Organisers of an annual team triathlon are already organising next year’s fourth event on the Suffolk coast.
The third Aldeburgh Fun Relay Team Triathlon drew a crowd of spectators and raised £1,000 for the RNLI and East Anglian Air Ambulance, as well as supporting other local causes like Leiston and District Swimming Club.
The volunteer-run event, which has raised £5,000 for charity since it began, this year saw 101 teams of three line up to swim, cycle and run around Aldeburgh.
Action started with a free run for children, who received medals supplied by the district council.
The RNLI lifeboat was positioned on the beach as the air ambulance landed for the start of the main event – a 750m sea swim, 22km two-lap cycle via Thorpeness and Aldringham, and 5km coastal path run to Thorpeness and back.
Medals and a well-earned drinks were given to finishers by the Aldeburgh Carnival queen and her attendants.
First to finish, CHP Consulting crossed the line in 1:08:03.
First mixed team, The Adams Family, finished in 1:12:54, while the first all-female team to complete the race, Tri-Hard Mums, finished 40th in 1:24:09.
The field also included a team comprising three generations of the same family, as well as a team of local brothers-in-law, called Married to the Mob.
Teams included a 13-year-old runner, a swimming grandfather celebrating his 70th birthday, and the oldest of all competitors – a 79-year-old swimmer.
Race director Matt Dye said: “We have had a lot of very positive feedback from teams and spectators, and they were greatly impressed with the organisation and the atmosphere of the event – from the logistics of keeping 101 teams competing smoothly and safely, combined with the positives of working with the town.”
Organisers thanked race marshals, businesses, organisations, the community and clubs for their continued support, which included help from Leiston army cadets and use of event parking from the town council.
EDF Energy sponsored the chip timing system, the TA Hotel Collection provide hospitality and Lawson’s Delicatessen made food bags for marshals and organisers.
Other businesses contributing to the event included Best Estates, the East of England Co-Op, O&C Butcher, Aldeburgh Fish & Chips, Gressingham Foods, Flick & Son, and Danes.
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