THE biggest single sporting event in the borough will return to Barnoldswick this year for the first time since foot and mouth.

The last Pendle Triathlon took place in 2001 but the outbreak of the devastating disease then forced its cancellation.

Before its premature demise, the West Craven Sports Centre-based event saw competitors travelling from all corners of the UK and as far afield as Sweden to compete.

It was Pendle's largest one-day sporting fixture of the calendar.

Now the organisers of the triathlon say it is back with a vengeance and they are determined to restore it to its former glory when it is held in September.

Triathlon is one of the fastest growing competitive sports in the country and includes three disciplines - swimming, road running and cycling.

It is a test of stamina, strength, skill and determination and at its peak, the Pendle event saw around 360 individuals race against each other.

Organised as a time trial, all competitors in Pendle Triathlon start at minute intervals with a timed 10-minute gap between each discipline.

The standard course consists of a 500m swim, 10.4km run and a 22.5km cycle, while the elite course features an 800m swim, 14.4km run and a 33.6km cycle.

Pendle Leisure Trust's chief executive Phil Storey said: "We are delighted to put Pendle Triathlon back on the national calendar after six years of absence.

"Triathlon is truly the greatest test of stamina, fitness and athletic ability.

"The Pendle landscape offers a very challenging course and we are pleased to put Pendle Triathlon back on the calendar due to popular demand. We will restore this event back to its former glory."

Open to entrants from elite to standard levels, as well as entrants simply aiming to complete the course to raise money for charity, the event could prove to be very popular.

The triathlon takes place on Sunday, September 16, and full details are available at www.pendleleisuretrust.co.uk or call West Craven Sports Centre on 01282 666710.