A TRIATHLON event which started off the coast of Prestonpans will not return to East Lothian next year.

IRONMAN 70.3 Edinburgh attracted more than 2,500 entrants in the last two years but organisers have confirmed the event will not take place in 2019.

A spokesman said: “There are always valid reasons for the discontinuation of a race, and several factors exist that prevent us from providing the athlete experience for which we always strive. IRONMAN will be making no further comment at this time.”

The statement thanked the various partners involved, including East Lothian Council, and said organisers understood “the disappointment this may cause for the participants and the Scottish triathlon community”.

The event was first held in 2017 and started off the coast of Prestonpans with a 1.2-mile swim. Competitors then took part in a cycle around East Lothian and into Edinburgh, where they finished with a run at Holyrood Park.

However, concerns were raised by the town’s community council after complaints about the loud music which accompanied the early-morning swim, disruption to traffic, and the name of the event.

Brian Weddell, chairman of Prestonpans Community Council, had mixed feelings about the move.

He said: “Whilst it is great to see major events coming to East Lothian, the organisers were very poor at communicating and consulting with our community council and, I understand, others.

“In many ways, it is disappointing to see it go. It brings much-needed economy to East Lothian but the organisers should be consulting with community groups and keeping us informed with what their plans are and listening to the feedback.”

Provost John McMillan, the council’s spokesman for tourism and economic development, said: “While it is disappointing for East Lothian not to have this internationally-recognised event here, we do acknowledge past issues raised by local residents.

“We were preparing to work with the organisers to resolve these issues but understand the decision not to return to East Lothian was for commercial reasons.”