WINTONIANS are being challenged to put themselves to the test in a charity triathlon with a twist this month.

The 16th Winchester Pedal Paddle Pace (PPP) kicked started on July 1, with competitors using a bit of creativity to complete the unique triathlon raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event usually sees participants cycling, running and kayaking their way through Hampshire, but due to government restrictions surrounding Covid-19, participants will be completing the cycling and running parts of the triathlon in their own time – and then picking any 15 minute activity to complete the challenge.

Richard Nichols is chairman of the Winchester PPP and said the event is open to competitors around the world.

“My son Ted came up with the idea of turning this year’s PPP into a virtual event,” he said. “He’s 23 and offered to get involved with promoting the event to a younger audience on social media. It was around the time that the Instagram 555 Challenge (run 5k, donate £5, nominate 5 friends) was popular. We’ve always been the triathlon with a difference, and that got us thinking about making the third leg an activity of your own choice.

“We are looking forward to a different dynamic this year and we hope that social media, and the lack of geographic barriers, will create a surge of goodwill and donations. We recently had a tri-club in Dubai enter the event, so it just shows that distance really isn’t an object when it comes to taking part in this year’s Winchester PPP.”

Event organiser Mike Sharpe added: “We have been looking forward to finding out what people are choosing for the third leg of the triathlon. So far, we have sports ranging from sea kayaking and swimming to lawn bowls and darts. Competitors will have 12 days to enter their results and the competition closes on the day the event should have taken place - July 12th.

Event organisers are encouraging participants to make a donation to Macmillan Cancer Support and then to record all three legs of the triathlon on Strava, or by emailing info@winchesterppp.co.uk. Photos and videos sent in will be uploaded to the event’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to keep the buzz going and help everyone stay connected. As results are entered they will be recorded on an online leaderboard.