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Montgomery Canal Triathlon - “Bikes, Boats 'n' Boots” - 2 June 2012

An Endurance Challenge - Volunteers restoring the Montgomery Canal are launching an ambitious new event on the canal this year.

The Montgomery Canal Triathlon, "Bikes, Boats 'n' Boots", on 2 June challenges participants to cycle, canoe and hike the 35 mile length of the canal in one day.

Starting in Newtown, the original destination of the canal, entrants will cycle to Welshpool. While the towpath is complete through this length, much of it having been resurfaced to a high standard in recent years, the first part of the canal is filled in. The canal is in water from Freestone Lock, passing eight more locks on the way to Welshpool.

For canoes the Triathlon starts at Welshpool, with entrants tackling the eleven miles to the Welsh border at Llanymynech. To start with the course is over the first lengths of the canal to be restored: in Welshpool itself, and north from Gallowstree Bridge to Arddleen. The final five miles are in water but are obstructed by a number of dropped road bridges.

The last section of Triathlon is over the border in Shropshire, from Llanymynech to Welsh Frankton. Walkers start along the short length used by the Duchess-Countess Trust who run the George Watson Buck trip-boat, but then the canal is dry through Pant to Crickheath. From Crickheath walkers will see evidence of the latest work by volunteers of Shropshire Union Canal Society and Waterway Recovery Group who have been working over the last few years to reopen the canal to Crickheath wharf. From Redwith the canal is fully restored, though at the moment boats cannot proceed beyond Gronwen Wharf because there is nowhere for them to turn.

The event is organised in support of the Maesbury Canal Festival on 1-2 September 2012.

Chairing the organising committee, Judith Richards said, “For over twenty-five years, we have welcomed small boats and canoes to the Dinghy Dawdle, tackling the challenges of a length of the Montgomery Canal. This year will be different, and we shall be covering the whole of the canal, on cycles, in canoes and on foot.

“Already we are delighted with the interest we are receiving. We are hoping the event will be supported by a wide range of organisations and individuals from the local area and further afield, tackling one or more sections of the Montgomery Canal Triathlon.

“We do have to emphasise that this is not a race: the canal and its towpath were built two hundred years ago for the leisurely progress of a horse pulling a boat, and we shall be taking care to ensure that entrants start in stages.

“We are running the event to support the Maesbury Canal Festival on 1st and 2nd September. This will be the third festival at Canal Central: our events in 2008 and 2010 were enjoyed by many, with boats, stalls and entertainers coming from near and far, and we have every reason to believe that this year's Festival will be as great a success.

“The Montgomery Canal means so much to our area. Already its towpath is well-used by walkers, canoeists make regular use of the canal, anglers fish where the water is stocked and boaters visit Maesbury from far and wide. The restored canal will build on this and be a real asset for the area and its visitors.”

All entrants who complete a section will receive a commemorative medallion made from local slate. There will be special medallions printed in gold for entrants who complete all three sections, in silver for those who complete two, and bronze where only one section is completed.

The Montgomery Canal Triathlon Challenge is organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal and the Shrewsbury, District and North Wales branch of the Inland Waterways Association, and is supported by British Waterways (soon to become Canal & River Trust).

Details of sponsorship, entry details and bookings for the event can be obtained from:

Peter & Judith Richards, Canal House, Morton, Oswestry SY10 8BQ

Tel: 01691 831455

email: peter_richards42@btinternet.com