THE Pendle Triathlon - one of the biggest sports events in the borough - is returning this year for the first time in six years.

The last Pendle Triathlon took place in 2001 but was cancelled initially due to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease and never returned.

Before it was cancelled, the Pendle Triathlon saw competitors travel from all corners of the UK and even as far afield as Sweden to complete.

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."

Triathlon is one of the fastest growing competitive sports in the country and includes three disciplines; swimming, cycling and road running. It is a test of stamina, strength, skill and determination.

At its peak Pendle Triathlon saw about 360 individuals race against each other. Open to both elite and standard levels, the 2007 Pendle Triathlon promises to be a highly subscribed event and will once again welcome entrants simply aiming to complete the course to raise money for their preferred charities.

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

There is a standard course of a 500m swim, 10.4km run, and 22.5km cycle ride and an elite course of an 800m swim, 14.4km run, and 33.6km cycle ride The Pendle Triathlon will commence at West Craven Sports Centre in Barnoldswick on Sunday, September 16.

To enter and for additional information, call West Craven Sports Centre on 01282 666710 or email wcsc@pendleleisuretrust.co.uk.