Ironmen and women took on one of Cumbria's toughest challenges as they pushed themselves to the limit in this year's Lakesman Triathlon.

Competitors tackled a route which took in some of the county's most scenic - yet punishing - countryside.

This year's Lakesman once again brought a welcome boost to the entire region, with more than 800 competitors and their families descending on the area.

The event, which is sponsored by Allerdale Council and involves CN Events, sees athletes swim 2.4 miles in Derwentwater, cycle 112 miles and run 26 miles.

Now in its third year, the 2018 edition featured a half distance event for the first time.

Danny Bluff was the first to finish the full race while Michael Lavender, from Lanzarote, was the winner of the half event.

Proud mum Ann Sellars said she was "thrilled to bits" with Danny's win as the pair waited for his stepdad, Paul, who introduced Danny to triathlon, to finish.

Danny, from Macclesfield, said: "I'm pretty tired but it was an awesome race. The race organisers do a cracking job, it's such a friendly race for the athletes."

The 22-year-old, who was taking part in the Lakesman for the first time, will compete in the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii in October.

Keen athletes travelled from across the world to compete in the Lakesman, with one participant arriving from Arizona.

Event director Marie Whitehead said: "It's been really good. We've had a brilliant atmosphere.

"When we were coming down to the lake this morning for the early start, there was lots of people in the B&Bs. People who are supporting competitors have come for three or four nights.

"The half event has been a brilliant addition, it's doubled the number of people competing. We've got a guy from Arizona, who lived in Keswick when he was little. He lost his dad and he's come back to do this in his memory."

During the race, one triathlete, Matt Laffan, stopped to help a fellow competitor who was struggling with an asthma attack. Organisers decided to knock the 15 minutes he spent helping out off his final time.

On Saturday, organisers held briefings for the athletes before around 100 people donned trunks – and some in tutus – to take part in the Budgie Run.

The run began in 2017 when some Lakesman competitors ran down Lakes Road to the shore of Derwentwater in small swimming trunks, in honour of Lakesman organiser Phil Whitehead, who was competing in a triathlon in Hawaii later that year.

Last year's event pumped almost £1.5 million into the local economy, with participants descending on the area for the event and, in the build-up, for training.

A council spokesman said: "The event is a showcase for all the great attractions in our area – taking in Derwentwater, the Solway Coast and the area round Keswick.

"The competitors often stay for several days and bring their families with many also raising money for charity."