RUNNING, biking and swimming are all staples of the annual Padiham Sports Week – but not usually in the same event.

However, on Sunday, at 9am, the Padiham Triathlon takes place, with dozens of athletes swimming 600m, before clambering on their bikes for a 13.5km race through the town.

The event concludes with a 7.5km run.

The triathlon will launch an eight-day festival of sport, and triathlon competitors will also give the area another boost by raising money for Pendleside Hospice.

The Padiham Triathlon was introduced last year when 60 athletes took part, and organisers hope to make it an annual event under the Sports Week umbrella.

Also on Sunday, from 1pm, there will be a children’s funfair in the town centre, with market stalls, and the Burnley Alliance Silver Band and, at 2pm, the Padiham Duck Race takes place at Bentwood Bridge.

On Monday, youngsters are invited to join in the Big Dribble at 6.30pm, where entrants will dribble a football a distance of 5km along the Greenway. Registration is from 6pm.

Alan Smith, one of the festival organisers, said: “The emphasis really is on fun for all and there’s such a wide range of events going on for all the people of Padiham.”

Other events include a Burnley XI taking on Padiham FC at the Arbories Memorial Sports Ground next Wednesday, at 7pm, and a display of sporting memorabilia at the town hall on Tuesday, from 10am to 4pm.

The festival ends with the Mayor’s Mile Run on Sunday August 7, at 11.30am, starting at the leisure centre, before passing through Memorial Park.