ENTRIES have opened for a hugely popular triathlon in the Dengie.

The Big East Triathlon is returning to the area for its seventh year on May 21.

The triathlon, run and organised by Dengie Events, is open to competitors of all levels with two separate events to choose from.

A challenge distance course, the shorter of the two, will be made up of an 800m swim, a 43km bike ride, and a 10km run.

The longer course, the middle distance course, will be made up of a 1.6km swim and an 82km cycle ride before finishing with a 20km run.

Both events will begin in the River Blackwater, with the challenge distance competitors competing one lap of the swim course while middle distance competitors will complete two laps.

From there, competitors will return to Bradwell Waterside, jumping on their bicycles and completing either one or two laps of a cycle course that will see them go through St Lawrence and Latchingdon, before passing through Stoneyhills and Tillingham on their way back to Bradwell Waterside.

Once they’ve returned to Bradwell Marina, the triathletes will transition into the final leg of the event, the run.

Again, challenged distance competitors will complete one lap of the 10km course, while middle distance competitors will complete two.

The run will take them past the RAF memorial, towards St Peter’s Chapel, before following the sea wall around and past Bradwell Power Station and returning to Bradwell Marina.

The course will be fully signposted and marshalled, and first aid points will be available around the area on the day.

To find out more, or to sign up for the race, visit dengieevents.co.uk.