Triathlon attracts athletes from all over country to West Somerset

WEST Somerset’s third annual triathlon next month will again be hosted by the district council at its Aquasplash leisure centre, in Minehead.
The event will take place on Sunday, July 22, and again is already nearly full with athletes from all over the country taking part.
The council’s leisure and community service officer, Matt Stevens, said: “The event nearly reached capacity last year and there are only limited places left in this year’s event.
“Anybody who wants to compete will have to get their running shoes on and contact me as soon as possible, as places are filling up fast.”
Contestants swim 400 metres in the centre’s pool, cycle 23 kilometres to Porlock and back, and then run 7.5 kilometres to Dunster Beach and back to the finish line on the common opposite Aquasplash.
The triathlon has male and female categories at junior, senior, veteran, and super veteran levels, as well as a vintage veteran category for the over 60s.
Mr Stevens said: “We are also on the look out for marshals to help the competition run smoothly on the day, and we have a competitive range of great sponsorship deals on offer.
“If local businesses wish to back the event, they will be advertised on the athletes’ shirts and in publicity.”
Council leisure, culture, and recreation portfolio holder, Councillor Neil Parbrook, said: “This is a fantastic showcase for West Somerset as it attracts regional and national athletes.
“People of all ages compete in their own specialised categories, which also gives the event a great community feel.”
Anybody who would like to compete in, marshal, or sponsor the event should contact Matt Stevens at West Somerset Council on 01643 703704, or email mstevens@westsomerset.gov.uk.
More information is also available on the council’s website by logging on to www.westsomersetonline.gov.uk/triathlon.
Photo submitted.

Olympic roadshow to attend Exmoor Ironman contest

AROUND 1,500 international athletes will be competing on Exmoor this month in the gruelling UK Ironman 70.3-mile triathlon.
The event centres on Wimbleball Lake and takes place on Sunday, June 17.
The athletes will be aiming to be included in the 100 places available in the Florida, USA, world championships next November.
The triathlon includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run, and as it is now an Olympic sport, the London 2012 Roadshow double-deck bus will be attending Wimbleball as part of its summer UK tour to inspire and motivate people of all ages to participate in sport.
More information is available by logging on to www.half.ironmanuk.com or http://www.activeexmoor.com/.
Exmoor Canoe Club is looking for volunteer kayakers to support the triathlon swim in the lake for about an hour-and-a-half from 6 am. Anybody interested should email info@exmoorcanoeclub.org.uk.
The UK Ironman 70.3 Triathlon is one of several global contests, six of which also carry slots for the Ford Ironman World Championship held in Hawaii every October when the distance is doubled to140.6 miles.

Triathlon needs a £700 business sponsor

SPONSORS are being sought by West Somerset Council’s leisure team for one of the district’s top sporting events, the Minehead Triathlon, which is to be held at Aquasplash on July 22.
Leisure officer Matt Stevens, who organises the event, said: “This year we are offering a great package for a main sponsor as well as our usual packages for support sponsors.
“The main sponsor’s name will be used in conjunction with the event name in all publicity linked to the triathlon and will also feature on the front of the athletes’ shirts so it is a fantastic opportunity - all for a very reasonable £700.”
It is the third year the council has organised the popular event, which centres around the Aquasplash pool and gym complex.
The triathlon combines a swimming challenge, a cycle race to Porlock and back, and running to and from Dunster Beach.
Mr Stevens said: “There is still plenty of space for our other sponsors with prices ranging from £50 to £400 with businesses’ logos appearing on the back of athletes’ shirts.
“All sponsors get mentioned on the website, in advertising, and in the race pack handed out to competitors on the day.”
The council’s leisure, culture, and recreation portfolio holder, Councillor Keith Ross, said: “This is great value-for-money advertising for local businesses.
“The triathlon has gone from strength to strength. It had 156 entrants two years ago, 186 last year, and we are pretty sure we can secure a capacity field of 200 competitors this year.
“Not only does the triathlon bring these competitors, who may never have otherwise visited the area, to West Somerset, it also brings their families and supporters so it is fantastic for the local economy.
“I hope local businesses will support this event because it brings a lot of good publicity and custom to Minehead.”
Anybody wanting to sponsor the triathlon should contact Matt Stevens on 01643 703704 or email mstevens@westsomerset.gov.uk.