Ellesmere Tri back on track

The Shropshire Triathlon in and around Ellesmere had been one of the county's more popular participation events attracting up to 1,000 entrants from across the country.

Shropshire Council, which had organised the event for several years, pulled out because of financial cutbacks and following the 2016 event race director, Alan Penton stepped down and this year saw the race cancelled.

Now a new organiser, UK Triathlon, has taken over the reigns for the 2018 Shropshire Triathlon on September 16.

The triathlon will be based in the Cremorne Gardens and will include open water swimming in the mere.

Alan Rowen, the event's cycling director, said: "The event will be expanded to cover more races to cater for everyone over the age of 16."

Traditionally the Ellesmere triathlon was the middle distance race with competitors swimming 1,500 metres, cycling 40 kilometres then running 10 kilometres.

Over the years it was chosen as a world and European qualifier.

In 2015 organiser added a sprint, half distance, triathlon.

For next year's triathlon there will also be a middle distance - double the standard - race, a super sprint and a fun distance as well as relays.

Mr Rowen said: " Ideas were put forward on ways to make the races involve the spectators more, and also improve things for the competitors whilst keeping expenses down. Everyone was pleased with the potential for improvements.

"We hope that everyone is as pleased as we are that such an illustrious event is going to carry on, albeit with some changes, and hopefully the event will be successful again for many years to come."

Vic Bickerton , UK Triathlon 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 the event and all of us at UKTriathlon really want it to do well”.

See www.shropshiretri.info for more details of the events and how to enter or volunteer.

If Shropshire Star readers want to see another UKTriathlon organised event, to get an idea of the high standards UKTriathlon organise to then they should set their TV Recorder to come on to capture ITV4 at 6:45am on Saturday 7th October. This is a 25 minute programme showing the UKTriathlon Stoke-on-Trent City of Sport Triathlon (which uses a lake similar to the open water swim at The Mere at Ellesmere). It is hoped that seeing the programme will encourage people to enter the Shropshire Triathlon, especially as there is an "Early Bird" discount for anyone who enters in October. If they miss it then it will be repeated again sometime before Christmas.

For more details of the races, how to be a volunteer/helper and a link to the entry page go to www.shropshiretri.info