The surroundings of Dorney Lake, the Olympic rowing venue for the 2012 London Olympic Games, will be the home of something new on Sunday 12 July – the Shock Absorber Women Only Challenge. This summer will for the first time feature a Swim, Triathlon, Duathlon and Run event in a single day that aims to bring female athletes of all abilities together and create the UK’s biggest women only event of its kind.
Previous Human Race Women Only events have proved popular, with competitors enjoying the relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Now friends who partake in different sports can come together on the same day with a host of disciplines available.
The swim will take place in the calm and clean waters of the lake made famous during the London 2012 Olympics. A range of distances are available between 750m and 5K to encourage ladies of all abilities to get involved. Those who prefer to stick to dry land will be able to choose from a flat and fast paced 5K Run, or can take on the new Duathlon option that includes a testing 21K cycle in-between two run sections (5K and 2.5K).
The highlight of the day is likely to be the Shock Absorber Women Only Triathlon, which will test participants’ swimming, cycling and running skills. A variety of options are available from Novice (200m swim, 5.3K bike, 2.5K run) through to Challenge (800m swim, 31.8K bike, 7.5K run). A ‘Mates Wave’ will be included in the Sprint Triathlon distance for those who prefer to take part with friends rather than their age group.
Kirsty Wilde, Operators Director for Human Race Events said “We’ve had a wonderful time over the past few years at our Women Only events but combining them into one celebratory day at this amazing venue seems like a natural progression. We believe it will break down some barriers, and allow friends who enjoy different sporting disciplines to come together on Sunday 12th July.”
Participants are encouraged to raise money for Breast Cancer Care, the only UK-wide charity providing specialist support and tailored information for anyone affected by breast cancer. Breast Cancer Care will be on hand to support those fundraising with their training and cheer them on the big day. There is no minimum sponsorship target but every pound raised will really make a difference to the lives of those affected by breast cancer.
Human Race adds that ‘Training is perfectly placed to help you shape your summer body ahead of the big day, with a special Women Only Triathlon Training Day on 24th May to help first timers.’
Human Race is ‘the UK’s largest and most diverse mass participation events company’ – owning and delivering over 50 events in triathlon, cycling, running, duathlon and open water swimming for over 70,000 participants of all abilities and ages each year. The highly portfolio of events includes 11 triathlons, 9 cycling events, 10 running events, 7 open water swims and 6 kids events.
