GALE force winds and heavy rain meant Skipton Triathlon was a tough test for the hardiest of triathletes.

The appalling weather also meant the cycling section - which saw competitors tackling the A59 to West Marton - was cancelled in the afternoon and replaced with swimming lengths of Craven Pool.

Hundreds of triathletes still turned up in Aireville Park despite a bad weather forecast for the hugely popular event.

More than 700 people had signed up for the challenge, which included a 400m swim in Craven Swimming Pool, a 20km bike road ride and a 5km run through two laps of Aireville Park.

The event was started by Cllr Linda Brockbank, chairman of Craven District Council, which handed over organisation to Freebird Events a few years ago.

Peter Mathieson, of Freebird Events, said: “We would like to congratulate the brave competitors who battled the atrocious weather that hit the Xperts @Xscape Skipton Triathlon.

“The conditions deteriorated so much that the organisers took the reluctant decision to cancel the cycle section of the triathlon in the afternoon due to concerns about road safety.

"The remaining competitors completed just the 400m swim and 5km run around Aireville Park."

He added: “The very popular early season Triathlon was started this year by council chairman Cllr Linda Brockbank, who praised the organisers Freebird Events and marvelled at the determination of the triathletes some of whom were taking part in their first ever triathlon.”

For Jane Bellerby, it was a baptism of fire – or water – for her first event. She said: “I really enjoyed my first triathlon regardless of the wet weather. It was well organised and the marshals were fantastic!”