William Draper won the Granite Mann Challenge Triathlon for the fifth year in succession at Cringle plantation recently.

This was the eighth year of the off-road event, organised by The Children’s Centre and sponsored by Browne Craine & Co.

Competitors were faced with a 400 metre swim in the reservoir, followed by a 10 kilometre mountain bike ride using the trails round the plantation, with the final element being a 5km trail run.

The women’s winner was Ellen Barker, while the men’s team event was won by Ryan Fairclough (who did the swim and run) and cyclist Andy Bass.

The mixed team honours went to ACA (Ali Neuwirt, Tim Woakes and Conor Caley).

The women’s duathlon (run-cycle-run) was won by Emma Atkinson for the second year in a row, while all-rounder Nigel Beattie won the men’s.

The team event was won by brothers Phil and Anthony Bell-Scott, with the women’s honours going to ’All we do is tri’ (Clare Singleton, Erin Cregeen-Watson and Alice Oakes).

The mixed duathlon team award went to North South Divide (Paul Perkins and Nicola Bowker).

’Congratulations to all the competitors that took part,’ said Basil Bielich, director in Browne Craine & Co. ’This year’s event was Browne Craine’s third year of sponsoring Granite Mann and it was great to see so many competitors taking on the challenge of the course which is no mean feat.’

Granite Mann Challenge has raised almost £8,000 for The Children’s Centre over the years, to help families in need living in the island.

As a completely independent Manx charity the funds are required to carry out the vital work the centre does with children, young people and families. This year it has worked directly with 600 individuals who are struggling, not fitting in, not able to access services anywhere else.

To find out more see the website www.thechildrenscentre.org.im