Blaenavon to Usk Triathlon 26th April 2026 -
🎶 BMVC’s Mighty Triathlon: 51.56 Miles, 4 Songs, 2 Dogs, and an Afterglow to Remember 🎶
At 6.36am, nine determined choristers gathered at the Blaenavon Conservative Club, ready for a challenge as bold as their harmonies. Ahead of them lay 51.56 miles, 1,362 feet of elevation gain, and a day that would grow in numbers, noise, and joy as it unfolded.
This wasn’t just a triathlon.
It was a rolling, paddling, marching celebration of friendship, fitness, and the unstoppable Blaenavon Male Voice Choir.
This year money raised (over £4,500 so far) will support the choir, Prostate Cymru and the Synovial Sarcoma Fund. read more here .....
❤️ With Thanks to the People Who Made It Possible
- Neil Agutter (Pendarren House Outdoor Education Centre) — the logistical powerhouse. From canoes to bikes, from planning to problem‑solving, this day simply could not have happened without him.
- Angharad Worsley (AW Business Services) — the heartbeat of our social media and the bringer of cakes exactly when they were needed most.
- Penelope’s Café — the perfect host for a mid‑triathlon concert, welcoming 20 choristers and two dogs as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
- Soleau — The great up and coming local usk company provided water for the event
- The Kings Head Hotel Usk for an amazing afterglow
- The Wives, daughters and the Ladies Committee — for lending us their husbands, cheering us on, and providing unwavering support and encouragement throughout the entire journey.
🚴♂️ Leg 1: 30 Miles of Hills, Heart & Humour
The opening stretch was a 30‑mile cycle to Bridge 95 on the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. The original nine powered through the climbs, proving once again that an average age of 60 means nothing when you’ve got grit — and that the oldest participant at 72 might just be the fittest man in the valleys.
🚣♂️ Leg 2: Canoes, Company & a Canine Coxswain
At Bridge 95, the team expanded.
One extra human and one enthusiastic dog joined the adventure, hopping into Canadian canoes for a 5‑mile paddle to Goytre Wharf.
The water was calm.
The banter was not.
And the dog? A natural leader on the water.
🎤 1pm at Penelope’s Café — A Choir Appears
As the canoes glided into Goytre Wharf, the day took a magical turn.
At 1pm, waiting at Penelope’s Café, were another 20 choristers, ready to cheer, laugh, and — of course — sing.
Together, the expanded choir delivered four songs, turning the café terrace into an impromptu lunchtime concert. Walkers stopped. Cyclists gathered. Dogs wagged. Staff beamed. It was one of those moments that only BMVC could create.
🚶♂️ Leg 3: 15 Miles to Usk — With Even More Reinforcements
From Goytre Wharf, the final leg began: a 15‑mile walk to Usk.
Here, the team grew again — another chorister joined for the final push, along with a second dog, doubling the canine morale department.
At 7.30pm, after more than 13 hours on the move, the group arrived in Usk — tired, triumphant, and still smiling.
🍻 The Afterglow at The King’s Head
No epic day is complete without a fitting finale.
So the team gathered at The King’s Head, Usk, where stories were swapped, legs were rested, glasses were raised, and the warm afterglow of achievement settled in. The laughter was loud, the camaraderie even louder, and the sense of pride unmistakable.
🎤 A Day That Will Be Talked About for Years
From nine choristers at dawn to a full, ever‑growing choir by lunchtime — and a pub full of happy faces by evening — this was a day defined by camaraderie, determination, and the simple joy of doing something extraordinary together.
The Blaenavon Male Voice Choir didn’t just complete a triathlon.
They created a memory — one that will be retold with pride, laughter, and maybe a little embellishment (as all the best choir stories are).
Support Us
You can show your support by sponsoring our walkers or joining us on the day for a section of the walk.
Every donation will make a difference in helping us achieve our fundraising goals and contribute to a meaningful cause.
Contact Us
Interested in supporting our choir or participating in our events? Get in touch with us today!