Dearne Valley set for first triathlon

NOVICES and athletes alike will line up together this weekend as the first ever Dearne Valley Triathlon rolls into town.

After weeks of training, dozens of triathletes of all ages and abilities will take part in the event on Sunday.

The event will include the British Universities and Colleges championships.

Based in and around the Manvers Lake, the event will kick off with a 1,500m swim across the lake before competitors take to the roads on a four-lap cycle route in and around the Dearne Valley.

The triathlon will finish with a gruelling 10km run on a two-lap route around the lake.

Paul Drinkwater Sports Management , which is organising the event is one of the leading organisers of both road and mountain bike triathlons in the North of England.

Manvers lake is home to the Manvers Waterfront Boat Club, which is also making pushing to bring top class sport to Rotherham.

In April last year, the multisport club was formed and plans were put in place by Canoe England to erect a boat house ready for full use this year.

Chris Hawkesworth from the club is hoping to produce champion canoers by 2012:

“We are hoping to use it as an Olympic site with quality coaches and champion athletes.

“It's the only facility in the UK that can accommodate both quality canoeing and angling”, he said.

Places are still available for participants to take part in the event.

Entry fee is £40 for non British triathlon members and £35 for members.

And the Rotherham Park Inn Hotel which is 200 metres from the race venue, is offering competitors discounted weekend accommodation.

For further information or to enter the Dearne Valley Triathlon visit www.pdsportsmanagement.co.uk.

More sport.

Rotherham Triathlon Festival pictures.