A SADDLEWORTH mum battling cancer hopes to help lead the charge as the Milltown to Moors Sprint Triathlon returns to the borough.
Mother-of-two Jo Taylor has secondary incurable breast cancer and is raising money through the event for The Christie, where she has treatment every three weeks.
Unfortunately she can no longer take part because of the return of cancer for the third time but husband Jeff is taking her place and Jo hopes to marshal the event and support others on the day.
The event on Sunday April 24 will see participants take part in an exciting 400m swim, a gruelling 20km cycle and a thrilling 5km run to the finish.
Around 250 people will take on the challenge, including Martyn Caine, winner of last year’s event and a relay team of bus drivers whose swimmer is known as Eric the Eel.
A host of regional athletes will also be taking part as the event forms part of the North West Regional Championships for the first time promising some exciting viewing action.
Competitors at last year’s event (Pictures by Nigel Wood)
For those who do not wish to compete, there are a variety of spots to get up close to the action and support participants as they pitch themselves against Saddleworth’s picturesque but challenging terrain.
Viewing points include Saddleworth Pool & Leisure Centre for the intense swim and along the 20km cycle route from Uppermill to Diggle, Delph, Scouthead, Austerlands, Lees, Grotton, Lydgate and Grasscroft before returning to Uppermill.
The event concludes with a 5km run down the Pennine Bridleway to Chew Valley Road in Greenfield before taking on the steepest part of the course via Kinders, Haw Clough, and Knowl Top lanes under the iconic war memorial Obelisk at Pots n` Pans.
Why not pitch yourself at close to the finish line to cheer on the exhausted and exhilarated athletes as they return to Saddleworth Sports Centre via Church Road and the Bridleway?
Race organiser, Alan Keane from Oldham Community Leisure, said: “The second Sprint Triathlon promises to be a fun filled day for the whole family.
“As well as all the live action on the course, there will be refreshments on offer and you can visit some of Saddleworth’s prettiest villages while supporting participants as they push themselves to the limit in Milltown to Moors’ most challenging event.”
Visit www.milltownraces.co.uk for more information. You can follow Jo’s fundraising activities at www.justgiving.com/Joanne-Taylor41
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