The 2026 Montgomery Canal Triathlon will be the 14th that we have held – one of the biggest events to take place on or near the canal.
The Triathlon is organised by the Friends of the Montgomery Canal and 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 is an endurance event – not a race – and entrants can 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 complete a section receive a commemorative medallion made from local slate.
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 is now around 27-28 miles. The triathlon is planned for 12th September this year but this is dependent on some organisational issues being resolved. Watch out for an update.
The Triathlon starts at a riverside venue in Newtown for the 12 mile cycling section to Whitehouse near Belan. It includes 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 are 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 may still be under construction).
The Wales/England border crosses the towpath at Llanymynech Bridge and walkers (and runners, if they stop for long enough) may have the opportunity for a souvenir photo to be taken at the ‘international crossing’.
The finish, the same as last year, is near Crickheath Bridge and basin, opened as the limit of navigation in 2023 after restoration of the channel. On the way, entrants will be able to see the amazing progress being made by volunteers who are reinstating the canal channel between Crickheath Bridge and the recently rebuilt Schoolhouse Bridge, which was officially opened in 2024.
Before they set off on the cycling stretch, entrants can 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 is available at the Pool Quay canoeing/walking transition area. After the event, free transport is available for entrants from the FINISH back to the START in Newtown, via the Pool Quay and Whitehouse transition areas (although entrants have to transport their own bikes and canoes after the event).
A limited number of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards plus kit will be available to hire from local supplier Hire-A-Canoe, on a first come first served basis.
For the second time, bookings are planned to be through SiEntries, a specialist online entry system, with their sister company SPORTident providing electronic timing and results. Bookings are not expected to open before June and, together with the date, will be dependent on some organisational issues being resolved. Watch out for an update.
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.