Triathlon cancelled due to lower reservoir levels

A triathlon set to take place at a reservoir in Derbyshire has been cancelled due to the water levels being lower than normal following "prolonged hot weather".

The event on 13 July would have seen participants swim, cycle and run a course at Carsington Water, near Ashbourne.

But Severn Trent and Pacesetter Events have called it off, claiming the water levels are "dropping quickly", leaving thick mud and weeds along the shorelines.

Donna Marshall, visitor engagement manager at Severn Trent, said: "We are disappointed to have to make this decision, but the safety and experience of participants is paramount."

According to the latest data from Severn Trent, Carsington Water is 80.8% full, compared to 96.4% at this time last year.

Pacesetter, which said cancelling the triathlon was the "right thing to do for athlete safety and experience", claimed the region had just 39% of its usual rainfall between March and May.

It added: "Looking at the current water levels and predicting what this might be like by the event day we feel like the event would be unpleasant at best and potentially dangerous at worst, therefore this extremely difficult decision has had to be made.

"Over the past 30 years the triathlon and swim event would have been able to run at this time of year as water levels have been typically good, unfortunately this year is an exceptional year and levels are dropping quickly."

Pacesetter said anyone signed up to take part in the triathlon would be able to get a full refund, defer entry for next year's event or choose credit against a new event entry.

Ms Marshall said watersports and sailing activities would still be able to run at the site as normal and reminded visitors they should only swim in "reservoirs as part of a properly organised and safely held event".

She added: "We fully intend to host events again next year when we hope for more favourable conditions."

At the end of May, England's reservoirs were at their lowest combined levels for the time of year in records going back more than 30 years.

Reservoir levels in the North East and North West were exceptionally low - an important factor for drought being declared in Yorkshire and the North West.

It also rained less than normal across almost all of the UK between March and May, the UK's sixth driest spring since records began in 1836.

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