Hundreds of endurance athletes are coming to the Lake District this weekend, to take part in what organisers describe as "one of the world’s most challenging" sporting events.
Participants swim 2.4 miles in Derwent Water, cycle 112 miles around West Cumbria, then run a full marathon in the heart of the Lake District.
The quickest will finish the course in around 9.5 hours, while others could take up to 17.5 hours to complete it.
The event's being held in partnership between Allerdale Borough Council, Greenwich Leisure Ltd, Carlisle-based CN Events and specialist sporting event company Sport in Action.
Event organiser Marie Whitehead - of CN Events, said: “We just could not believe that no-one has launched an on-road Iron-distance event from Keswick in Cumbria before. Look at our landscape – it lends itself perfectly to this type of race."
Brian Allen, co-founder of Sport in Action, said: “Iron-distance athletes will travel the world in search of new races and we hope that this new challenge will really capture their imagination. Lakesman has a course that’s ideal for seasoned Iron-distance athletes who are looking for a new challenge, as well as experienced triathletes who want to take their race to a higher level. There will also be athletes who will start training this year and enter Lakesman as their very first event.
“In practical terms, the course is going to be amazing. It’s going to be a fast course, not least because the cycle and run are on road surfaces and there are no huge mountainous climbs, which means we could see some really quick times and even personal bests from our athletes.”
Councillor Alan Smith, Leader of Allerdale Borough Council, added: “We really wanted to get involved with Lakesman because it will show people everything this area has to offer. There will also be a strong emphasis on Cumbrian produce while they’re here – from the medals the athletes will receive to the food and drink they’ll consume around the course.
“These are serious athletes who’ll bring their families to stay during the days before the event and are likely to travel here in advance to practice parts of the course, so there will be economic benefits for West Cumbria too. The swim is in the perfect setting, the cycle ride will cover an area which takes in most of our coastline, and the run will focus on the area around Keswick, which already has a reputation as Cumbria’s adventure capital. Allerdale is the perfect location for this event.