I’ve lost count of the number of triathlons I have been fortunate to compete in and regular readers of my blog will know of those that I hold in high esteem. The old Bath triathlon based on a River Avon swim was one of my favourites but up there amongst the best is the much missed Longest Day ironman distance event last held in 2006.

Here was a race without any bells or whistles, fancy goodie bags full of sponsor’s wares, or credit card hungry entry fees. Just honest to goodness racing with all the basics just spot on and a hard core fan base who would return year on year to do battle in the waters, roads and disused rail tracks in the Midlands. Sadly, entry numbers dwindled and without the promise of enough volunteers to stage a race of this magnitude, race Director Martin Dodds took the unenviable decision to pull the event from the race calendar. Since then, we have been blessed with a number of new middle and ironman distance events but for many, The Longest Day will remain uppermost in the hearts and minds of triathletes up and down the country. Having completed the swim and run legs of TLD in 2004 and 2006 as part of relay teams, I always regretted not being able to complete the set, despite the fact that from the first turn of the arm in the swim to the last footstep on the run will have taken me over 4 years, assuming of course that TLD 2009 comes to fruition! But hope, as they say, springs eternal.

A few weeks ago, the rumour mill got wind of the notion that former race director Martin Dodds was thinking of staging TLD again in 2009. The 2006 staging was the 13th in the series – unlucky for some – and perhaps it will be only fitting to see one more event and for the legend to on a high note, knowing that it is truly and honestly the final one. Wouldn’t it be great if everybody associated with the event over its 13 year history running, whether as a volunteer or entrant, could turn out again and give the race the send off it deserves and never received in 2006.

But staging any middle or ironman distance event is a massive commitment and cannot be undertaken on half measures or without any firm promise that costs will be covered. It is perfectly understandable therefore why Martin Dodds isn’t prepared at this stage to make any promises about the prospects of TLD 2009, but suffice it to say that registering your interest, either as a volunteer or as an entrant, should certainly help to sway his decision. At the time of writing, Martin is enjoying a short holiday and is out of contact but in his absence, you can make his return a welcome one by adding your support for a 2009 TLD. In a matter of just a few days, there is already a significant number on the tritalk.co.uk triathlon forum who have registered their interest and the number is growing daily. In the past, TLD has been held in July and so would be a perfect warm up or trail for any late season ironman event. So if you too would like to be part of TLD 2009 and are a member of tritalk.co.uk forum, please head their now straight away and add your name to the list.

Come on, its not every day you get to be part of triathlon history!

Bob