoy themselves.

"A lot of people were doing it for the first time."

Entries for next year's event, set to be held on Saturday, July 11, will open up on January 1, 2009, at their website: uptontriathlon.com.