Competitors battled through severe weather conditions on Saturday to take part in this years Cleveland Steelman race. The event consisted of a 2km swim in Ellerton Lake, a 90km bike and a 12 mile run. With rain showers and grey clouds looming all morning around the North East, it was only a question of time before the heavens opened. Luckily the rain held off until everyone was out on to the two-lap bike course but when it started to rain, it poured down. Thankfully there were no incidents out on the bike course, even though the surface water was over 4 inches deep in some parts of the scenic course.

The conditions by no means deterred the competitors with fierce racing at the front end of the field. First out of the water, with a 3-minute lead was Tony Weed of Hartlepool Triathlon Club, following were Georgie Rutherford and Lisa Tweddle of NE31 Triathlon Club. However, out on the bike the race really began with Richard Hunt of Kudu Bikes certainly showing his biking strength by clocking a 2hour 20min minute bike and giving himself a seven minute lead over Phil Smith of Total Racing Inc. The women's race changed lead a number of times over the 90km with Denise Parkin from Ryton Tri arriving back in transition as first female, closely followed by club mate Jaci Swinbank and Helen Macvicker of Leeds & Bradford Tri Club. Out on to the two-lap trail run and with weather conditions improving. Richard Hunt hung on to 1st but his lead was shortened by quick runs from Total Racing Inc team mates Phil Smith, who claimed 2nd, and Phil Coulson finishing in 3rd. In the women's race the run saw the placings change once again as Georgie Rutherford ran through from 4th to claim 1st with Helen Macvicker in 2nd and Denise Parkin in 3rd.

A great day of racing seemed to be had by all and there were a few participants making their triathlon debut which is quite an impressive achievement. For full results, and age group positions please visit www.clevelandtriathlon.co.uk, and we also have results locally.

Thanks to Cleveland triathlon club for once again organising and managing a successful event in the North East, which was kindly supported by Westbrook Cycles.