THE East Coast Triathlon, the first to be held in Great Yarmouth, took place on Sunday, writes Simon Edwards. Hosted at the Marina Centre, competitors completed a 275m swim in the pool, followed by a 16km bike along the sea front and 3km run on the beach esplanade.

THE East Coast Triathlon, the first to be held in Great Yarmouth, took place on Sunday, writes Simon Edwards.

Hosted at the Marina Centre, competitors completed a 275m swim in the pool, followed by a 16km bike along the sea front and 3km run on the beach esplanade.

A mix of first-time competitors and experienced athletes from as far afield as Newcastle competed.

A chilly north wind made conditions on the bike and the run very challenging, but by mid morning crowds of tourists and local supporters were out on the course seeing the competitors home.

The women, making up 40pc of the field, went off first and 15-year-old Alexandra McKibben from Team Tri-A-Sport in Norwich was the first athlete to finish whilst, putting in the fastest swim time of the day.

Alice Sharpe, from Cambridge Tri Club, followed in second place and Samantha Musgrave, also from Cambridge, third.

The men were led home by Liam Gentry, from Lowestoft, with the fastest bike time and second fastest swim and run times.

Dave Ledward, of Tri-Anglia Tri Club in Norwich, followed in second place and put in the fastest run time while Mark Drake, from Rock Estate, Lowestoft, came home in third.

Yarmouth fire fighter Alan Churchman is pictured (left) with fellow competitor fitness instructor John Mclellan. Alan completed the event in 1hr 2m, raising around �160 for the Fire Fighters' charity.

Results. Men: 1 Liam Gentry 0:45:05, 2 Dave Ledward, Tri-Anglia Tri Club 0:46:56, 3 Mark Drake, Rock Estate 0:49:48.

Women: 1 Alexandra McKibben, Team Tri-A-Sport 0:53:50, 2 Alice Sharpe, Cambridge Tri Club 0:57:25, 3 Samantha Musgrave.