Final days for Canal Triathlon entries
The Triathlon is to be held on Saturday, September 6 and is run by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal in support of further restoration of the canal.
Each year restoration means the finish point changes and, this year, it will be Crickheath Bridge, south of Oswestry making the event a bit longer than a marathon.
Those who enter for the complete Triathlon will:
- cycle 12 miles of towpath from Newtown to Whitehouse Bridge, south of Welshpool: this section is part of National Cycle Route 81
- canoe 5 miles through Welshpool: there are a couple of locks where help will be available
- and run or hike 10 miles from Pool Quay across the border to Crickheath, south of Oswestry, Shropshire: this section is generally flat and most is in good condition.
A spokesman for the Friends of the Montgomery Canal said: “The Montgomery Canal Triathlon is one of the highlights of the year, bringing visitors to see the canal and the borderland of Shropshire and Montgomeryshire. This year there are again entries from people, teams and families who have taken part before, some keen athletes and some coming for a pleasant day out. They come from our local area and from anywhere between the north of England and the Isle of Wight and the south coast.
“Anyone taking part in all three sections will see everything that the Montgomery Canal has to offer: lengths of canal which have been neglected and derelict for a long time, the navigable section through Welshpool which has been open for many years, nature reserves safeguarding valued plants and wildlife, bridges to be rebuilt and finally the section to Crickheath which volunteers are restoring now – they will be hard at work there on the day.
“Entrants can join one or two sections or take part in all three. Anyone who completes all three sections will receive a commemorative medallion of local slate printed in gold, completing two sections will earn a medallion printed in silver, and there will be a bronze printed medallion for anyone who completes a single section.”
Volunteer restoration work on the canal is supported by the Restore the Montgomery Canal! appeal jointly promoted by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal with the other local canal charities (the Shropshire Union Canal Society and the Shrewsbury District & North Wales branch of the Inland Waterways Association). With donations and proceeds of the Triathlon the Friends of the Montgomery Canal have given almost £40,000 to the appeal with much more coming from individual members.
Entries can be booked online at https://themontgomerycanal.org.uk/friends/montgomery-canal-triathlon/.
Organisers stress that the Montgomery Canal Triathlon is not a race, and entrants will have to take care both on the towpath and when crossing roads blocking the canal.
PICTURE: Triathlon canoes in Welshpool Lock (Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust).
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