One Step Beyond, organiser of the National Triathlon Relays, is set to introducing a new format for this year’s event, which is set for 22-23 August at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham, UK.
The Triathlon Relays have been running since 1992, and have developed into a much-loved fixture on the annual calendar. The traditional format will remain on the Saturday, but the second day of racing will now see a completely new format.
Heats will take place in ITU Mixed Team Relay format, where each athlete completes a mini triathlon before handing over to their next teammate and the fastest ten mixed, men and women’s teams will progress to a team time trial finals session.
Event Director, Iain Hamilton, said “We feel it’s time for a change and think the new format will be exiting for competitors and spectators. Anyone who saw the Mixed Team Relay at the Commonwealth Games will know how exciting that format was, and we wanted to offer that experience to a broader audience.”
He added, “The Relays are popular and attract around 2500 athletes, so we didn’t want to completely overhaul the format. This year’s event will be smaller in terms of overall numbers, but the new super-short sprint events will provide an exciting spectacle.”
Entries are due to open later this month.
2015 National Triathlon Relays format
Saturday
Distances: 500m swim, 15K bike and 5K run
Format: Two mass wave starts. Each team member completes one stage before handing over, e.g. all four complete swim before starting bike.
Audience: Clubs, groups of friends, corporate teams
Sunday
Distances: Swim 300m, Bike 5K, Run 1.5K
Format: Heats in ITU Mixed Relay format, teams start at 30 second intervals.
Finals team time trial format – top ten Mixed, Men’s and Women’s teams
Audience: Big clubs, trade teams
