THE 9th Appleby Triathlon attracted 138 entrants, with competitors coming from across the north of England to take part.

Organised by Appleby Swimming Club and sponsored by Appleby in Westmorland town council and local builders F.S.Potts and Sons, the event has once again proved one of the most popular of its kind in the region.

Organiser of the event and founder of the popular Mini Triathlon Stuart Robinson said: "We've had entries from as far away as Lincoln, Manchester and Sunderland and other parts of the country. It was the biggest entry we've ever had and we've had to turn people away.

"The kids keep coming back year after year, so we must be doing something right. We made some changes to the route this year. The improvements included doing away with the bike/run crossover, and improvements in the transition. Competitors were able to stand their cycles up against a "cone" which had their competitor number on so they had their own designated place."

Appleby Mini-Triathlon is based around the local swimming pool and the surrounding playing fields. The event was founded in 1995 as a challenge for the local youngsters of Appleby, and members of the swimming club. But it was not long before word got out and entries came flooding in from all over the UK.

The first discipline is the swim section. On completion of the swim, competitors take to their cycles outside and, on completion of this, they leave their bikes to run the final part of the event.

Results 8yrs female: 1 Rosie Wicks, Ulverston, 9-48; 2 Katie Woods, Kendal ASC, 9-57; 3 Charlotte Milligan, Troutbeck Bridge ASC, 10-20. 8yrs male: 1 Lewis Pamphilon, Penrith ASC, 9-10; 2 James Hancocks Unattached, 9-18; 3 Jake Butterworth, Appleby ASC, 9-20.

9 - 10yrs female: 1 equal Charlotte Sadler, Haltwhistle ASC, and Bryony Halcrow, Kendal ASC, 9-30. 9-10yrs male: 1 Jack Cumberbatch, Ulverston ASC, 8-48; 2 Jacky Wicks, Ulverston ASC, 8-49; 3 Mika Brown, Unattached, 9-06. 11-12yrs female: Jessica Macdonald, Salford Junior Tri, 8-39; 2 Gemma Robinson, Workington ASC, 8-59; 3 Jenny Woods, Kendal ASC, 9-10. 11-12yrs male: 1 Jordan Bridgford , Salford Junior Tri, 8.-23; 2 Stephen Wilson, Ulverston ASC, 8-29; 3 Connor O'Brien, unattached, 9-04. 13-14yrs female: 1 Jennifer Brown, Cockermouth ASC, 14-34; 2 Hannah Bateson, Lancaster and Morecombe Athletics Club, 14-52; 3 Louisa Knox, Keswick Junior Athletics, 16-31. 13-14 yrs male: 1 Thomas Ellam, Sun City Tri, 12-24; 2 Sam Russell, Tri Team Wigan, 12-46; 3 Zach Dixon, Copeland ASC, 13-08. 15-16yrs male: 1 Calum Spours, Sunderland ASC, 16-58; 2 Joe Nattrass, Unattached, 18-39; 3 Matthew McManus, Cleveland Biketraks, 20-03.