More than 1,400 competitors took part in the Brighton Triathlon this weekend and organisers are promising the event will get even bigger in the future.

An eclectic mix of athletes made up the field, with age, ability and aspirations all varying in the different categories. All the entrants undertook a swim, a cycle and a run but the distance varied according to the three main races: novice, sprint and Olympic.

The participants started off with a swim on the east side of the Palace Pier followed by cycling and running up and down Madeira Drive.

The novice section had 270 entrants in it. They swam 200m, rode for 10km and ran for 2.5 km. The 464 sprint participants swam for 750km, biked for 20km and ran for five km, while the Olympic competitors swam for 1500m, biked for 40km and ran for ten km.

Competitors came from as far away as Brisbane and there were also races for a small group of elite athletes, an inter-services competition and various relay races.

Race director Vic Bickerton was delighted with the way the two-day event panned out.

He said: " It is the culmination of 12 months' work. Brighton is a great venue, especially for the cycling and the sea swim is unusual.

"Most triathlons involve pool swims. Brighton and City council closed the whole of Madeira Drive which is fantastic for the cyclists. We have about 400 people competing for charity and hopefully thousands should be raised for worthy causes.

"The size of the field has grown every year since we first started three years ago and we were very close to getting live TV coverage.

"The BBC were interested in screening the triathlon on Grandstand. That will be the aim for next year and if we got it, it would bring in sponsorship from companies like Bupa."

One of the most impressive performances was by 14-year-old Anthony Shaw, from East Grinstead, who won the novice section in a time of 36min.15sec. Shaw (Team Viper) admitted the result was the culmination of two years' hard slog.

He said: "I was third when I got onto the bike and I overtook the other two on the run. I've trained hard for this, so I am delighted to have won. I'd like to have a go at becoming a professional athlete."

Shaw's team-mate, 19-year-old Charmanie Wheeler, also excelled, winning the female sprint in 1hr.13 min.19sec.

The athletes had near perfect conditions on Saturday when it was a great day for the spectators too.

The sight of hundreds of people decked out in wet-suits and brightly coloured hats charging into the sea and swimming off was impressive and the crowds mingled happily with the competitors.

Those who toiled on the behalf of charities got the biggest applause and support.

Four charities: the NSPCC, MacMillan Cancer Research, Multiple Sclerosis Research and the Arthritis Research campaign all had people competing.

MacMillian had 75 people taking part and estimated raising £20,000 from the event.

Craig Fordham, the charity's national event co-ordinator, said: "About a quarter of the participants come from the south east area so a large chunk of the money will stay here. It is our first year with the Brighton Triathlon. We used to do the London Triathlon but our fund-raisers said they would rather race here instead."

Some took the day less seriously than others. Radio station Juice 107.2 FM entered their 'Juicy Crew' into the sprint relay event and the trio of Bindi Corfe, Sarah Booker and Tom Shakeshift confessed they had done little training in the build-up to the race.

Sarah said: "I ride a bit to and from work, we are just doing it for a laugh really."

Fortunately for the likes of the 'Juicy Crew', there were plenty of safety stewards on hand.

The Martlet Kayak Club had 19 canoes in the sea to keep an eye on the swimmers.

Secretary Peter Brett said: "It is the third year we have done it. We will be in the water for about six hours. We had to pick a few novices out of the water. Some people just don't appreciate how strong the current is."

Brit Alun Woodward won the elite race in a time of 1hr.56min.48 sec and 22-year-old Chrissy Radon, also British, claimed the female title in 2hr.16.min.6sec.

Bob Novis, from Essex, won the male sprint (1hr.4 min.29 sec) and Gary Poulter the Olympic race (2hr.24min.15sec).