Triathlon showcased incredible canal project

Almost 150 participants cycled, rowed and ran or walked 27 miles of stunning local countryside for the annual Montgomery Canal Triathlon that has been hailed as a tremendous success by organisers.

The event showcases some of the incredible work that is ongoing to connect the waterway with the national canal network with participants cycling 12 miles from Newtown, changing to boats to row five miles through Welshpool and then running or walking the final 10 miles across the border into Shropshire.

The following looks back at a memorable event organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal who have already contributed over £40,000 to the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal and expect to make a further donation from the proceeds of the Triathlon.

“The 149 people who took part had the choice of entering one, two or three sections ‒ by bike, by canoe and on foot ‒ and over 100 completed all three. The first (cycling) section was started off from Newtown by local MP, Steve Witherden, and Pete Lewington, Mayor of Newtown.

The route followed the River Severn through the town and then joined the canal towpath. After three miles of derelict canal there is water for the rest of this section which includes four blocked road crossings and eight locks, six of which have been restored by volunteers over the years.

After 12 miles, the changeover to canoes took place near Whitehouse Bridge, rebuilt in 1996 to open up the canal south of Welshpool.

The five-mile canoe section through Welshpool to Pool Quay includes two locks, one in the town centre, and two lift bridges. The Mayor of Welshpool, Cllr Phil Owen, with his Deputy Cllr W Rowell and former Mayor Cllr Alison Davies, met the canoes as a team of volunteers worked them through Welshpool Lock.

The final section was 10 miles on foot and included many places where restoration work is under way, or shortly will be. Shortly after starting off the participants passed the site where contractors are creating a new canalside nature reserve, an essential investment in the restoration to safeguard the canal’s valuable flora and fauna.

As the canal approaches the border from Wales into England entrants will have crossed the Vyrwny Aqueduct, soon to be the subject of a lottery bid, followed by Williams Bridge, the subject of a major campaign over 40 years ago and soon to be reopened with Government funding.

Another bridge already under construction, again with Government funding, will open up another length of the canal on the approach to the border village of Llanymynech.

As they crossed the Welsh border into Shropshire, entrants could have their photographs taken. They could also take a break at Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre, still open at weekends although low water has meant they have not been able to operate their boat trips.

Into Shropshire, the towpath route passes the village of Pant, where the canal has been derelict for 80 years and then reaches Schoolhouse Bridge, the newest bridge on the canal reconstructed through effort of volunteers and funded through the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal run by the local canal charities.

After the bridge, participants could see restoration of the canal channel by the volunteers of the Shropshire Union Canal Society, part of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal group. They have been making spectacular progress and drew many compliments. Donations to help them are always welcome at https://localgiving.org/charity/restorethemontgomerycanal.

Michael Limbrey, chairman of the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal, said, “The Montgomery Canal Triathlon is always a most enjoyable event and I think this year’s was one of the best. The weather was kind to us and so many were complimentary about the canal, all the work to restore it, and the organisation of the event itself.

“The first person to complete all three sections did so in under four hours and her achievement was marked with the presentation of a bottle of prosecco. The Friends of the Montgomery Canal gave each entrant a locally-made polished slate medallion, coloured gold if all three sections were completed, with silver and bronze coloured medallions for two or one section.

“A feature of this year’s Triathlon was the use of electronic timing which meant that when finishing entrants could be given a print-out of their timings. This new system worked very well.

“As well as many entries from the local area, we always welcome others from across Britain and abroad, and this year was no exception with one visitor flying in from the USA the day before. We know that some of our entrants stayed in the area, showing that the Triathlon can benefit the canal and the borderlands.

“The Triathlon would not be possible without over 100 volunteers who help the Friends of the Montgomery Canal with organising, setting-up, registration, marshalling and providing refreshments.

“Our thanks also go to the Canal & River Trust, which owns the canal, Hire-a-Canoe for their special hire arrangement, St John’s Ambulance for their help throughout the day, SiEntries, SPORTident and Wristbands Plus for the new technology, Owens of Oswestry for transport, Aled Hughes, Powis Estates, Powys County Council and Huw Tilsley for the use of their facilities, Tesco for its Stronger Starts grant, Morrisons and Tesco in Welshpool for refreshments, Bacchante Crafts, Core Highways, Montgomery Waters, and, not least, Powys Luxury Loos.”