A record number of Relay teams competed at Bude’s Shoreline Triathlon on Sunday, June 22, marking a special milestone in the event’s history.

The Bude triathlon has been running since 1992 and is the longest running triathlon in Cornwall. The Relay category is proving very popular at both the Triathlon and the Quadrathlon race which takes place later this year.

The race is centered on Summerleaze Beach Car Park which acts as a natural amphitheater providing spectators great views of the race as it unfolds.

Marshals and and competitors are briefed before the race start and then it’s off to the beach for the four separate starts.

First off on the swim are the senior men, five minutes later all the women, then five minutes later the older men grouped in 10 year age groups and finally the relay teams.

The swim takes everyone out through the fishing boats, on the sheltered side of Summerleaze Bay, before turning a buoy at the end of the breakwater and then swimming directly back towards the centre of the beach.

Once in the shallows the triathletes switch to a short but difficult run up the soft sandy beach and into the transition area at the head of the car park.

With everyone wearing a chip timing device on their ankle the “split” times for each section of the race are collected as the competitors cross various timing mats placed around the transition area and finish line.

The swim time is collected as the competitors run into the transition area and the cycle time starts as they leave.

The cycle itself starts with a tricky ascent of the car park exit road, a lap around Bude’s oneway system and a footdown stop at the Bencoolen Roundabout.

Then its off to Widemouth Bay along the coast road with a stiff climb up to the Widemouth Manor before returning to Bude via the A39.

As cyclists re-enter the transition zone they first dismount and then cross another timing mat to collect their cycle time. Another quick change and then the final run section begins.

The run follows the same route through the town but then deviates off onto the canal towpath for a run up to Rodds Bridge.

Competitors then wind their way along narrow lanes before emerging at the top of Lynstone Road.

A fast downhill run brings them back to The Strand and then a final run through the car park to the finish.

The race is made up of a 500m sea swim, a 15km cycle and a 5km run and is classed as a sprint triathlon.

The full results of this years race can be found on the Shoreline website at www.shorelineactivities.co.uk

The winners of each category were:

Next events on the calendar are the Bude Surf Life Saving Club 2km Swim on July 20, Quadrathlon on October 11 and the Nutcracker cycle race on October 19.