THE deadline to book a spot for one of the best triathlons in the UK is fast approaching and organisers have urged competitors to snap them up.

The Montgomery Canal Triathlon will be on Saturday, May 20 but the last day to book a place is Thursday, April 20.

The event is run by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal to support the waterway’s restoration and entrants will take on a 28.5-mile course from Newtown toward Oswestry.

Entrants can join one or two sections or take part in all three.

Anyone who completes all three sections will receive a commemorative medallion of local slate printed in gold; a medallion printed in silver for two and a bronze-printed medallion for a single.

Christine Palin, chairman of the Friends of the Montgomery Canal, said: “The Montgomery Canal Triathlon is one of the highlights of a year when so many exciting things are happening on the canal.

“Once again, entries are coming from our local area and from further across Great Britain; many are regulars who come each year, often bringing friends to join the event.

“The Triathlon shows everything that the Montgomery Canal has to offer – lengths of canal which still have to be restore or the navigable section through Welshpool which has been open for 27 years.

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“Nature reserves specially created to safeguard special plants and wildlife – there will be more of these soon, and bridges to be rebuilt in the next couple of years with UK Government Levelling-Up funding.

“And Schoolhouse Bridge, where the towpath will be diverted following the start of work on the reconstruction of the canal’s last highway obstruction in Shropshire, plus the newly-restored section to Crickheath Basin which will be formally opened shortly after the Triathlon date.

“As the biggest event on the canal, each year we call on many volunteers to support the entrants and make such a friendly event.

“We have a regular team who help with stewarding and transport, but we are always looking out for more.

“Anyone who thinks that 28.5 miles of cycling, paddling and walking or running is not for them will be very welcome to join our volunteer team.”

Entries can be booked at https://themontgomerycanal.org.uk/events/book-online-for-the-2023-montgomery-canal-triathlon/.

A spokesman added: “Organisers stress that the Montgomery Canal Triathlon is not a race, and entrants will have to take care both on the towpath and when crossing roads where they currently block the canal.”