Montgomery Canal Marathon Triathlon
*Junior rates apply to U16's and those in full time education. |
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A Triathlon (Cycle - Canoe - Walk) organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal and supported by the Canal & River Trust in aid of the restoration of the Montgomery Canal. It is one of the most popular cross border events, starting in Newtown in Wales and ending near Oswestry in Shropshire.
This is an endurance event – not a race – and entrants can choose to do the whole course or only one or two sections, making it a great day out for families with children, groups of friends, experienced triathletes and those who enjoy just a communal bike ride, paddle or walk. All entrants who complete a section receive a commemorative medallion made from local slate.
The triathlon follows the route of the Montgomery Canal and, owing to restoration works, is a special 'marathon' length of about 27 miles this year.
The Triathlon starts at a riverside venue in Newtown for the 12 mile cycling section, mostly along cycleway standard towpath, to Whitehouse near Belan. This includes road crossings at three blockages on the A483 and two at minor roads where bridges were demolished after the canal's 1944 abandonment.
Then there are 5 miles by canoe to Pool Quay, through Welshpool Town Lock and Pool Quay Lock, where canoes have to be carried round or floated down (help is available); followed by about 10 miles on foot on a generally flat section (with some stiles and tree roots; and two road crossings at blockages on the A483 and two at minor roads). The Wales/England border crosses the towpath at Llanymynech Bridge - with the opportunity for a souvenir photo to be taken of you at the 'international crossing'!
The finish is by Crickheath Bridge and wharf (opened in 2023 after restoration, as the limit of navigation). This is north of last year's finish at Schoolhouse Bridge, which was officially opened in 2024 after reinstatement. Entrants will be able to see the amazing progress being made by volunteers reinstating the canal channel between the two bridges.
Entrants will have to make their own way to their starting point - and bikes, canoes etc are not provided by the organisers. However, a limited number of canoes and paddleboards plus kit are available to hire from local supplier, Hire-A-Canoe, on a first come first served basis.
Before setting off on the cycling section, entrants can park - for the day if necessary - in the Back Lane pay & display carpark next to the START in Newtown. Canoes can be dropped off in advance at the cycling/canoeing transition area at Whitehouse (craft hired from Hire-A-Canoe will already be there). Free car parking is available at the Pool Quay canoeing/walking transition area. After the event, free transport is available for entrants from the FINISH back to the START in Newtown, via the Pool Quay and Whitehouse transition areas (although entrants have to transport their own bikes and canoes after the event)
Entrants are recommended to bring their own refreshments but water is provided at the end of the cycling and canoeing sections and warm drinks and energy bars at the walking Finish. Refreshments can also be bought at the Llanymynech Wharf Visitor Centre.
If you are entering with one or more other people, please choose a team name for all in your group to use so we can keep your details together throughout the admin process. If you are entering on your own and haven't chosen an entry nickname as your 'team' name, please use your surname followed by your first initial.
Secure your place now to avoid disappointment! Bookings close on 10th August (earlier if fully booked).
See our website for more triathlon information and for a link to Hire-A-Canoe: https://themontgomerycanal.org.uk/friends/montgomery-canal-triathlon/
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