HUNDREDS of triathletes went the distance in and around Chester on Sunday, June 2, for this year's Deva Triathlon.

The forecast rain stayed away as competitors swam along the River Dee before pedalling off towards Wrexham, before running three laps around The Groves and The Meadows in Chester.

As in previous years, the event was split into those competing in Olympic Distance and the rest in Middle Distance. Olympic Distance consists of a 1,500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run, while a Middle Distance is a 1.9km swim, an 87km bike ride and a 21km (half marathon) run to finish.

Crossing the finish line first was Sam Broomhead, of the University of Nottingham Triathlon Club, who completed the Olympic course in 2:04:01. This placed him second overall as, due to the staggered start, Daniel McParland of Tri Preston completed the event with a quicker gun time of 2:01:17. Third was Brochan Watts of Clapham Chasers (2:05:15).

First female over the finish was Laura Gray of Total Tri Training, who went round the Olympic course in 2:22:07, beating Rebecca Lodge of Wakefield Triathlon Club (2:27:50) and Suzanne Toppin of Eden Valley Tri (2:29:26).

Fastest men in the Middle Distance category were Tony Cullen (Tricentraluk - 3:56:44), Nick Drabble (Army Triathlon Association - 3:59:54) and Ben Terry (4:02:15). Fastest women were Erica Booth (Horwich Triathlon Club - 4:25:45), Helen Waugh (4:33:30) and Elizabeth Richardson (Edinburgh Triathletes - 4:34:02).