THOUSANDS of competitors braved the changeable weather conditions at the weekend to take part in the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon.

About 7,000 athletes signed up for the charity event, which raises cash for research into the disease, and is widely regarded as the season opener in the UK triathlon calendar.

It is the second largest triathlon in the country and sees those taking part run and cycle around the Woodstock palace grounds and swim in the freshwater lake.

This year’s competitors included Scarlett’s Dragons, a team of 164, which has rallied together to support 10 year-old Scarlett Clarkson who is currently receiving treatment for leukaemia.

Last year the team comprised of 22 dads of children at the Dragon School in north Oxford, who raised £120,000 for the charity.

Others at the triathlon included last year’s winners Matt Sharp and Emma Pallent.

Holby City stars John Michie, Don Gilet and David Ames took part in a relay team race for the charity. Teams from three Formula One teams – Mercedes, Red Bull and Force India – also took part.