TRI-ATHLETES ARE TRIUMPHANT AS CROWDS FLOCK TO NEWBIGGIN

Athletes and spectators filled the streets of Newbiggin-by-the-Sea as the village hosted its first-ever triathlon.

Sponsored by Go Wansbeck, the race was one of the region’s biggest ever with over 120 competitors taking part and hundreds more watching from the sidelines. The event began at 10.30am when the contestants dived into the bracing North Sea for a 750m swim around Newbiggin Bay under the watchful eyes of the towering off-shore ‘Couple’ statue.

No sooner had the swimmers left the bay than they hopped on their bikes and began a 23-kilometre bike ride which started and ended in the village, egged on by the enthusiastic spectators. The contest reached a thrilling finale during the five-kilometre run along the promenade when the crowd cheered as Ian Simon, from Alnwick Triathlon, and Natalie Batey, from Ryton Triathlon, were the first to reach the finish line in the men’s and women’s races to win the triathlon.

The event was organised by the Tri-Northumberland Club’s Neil Jefferson, Barry Taylor, and Gary Wright, all from Wansbeck.

Neil Jefferson said Newbiggin has done itself proud. He said: “We are delighted with how today has gone and pleased for everyone who took part, especially the winners and Gregg Chambers, who at 15 was the youngest entrant, we hope they enjoyed the first Newbiggin triathlon.  Everything went as planned and we were amazed at the amount of people that turned up to support the entrants, I think it proved that Newbiggin has what it takes to be a top venue for triathlons.”

Keith Raine, Go Wansbeck programme manager, said: “The triathlon provided a chance for people to visit Newbiggin and the town proved to be a superb venue for this event. The whole village came alive and the streets were filled with people cheering the competitors on, it was a brilliant day.”                                                                          

Other sponsors of the event were Northumberland County Council, Northumbrian Water, W A Fairhurst & Partners, Paddock Hall Equestrian Centre, Excel Blinds and Eat Natural. The event was undertaken in association with Newbiggin-by-the-Sea Sailing Club, Triathlon England North East, Tyne Triathlon Club, RNLI, Wansbeck Sport Development and CSN.