THE St Helens Triathlon is to make a return this September for the first time since 2017.

Last year's event had to be cancelled due to increased toxin levels at Eccleston Mere following the 2018 summer heatwave with long-term roadworks creating logistical difficulties.

However, the event which was the wish of the late Steve Prescott to take place in his hometown, makes its return next month.

Rainford-based BeUrBest will present the fourth St Helens Triathlon on Sunday, September 9.

The inaugural St Helens Triathlon was held in 2015 with the realisation of Steve Prescott’s dream for such an event in St Helens. The event has previously attracted a record 250 entrants and contributes towards fundraising for The Steve Prescott Foundation.

The first phase of the Triathlon starts with a swim in Eccleston Mere with transition to the very testing cycling phase that takes riders on the Shaley Brow challenge and on their way to Orrell. The second transition is at Rainford High School where competitors complete the running phase.

An official Triathlon England event, there will be split transitions starting at Eccleston Mere for the open water swim and finishing in the grounds of Rainford High Technology College.

Terry Bates, of BeUrBest and also head coach of St Helens Tri Club who provide volunteers as well as many competitors for the event, is running many swim, bike and run sessions through every week of the year in the local areas.

Open water swimming training at Eccleston Mere takes place every Monday evening from 6pm leading up to the event with Terry and the BeUrBest team offering all participants expert coaching and training in preparation for the event.

The St Helens Triathlon offers two distances:

  • Sprint distance (750m Swim /20km Bike/ 5km Run)
  • Standard distance (1.5km Swim /40km Bike / 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, who will host the second transition area.

The standard (Olympic) triathletes will head back out to Crank for another loop of the cycling course with the sprint triathletes setting out from the school onto a 5km course around the trails and paths of rural Rainford.

On completion of the 25mile bike ride the standard triathletes will take on the Rainford 10k run course to the finish.

Organisers said: "BeUrBest would like to offer sincere thanks to O2 Business Centre, Rainford, Thatto Cycles/ Bikes you like, St Helens Tri Club, Made to Run, MyTriathlonShop, MyWetSuitHire, St Helens Community Sport, Rainford High School and the Rainford community for their continued sponsorship, support and making this event happen.

"Events like this can only happen with the fantastic support of volunteer marshals for Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September. Should anyone be interested in helping out at either the Triathlon or Rainford 10K please contact sthelenstri@beurbest.com".

  • There are also sponsorship opportunities available for companies to support the St Helens Triathlon. For further details contact Terry Bates on 07799 033 323. People can register for The St Helens Triathlon 2019 at sthelenstri.beurbest.com .