WETSUIT-CLAD athletes filled the seafront as they prepared to take on a gruelling test of skill and stamina.

Crowds gathered on Hove seafront for the start of the Brighton and Hove Triathlon 2019, returning for its fourth year.

Sunday’s sold-out event involved thousands of athletes of all ages taking on a range of courses.

These varied from the shorter, fast-paced “super sprint” event to the challenging “standard” – a 1,500m swim, 40km bike ride and 10km run.

Competitors heralded the 22C heat and calm seas which allowed for plenty of personal records to be set on the day.

There were also several children’s events and a “scootathlon” for up-and-coming triathletes, in which the swim section of the race was replaced with a scooter ride.

Event organiser John Lunt, also the competition manager for the triathlon at the London 2012 Olympic Games, celebrated another successful year.

He said. “We couldn’t be happier. Everything has gone according to plan.

“We have had a huge turnout and all the comments I have received have been so positive.

“It is extremely encouraging when people come up to me to say it is their first triathlon and they have had such a great experience they will be back again next year.

“Building on the success 2019, we hope to have in excess of 2,000 participants next year.”

One person to try their first triathlon was 87-year-old Jan van Leeuwen.

Jan, pictured in the right-hand picture in the row of images below, was inspired by his son, Alex, who regularly competes in the events and accompanied him around the course.

It was his first triathlon and he completed it in 1.55.54.

Jan, who is from Exeter, did the sea swim with a snorkel.