IMG, in partnership with the Fengtai Sports Bureau of Beijing, will host the sixth annual Beijing International Triathlon on Sunday 10 September 2017 at the Garden Expo Park in the Fengtai District of Beijing, China. 2016 Olympic medallist Henri Schoeman and 2016 ITU World Triathlon Series World Champion Flora Duffy will lead a field of elite pros racing in this renowned Olympic distance triathlon, following a shorter sprint distance race taking place on Saturday 9 September. Registration for both races will officially open on Tuesday 14 February at beijinginternationaltriathlon.com.
“I’ve followed the Beijing International Triathlon for many years and I am thrilled to finally race this Olympic distance course,” said Duffy. “I was in Beijing previously to compete in the 2011 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final and the 2008 Summer Olympics, so I’m excited to be back to race the streets of Beijing and see the sights.”
The Olympic distance course will showcase the ‘eco-friendly environment and cultural attractions in Fengtai’, including a 1.5km swim through Garden Expo Lake; a challenging 40km bike leg through the quaint villages of Fengtai and up Qian Ling Mountain, the highest peak in Southwest Beijing; and a final 10km run through the colourful gardens and up the steep steps of the Garden Expo Park.
The sprint element of the triathlon will take triathletes on a 750m lake swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run all through the lush grounds of the expansive Garden Expo Park.
“The Beijing International Triathlon has become an iconic destination race on the international triathlon calendar,” said James Leitz, Senior Vice President at IMG. “Last year, registration for both races sold out in less than 10 days, so we have increased the field size to accommodate more domestic and international participants.”
The Collegiate Challenge returns to help encourage university students to join the sport. Students will race as Olympic distance relay teams, and the school with the fastest combined times of their top two teams will win the Collegiate Challenge. Additionally, the Corporate Challenge returns, continuing to promote teamwork, a healthy workforce and corporate health through triathlon racing. This year, the company or organization with the fastest combined times of their top two teams will win the Fengtai Cup.
Garden Expo Park is located west of the Yongding River and east of Eagle Mountain, in the Fengtai District of Beijing, China. The park is an elaborate garden city using ‘advanced technologies and artistic achievements in landscaping’, including an international standard low-carbon and ecological zone. Within the Garden Expo Park are several attractions, including various traditional, modern, ecological and international exhibition parks; and a plethora of lush gardens replicating famous regions of China, including Beijing, Jinan, Shanghai, Lingnan, Tangshan and more.
This triathlon is part of the Escape Triathlon Series and the only qualifying event in Asia for the iconic Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. Coveted race slots for the infamous and gruelling 2018 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon will be awarded to the top 50 men and women across each group and division of the Olympic distance race at the 2017 Beijing International Triathlon.
The public is invited to watch the races at the start/finish line and along the course throughout the park, as well as attend the free Health and Fitness Race Expo, which will take place on 9-10 September.
The Beijing International Triathlon is owned by the Fengtai Sports Bureau of Beijing and produced by IMG.
www.beijinginternationaltriathlon.com
