A POPULAR sporting event is set to make a return in the autumn in order to make it as Covid-19 safe as possible.

The 2021 Montgomery Canal Triathlon will take place on Saturday, September 4, having last taken place in 2019, with a hope that as England and Wales ease and possibly end restrictions, the event can take place.

The 35-mile canal event – completed on foot, bike and canoes – will be modified so entrants starting at Newtown will cycle about 11.5 miles to the picturesque Belan Locks.

Then, reversing the previous order, the next section will be by canoe to Crowther Hall Lock, Pool Quay (about 5.5 miles) with the final section of about 9.5 miles on foot to finish at Bridge 86, just before the towpath closure.

Christine Palin, chairman of the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, said she was delighted to have the popular event return after an enforced year out.

“We had hoped that after losing last year’s Triathlon we could run the event again this spring and we had set the date for May 4," she said.

"Unfortunately, the continued spread of coronavirus and ongoing uncertainty about restrictions led us to take the difficult decision to postpone the event.

“We have spent some time now watching the changing restrictions and have concluded that although there are concerns regarding Covid issues, there is nothing that cannot be overcome in some way so we can go ahead with the event on September 4 unless Government guidance changes.

“We have also been faced with the long-running towpath closure in the Crickheath area.

"The Shropshire Union Canal Society have been working hard to catch up with time lost under lockdown on their project to reconstruct the canal to the restored Crickheath Basin.

"They have faced considerable subsidence on this length and restoration here means the towpath may still be closed on our triathlon date.

"We have therefore changed the arrangements for this year with cycling, canoeing and walking in different order and for a shorter distance – though at just over the length of a standard marathon this ‘Marathon Triathlon’ remains a challenging event.

“Many entrants deferred their entries from last year, so if it had been possible to run the event in May we expected to have to limit places to those who had carried their bookings forward.

"At this stage we cannot be clear what the situation may be in September so at the moment we can't definitely confirm that the event will go ahead or how many may be able to take part, so we shall not be taking bookings at present.

"However, we are inviting anyone who would be interested in taking part if we should have the capacity to let us know at triathlon@themontgomerycanal.org.uk so we can get in touch as the situation develops."

Information about the event – and any opportunity for future entries – can be found on https://themontgomerycanal.org.uk/friends/montgomery-canal-triathlon