The Eirias Triathlon, based in North Wales, took place for the second time on Saturday 3 August and has been hailed a success. ‘Eirias’ is an old Welsh word that means blazing hot; and, according to the event organiser Xtra Mile, athletes and spectators agreed that it was indeed one of the hottest races on the triathlon calendar, taking place in stunning surroundings.
A slight breeze and sunshine graced the event with ideal race conditions. The Eirias Triathlon was based at the brand new Porth Eirias watersports hotspot in Colwyn Bay where athletes could compete in either the standard or middle distance race.
The new water sports area hosted the start of the triathlon, which gave spectators great viewing opportunities to watch the swim. The triathletes exited the sea via the new slipway to complete the swim leg before taking on the new cycle route that took them through some of North Wales’ most picturesque scenery and finishing with a relatively flat, refreshing run along the coastal cycle path to Llandullas and back to finish at Porth Eirias. Competitors commented that it was ‘the best swim venue ever’ and ‘one of the best triathlon venues in the country’.
The middle distance+ race incorporated a 1900m swim, 106K cycle and 20K run. The standard distance+ race took place alongside the Eirias Middle Distance Triathlon on the same course with a 1500m swim, 53K cycle and 10K run.
Race Director Simon Hill said “Following the success of the inaugural middle distance race last year we launched a new standard distance race to run alongside the middle distance triathlon for 2013, making the Eirias accessible to a wider triathlon audience. We have had some fantastic feedback about today’s race, with everyone loving the route.
“The new Porth Eirias venue has to be one of the best triathlon venues in the country with world class facilities so close together allied with such spectacular and testing cycle and run routes, we are definitely onto a winning formula.”
Hill continued, “I would like to express a big thank you to Conwy Borough Council, The Porth Eirias team, Llandudno Sailing Club, Conwy Harbourmasters Office, the Can-Y-Bae Hotel Llandudno, Xtra Mile Events Crew, Triathlon Wales, BTF Referees, Manchester Medical Services and North Wales Constabulary for their support in delivering a great event.
“We have also seen some great support from the other support groups including Little Orme Lions, Prestatyn Running Club, Rhyl Swimming Club, Colwyn Bay Swimming Club, Rhos-on-Sea Scout Group, Rhyl Hockey Club and Llandudno Swimming Club.
“A lot of competitors took advantage of the race being on a Saturday and had a club weekend away or a mini break with family and friends on the beautiful North Welsh coast, and the atmosphere was buzzing all day long. Porth Eirias has to be the finest venue in the country for a triathlon and we look forward to being back next year.”
Sponsors of the Eirias Triathlon 2013 included Edinburgh Bicycle Co-operative (Official Bicycle Retail Partner), Starley Bikes (Official Specialist Bike Brand), USN Ultimate Sports Nutrition (Official Nutrition Partner), Zone3 (Official Wetsuit Partner), Clif Bar (Official Energy Bar Partner), Aftershokz (Official Headphone Partner), Up & Running (Official Sports Retail Partner) and Athlete Matters (Official Physio and Rehab Partner).
The Eirias Middle Distance Triathlon is organised by Xtra Mile Events, a sports events company based in Altrincham, Cheshire. Xtra Mile Events is the organiser of high profile triathlons and sporting events across the North West of England and Wales, including the Oulton Park Spring and Autumn Duathlons, Greater Manchester Marathon, Wilmslow Triathlon, Rhyl Triathlon, Llandudno Sea Triathlon, Buxton Triathlon, Leeds Xpress Triathlon, The Eirias Middle Distance Triathlon, Macclesfield Triathlon, Leeds Triathlon and South Manchester Triathlon.
