A CHARITY triathlon is returning to Winchester under new management after its creators decided to step down.

Pedal Paddle Pace was created and first held in 2004 and was organised by a group of friends who went on to run it for 17 years. However, after the Covid-19 pandemic, the group decided the step down from the position in 2022, with the event not taking place.

It has since been announced that the race will be back this year, under the new management of Winchester Round Table, who will be running the event alongside Winchester 41 Club and Winchester Ladies Circle.

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Steve Cross, from Winchester Round Table, wanted to reassure participants that changes to the race will be minimal. He said: “The event is structurally exactly the same.

“We might find some differences on Palmer Field, in terms of local suppliers and making sure that we are running as many of the things as well. So if you are coming to watch anybody race, for example, then again we are going to make sure we use predominantly local people and volunteers as much as we possibly can.

“New this year will be a kid’s race so they can do a couple of kilometres in exchange for a small donation and it’s just to make sure this is not just about highly trained athletes, this is about the whole local community coming together, getting fitter and making a difference.”

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“That’s the real change, it’s running exactly the same. You’ve got your 20km cycle out to Easton and back, You’ve got your 5km run along the viaduct and a couple of km that you’ll do in the River Itchen in a kayak.”

While the event previously raised money for McMillan Cancer Research, under the Roundtable it will collect money for local Winchester events.

Pedal Paddle Pace will return to Winchester on July 9. Entries are currently open.

To sign up or learn more, visit winchesterppp.co.uk/.