The 2025 Montgomery Canal Triathlon was the 13th that we have held – one of the biggest events to take place on or near the canal.
The Triathlon was organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal and was supported by the Canal & River Trust in aid of the restoration of the Montgomery Canal. It is one of the most popular cross border events, starting in Newtown in Wales and ending near Oswestry in Shropshire.
This was an endurance event – not a race – and entrants could choose to do the whole course or only one or two sections, making it a great day out for families with children, groups of friends, experienced triathletes and those who enjoy just a communal bike ride, paddle or walk. All entrants who completed a section received a commemorative medallion made from local slate. This year’s triathlon was supported by Tesco’s Stronger Starts fund which aims to give children a good start in life, including through physical activity.
This annual event has had several formats since it started in 2012. Recently, it has been a special ‘marathon’ length, owing to restoration works on the canal and, in 2025, was around 27-28 miles. Usually held in May, the triathlon was on 6th September this year and the weather turned out to be ideal – not too hot, not too cold – and not raining!
The Triathlon started at a riverside venue in Newtown for the 12 mile cycling section to Whitehouse near Belan. It included road crossings at three blockages on the A483 and two at minor roads where bridges were demolished after the canal’s 1944 abandonment.
Then there were 5 miles by canoe to Pool Quay, through Welshpool Town lock and Pool Quay lock, followed by about 10 miles on foot to the finish at Crickheath (with two more road crossings at blockages on the A483 and four at minor roads, including where a new replacement bridge is under construction).
The Wales/England border crosses the towpath at Llanymynech Bridge and walkers (and runners, if they stopped for long enough) had the opportunity for a souvenir photo to be taken at the ‘international crossing’.
The finish was near Crickheath Bridge and basin, opened as the limit of navigation in 2023 after restoration of the channel. This was north of last year’s finish, the newly rebuilt Schoolhouse Bridge, which was officially opened in 2024. On the way, entrants were able to see the amazing progress now being made by volunteers who are reinstating the canal channel between the two bridges.
Before they set off on the cycling stretch, entrants could park – for the day if necessary – in the Back Lane pay & display carpark next to the START in Newtown and drop their canoes off at the cycling/canoeing transition area at Whitehouse near Belan. Free car parking was available at the Pool Quay canoeing/walking transition area. After the event, free transport was available for entrants from the FINISH back to the START in Newtown, via the Pool Quay and Whitehouse transition areas (although entrants had to transport their own bikes and canoes after the event).
A limited number of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards plus kit were available to hire from local supplier Hire-A-Canoe, on a first come first served basis.
For the first time, bookings could be made through SiEntries, a specialist online entry system and their sister company SPORTident provided electronic timing – a much appreciated innovation.
If you have any queries, contact us at: triathlon@themontgomerycanal.org.uk
Click here for the 2025 Montgomery Canal Triathlon results
Click here for the 2025 Montgomery Canal Triathlon Photo Gallery
Click here for the 2024 Montgomery Canal Triathlon results.
Click here for the 2023 Montgomery Canal Triathlon results.
Click here for the 2022 Montgomery Canal Triathlon results.
Click here for the 2021 Montgomery Canal Triathlon results.