Severn test serves first (From Ledbury Reporter)

Severn test serves first

7:40am Friday 10th July 2009

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HUNDREDS of men and women will begin their gruelling quest in the River Severn tomorrow when they take part in the third Upton Triathlon.

A record 370 athletes have signed up to this year’s Upton Tri+ where competitors combine the traditional elements of a triathlon, swimming, cycling and running, followed by a post-race party by the river. The race begins with a downstream swim to Upton-upon-Severn, where competitors strip out of their wetsuits and jump onto their bikes to cycle around local country lanes, before donning their trainers to run along farm tracks to the finish.

Competitors will set off down the River Severn in a series of waves from 12.30pm depending on whether they are racing the sprint distance (750m swim, 21.5km bike and five km run) or the more ambitious standard distance (1,500m swim, 40km bike and 10 km run). As with previous years, the race is open to all standards and entrants range from first-timers to seasoned international triathletes.

This year the organisers have announced that 10 per cent of all entry fees will be donated to a local charity, Farmers Overseas Action Group, which helps rural communities in Uganda.

Jessica Surman, event oraginser, said: “I really believe that one of the great things about sport is being able to celebrate your achievements with other like-minded people.

“Word about our ‘fourth discipline’ seems to have got around and this year over half the competitors are also joining us to party into the evening.”

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