From short to standard distances, young to ‘mature’ age groups, corporate to elite level competition, the TransCanada ITU World Triathlon Grand Final Edmonton has something to offer everyone. During the week, athletes, families and friends descended on the Alberta city to prepare for the final showdown of racing. But, as the organisers point out, racing isn’t all there is in store in Edmonton, Canada.
Sport & Lifestyle Expo
From triathlon lifestyle vendors to industry gear gurus and more, athletes can check out the Sport & Lifestyle Expo. This is the place to try a new wetsuit or get fitted for that bike you’ve had your eye on. The Expo opened on Thursday and will go through Monday.
Capital Power Triathlon Live Site
The Capital Power Triathlon Live Site at Churchill Square is a community extension and lead-in celebration to the ITU WTS World Championship races, providing a friendly and welcoming environment for athletes and the local community in the heart of downtown Edmonton.
A range of sport and culture exhibitors will be on hand to tune up bikes, massage those tired muscles or provide much needed nutrients. This is also the site of an event merchandise outlet where athletes can get fully suited up in Official ITU gear.
Opening ceremonies & age group dinner
On Thursday night, athletes and their supporters cheered on compatriots, showed team pride and celebrated the start of the Edmonton Grand Final. The opening ceremonies started from 17:30-18:30, with dinner from 19:00-21:30 local time.
The Edmonton Police Band was in attendance, and a military flypast closed the formal ceremonies. A complementary meal was shared amongst a 3,000+ sized international triathlon family in attendance.
TransCanada Corp Kids Zone
The TransCanada Corp Kids Zone will be open from Friday 29 August to Monday 1 September in Hawrelak Park and will offer a variety of fun activities for kids aged 5 to 13. Activities will include triathlon themed crafts, activity booklets for kids, a mini triathlon race, face painting, bouncy castles and more. The theme of Kids Zone is living a healthy and active lifestyle.
Brewsters’ Beer Garden
The 2014 Grand Final is partnering with Brewsters Brewing Company to create a special triathlon beer. The beer will be a Kolsch – a hybrid between an ale and a lager. ITU held a ‘Name That Beer’ contest and the winning beer name was Draft Legal.
The Draft Legal beer will be available on tap at the beer gardens at Hawrelak Park and at the Capital Power Triathlon LIVE site at Churchill Square during race week and at Brewsters Brewing Company starting on 15 August.
ITU Congress
While athletes are busy racing, cheering, resting and celebrating, ITU delegates will be busy deliberating on the future of ITU triathlon. More than 70 National Federation presidents and representatives will descend on Edmonton for this important meeting.
ITU Grand Final Breakfast
On Friday morning, athletes can help ITU raise money to support a coach in a developing country. The ticket proceeds from the ITU Grand Final Breakfast help local athletes learn from some of the best coaches around.
Get musical
The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra will be presenting, Symphony In The City on both Friday and Saturday evening, 29-30 August. This will be a rare opportunity to experience the sounds of a world-class orchestra in a family friendly outdoor setting.
ITU Hall of Fame
Although not open to the public, ITU will honour a select number of outstanding athletes and members of the triathlon community for their outstanding accomplishments over the last 25 years. The induction will be held on Sunday evening.
The triathlon world is focused on Edmonton for six days, starting this week, as more than 3,000 athletes and 6,000 visitors descend on Edmonton for the 2014 Grand Final.
“We have been preparing for more than 18 months and we’re ready to welcome the world,” says Don Lowry, Board Chair at 2014 Triathlon Edmonton. “Since our successful bid in 2012, it’s been full speed ahead for all staff, volunteers and sponsors to prepare for the coming week. We’re excited the time has arrived and we are ready to show how Edmonton can successfully host large scale sports event like the Grand Final.”
As the final race on the ITU’s 2014 World Triathlon Series calendar, the Grand Final will attract athletes from more than 73 countries and be broadcast to a worldwide television audience of approximately 45 million in 160 countries. Athletes will compete in several categories include age group, elite, U23, junior, mixed relay, aquathlon, corporate try-a-tri and paratriathlon. The swim-bike-run races take place over five days in and around Hawrelak Park, Edmonton.
www.edmonton.triathlon.org
www.triathlon.org
