THE first staging of a new summer sports event for Tyneside has been hailed a success.

The inaugural Cintra TRY on the Tyne event on Saturday saw hundreds of athletes of all ages tackle sprint and standard distance duathlons, run-bike-run races, 10K and 5K runs, and junior races.

They started in Baltic Square in Gateshead and finishing on the Newcastle quayside.

Event founder Steve Cram said: “We’ve clearly demonstrated how multi-sport races can work well in that location, adding an exciting event to the summer calendar.

“In the context of the weekend, the weather was fairly kind to us and it was great to see both elite and first time duathletes in action, with some enthusiastic backing from spectators.

“We’re grateful to Newcastle City Council and Gateshead Council for helping us to take the TRY on the Tyne concept and turn it into a successful first event, and to Cintra and other partners for their sponsorship and support.

“We’ve created an excellent platform that has really exciting potential.”

Sponsored by Gateshead company Cintra HR and Payroll Service, TRY on the Tyne featured the first major duathlon (run-bike-run) to use the Tyne and its bridges as a venue, all on closed roads.

Competitors in the duathlons set off alongside the 10k and 5k runners with all of the races attracting both regular athletes and beginners to a fast, flat course and an iconic setting.

Setting an example was Cintra itself, fielding a large number of athletes in the races, as part of its work to promote healthy and active lifestyles in the workforce. Among them was CEO Carsten Staehr, who completed the sprint duathlon.

The morning of races started at 9am with a junior 2K race and junior duathlon, while the senior races all set off together at 10am.

KEY RESULTS

Standard Duathlon

1st man – Michael Mason, Durham Triathlon Club – 2:08:36

2nd man – Phil Hall, Alnwick & District Triathlon Club – 2:11:44

3rd man – Steven Scott, Triathlon England – 2:12:18

1st lady – Sarah Metcalfe, Durham Triathlon Club – 2:24:18

2nd lady – Sophie Marr – 2:40:27

3rd lady – Emma Dixon, Ryton Tri Club – 2:41:59

Sprint Duathlon

1st man – Daniel Dixon, Ryton Tri Club – 59:23

2nd man – Kieron Mutch – 1:02:23

3rd man – Will Dixon, Ryton Tri Club – 1:02:50

1st lady – Eleanore Nash, British Triathlon – 1:16:01

2nd lady – Bev Martin, Velo Culture – 1:16:57

3rd lady – Claire Jackson, One Life Racing – 1:18:41

10K

1st man – Matthew Alderson – 33:51

2nd man – Jonny Malley, Gateshead Harriers – 36:32

3rd man – Matt Walker, Durham City Harriers – 36:50

1st lady – Danielle Smythe, Heaton Harriers – 37:33

2nd lady – Lindsay Turner – 44:23

3rd lady – Abbie Anderson, Chester le Street & District AC – 48:16

5K

1st man - Craig Gunn, Sunderland Harriers – 16:33

2nd man – Steven Gordon – 18:13

3rd man – Silas Christie, Gosforth Harriers – 18:18

1st lady – Kathryn Stevenson, Tyne Bridge Harriers – 18:47

2nd lady – Hazelle Webster-Costella, Jarrow & Hebburn AC – 20:08

3rd lady – Diane Vaughan, Quakers Running Club – 22:03

Junior Duathlon

1st boy – Joe Dixon – 19:21

2nd boy – Harris Hall – 21:13

3rd boy – Joseph Lonergan – 22:08

1st girl (equal second overall) – Millie Breese – 21:13

2nd girl – Amelia Cleathero – 24:46

3rd girl – Ameena Michla – 30:01.

2K Junior Run

1st boy – Alex Boyer – 7:20

2nd boy – Sam Mason – 7:33

3rd boy – Callum Chambers – 8:46

1st girl – Niamh Lonergan – 9:25

2nd girl – Isabella Hall – 10:10

3rd girl – Thea Jeffares – 10:11