SWIMMERS celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Dee Mile in style.

A record entry of more than 300 took part in last Wednesday’s annual midsummer race in the River Dee, which now caters for swimmers of all ages and abilities.

Chester Triathlon Club, who hosted the race, had many competitors in the water, in both wetsuit and non-wetsuit categories.

In the 2km ‘classic’ race, Dan Craigen (Chester Tri) notched up his fifth consecutive Champion of the Dee title, which is awarded to the fastest non-wetsuit swimmer living within five miles of The Cross in Chester.

Craigen clocked a record-breaking time of 19 minutes 48 seconds, finishing close behind Clive Roberts, who won the wetsuit category in 19:34.

In the women’s categories, Chester Tri’s Ciara Murphy was Champion of the Dee in 23:58 while the women’s wetsuit winner was Rachel Line (21:16).

Judy Brown, of Warrington Dolphins, was fastest overall and the first female all-comer (non-wetsuit swimmers who live outside Chester) in 21:42.

David Johnston took the men’s all-comer title in 22:06.

In the sprint race, juniors (aged 12 and over) were allowed to enter for the first time.

Kyle Stubbs (City of Chester Swimming Club) and Ruth Siddorn (Wrexham Swimming Club) stamped their authority on the race, finishing first and second in 6:59 and 7:18 respectively to take the inaugural male and female junior titles. Chris O’Keefe won the men’s senior event in 7:36, with Sian Deal winning the women’s sprint in 8:57.

The big events keep on coming for Chester Triathlon Club, who stage the women-only Deva Divas Triathlon on Sunday and the Olympic distance Deva Triathlon on Sunday.

Both events will be based at The Meadows and Sunday’s race is a qualifier for the World Age Group Championships in New Zealand in October.

Full results from the Dee Mile, plus further information about the Deva Divas and Deva Triathlons, can be found on the Chester Tri website (www.chestertri.org.uk).