NEWCOMERS to triathlon did a Prudhoe sports club proud as they travelled en masse to The Steelman.

A total of 11 members of Castle Tri signed up for the middle distance triathlon in Ellerton Park, Cleveland, the participants following a 1.2 mile swim with a 58-mile bike ride and a half marathon.

The total would have been higher but injury resulted in a couple of people dropping out, but a great day was had by all those able to make it.

The rain poured down as Castle Tri members battled the bike leg, while the run through woods, over gates and down tracks full of potholes was taxing on the legs. Unfortunately, a Castle representative had to pull up at this stage due to a calf injury.

Club member Jordan Coulthard was one of the participating members, and said: "We had 10 finishers at the Steelman and, for all 10, this was our first attempt at a long distance triathlon.

"It was unbelievably challenging but the sense of achievement, individually and as a group, was immense.

"We had a large support team there on the day too with most of them members of the club who gave up their full day to come and support us, even though they would only see us for a few moments each time we passed through.

"I think if you asked anyone who was there, the they would have known Castle Tri was!"

It was a good weekend for the Prudhoe club with Sarah Davies finishing third in her age category at the Woodhorn Standard Distance Triathlon in Ashington.

Meanwhile, Neil Fellows completed the Ironman UK event in Bolton in a time of 12 hours and 24 minutes.