Shropshire Triathlon returning to Ellesmere next year

The triathlon was cancelled this year after an unnamed commercial organisation which organisers had hoped would help run it had not “fully committed” itself to the event.

But now the event's organising committee has revealed plans are in place for the event to return to Ellesmere on September 16, 2018.

The triathlon attracts hundreds of athletes from across the UK and has been a qualifier for the European championships.

It had been organised by Shropshire Council since its inception about 25 years ago.

Alan Rowen, Shropshire Triathlon cycling co-ordinator, said he was delighted the popular event was returning next year.

"The Shropshire Triathlon organising committee are very pleased to announce that a relatively local company called UKTriathlon based near Nantwich will be the new organisers of the Shropshire Triathlon.

"They will take on the responsibilities formerly undertaken by the leisure department of Shropshire Council, and duties which can no longer be performed due to the well documented council cutbacks and redundancies."

Vic Bickerton, UKTriathlon event director, said: “I competed twice in the Shropshire Triathlon in the early days of the race – once when it was the National Championships – and it is where my great interest in triathlon started.

"I have also assisted the commentator twice so I feel really welcomed by the people of Ellesmere and fully at home at the Shropshire Triathlon.

"I am really excited that our company can take on the organisation of such an iconic event and all of us at UK Triathlon really want it to do well.

"This is a sentiment that the Shropshire Triathlon organising committee align with completely."

In recent years the event at the Mere has been held over the spring bank holiday. First held in 1992, organisers said previous races in Shropshire had all produced fast times.

Famous previous winners include Chrissie Wellington MBE who went on to became world champion from 2007 to 2009, and World Ironman Champion from 2007 to 2009 and in 2011.

For more details about the event visit shropshiretri.info