THIS year's Ellesmere Triathlon took place, on June 27, as runners, swimmers and riders, were all bidding to become the 2010 winner.
That honour went to Tom Sturdy, of Team Nemesis GB, who completed the 1500 metre swim, 40km bike ride, and 10km run in 1h 53m 55secs.
First home for the women was Holly Lawrence, of Swansea University, who came home in 2h 9m 27secs, and there was good news also for both the relay teams made up of 'Ellesmere's Finest' and Oswestry Olympians, who led the way in their race.
It was the Ellesmere team who crossed the line first, coming 14th in the overall race to register a time of 2h 1m 43 secs, whilst the Olympians followed just five minutes later to break into the first 40 overall finishers.
In its 19th year, the world qualifying event, attracts some of the most serious athletes in the country and is one of the most significant sporting events to take place in Ellesmere each year. Almost 400 competitors braved the stifling temperatures, and Councillor Steve Charmley, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure Services at Shropshire Council, who organised the event, said: "I am delighted with the way this day has turned out.
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"I congratulate all the athletes that have taken part and can only praise and thank the leisure team and the many volunteers and local community in Ellesmere who have contributed so much to its success."
The event also provided athletes with their final chance of qualification for the GE Great Britain Age Group Team at the 2010 Budapest ITU Triathlon World Championships, and Malcolm Westwood, GB Team Manager for British Triathlon, said: "A recurring message we are getting from athletes who took part in the triathlon at Ellesmere is how impressed they were with the venue and the organisation of the day.
"This was certainly an event that was worthy of world qualifier status."
Staff members of Lakelands School, and Ellesmere Rotary Club, also took part in the race which provided the second leg of a fun-filled month of entertainment in the town.
The Oteley Group, from Ellesmere, raised more than £730 for 'Help For Heroes' by providing refreshments throughout the event, which was sandwiched between the successes of the Ellesmere Food Festival and the annual Regatta that took place on Sunday.
These events are set to be followed by the Ellesmere Carnival on August 28.
The carnival had been under threat earlier in the year after the organising committee announced that it would need a host of new volunteers to help with the event, but residents and business owners have since rallied round to ensure that this year's carnival will go ahead as planned.