As the tri season in Poland has now got into full swing, the expansion of the Ocean Lava triathlon series keeps on coming with the series’ expansion in Eastern Europe via the announcement of a new Ocean Lava Poland this year. As a full and half distance triathlon in Bydgoszcz – a city in north-central Poland – the inaugural Ocean Lava Poland takes place in Borówno village in Bydgoszcz County (17km north-east of Bydgoszcz) on 20 August 2017.
While Ocean Lava Poland is the first edition of the event under the Ocean Lava Planet banner, it is the 10th edition of a triathlon event in Bydgoszcz-Borówno – with the event formerly the Triathlon Polska Bydgoszcz – Borowno.
The addition of Ocean Lava Poland to the expanding event brand is a clear statement of intent from Ocean Lava Planet, which has built to its event portfolio with a number of new events added this year alone:
- The company added Ocean Lava Azores Islands in May;
- This followed the addition of Ocean Lava Mamaia, Romania, in March;
- A partnership between Ocean Lava Planet and the Hardman Triathlon series in Ireland;
- Ocean Lava Réunion Island was unveiled in February;
- Ocean Lava Parenzana encompasses the countries of Croatia and Slovenia
- A second event in Portugal, Ocean Lava Portugal, was confirmed in January; and
- Ocean Lava Galicia triathlon in the Galicia region of Spain was also confirmed in January.
Bydgoszcz is a fast-growing city in north-central Poland, the eighth largest city in Poland with 360,000 inhabitants, situated on the River Vistula, River Brda and Bydgoszcz Canal. Surrounded by nature reserves and forests, it is called the ‘green city’ and ranks second among Polish cities in terms of the amount of areas for walking and recreation. Because of its strong connection to the river, Bydgoszcz is also referred to as the ‘Polish Amsterdam’ or ‘Little Venice’.
Robert St?pniak, Race Director of Ocean Lava’s Polish partner, Tri-sport, said Ocean Lava Poland 2017 will also be an anniversary edition. He said “The first competition on the iron distance and half distance we organized near Bydgoszcz in Borowno in 2008. On 20th August, next month, we will meet at the start line for the 10th time! Also, in 2017, it will also be exactly 20 years since, at the same place, for the first time, triathlon competitions started [in Poland].”
He continued, “It’s really exciting to be a part of bringing the Ocean Lava brand to our region and we sincerely believe the new Ocean Lava Poland will significantly contribute to consolidating the image of Bydgoszcz as a place where triathlon is extremely important in the every day life of our citizens.”
Kenneth Gasque, founder of the Ocean Lava Planet triathlon series said “I’m so happy that we’ve announced our new Ocean Lava story in Poland for our Polish triathlon friends, whom we have seen at a number of our races, especially this season at our Ocean Lava Madeira Island and Ocean Lava Montenegro events. Bringing Ocean Lava to Poland will not only continue to raise the prestige of Bydgoszcz city, known as a Polish city of many international sports events, but it will also mark its position as the new centre of Ocean Lava in the Polish triathlon market.”
He added “In the past 10 years we’ve seen that the team here in Bydgoszcz has built an outstanding triathlon of long distance events with strong potential and we are delighted to be able to offer the Ocean Lava experience to these athletes in their own country. We know that it is also said that the name of Bydgoszcz city comes from ‘bycie go?ciem’ (being a guest), and we in Ocean Lava always welcome every guest with a joy and smile!”
Ocean Lava Poland in 2017 will be held as individual races and relay competitions over two distances – the full (140.6) and half (70.3). Ocean Lava Poland 2017 includes competitions at 5 distances/formats: Individual – Full distance, Individual – Half distance, Relay – Full distance 140.6, Relay – Half distance and Youth Relay – Half distance.
Athletes will the start the race at Lake Borowno – swimming 2 loops for the half distance and 4 loops for the full distance. The expected water temperature will be around 20 degrees Celsius, therefore, wetsuits will be permitted. The cycling leg, similar to previous years, will take the same cycling routes between Borowno and Bydgoszcz near the Zdzis?aw Krzyszkowiak stadium. The route is fast and fairly flat. The running leg starts on the walking paths of Myslecinek grounds.
Bydgoszcz is accessible via Bydgoszcz Ignacy Jan Paderewski Airport, which is served by short, direct and low-cost flights from Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Birmingham, London, Girona, Glasgow Prestwick and Dublin. Bydgoszcz Airport is located 3.5km south of Bydgoszcz.
This year, Bydgoszcz also became one of the ‘best destination finalists’ of the Tourism for Tomorrow competition organized by the World Tourism Board. The city was also fifth on the list of best travel destinations in the ‘Travelers’ Choice 2017’ report published by TripAdvisor.
www.triathlonpolska.pl
www.oceanlava.com
