A triathlon club raised funds AND spirits over the Easter weekend with a virtual duathlon.

More than 70 people took part in the event organised by Tri Lakeland and raised more than £2,000 for the West Cumberland Hospital.

Club secretary Viv Winter set members the challenge last week, asking them to fit in a run, bike and run over the four-day weekend. People could chose between a sprint or standard distance duathlon. The idea was people would work out in the confines of their homes and gardens or as part of their daily exercise.

“I was overwhelmed by the response,” said Viv. “It was brilliant seeing everyone’s pictures being posted on our Facebook page over the weekend. People really entered into the spirit of it, it was a fantastic team effort.”

People were incredibly creative, running countless laps of their gardens in order to notch up 10km, or whichever distance they had chosen to complete.

They covered countless bike miles in their garages, sitting rooms, conservatories and sunny gardens.

Some of them ran or biked with their children, others had babies in buggies... and one had a baby in her tummy! There were lots of colourful outfits.

One team member was working abroad on a ship and posted a Strava image showing he had completed 10km running laps round the ship. He had done another section running up and down the quayside. Another member of the Cockermouth club worked out from lockdown in Loughborough.

Twenty-six junior members (aged eight to 16) took part in the event. They chose between two distances: 4k run, 15k bike, 2k run or 2k run, 10k bike, 1k run.

Angela Sims said: “Individuals completed each leg of the duathlon with their family members. Some opted to stay indoors and use turbo trainers to clock up the miles while others cycled and ran close to their homes.

“It was a fantastic effort and a great way to get everyone exercising.”

The club donated £10 for each of the 74 members which took part. People could then also donate themselves.

Club chairman Mark Hopkins said: “I am so humbled by the huge response from Tri-Lakeland, to the challenge of the duathlons, to help raise funds for the NHS.

“The duathlons have been so much more of a challenge by the exceptional circumstances we find ourselves in and the added difficulties of not being able to train or race together.

“I have seen so many brilliant photographs of everyone taking part in both club kit and amazing fancy dress and have been heartened by every smile and cheer in each picture.”

He was delighted with the amount raised.

“I know that it will mean so much to those who work in the NHS or who have loved ones who are on the front line, working tirelessly to protect the health of us all,” he said.