Schoolchildren give Swim, Bike, Run a tri

More than 220 competitors from 18 primary schools and 10 secondary schools competed in the Active Sunderland Schools Triathlon at Silksworth Community Pool, Tennis and Wellness Centre on Thursday 25 May.

Competitors from each eight-strong team took part in a timed swim, bike and run, ahead of trophies and medals being presented to the winning schools and individuals by the Deputy Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Allison Chisnall.

Sunderland City Council's Cabinet Member for Vibrant City, Cllr John Price, said: "I'm delighted to see the return of the Active Sunderland Schools Triathlon, especially as the city is gearing up to host the AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series over the weekend of 29 and 30 July. It's wonderful to see so many young people taking part and I hope it will inspire more people to join in with our swim, bike run programme."

One of the schools taking part is Seaburn Dene Primary School in Seaburn. Year 5 teacher Mr Ashton is no stranger to triathlons, having taken part in the Age-Group European and World Championships in Munich and Abu Dhabi last year.

He said: "Triathlon is an amazing sport that poses a reachable challenge for anyone who takes part. It provides a fun and exciting opportunity to take part in a new sport that promotes healthy living through exercise. The School's Triathlon is a superb event where children across the city will get to experience swim, bike and run for the first time.

"Watching the grit in the children's faces in the heat of the moment to the smiles and sense of accomplishment when they have finished is fantastic and a feeling many of them will remember for a long time. Hopefully it will also inspire some children to have a go at the Sunderland Triathlon in July or get involved in one of the fantastic clubs we have in the North East."

The Active Sunderland Schools Triathlon is delivered in partnership with British Triathlon, and is part of the Swim Bike Run programme ahead of the AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series, which is coming to Sunderland on the weekend of 29 and 30 July this year.

There will be something for everyone to get involved with across the weekend, whether that's completing their own swim, bike, run activity, volunteering at the event or watching the action unfold around the seafront in Roker.

Families and adult participants can join in all the fun and excitement of the weekend by signing up to either. The Swim Bike Run Mini, where families can take part alongside side each other, consists of a 50m swim and 1km run, while The BIG Swim Bike Run consists of a 100m swim, 6km bike, 2km run.

Entry to both events is open until 30 June.

To find out more visit www.mysunderland.co.uk/swim-bike-run