Bamburgh swim tests triathlon athletes in spectacular castles event

Organised by Total Racing International, a group of ironmen and triathletes from the North East, the event included two 700-metre swims in the sea at Bamburgh beach, a 42km bike ride taking in Dunstanburgh Castle and a 10km run in The Pastures below Alnwick Castle.

Organisers, who were given the support of the owners of all three castles, hope to make the challenge an annual event.

Last night TRI member Grant Swan said: "It was a great day and a very hard and tough event, but most people finished and it was very successful.

"Everyone said it was one of the toughest courses they have ever run. The swim at Bamburgh was very tough and during the run at the end there were lots of grim faces.

"Everybody said they will definitely be back next year, when we hope to have something like 500 people taking part.''

Women competitors were running for the Helen Boon memorial trophy. Helen, 32, from Dunston, Gateshead, was the wife of one of the event organisers Gareth, 34, but died of cancer last October, just three weeks after they were married.

At future events, organisers hope to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer care, in her memory.

View a gallery of pictures from the event »