Successful Montgomery Canal Triathlon enjoyed by all
AFTER the difficulties of planning through the coronavirus restrictions the Montgomery Canal Triathlon on Saturday, September 4 proved a great success.
While many of the 117 entrants were from Shropshire and Montgomeryshire, others came from across the British mainland, some more than 200 miles to reach the canal. The oldest to complete all 28 miles were aged over 80 and the youngest was under 10 years of age.
Run by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, the event started at the new and unfinished Severn Space – Gofod Hafren, under development by Newtown’s new community trust Open Newtown.
Local MP Craig Williams, an enthusiastic supporter of the canal, started the entrants off with the assistance of Newtown Mayor Richard Williams.
From Newtown participants cycled 12 miles along the towpath (part of national cycle route 81) to Belan Locks, south of Welshpool. This section involved three crossings of the A483 where the canal was blocked after closure, supervised by volunteer marshals.
At Belan, bicycles were swapped for canoes for a 5½ mile section through Welshpool. Welshpool Town Lock, the first on the canal to be restored, was bypassed by the more hasty who carried their canoes past the lock; others went through the lock in their canoes, carefully managed by the volunteer team – quite an experience in a small canoe.
Welshpool Mayor, Coun Allison Davies, came to cheer the canoeists through the lock at Welshpool and discussed with town council colleagues the opportunities the canal offers the town.
The canoe section finished at Crowther Hall Lock which was the start of the final 9½ miles on foot to the finish at Schoolhouse Bridge, Crickheath, south of Oswestry. This section included two more road crossings at blockages on the A483 and three more at minor roads as well as the border crossing at Llanymynech.
Christine Palin, chairman of the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, said that despite all the challenges the event was a great success. There was praise for the area the canal runs through, with many saying they are now looking forward to the next triathlon.
“On their journey participants could see restored canal, blocked bridges and a derelict section which has to be rewatered: the reopened 12 miles of canal through Welshpool with road blockages north and south and in Shropshire a couple of miles of dry and derelict canal.
“We hope that the recent Powys County Council bid for Levelling Up funds will allow more work on the section to the Powys border and that we shall soon be able to bid for funding for the canal in Shropshire too.
“The reconstruction of Schoolhouse Bridge is planned for next year. To keep the cost down volunteers will be used where possible and we are delighted to have had offers of help from triathlon entrants. We are always keen to hear from anyone who would like to volunteer.”
Previous triathlons have enabled the Friends of the Montgomery Canal to make substantial donations to the restoration appeal fund and more were received at this year’s event.
Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust chairman Michael Limbrey also congratulated the Friends of the Montgomery Canal on their management of the event.
The organisers are grateful to Tesco and Morrisons who provided chocolate and cereal bars to help people on their way and to Montgomery Water for essential bottles of water.