Following on from the success of the inaugural Brownlee Tri – Olympic and World Champion brothers Alistair and Jonny Brownlee have confirmed that registration is open for the 2014 Brownlee Tri Series’ North and South triathlons this year. The brothers also revealed that the two new iconic host venues for 2014 will be: Petworth House & Park in West Sussex; and Harewood House near Leeds in the brothers’ home county of Yorkshire.
Brownlee Tri South will take place on 15 June 2014, and will be hosted at the iconic National Trust property, Petworth House & Park in West Sussex. In front of the backdrop of the vast late 17th century mansion, competitors will swim, bike and run within the idyllic South Downs countryside and around the beautiful deer park, landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown and immortalised in Turner’s paintings.
Robert Jackson, General Manager, is delighted that Petworth House & Park has been chosen as the venue for the 2014 Brownlee Tri South. He said “I can think of few places in the area so well suited to this type of event.”
An enthusiastic athlete himself, he added “at every turn there is a new vista or view to enjoy and a real variety of terrain as the landscape leads up hills and down into secluded valleys.” Perhaps most exciting of all will be the sight of triathletes swimming in the ‘Capability’ Brown serpentine lake “a sight not seen here at Petworth for many years”.
On 21 September 2014, it will be the turn of the Brownlee Tri North, which will take place at Harewood House. Sitting in the heart of Yorkshire, close to where the brothers grew up and now live, Harewood House provides not only a stunning setting, but the opportunity for entrants to ride the same roads that the Tour de France will race on earlier in the summer.
David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood said “I’m delighted that Jonny and Alistair Brownlee are coming to Harewood for the Brownlee Tri. People have swum in the lake, run and cycled round the estate before, but I’d be pretty sure that they’ve never done it as fast as the Brownlees! This is a first for us, but not for them; they’ve trained here for many years. I hope everyone enjoys the day, a great challenge for the competitors and a wonderful way for spectators to enjoy Harewood.”
Both venues will host sprint and super-sprint triathlon distance events for individuals, as well as having youth, junior and adult categories and also a sprint relay.
The triathlons are part of Alistair and Jonny’s drive to encourage people of all ages and abilities to take part in a sport that has given them so much enjoyment over the years.
2012 World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist, Jonny Brownlee said “We’re excited to announce the opening of registration and the venues for our North and South events this year. We want the Brownlee Tri series to be part of our legacy and to see as many people take part as possible.”
Olympic Champion, Alistair Brownlee added “Our first Brownlee Tri last year was amazing – watching 1,000 competitors and over 5,000 spectators enjoying the sport we love. To have the opportunity to grow the event this year is fantastic and hopefully people from all over Britain can get involved.”
