Granite Mann – the Island’s first ever off-road triathlon – takes place this Sunday (October 26) at Cringle Plantation. The event is being organised by The Children’s Centre and sponsored by PwC, one of the leading firms of chartered accountants on the Island. So far, more than 50 individuals and 30 teams have entered with the action starting at 9.30am with a 400metre swim in Cringle Reservoir, which will be the first time a competitive swimming event has been held in the reservoir. The triathletes then tackle a 10km mountain bike ride along fantastic trails through Cringle Plantation, and then a 5km run along the plantation’s tracks. The distances for each of the three legs are based on those recommended by the British Triathlon Federation. Each competitor will receive a running vest and a swim cap, and there will also be electronic timing provided by Manx Timing Solutions with results posted at www.manxtimingsolutions.com.
Prizes will be awarded for overall winners in the men’s, women’s and team categories. Endurance Events Co-ordinator Lisa Motley says Granite Mann will be a real test for elite competitors, but the distances involved are also designed to make it accessible to all abilities including those who may want to take part in a multisport event for the first time. Teams of two or three competitors will be competing.
Each member of a team of three will complete one of the three legs of the triathlon – for teams of two, one competitor will have to complete two of the three legs.
All proceeds from the event will go towards The Children’s Centre’s charitable projects which help families and children – Mobex, Out2Play, Child Contact Centre, Community Development and the Community Farm. The Children’s Centre can also provide sponsorship forms for competitors who want to raise additional funds. This brand new event has been made possible thanks to sponsorship from PwC. The Bikestyle cycle shop in Douglas is also supporting Granite Mann by providing technical assistance for all competitors at the start of the race and prizes.
Photo - Jill Bunyan, left, at Cringle Reservoir with Lisa Motley, Endurance Events Fundraiser at The Children’s Centre. Jill, one of the first entrants to sign-up for the Granite Mann Triathlon, is a member of the Manx Tri Club and also runs SwimTech which provides swimming coaching for adults.
