Athletes heading for Forfar as stage set for inaugural triathlon

Forfar will host its inaugural triathlon tomorrow with 240 participants signed up to swim, bike and run their way around the town.

Organisers Tri Angus Ltd have been overwhelmed by the support from the community.

A team of 55 volunteers has been gathered to help keep participants safe while they compete, while a huge number of local businesses have given their support.

The event is based at Forfar Community Campus, where the swimmers will either swim 750m (30 lengths) or 400m (16 lengths) depending on whether they have entered the sprint or novice distances.

From the pool, participants exit into what is known as transition, the area where they swap disciplines, from swim to bike and then from bike to run.

At Forfar the transition area is at the Taylor Street side of the campus building.

Stage two of the triathlon is the bike event. The route takes them along Market Street, Old Brechin Road through Lunanhead, and back into Forfar past the Benzil. The route continues along Suttieside Road until it rejoins Market Street.

From there participants retrace their steps back to the community campus.

Participants will either do one or two laps of this route.

The final stage is the run, which takes participants part of the way around Forfar Loch before turning back and returning to the community campus. The run is 5km for all participants.

Event organiser Maggie Lawrie said: “We are in the final stages of preparation and everyone is getting very excited.

“The participants would love to have the support of the town on Sunday as they swim, bike and run their way around the course, so please come down and give them a cheer if you can.

“The first swimmers will be in the pool at 11am and the cyclists will start appearing on course from about 11.20am; 75% of those taking part in the novice event are doing their first triathlon so they would really appreciate a cheer.”

Visit www.triangus.co.uk for maps and full details.