By John Fuller

Published at 11:30, Wednesday, 07 October 2009

BRITAIN’S fastest growing sport is taking Cumbrian athletes by storm, according to one of the national team bosses Tim Whitmarsh.

Raring to go: The Carlisle Tri Club team. Clockwise from top left; Phil Whitehead, Paul Alcock, Tony Turner, team manager Tim Whitmarsh, and Brian Allen

Triathlon, which consists of three disciplines – swimming, cycling and running – has become a phenomenon in the world of athletics with more and more people taking up the sport.

Here in Cumbria we have we are yet to have unearthed a world champion but a number of athletes competing could make it to the top of the sport.

Whitmarsh said: “It is a very unique sport in which you don’t have to excel at all disciplines but you end up being good at all three of them.

“Triathlon is a real challenge and going to events, there is a really good atmosphere.

“We are lucky in Cumbria that we have such a beautiful setting to practice and the beauty about triathlon is that you are never too old to start.”

Whitmarsh is also a member of the Carlisle Tri Club, which only set up in April.

The club, with more than 75 members, was founded by Brian Allen, Paul Alcock, Phil Whitehead and Anthony Turner. Those four are travelling to Australia next month to compete in the ITU World Long Distance World Championships.

Whitmarsh said: “We haven’t had any world champions yet but the guys going to Australia are all capable of challenging.”

Twenty year-old Eden tri-athlete Rhiannon Silson has been competing in Australia this month as part of the Great Britain team. The event, held on the Gold Coast, will see Silson compete in the ages 20-24 group. Silson had to fund the trip herself, costing in excess of £2,000. It involves a 1500m open water swim, followed by a 40km bike ride and 10km run.

Silson has been working as an athletics coach for Eden District Council and Arragons tri club this summer. Last month, the second annual Penrith Triathlon took place, with competitors from across the UK taking part, including members of the armed forces.

There were local athletes taking part with several Eden Runners and Border City Wheelers represented.

It began with a 400m swim, followed by a 25km cycle taking through the Eden Valley, then a 5km run round the Penrith School’s football and cricket pitches.

A couple of records were broken this year with Arragons Cumbrian Triathlon Club member Jon Fletcher taking the overall win in a course record time of one hour and six minutes.

The ladies winner was Diane Jackson who crossed the line in another ladies record time of one hour and fourteen minutes.

Course referee Phil Graham, said: “The support of marshals who gave up their whole day to ensure the smooth running of the event was greatly appreciated.

“Spectator numbers were also up by a great deal, which added to the tremendous atmosphere on the day.

“We look forward to working with Eden District Council again for the next event, which promises to be even bigger.”

If your interested in finding out more about how to take part in Triathlon go to www.cumbriasport.com/triathlon"

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk