Under starter’s orders for inaugural town triathlon

sawilliams@thekmgroup.co.uk Runners, swimmers and cyclists will be able to stretch their abilities to the full when Ashford hosts a triathlon later this year.

The Owler Tri, a first for the town, has been organised by Tri Spirit Events, and will take place on Sunday, August 3.

Competitors can opt to take part in the Owler Full Tri, the Owler Half or the Owler Sprint Tri.

The full tri will consist of a 3.8K swim, a 180K cycle and a 42K run. The half-tri will include a 1.9K swim, a 90K cycle and a 21K run. And the sprint-distance tri will include a 750 metre swim, a 20K bike ride, and a 5K run.

All three distances will start with the swim in Conningbrook Lake, before taking to country roads for the bike section, and will finish with a flat run through the town centre, before returning to the finish line at the Julie Rose athletics stadium.

Athletes will also pass through the town’s McArthurGlen Designer Outlet during the run section of the challenge, following the announcement that the shopping centre will act as the head sponsor.

The final finishers will be expected to cross the line in the stadium at around midnight.

Liz King of Tri Spirit Events said: “We are thrilled to welcome the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford as our headline sponsor, and believe this will create a fantastic opportunity for the town to get behind the event.”

Individuals or teams can enter, with all competitors receiving free parking, event brochures, pasta party invitations, changing-room access, refreshments, chip timing, T-shirts, goody bags and finishers’ medals.

Competitors will start the race from 7am.

For more information or to enter, go to www.trispiritevents. com/events/the-owler-triathlons

The event takes place on Sunday August 3 and finishes at the Julie Rose Stadium