Warranty Direct – the UK’s leading provider of direct consumer warranties – will sponsor the GB Biathle Series and National Biathle Championships, supporting ‘run-swim-run’ format events across the country.
With categories for all ages from 9 years up to 70+, biathle competitions see athletes starting together in a group and running for up to 1500m, swimming for up to 200m and finally completing another run of up to 1500m to the finish line.
Organised by Pentathlon GB, biathle is a natural starting point for those who later move on to the Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon. Samantha Murray – who, by claiming silver, won TeamGB’s final medal of the London 2012 Olympic Games – competed in Biathle series events before graduating to pentathlon.
Murray said “GB Biathle is a friendly, well-managed and competitive organisation that provides a pathway into Modern Pentathlon. As a youngster, I competed in a few biathles in the North West, which helped my progress into the pentathlon field.”
Warranty Direct’s support will enable organisers to double the number of competitors who receive prizes as well as providing kit, equipment and contributing towards event costs.
Duncan McClure Fisher, Warranty Direct Managing Director, said “We are very happy to back a sport which gets little exposure, but has produced some fantastic all-round athletes who have gone on to great things while representing their country. We hope that our support will help Pentathlon GB produce more athletes to compete for the British Team in Future Olympics.”
Howard Jones, Pentathlon GB Biathle Director, said “We’re absolutely delighted to have Warranty Direct on board for 2013. Following the Olympics there has been an increase in people wanting to take up sport at this level and their support enables us to help encourage more people to take part. It’s going to be an exceptional season of competition.”
Warranty Direct-sponsored prizes will be awarded for the GB Biathle Race Series competitions across the country, with the first events set to take place at Millfield School in Somerset on 5 May.
www.pentathlongb.org/biathle/
www.warrantydirect.co.uk
