THOUSANDS gathered to compete in one of the country's most gruelling triathlons this weekend.
In baking sun, competitors ran, swam and cycled more than 140 miles.
The Outlaw Triathlon, at Holme Pierrepont, was attended by athletes from all across the UK.
As the sun rose over the rowing lake, competitors started with a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile run.
The event has now been running for four years at the National Water Sports Centre.
Organiser Sarah Gorman said the spirit between competitors had been incredible.
"It's just been so amazing," she said. "The slower swimmers were having their names chanted to make sure they got through before the cut-off point.
"It's been a little too warm and some of the slower competitors might have suffered earlier on.
"But the lack of wind will have made a lot of difference to the cyclists."
Sweating but smiling runners came in past the finish line just after 3pm.
First home was relay-runner Del Pitcher, a 43-year-old police officer, Oakleys Road, Long Eaton. His team finished in nine hours, 13 minutes and 22 seconds and raised a total of £55,000 for Cancer Research UK.
Del said fellow competitors and the feel of the race had made all the difference.
He said: "The support has been some of the best I've ever seen. It's just an amazing race to be a part of. The competitors were really great; they were giving high-fives and chanting each other's names."
Winner of the overall triathlon was 43-year-old optician Eugene Grant, of Gin Lane, Ashover, with a time of nine hours, 27 minutes and nine seconds.
Eugene, who has attended the triathlon every year since it first started, said it had been one of the greatest experiences of his life.
He said: "I am absolutely stoked, I'm delighted. I came here to achieve a sub-10 hour finish; never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd win the event. This ranks with getting married and my children being born."
It wasn't just a great day for the participants, with crowds gathering for miles along the embankment and basking in the summer heat.
Company director Phil Heaps, 57, of Lunt Heath, Cheshire, had come to see his son take part.
He said: "We're very proud of him; he's been training most of the year. It's been a beautiful day and it's been great to be here and support him."
