FAMILIES in South East Northumberland were set the challenge of completing a short-distance run along Newbiggin Promenade as part of the London 2012 Open Weekend.

The Weekend, supported by BP, consisted of a series of sporting events across the UK to celebrate the 'one year to go' countdown to the Olympics and Paralympic Games.

Organised by Blyth Valley Arts and Leisure’s Make-a-Move team, 50 young people completed a Fun Run Challenge along Newbiggin Promenade.

The Couple Challenge Swim organised by Tri Northumberland was also a great success, with 50 competitors completing the third swim event organised this year.

Competitors were set the challenge of tackling either 1,500m or 3,000m.

More than 100 competitors also took part in three triathlons in one, the main event being the Couples Challenge.

It was a half-iron distance race consisting of a 1.9-km swim, an 80-km bike and an 18-km multi-lap run held alongside a standard and sprint distance race around the town of Newbiggin.

The Bay Blast Sprint race was first to finish, Steven Wrigglesworth winning the men’s race in 01:18:15 and Lisa Tweddle the women’s event in 1:30:22.

The Breakwater Standard race was over in just over two hours with Blyth and ex-Whitley Bay footballer Stephen Locker (2:14:44) and Seonaid Hudson (2:34:33) from Edinburgh taking home first prizes respectively.

The half-iron distance triathlon was won by John Dennis from Team Milton Keynes in a fantastic time of 3:52:28 to take the overall crown by two minutes.

Deborah Stockley from Leeds and Bradford Tri was first female home in the women’s race – clocking 4:37:42.