ORGANISERS of the Winchester Triathlon have announced that the event will return later this month.

The event will welcome participants on Monday, May 31, after it was originally scheduled for the first bank holiday earlier this month.

The decision was made to move the event to the end of the month to allow the next stage in the Government’s road map to pass safely.

The event took place securely and safely last August with almost 500 people taking part in their first triathlon experience.

Competitors will take on a fun and challenging course raising money for Wessex Cancer Trust which has been massively affected with lack of events due to restrictions.

The course consists of a 200m swim, 11km bike ride and 2.5km run. For those keen to push themselves the Sprint option which is twice the distance is also available.

Chris Rees, triathlon event director is excited to see the return of organised sport. He said: “Winchester is such an active city and this it is great to see so many people signing up who have never done a triathlon before."

With 500 triathletes regularly attending the event, the organisers, ReesLeisure, are working closely with the council and Kings' School where the event is based to ensure the event meets all Covid restrictions and up to date requirements at the time. Organisers have also issued a Covid guarantee so anyone who signs up from now will also be able to defer or get a refund if further restrictions are brought back in, but with good news of pubs and non-essential shops opening last month the future of this event is looking more certain.

Spaces are available until the end of May or when the 500 limit is reached. The organisers are continuing to build upon their sustainability aims with the eventual goal of zero waste – the event already has no plastic wrapping on t-shirts and medals and water pouches made from recycled materials.

Find out more and sign up at: www.ReesLeisure.co.uk.