A man from Ellesmere took on the Shropshire Triathlon – and raised money while doing so.

Mike Ford took part in the UK Triathlon’s event around the town, which saw hundreds of runners from across the country travel down to take part in the gruelling challenge.

Mike, a runner with Mere Runners Endless Possibility, also raised £185 for the Ellesmere Branch of the Royal British Legion while completing the race.

“I was doing the triathlon anyway,” said Mike.

“So I just thought ‘why not raise some money at the same time’.

“It was a great event, I took part in the Super Sprint category of the triathlon, it was hard work but good fun.”

The Super Sprint saw Mike take on a 200m swim in the Mere, before getting on his bike for a 22k cycle around the town before finishing with a 2.5km run.

“I found coming off the bike the weirdest part,” he continued.

“People had warned me about the jelly legs but it was worse than expected.

“The swim was difficult too, because the Mere was all churned up with people swimming, but what can you expect with that many people taking part.”

Mike said that around 650 people took part in the triathlon, which included other runners from the Mere Runners and Ellesmere Runners groups.

“It was a great event for the town,” said Mike.

“Ellesmere was full of people, all the B and B’s were fully booked up and the town had a great atmosphere.

“It’s great that it will be an annual event as it brings a great deal to business to the town.”

The Shropshire Triathlon returned this year thanks to Cheshire-based company UK Triathlon which saved the event after Shropshire Council pulled funding.

Competitors could take part in four different categories which allowed people of all abilities to take part.

UK Triathlon has said they are already looked at plans to improve the event for next year, and has thanked the people of Ellesmere for making the company so welcome.

Mike has said that he is already thinking about next year’s event.

“I’ve learned all the tricks for next year,” he said.

“This year didn’t put me off at all and I’m really looking forward to tackling another triathlon.”