Congratulations to the thousands who completed the inaugural Blenheim Triathlon - and the thousands more who braved mixed May weather to witness the remarkable spectacle.

Can the first Duke of Marlborough ever have imagined his glorious home and its grounds being used for such a breathtaking display of athleticism?

We like to think that he, and indeed Sir Winston Churchill himself, would have thoroughly approved.

It is a testament to the organisers, including the team at the palace itself, that the event was such a success.

It has established itself overnight as the second biggest UK triathlon.

We echo organiser Nick Garcia's delight that so many of the participants were taking part in such an event for the first time.

It must have taken hours of dedicated training, not to mention some very strict nutritional and lifestyle regimes.

We are proud to have sponsored it -- and believe it is set fair to become one of Oxfordshire's leading annual events.