All abilities eager to take on Forfar and Montrose tests

Angus triathlon organisers have been inundated with entries for two events which will put the county firmly on the sporting map this summer.

Within hours of entries opening earlier this month the well-established Montrose triathlon sold out and a new Forfar event is heading in the same direction with athletes keen to test themselves over the inaugural challenge.

The response has delighted organisers Tri Angus Ltd, who say they are looking forward to welcoming participants from across the UK, many of them first-timers in the sport.

The Montrose triathlon is now in its fifth year and the response to the June 3 event is a repeat of last year when every slot was snapped up on the day entries opened, with a big waiting list of hopefuls.

Meanwhile, only around 20 places remain of the 240 for the first Forfar triathlon which will go ahead on Sunday July 22, based at the town’s community campus.

A big attraction has been the offer of a novice event for those looking to take on a triathlon for the first time.

Participants will swim either 16 or 30 lengths of the pool – 400m or 750m – before embarking on a cycle route through the town centre and on to country roads. The final run leg will take in Forfar Loch country park before heading back to the campus.

Maggie Lawrie, of Tri Angus, said: “We are delighted with how much interest there has been.

“We will open a waiting list once the events are full and it’s well worth people adding their name as we will get withdrawals closer to the events due to injury, illness and other commitments.”