Following the recent unveiling of next year’s Brighton and Hove Triathlon, the south coast of England is witnessing yet more tri activity – as the seaside town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, is set for a new triathlon event that will take place annually from 12 June 2016.
Athletes of all abilities and experience can sign up to the Eastbourne Triathlon to take on the 600m swim, 25K cycle and 5K run challenge that starts and finishes on the iconic promenade at Western Lawns, with the historic pier serving as a backdrop in one direction and the South Downs National Park in the other.
In addition to the triathlon, an Aquabike (swim/run) and SUP Triathlon (stand up paddle board) will also be held at the same venue. General entries open from Tuesday 4 August.
The Eastbourne Triathlon is ‘supported by Beyond Sport Marketing, Visit Eastbourne, Eastbourne Voluntary Lifeguards, The Event Team, Triathlon England and Brighton Film School.’
Race Director and Managing Director of Beyond Sport Marketing, Rich Campbell, said “The sport of triathlon and other multi-sport disciplines continue to surge in popularity. There is a tremendous level of excitement generated by these events in the UK, especially post-Olympics, with the wonderful legacy and memories from London.
“Locally Eastbourne has one of the largest triathlon and multi-sport clubs in the UK (Team Bodyworks XTC), international champions in Yvette Grice, Joe Townsend, Faye McClelland and Todd Leckie plus a host of fantastic local businesses that support and are supported by triathletes.”
He continued, “As a town already blessed with notable sports events such as the the Aegon International tennis festival, the Beachy Head Marathon, the Eastbourne Half Marathon, the Eastbourne Cycling Festival and Eastbourne Extreme, a professionally organised and exciting triathlon can only add to the list of attractions bringing visitors to the town, as well as giving local triathletes the chance to compete in an event on their doorstep, or offer an opportunity to those who have never done a triathlon before the chance to take part in a locally organised one.”
Clare Donovan, Triathlon England South-East Regional Technical Coordinator, added, “As a town already blessed with several notable sports events, a professionally organised and exciting triathlon can only add to the list of attractions bringing visitors to the town. It’s great to see Eastbourne get the triathlon event it deserves.”
Competitors who enter the inaugural event will be treated to a course that takes in all the natural beauty of the surrounding area and promenade. The Eastbourne Triathlon begins with a 600m swim in the sea, before the competitors head off for a challenging 25K ride that includes East Dean, Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters (part of the South Downs National Park and an area of outstanding beauty).
Athletes then return to the prom for a flat and friendly final 5K cycle along the seafront and back to the Western Lawns for the final run stage. The run will take competitors back up to the South Downs National Park and a challenging climb up the South Downs Way opposite St Bedes School before turning round to be greeted by stunning views of the town and a flat final few kilometers on the way to the finish at the Western Lawns on Eastbourne’s promenade.
