Busy weekend ahead as 10k and triathlon comes to town

It's a bumper weekend for Newtown with the inaugural Newtown 10k taking place on Sunday and the annual Montgomery Canal Triathlon starting on Saturday.

More then 600 competitors are expected at the Newtown 10k which starts in the town centre at 9am on Sunday. Competitors of all abilities will race along a route on some roads and paths and along the river before returning to the finish in the town centre.

Te event is expected to attract hundreds of visitors to the town. Some roads will be closed for ashort time from 8.55am on Sunday to allow the competitiors to run safely, although organiser Alan Lewis of Adrenaline Endurance Events says there should be mininal disruption to local residents and businesses.

Spectators can watch the runners head off from the start and return to the finish, or watch from areas along the route which includes the riverside area.

"We have a traffic management partner for the event and will have a team of around 50 people working on the event ensuring everyone is kept safe," said Alan Lewis, the race organiser with Adrenaline Sporting Events.

"Past winners and local competitors to look out for are Connor Rogers and Matthew Costello. Andrew Davies, who has won the last two Welshpool 10k's will be at Newtown 10k as a supporter due to his race schedule."

On Saturday morning competors will start the Montgomery Canal Triathlon.

The popular Triathlon raises funds for the restoration of the canal. This year nearly 200 entrants will cycle 12 miles from Newtown to Belan Locks, south of Welshpool.

They will then canoe 5.5 miles through Welshpool, finishing on foot for a final 11 miles across the border at Llanymynech to Morton, south of Oswestry.

The event will start at Hafan yr Afon, Open Newtown’s community and visitor centre on the banks of the River Severn.

Following in the footsteps of local MP Craig Williams and rugby legend Sir Gareth Edwards when filming for BBC TV’s Great Welsh Adventure, Montgomery Town Crier Sue Blower – straying a few miles to Newtown – will announce the Mayor of Newtown to start the event.