THE fourth annual Cholmondeley Castle Triathlon attracted a field of 800 athletes – more than double last year’s entry.

Sunday’s race, part of the Markel International Castle Triathlon Series, took in a warm lake swim and countryside cycle, followed by an off-road run.

There was a local success story when Charlotte Wormleighton from Guilden Sutton won the female sprint for the third year in a row.

Jamie Turner, 14, from Nantwich, rose to the challenge of the adult sprint. He completed the race in a sterling time of one hour and 28 minutes making a big dent in his fundraising efforts for an expedition programme to Mozambique in 2014.

Brook Hill, nine, from Chester, was on the winning 8-10 year old relay team, despite suffering a serious brain injury over the winter following a ski accident.

The main Olympic distance race (1500m/44km/10km swim/cycle/run) was won by Sam Wade of Cardiff Metropolitan Uni (2.05:28), with Lucy Smith of Loughborough University taking the female prize in 2.21.21.

In the Marquess mid-distance race (800m/44km/8km), Ben Birks of Chester Triathlon Club won in 1.59:37 while Natalie Shaw (Born2Tri) was the first female finisher in 2.22:59.

The men’s Gothic sprint race (400m/22km/4km) was won by Ben Meir in 1.00:47.

Junior winners were Matthew Willis and Phoebe Hughes (13-15 years), Kieran Morris and Holly Powell (11-12 years), and Benjamin Cumberland and Clara Blount (8-10 years).

The British University and College Sport Standard Distance Championship was incorporated into Sunday’s event.

Loughborough University took home most medals, with a particularly strong female team.