A still day with blue skies, Bank Holiday Sunday in ideal conditions, saw the promenade explode into action with the Harwich Olympic distance triathlon.

With over 100 entrants the event attracted triathletes from far and wide, to take on the challenging one-mile swim, 40km cycle and 10km run, either individually or as a team.

Harwich Runners and Harwich Rugby Club were well represented as well as several other non-club local competitors.

First place went in the men’s race went to Steven Norris, from Born2Tri Club, in a time of 2h 9m 43s.

Taking second place was Alistair Cooke, of Leeds and Bradford Tri, in 2h 12m 10s.

Local Simon Day, in his Royal Navy Tri colours, claimed third in a time of 2h 13m 22s. Lucy Bowditch won the ladies’ event in a time of 2h 30m 52s. Harwich Runners’ David Watkins and Justin Burls claimed first and second places in the 45-49 age category in times of 2h 19m 21s and 2h 25m 58s with Watkins claiming the fastest swim time of the day.

Further success for Harwich Runners came in the 50-54 age group where John Francis – so often second – claimed first this year in a time of 2h 28m 7s.

Nick Beales dug deep into his reserves to record a time of 2h 33m 53s to claim first place in the 55-59 category.

Jeff Higgon, despite improving his last year’s winning time by 11 minutes, could only claim second in the 60-64 age group in a time of 2h 43m 03s.