Produced by Xtra Mile Events, The Leeds Triathlon takes place on Sunday 11 September 2016 at Leeds Roundhay Park, one of the UK’s largest public parks. The venue was used for this year’s inaugural ITU World Triathlon Leeds; and Xtra Mile notes that it is a magnificent setting for its annual triathlon in North East England.
Xtra Mile Events is looking forward to welcoming up to 750 competitors at its popular annual triathlon in Leeds that includes a standard and a sprint distance. The standard distance comprises a 1500m swim, a 44km cycle and a 9.4km run. The sprint distance takes place on the same course and comprises a 750m swim, a 24km cycle and a 6.4km run.
An open water swim in the park’s Waterloo Lake provides a scenic introduction to the race, and this is followed by a fast cycle on quiet but challenging roads and a run section through the grounds offering views of the parkland, mansion and scenery beyond.
The impressive park attracts crowds of spectators who come to cheer on the competitors at the many viewing spots along each leg of the course.
The Leeds Triathlon is also a GO TRI+ event for triathletes just starting out, offering all the enjoyment of the triathlon but over shorter distances: 400m swim, 11.5km cycle and 3.35km run. There are a limited number of GO TRI+places available in Leeds at a special rate of £15.
GO TRI is Triathlon England’s low-cost and short-distance triathlon event and training program. It was originally piloted throughout 2014 and got under way officially in 2015. GO TRI+ events involve a partnership with the Home Nation and commercial event organisers. As in the case of the Leeds Triathlon this year,GO TRI+ offers a further opportunity to encourage first-timer triathletes within an existing commercial triathlon event, rather than as part of a stand-alone GO TRI event.
In addition to individual entries, the main Leeds Triathlon welcomes relay teams in both the standard and sprint distance races. This is positioned as an opportunity for corporate and other teams to race together. There is a relay team prize for the team with the overall best time.
Registration for the Leeds Triathlon is open at xtramileevents.com/events, with individual entry fees of £65 for the standard distance and £59 for the sprint distance race. Team relay entries are available for £77 or £72 respectively. The first wave of the Leeds Triathlon starts at 08:00 GMT on 11 September. Entries close on 7 September 2016 or when sold out.
Bone Cancer Research Trust is the official charity partner for the Leeds Triathlon and athletes wanting to join the fundraising team can do so online.
Race Director Simon Hill said “The Leeds Triathlon is a fantastic autumn event on the UK triathlon calendar and one that we look forward to each year. It is a challenging triathlon set in magnificent Roundhay Park, where we are able to make full use of the beautiful green parkland and open expanses of water for the swim, cycle and run legs.
“For competitors and spectators it is a memorable day as there are many great viewing points where friends and family can cheer on athletes, creating a fantastic atmosphere all around the course. It is also a popular event for relay teams wishing to enter with friends or work colleagues.
“We would encourage anyone wishing to enter the Leeds Triathlon to do so quickly, as the 750 spaces are quickly filling with just over one month to go.”
Spectators are welcome to watch all stages of the event, which is usually well supported. Swimmers are easily visible from the lakeside, while cyclists can be seen leaving and returning through the ornate gates of Roundhay Park on Carriage Drive. For the final leg, runners wind their way up the slope and into the wooded area of Roundhay Park, which offers plenty of viewing points; and there is a grand downhill finish along the drive in front of the Mansion. There is also ample spectating space on the approach to the finish line.
Athletes are advised to register for the Leeds Triathlon on Saturday 10 September – the day before race day. Alternatively, it is possible to register on the Sunday morning of the race, but athletes must be ready in time for the pre-race briefing in the transition area at 07:40.
Race timetable
Saturday 10 September 2016
- 12:00-17:00 Event registration at Leeds Roundhay Park
Sunday 11th September 2016
- 06:00-07.30 Registration for athletes who have arranged this with the organisers only
- 06:30 Transition opens
- 07:40 Race briefing for all distances (compulsory)
- 07:40 Transition closes – no bike racking after this time
- 08:00 Wave one
- 12:30 Transition closes
- 13:00 (approx.) Prize giving at the finish line area
