ST HELENS' most gruelling physical challenge event of the year will return for its fourth staging by the Steve Prescott Foundation.
The Handepay St Helens Triathlon will be held later this summer in what has become a permanent fixture on the town's calendar - which has also become an official Triathlon England event.
The inaugural event was held in 2015 to realise the late Steve Prescott’s dream for a triathlon to take place in his hometown.
The event, to be held on Sunday, September 9, will again see a 'Sprint distance' and 'Standard distance' for participants to choose between.
The Sprint option involves a 750m swim at Eccleston Mere, a 20km cycle and 5km run.
Standard distance is a 1.5km swim a 40km cycle and a 10km run.
The cycle phase of the triathlon starts at Eccleston Mere and tackles the famous challenge of 'Shaley Brow' into Orrell and back down past the Lancashire Manor Hotel through Crawford Village then into Rainford High School.
The Standard triathletes will head back out to Crank for another loop on the bike as Spint triathletes set out from the school for their run.
Sponsored by Haydock-based card processing company Handepay, who have the SPF as its nominated charity having raised more than £21,000 to date, with a pledge to reach £30,000 through a series of fundraising events.
The event has been held in St Helens since 2015
Andy Peake, managing director at Handepay, said: "We are still dedicated to raising money and supporting the great work of the Steve Prescott Foundation. We are delighted to be able to sponsor and take part in this challenging local event for a second year."
The St Helens Triathlon will again be managed by Rainford-based BeUrBest, who will provide performance enhancing coaching and training.
St Helens Council sports development officer Gemma Webster added: “The St Helens Triathlon is a fantastic event for local people to get fit, try something new and support a worthy cause.”
The triathlon has attracted over 200 participants from all over the country in each of its first three stagings.
Open water swimming training at Eccleston Mere will take place every Monday evening from 6pm leading up to the event.
The triathlon begins at Eccleston Mere
Matthew Berridge-James, of Pheasant Equities who own Eccleston Mere, said: "Pheasant Equities are delighted to support The Steve Prescott Foundation in its tenth anniversary year. We are so pleased to see Eccleston Mere being utilised for a community event that is now established in the Triathlon calendar."
Martin Blondel, general manager of the SPF, added: "The Steve Prescott Foundation is delighted to continue the partnership with Handepay.
"Their support and dedication to this prestigious event is invaluable. It’s a real pleasure to work with such a dedicated and enthusiastic team.
"Handepay staff go above and beyond by actively taking part in the event and providing volunteers too."
Early bird prices are available for a limited time with Sprint distance £45 for BTF/BE members and £50 for non-members.
Each participant will receive a commemorative Handepay Triathlon 2018 medal and a goody bag.
Prices are £55 for Standard distance. Register on sthelenstriathlon.org or beurbest.com
More on steveprescottfoundation.co.uk or email enquiries@beurbest.com
Contact Martin Blondel on 07971792859 for sponsorship enquiries.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here