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Triathletes from all over the world will be descending on Reading this weekend when the borough hosts this year's British Triathlon.
GreenPark has been chosen by British Triathlon and Corus, the triathlon's premier sponsor, as the ideal venue for the prestigious Corus Elite Series race.
The first race of this year's triathlon will take place at GreenPark on Sunday, May 18th.
Reading was the venue of the first British triathlon in 1983.
Longwater Lake runs through the centre of GreenPark and will be used for the swimming heat of the race.
The surrounding roads will be closed to make way for both the running and bike legs.
The triathlon course will challenge the 50 strong men's and women's fields that are taking part.
The 750m swim includes a straight swim down the lake consisting of an exciting run out and dive back in at 300m.
The 20km cycle leg will take participants out and around the spectator friendly closed roads of the office park before the triathletes transition into a speedy three lap 5km run to race to the finish.
Anita Cacchioli, Reading Borough Council's Director of Environment, Culture and Sport, said: "By having the Corus Elite Series triathlon in Reading, it gives young people in the borough a tremendous opportunity to see first hand some of the leading triathletes in the world and hopefully they will be inspired to take up this fantastic sport. It should be a great event and I am very much looking forward to seeing residents and visitors to Reading turn out and give their support."
In its second year, the three race triathlon competition will play an important role in the preparation of British triathletes hoping to compete at the Beijing Olympic Games later this year, as well as providing an opportunity for developing talent to gain vital experience against the world's best triathletes on home soil.
With strong medal hopes and recent international success in both the men's and women's fields, the elite events offer an opportunity for a UK audience to experience top level racing, generating excitement across the summer.
The Corus Elite Series race in Reading adds to the portfolio of major events hosted in Reading, and has been given the support of Reading Borough Council and SEEDA - South East England Development Agency.
The event will also play host to a novice event on the morning of the Corus Elite Series to allow local people looking for an opportunity to get involved with the sport to have a go at triathlon themselves.
Details can be found on the British Triathlon website, www.britishtriathlon.org
The other two races in this year's Corus Elite Series British Triathlon will take place in Parc Bryn Bach, Wales and Strathclyde Park, Scotland, on 27th July and 7th September respectively.
The Parc Bryn Bach event will provide an opportunity to see the athletes selected to represent Team GB in Beijing, and Strathclyde will showcase any Olympic medal winner's return to race on home soil.
Extended highlights of the three races in the Corus Elite Series will be broadcast on Channel 4 as part of a summer series of triathlon programming. |
