ABOUT 200 athletes took to the water on Sunday for the start of one of sport's toughest challenges.

They swam half a mile before cycling 20km and running 5km.

Among this year's competitors at the Boundary Breeze Triathlon was former national champion Loretta Sollars, who went on to win the women's event.

She beat 34 women to finish the race in 1:07:15.

Jackie Bull had led from the front in the swim, coming out of the water with a narrow 20-second lead.

But she was unable to hold on for long, Loretta quickly closing the gap.

Her evident experience showed as she controlled the race from the front with a blistering 38:48 bike ride and 16:17 run.

With a strong men's field it was difficult to pick a winner.

Chris Standidge put in a strong swim and was the first athlete out of the water in 10:41.

But Damian Thacker, who was hot on his heels, took his advantage on the bike moving into first place where he stretched a one minute 47 second lead by putting in the fastest bike split of the day.

He hung on to the lead to finish in 1:01:57.

However, Michael Shackcloth, who was in fourth place after the bike had a strong run, passed both Buckland and Noble to finish second.

After the race Damian, a member of hosts Manchester Triathlon Club, said: "This was my second year at the Boundary Breeze Triathlon and I was determined to better my fourth place finish of last year.

"It meant a lot to me winning in front of my home crowd which really spurred me on to the finish line."

Race director Carine Van Schie said the event had been a resounding success with some great racing.

If anyone is interested in getting involved in triathlon visit www.man-tri-club.org.uk or come along to some of the swim, bike and run training sessions.