The event, which marked the start of the season, included a 400m pool swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run and attracted a wide variety of athletes including Shape Up Notts! members and around 200 complete novices taking on their first triathlon.

Said race organiser Iain Hamilton said: "Southwell is always a popular event with a great atmosphere. The distances are achievable for anyone who can commit to a couple of months of training so it always attracts novices, many of whom go on to do our other races around the county."

One racer delighted with how the event went was 46-year-old South Normanton man Hugh Barnett, who achieved personal best times in each of the legs.

"I was thrilled to bits with my times but really wasn't expecting it. It was the first race of the season and I was using it as a warm-up race to get back into the swing of competing so it was quite surprising," he told Chad.

Hugh is a member of Mansfield Triathlon club and began competing in triathlons last year as part of an ongoing fitness campaign, which has already seen him lose more than five stone.

"The triathlon is a great event and at races everyone is really friendly, there is a great atmosphere and a real sense of camaraderie," he said.

"Everyone recognises that you're doing a challenge and even when you get overtaken by someone they'll give you some encouragement.

"Because the event has three sports there is a variety to the training, which means you're not just pounding the streets or spending all your time on the bike. It's great for all round body fitness and there is such a sense of achievement of getting over the finish line."

For those who missed the Southwell event but fancy trying their hand at a triathlon, Shape Up Notts! has secured 10 free places for the Mansfield Triathlon on 17th June –– or for those who need more training there is the Last Minute Southwell Sprint on 23rd September.

For more information, register for Shape Up Notts! on www.sportnottinghanshire.co.uk and check out the competitions page.