The 2019 Sprint Triathlon Festival takes place this weekend in the north of the island.

Based at Ramsey Swimming Pool, it has attracted more than 60 individuals and 18 teams.

Sponsored by Microgaming, the individual event takes place on Saturday, with the first wave of swimmers starting at 9am with 30 lengths of the pool (750 metres), followed by a 20km (12-mile) cycle in the Bride/Andreas area, and finishing with a 5km (three-mile) run round Mooragh Park and North Shore Promenade.

Among those taking part are Island Games team members Andy Nash, Will Draper, Juan Kinley, Jonathan Piggin, Chris Hewson, James Wright, Lynsey Elliott and Carrie Wernham, but there’s a surprise entry from pro-cyclist Peter Kennaugh, who was no mean runner in his day.

Seasoned campaigner Russ Collister is always thereabouts, but others to look out for include fell runner Adam Huxham, all-rounders Richard Curphey and brother Paul Curphey, along with junior road cyclist Corrin Leeming.

There are no fewer than six all-female teams in Sunday’s event, with eight all-male teams and four mixed trios.

Course maps and fuller details can be found on the Manx Tri Club website www.manxtriclub.com

Granite Mann Challenge

Entries are now open for this year’s Granite Mann Challenge triathlon.

Organised by The Children’s Centre and sponsored by Browne Craine, the island’s only off-road triathlon will take place on Sunday, September 22 at Cringle reservoir and plantation.

Potential competitors can enter either as an individual or as a team. The swim is over a distance of 400 metres, followed by a 10 kilometre mountain bike ride using the trails round the plantation, with the final element being a five-kilometre trail run, again on the plantation fire roads and tracks.

’I’d like to thank Browne Craine for sponsoring the Granite Mann Challenge,’ said Lisa Motley, fund raising coordinator at The Children’s Centre. ’The great thing about the Granite Mann event is that it presents athletes with a unique challenge.

’The other thing is we allow athletes to enter the event as a team or as an individual which we hope encourages all abilities of competitors. I’m really looking forward to watching everyone compete again this year.’

To enter Granite Mann 2019 go to The Children’s Centre website and click onto the event page to submit (www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/events/adventure/granitemann-off-road-triathalon/).

On the day of the event Bikestyle will be there to offer mechanical support for all of the bikes. To help you or your team to prepare for Granite Mann 2019 training sessions will be hosted by Island Games triathlete Ryan Downey on dates to be confirmed.