HUGE crowds gathered to watch Poland's Michal Garbacki win the 2016 Isoman Triathlon which took place in Redditch at the weekend.

Garbacki competed the gruelling seven mile swim on Arrow Valley Lake, the 61.3 mile bike ride around the surrounding Worcestershire countryside and then a full marathon on the roads of Redditch in 10 hours and 12 minutes.

He was chased home by Henry Walker from Malvern Triathlon Club who was second while Hertfordshire's James Goymour came home third in a field which attracted athletes from all over Europe.

While the athletes were in full flow, spectators were treated to some live music from local bands such as Music like Lemons and Completely Covered.

The women's full distance Isoman was another hotly contested affair with Natalie Jackson from Bolton Triathlon Club completing the course in a winning time of 11 hours and 24 minutes.

She was followed home by second placed Lucy Tomlinson from Kent while Sian Lewis of Carmarthenshire in Wales was third.

The oldest competitor to take part was 75 year old Malcolm Brookes who was completing his 106th marathon, he finished with a time of 6:46:52.6.  

The whole event drew praise from competitors who described it as world class, but also as one of the hardest multi sport events on the Triathlon calendar

Race Director Gary Jarvis insisted: "The day couldn't have gone better! The atmosphere around the race was thriving.

"This is our second year and we made a number of course and event changes to improve the overall day and these really made a difference.

"We rely on the enthusiasm and support from family and friends to help marshall the event - without this extended team, we would be unable to even get to the start line and I would like to thank everyone for their help.

"We will be back next year and hope to continue to improve the event and put Redditch on the map as the home of Isoman."