World’s Top Triathletes Descend On London Three Years Before Olympics
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Three years from today the 2012 Games triathlon races will take place (August 7 and 8, 2012) and the UK is set to get an early opportunity to enjoy this exciting Olympic sport in action when the Dextro Energy Triathlon ITU World Championship takes place next weekend (August 15 and 16) at Hyde Park, London.
Alistair Brownlee, a 21-year-old from Leeds, is one of the favorites to win next weekend’s title and thus set himself up as a hot contender for 2012. Britain also has the reigning women’s world champion, Helen Jenkins as well as 2006 world champion and Londoner Tim Don.
But the Hyde Park event offers a separate and unique opportunity as the Olympic venue will also be the stage for a mass-participation event on Sunday 16 August. Over 1,000 people have already signed up for this event which will be organised in age-groups but there are still a few last-minute places available through Triathlon-wcs-london.org.
“It’s a big triathlon “first” to be able to boast about trying out a 2012 venue even before the Games has begun”, said an event spokesperson today.
Former rower turned adventurer James Cracknell will be amongst the public attempting the course on August 16th.
Cracknell said: “I’m really looking forward to taking part in the Dextro Energy World Championship Series Triathlon in London this summer – and covering the event for the Daily Telegraph. I am really enjoying triathlon at the moment – even if I do have to work on my swimming! It will be great to get a sneak preview of the course that will be used for the London 2012 Olympics and there is a real buzz about cycling and triathlon in the country at the moment so I’ve no doubt the support will be massive.”
Timetable of events:
Saturday, August 15
10.00 Elite Race, Women
13.15 Elite Race, Men
16.30 Paratriathlon Race
Sunday, August 16
08.00 Youth Male Race (14-15 yrs)
08.02 Youth Female Race (14-15 yrs)
08.30 Junior Male Race (16-19 yrs)
08.32 Junior Female Race (16-19 yrs)
09.00 First wave of Age Group Races starts