Racing with friends and competing outside of the traditional age categories has reportedly become increasingly popular in triathlon. UK race organiser Human Race has noticed ‘a huge increase in people choosing Mates Wave’. In recent years, Human Race has introduced Mates Waves (allowing triathletes to start alongside friends and family regardless of age, gender and ability) to its triathlons at Dorney Lake. The company adds that the waves have quickly become a firm favourite.
This year 60% of those taking part in the Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints on Saturday 21 May have chosen to start in a Mates Wave. In 2015 that number was only 45%, and the balance has altered notably since 2013 when only 23% chose to compete in this manner.
Human Race has ‘increasingly seen entrants keen to use triathlon as part of an active social event, rather than a straight individual race, so it makes sense that more people are choosing to swim, cycle and run as a group.’ There is often a great deal of camaraderie at Human Race triathlons already and as so many of the competitors will train together, starting the race together in a Mates Wave has become unsurprisingly popular.
Mates Waves are available at the following Human Race Events in 2016:
- Nuffield Health Eton SuperSprints – 21/22 May
- Windsor Triathlon – 12 June
- Lidl BananaMan – 9 July
- Shock Absorber Women Only Triathlon – 10 July
- Diamond Triathlon – 14 August
- HSBC Triathlon – 18 September
Nick Rusling, CEO of Human Race, said “Triathlon continues to evolve and we are happy to cater for the growing number of people who want to compete outside of the normal age and gender categories. Anything that helps the sport appeal to a larger audience, and drives more participation, has to be a good thing.”
Human Race is ‘the UK’s largest and most diverse mass participation events company’ – owning and delivering over 40 events in triathlon, cycling, running, duathlon and open water swimming for over 70,000 participants of all abilities and ages each year. The company’s portfolio of events includes 11 triathlons, 6 cycling events, 6 running events and 6 kids events.
These events bring together an active community of people taking part in sporting events for reasons ranging from fitness, competition, charity, health, fun or to simply finish. The participants vary from nervous first timers from 4 to 80 through to world champions. Collectively, the events raise millions of pounds for hundreds of charities.
