Roker Beach was busy and buzzing this morning as Sunderland welcomed triathletes from around the world to take part in the World Triathlon Championship Series taking place today (July 29) and tomorrow.
The event also takes place within the qualification window for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, giving some hopefuls the chance to compete on the world's biggest sporting stage.
Read more: Sunderland confirm signing of striker Eliezer Mayenda
This morning the spotlight was on the BIG Swim Bike Run which allowed youngsters and their families to have a go at a mini-triathlon, swimming 200m, biking 10km and running 2.5km.
Then, older athletes had their shot at the course whilst supportive friends and family cheered them on from the sidelines.
The sun was luckily shining for the happy participants who were snapped before the big event in their droves at the beach – can you spot yourself?
Benefit from unrivalled local journalism with a Northern Echo digital subscription for just £1.50 a week. Click here.
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Supportive families in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Supportive families in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Supportive families in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: BBC presenter Jeff Brown at the World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: BBC presenter Jeff Brown at the World Triathlon Championship Series.")
BBC presenter Jeff Brown at the World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
![The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.]( "The Northern Echo: Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series.")
Triathletes in Sunderland for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Championship Series. (Image: NORTH NEWS)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here