8,500 triathletes will take their position under starter’s orders in Hyde Park, London next month at the PruHealth World Triathlon Grand Final from 11-15 September.
The event, which will see the world’s top athletes, including Olympic Champion Alistair Brownlee competing for the world championship title, has more nations represented than ever before.
Nearly 5,000 overseas athletes representing 83 nations will travel to London to compete against 3,500 Brits as part of a number of World Championship races. They will be joined by athletes, some of whom have never done a triathlon before, competing in a mass participation race on Saturday 14 September.
Olympic gold medallist Alistair Brownlee and his younger brother, Jonathan, the reigning World Champion will race for the Elite Men’s title. They will be competing against the best triathletes from around the world including Javier Gomez, (Spain) Mario Mola (Spain) Richard Murray (South Africa) and Joao Silva (Portugal).
The women’s elite event will see Anne Haug (Germany) Jodie Stimpson (UK), Gwen Jorgensen (USA), Non Stanford (UK) battle it out to take the title.
The finals will also be a fantastic opportunity for paratriathletes to race in a major event as they prepare for their first paralympic triathlon on the road to the Rio Games in 2016.
The huge festival of sport, which forms part of UK Sport’s Gold Event Series aiming to bring 70 of the world’s most prestigious sporting events to the UK, doesn’t stop with the boundaries of Hyde Park though as Trafalgar Square will be transformed into a triathlon ‘live site’. Visitors to “Triathlon Square” will be able to try out all elements of one of the fastest growing sports in the UK. From swimming in the endless pool that will be in situ for the week of the event, to cycling on a static bike to running on a treadmill. There will also be a specially designed triathlon competition for children.
“We are thrilled by the huge turnout in London, as the record number of nations represented demonstrates a marked growth in our sport worldwide,” said ITU President and IOC Member Marisol Casado. “The athletes are also in for a special treat, as they’ll get to compete on much the same course as the 2012 Olympians.”
Iain Edmondson, Head of Major Events at London and Partners, the Mayor’s official promotional organisation said: “It will be fantastic to see so many professional and amateur athletes coming to London to take part in the triathlon finals. With competitors from over 80 nations taking to the streets of London over five days this event has a truly worldwide flavour boasting the largest number of international participants for any mass-participation event held in the capital.
“There’s an amazing amount for spectators to see and do whether it’s lining the route to cheer on the greats or visiting the live site at Trafalgar Square with a global audience in excess of 25 million watching from home. We want people to come along, soak up the atmosphere and watch some superb athletes in action.
“Hosting the event represents another big sporting win for London demonstrating our commitment to deliver a legacy for Major Events from both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
