THOUSANDS of people lined Liverpool’s waterfront yesterday to watch the city’s first Triathlon – bringing a week of high profile sporting events to a close.

Despite the showery weather some 1,000 athletes swam, cycled and ran their way around the city driven on by the cheers from spectators.

The inaugural event, hailed a massive success, follows the Liverpool International Tennis Tournament at Calderstones Park and Lancashire’s matches at Aigburth Cricket Club.

As well as Olympic distance races – a 1.5k swim, a 40k bike ride and a 10k run – there was also a sprint and super sprint for people Triathlon competitors who prefer short distances.

The event was organised by Mass Participation Events.

Chairman Rod Alexander said he was confident it would become a flagship event for the North West.

He added: "The day was fantastic and the atmosphere electric. It created a real buzz around the city.

"I hope the Triathlon will become the number one and the best mass participation event in the North West.

"I believe this can become a flagship for the city and the North West and I think next year will see a 50% increase in the numbers of people taking part. It’s fantastic that the city has taken this event to heart."

Among those collecting medals at the finish line were three generations of the Hanlon family from Rock Ferry, on Wirral.

Ray,64, sons Sean, 42, and Liam 41, and grandson Ryan, 19, completed the Triathlon with family competition spurring them on.