Hercules Festival of Sport was a huge success after welcoming around 750 people to Northwood for the annual event on Sunday.

The half-ironman triathlon was one of the main events of the day and consisted of a 1.9-kilometre swim, 100-kilometre cycle and a 20-kilometre run. 

Joss Williams was the winner overall, with a superb time of 4.53.  The day took place at Merchant Taylors School, and began at 7am, with early-rising runners runners primed and ready to take part in a series of triathlons and aquathlon. 

After this, the long-distance swimmers took to the water for the three and five kilometre open-water races.  Later on in the morning, the duathletes got ready to take part in their event which consisted of a 10-kilometre run, a 40-kilometre cycle and another five-kilometre run. 

There were 10-kilometre and five-kilometre runs that followed, where many of the runners were racing for Cancer research UK.  Young aspiring athletes even got involved at the end, as they took part in a 1.5-kilometre run.

That was followed by the last event of the day, a punishing 100-kilometre cycle in the Bank Holiday heat.  Gifty Enright, events director of the festival, said: “Our third annual Northwood Festival of Sport exceeded all of our expectations.

"Northwood and Watford residents came out to watch hundreds of elite and amateur athletes and to cheer on family and friends who were taking part in the many events.

“We were inspired to stage this Festival of Sport in Northwood because of thirst for sports in Watford and surrounding areas. Given the growing success of this Festival of Sport, we see it becoming a major feature in the home counties sporting diary by next year. “

The next Festival of Sport will be held in St Albans on September 17.