ENDURANCE experts will 'tri their best' this weekend as they prepare to swim, cycle and run at one of Inverclyde's biggest sporting events.

Fitness fans will pack their swimming goggles, bikes and trainers and gather at Gourock Outdoor Pool on Sunday for the Inverclyde Leisure Sprint Distance Triathlon and Junior aquathlon events.

Gearing up for the event is Lauren Deveney, facility manager at the pool, who is making the final touches to preparations ahead of the big day.

Lauren said: "This is one of our most important events.

"It is more challenging to organise because there are three elements, the swim, cycle and run.

"It's something that we look forward to.

"We have over 100 people signed up in the individual event and 14 teams taking part and 11 kids.

"We're happy with that, it's a great turnout."

Lauren says the Gourock triathlon is unique in the fact that part of it takes place in an outdoor pool.

She said: "Obviously a lot of events that take place in pools tend to be indoors.

"It's a draw that we have the outdoor element and offer people the saltwater experience in the safety of a swimming pool rather than open water. People certainly tell us they enjoy that.

"We attract a lot of beginners because of that element."

Lauren is now keeping her fingers crossed that the one element she can't control plays its part - the weather!

She said: "We have been lucky in the last few years, so I hope it stays dry.

"It's such a fun event and we get great feedback which encourages us to make it better every year."

Jonny Anderson, who works as a fitness advisor at the facility, is taking part in the team triathlon.

He said: "Me and one of my colleagues are doing it with a member of the gym.

"I'm doing the run part and looking forward to it - hopefully we'll win.

"The three of us have been training round the clock, so there's high expectations. We're going for gold."