The very first edition of the Yorkshire Triathlon Championships are to be held at the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds, allowing the region’s top amateur athletes an extra opportunity to go for gold in June.
Today (Monday 11 March), elite triathlete and proud Yorkshireman, Sam Dickinson joined local club-level triathletes to launch the Yorkshire Championships; set to debut at the event on 8-9 June 2019. With just under 3 months to go until the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds returns to the city for a fourth consecutive year, the Yorkshire Championships offer an additional opportunity for the region’s triathlon community to get involved with a world-class event on their doorstep.
Across the weekend in June, swim, bike and run will take over the City of Leeds, starting on Saturday when Roundhay Park will become a hive of activity for first-time triers. Come Sunday and races will travel into the heart of the city, featuring both amateur triathletes looking to achieve their personal goals, and global triathlon heroes going head-to-head in the fourth round of the international series.
Wayne Coyle, AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds Event Director, added:
“With the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds coming into its fourth year, we wanted to offer the triathletes of Yorkshire, who have proudly supported the event year in year out, their very own championships that they can take pride in competing in.
“I look forward to seeing local athletes embrace the opportunity in June and adding another layer of prestige to an already fantastic event for the city.”
Sam Dickinson, Leeds-based elite triathlete, said:
“The club rivalries at the Yorkshire Championships will be fierce, and I think there is nothing more important in helping raise the standard of competition than to have some rivalries.
“Yorkshire – the event is calling on you to prove that we have some of the best athletes in the country. These Championships will help to do just that.”
Mark Summerson, Triathlon England – Yorkshire Regional Chair, added:
“The AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds has been a hugely popular event every year so far, with unprecedented crowds supporting all competitors from novices through to age-groupers and elites, with a special welcome always reserved for the Yorkshire contingent amongst the pros.
“Adding a Yorkshire Championships to the schedule is the icing on the cake for the region and I can’t wait to see athletes slugging it out for the Yorkshire podium for the first time.”
The Yorkshire Championships will take place on Sunday 9 June over the standard distance course, seeing participants swim two laps within Waterloo Lake to cover the 1500m distance, before completing a 36.2km bike ride into the city and returning to Roundhay park. Once bikes are racked, the course takes athletes 10km by foot into the city centre where crowds will be lining the streets to cheer you to the finish.
Anyone living in the Yorkshire region, plus those who belong to a Yorkshire-based triathlon club are eligible to compete for a 2019 Yorkshire Championships title, with prizes being awarded to the top three men and women overall. In accordance with the British Triathlon Competition Rules, those taking part in the British Standard Distance Triathlon Championships at the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds will not be eligible to also compete for a Yorkshire Championship title.
Participants must select the Yorkshire Championships wave on entry at leeds.triathlon.org. Already entered? Simply edit your registration and select the Yorkshire Championship wave to be in the chance of getting on the podium.
For more information on the Yorkshire Championships and to book your spot, please visit Leeds.triathlon.org/yorkshire
