particularly notable performance in his first race of the season. "I was prepared to give 100 percent of what I had but I didn't know what that was," he said afterwards. Plenty, as it turns out. Fourth last year (with a 2:41:59 run), he's in formidable form

route.Flick through our gallery for costume inspiration for your next charity chase (this year's theme was the animal kingdom) or to find out why you should add this race-cum-wine tasting tour to your 2012 diary. Plus read our 2008 race report.  

-distance record at Challenge Roth (8:18:32), breaking her own record, and she also won Ironman South Africa. She has never lost an Ironman race. She is unlikely to lose this one.Julie Dibens (UK)The 36-year-old from Salisbury came third at Kona in 2010, a

pressure on him going into the race because he was only in his second year as a pro and that the Kona racewould be only his third Ironman event. "If I could get top 15 I'd be ecstatic - anything above that would be a bonus," he added. Interestingly

, the Forestman - a full Iron-distance triathlon. This year, it was a standalone race and the relatively small field made for occasional lonely moments on the undulating but beautiful course.After two laps of Ellingham Lake, competitors set off on the bike

Distance: 1.5K/ 43K/ 10KWhere: Bowness-on-Windermere, CumbriaWhen: July 3First man: Steven Garner 2:27:39First woman: Christine Johnson 2:37:12Last finisher: 4:35:43No of finishers: 157Anyone who took part in this race last year could be forgiven

of the finish line before shooting past to complete the course.Alexander, who was third here last year, was in a class of his own this time: he crossed the line almost 25 minutes ahead of second-placed Richard Mackie. Fran Bungay won the women's race in 5

, age-group competitors may, for once, have appreciated their early start this year. The deceptively sunny conditions and lack of current in the Thames certainly helped, with Matt Molloy becoming the first age-group athlete (40-44) in 12 years

laps, so there was no one on her shoulder to challenge her to a sprint finish over the last hundred metres. Race tacticsCanada's Paula Findlay has twice beaten Jenkins by seconds this year in just this manner. Findlay has a hip injury, but Hyde Park

of almost 20 per cent.There were some tricky descents, too, resulting in nasty spills for some riders, including Richard Anderson, who had been chasing down race leader Martin Cain. This left Cain to continue to victory, with Duncan Shea-Simonds moving up