Montgomery Canal Triathlon 2019

The 2019 Montgomery Canal Triathlon will take place on Saturday, 18th May. (closing date for entries is 4th May 2019). This is a fantastic Charity event which I’ve done 6 times now, its a great challenge organized by a lovely bunch of enthusiasts!

Once again, entrants can attempt any or all of the three sections in one day along 35 miles of the Canal: CYCLING 17 miles – Newtown to Pool Quay; RUNNING/WALKING 11 miles – Pool Quay to Morton; CANOEING 7 miles – Morton to Lower Frankton.

Thanks to a ‘Bags of Help’ grant through Tesco in Newtown, we have been able to keep entry fees the same at £25 for the full Triathlon or £10 per section (£12.50 and £5 for juniors). However, there is a small increase in the hire charge for canoes and kayaks and for those wanting bus transport in the morning to the start in Newtown. These are detailed on the attached Entry Form Triathlon Leaflet 2019

The Triathlon is organised in support of the restoration of the canal, which is visibly progressing. The section currently under restoration to Crickheath in Shropshire is fully funded: the rebuilding of Crickheath Wharf by contractors is nearing completion; volunteers restoring the canal channel towards Crickheath Wharf have finished ‘Phase 1’ this month and have handed back the restored section to the Canal & River Trust for a full water test; and volunteers have already started clearing trees from the next section towards Crickheath Wharf. Entrants in the 2019 Triathlon will see a real change in the canal between Pryces Bridge and Crickheath!

Whilst that project is still ongoing, progress is being made on the next section between Crickheath and Llanymynech. Plans to rebuild Schoolhouse Bridge near Pant, the last ‘dropped’ bridge in Shropshire blocking the canal’s route to the Welsh border, are well progressed. This month contractors will be conducting investigations to establish the soil conditions for the foundations of the new bridge, which will enable the volunteers working on the restoration and their professional consultants to finalise the design for approval by the road and canal authorities.
We are pleased to report that we have been able to donate £5,000 from the 2017 and 2018 Triathlons towards the restoration of Schoolhouse Bridge and are hoping to raise more next year!

Many entrants raise funds for their chosen charities through taking part in the Triathlon. If you would like to raise funds for the restoration, you can download a ‘Restore The Montgomery Canal’ sponsorship form which will be available shortly at www.montgomerycanal.me.uk

We hope you’ll be able to enter if you need any more information contact:
Maggie Ellis montcanaltriath@btinternet.com
Triathlon Entry Coordinator,
Friends of the Montgomery Canal