Crowds are ten deep for triathlon (From Times Series)

Crowds are ten deep for triathlon

9:47am Saturday 4th August 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Thousands of people crowded in to Hyde Park to watch Helen Jenkins aim to boost Britain's gold medal collection in the women's triathlon.

Crowds around the Serpentine were ten deep in some places to watch the start of the race.

Jenkins has previously said she was hoping similar crowds to the ones that roared Bradley Wiggins on to Olympic gold on Wednesday will help her stand on top of the triathlon podium.

The 27-year-old from Bridgend goes into the race as the reigning world champion and a dominant winner of the test event in Hyde Park 12 months ago.

Triathlon is one of the few events that is mainly non-ticketed, where crowds can line the route to cheer on the British team.

Joanne and James White travelled from Leeds to London for Olympic events this weekend and decided to get up early to watch Jenkins' bid for a gold medal.

Mrs White, 29, said: "The atmosphere is amazing. We saw the crowds for Bradley Wiggins and Lizzie Armitstead and wanted to experience it for ourselves.

"We're really hoping we get to see Team GB get another gold. It's so exciting."

Jenkins is one of the favourites for gold, and has cemented her status this season with a second place in the World Triathlon Series race in Sydney and then a victory in San Diego in May.

She has been training hard since at her base in Bridgend, latterly with team-mates Vicky Holland and Lucy Hall, who will help her in her bid for Olympic glory.