MORE than 600 competitors have already signed up for the Quays Triathlon in Salford -- the biggest swim, bike, run event in Britain - most of them travelling up from the south.

The bad news is only a handful of competitors are from

the North West! The event organisers need more northern competitors to even up the score.

Sunday 12 August sees Salford hosting the National Triathlon Championships and we're the looking to local people to show us what they're made of.

You can either do the full course yourself, or if you can't manage all three elements, you can get together with some mates and enter the relay race to cover just one part each.

Salford's Triathlon Development Officer, Mark Tweedie said: "It's fantastic to think we've got all these people travelling up to Salford from across Britain -- but it would be even better to see people from this area taking part too.

Triathlon isn't the iron man sport that many people think it is -- it's actually something that's within most people's grasp. It's also great fun to take part in -- especially with a group of mates."

This is the first time the national championships have been held in the North West and participants from all over the world are coming to Salford, including some of the world's top athletes, possibly even the Canadian Olympic gold medal winner Simon Whitfield and certainly the Team GB triathlon squad.

The Quays Triathlon is the dress rehearsal for the Commonwealth Games next year -- so athletes are getting some practice on the course, but the event organisers want to make sure the North West is properly represented.

The event is organised by Salford City Council with the support of Manchester 2002, Trafford Council and the British Triathlon Association.

Lead member for arts and leisure, Councillor Eddie Sheehy, said: "When Salford is on such good form producing such great events we want Salford people to be a part of them.

"This is an exciting opportunity for local people to rub shoulders with famous athletes and try out an event which will be part of the Commonwealth Games."

Anyone who wants more information, or an application form should phone the Triathlon Hotline now on 0161-743 0576.