YOUNG athletes from across the north of England will once again be heading for Appleby this autumn for the town's Mini Triathlon.

Appleby Swimming Club has been given the green light to host the event for the ninth year.

Sponsored by Appleby Town Council and builders F.S.Potts and Sons last year, the event was a great success, creating a mini economic boom for local B&Bs, caravan park and guest house owners.

Organiser of the event and founder of the popular Mini Triathlone, Stuart Robinson, said: "We are pleased to announce that we have completed our risk assessment, and the BTA have now sanctioned our event, which will take place on Sunday September 26. The British Triathlon Association request that we have £5,000,000 Civil Liability Insurance cover before they will sanction an event. We were unable to secure this cover on our own at a price we could afford, so we have decided to affiliate to the British Triathlon Association. This, too, has been accepted, so we are fully covered in all aspects of insurance now.

Entries are coming in and can be checked by looking at the website www.mini triathlon.co.uk.

Appleby Mini-Triathlon is based around the local swimming pool and the surrounding playing fields. The event was founded in 1995.

Mr Robinson said: "The very first event was set up as a challenge for the local kids of Appleby, and members of our swimming club. It wasn't long before word got out and entries came flooding in from all over the UK. This event really is quite popular, so early entry is advised.

"The first discipline is the swim section, which is in an indoor pool patrolled by qualified lifeguards.

"Once out of the pool, the kids must make their way to the transition area. This is where they go from swim mode to cycle mode.

"On completion of the cycling distance, the first thing the competitor must do is dismount from their cycle and give it to the marshal. This is before they even think about removing their cycle helmets. Then the run route is the final part of the event."

Closing date for 2004 entries is September 12. If you require an entry form sent to you, send an S.A.E to Peter Sowerby 3 Murton View, Appleby, Cumbria CA16 6RF or Stuart Robinson 15 Drawbriggs Mount, Appleby, Cumbria, CA16 6HL or log onto the website at www.minitriathlon.co.uk.

l FOUNDER of the Appleby Mini Triathlon Stuart Robinson.