THE annual Darlington Triathlon will be held at Darlington School of Mathematics and Science on May 4, organisers have announced.

The event, organised by Darlington Rotary Club, is popular with tri-athletes nationwide, as it is suitable for beginners and experts alike.

It comprises a 400m swim, a 21km bike ride and 5km run along closed roads and through country lanes, and is marshalled by Rotary Club members.

This year also includes a brand-new event: the Darlington Aquathlon.

This variation on the traditional triathlon removes the cycling section; participants will instead tackle just the swimming and running distances.

The Aquathlon will be run alongside the triathlon, and electronic timing will be used for both events.

There are only 50 spaces available for the Aquathlon, so booking early is recommended.

The event raises money for Darlington Rotary charities, including St Teresa’s Hospice.

St Teresa’s Hospice offers free care and services for residents of South-Durham and North-Yorkshire who are affected by life-limiting illness with the aim of improving their quality of life.

It needs to raise about £2.2m a year to maintain these vital services.

Registration and information is available at entrylive.com