Shropshire Triathlon is given World Championships Qualifier status for 2014
Once again, the Tri UK Shropshire Triathlon Standard (Olympic) Distance event has been selected by the British Triathlon Federation as one of the three qualifying events for the 2014 International Triathlon Union World Championship. In 2014 the World Championships are due to be held in Edmonton, Canada. The Tri UK Shropshire Triathlon has also been selected as a world championship qualifying event on eight previous occasions.
Previous races have all produced fast times and the ‘Roll of Honour’ includes a ‘who’s who’ of previous winners. They include Andrew Johns, Richard Allen, Marc Jenkins, Steph Forrester and Heather Williams (Jenkins). Probably the most famous though is Chrissie Wellington MBE who, after winning the Tri UK Shropshire Triathlon event in 2006, became World Champion from 2007-2009 and World Ironman Champion from 2007- 2009 and 2011.
The Ellesmere Triathlon Organising Committee and Shropshire Council are pleased to once again support the annual Tri UK Shropshire Triathlon which will take place on Sunday 25 May 2014 in the Cremorne Gardens, Ellesmere. With over 500 entries expected, the Tri UK Shropshire Triathlon will be one of the biggest sporting events held in north Shropshire and will attract large numbers of spectators to this beautiful and atmospheric venue in Ellesmere.
The Organising Committee this week gave thanks to the British Triathlon Federation for this opportunity to once again host this prestigious event which will showcase this superb location and focus the triathlon world on Shropshire.
Les Winwood, Shropshire Council’s deputy Cabinet member for leisure, said:
“Good luck to all the athletes and our deepest thanks to the legions of volunteers who give freely of their time. We welcome spectators, and hope to see as many people as possible in attendance to cheer on the athletes.”
In addition to the normal Standard (Olympic) Distance race, for the first time there will be a shorter sprint event called the Ellesmere Sprint Triathlon.
Alan Penton, an organiser of the event, said:
“The reason for the sprint event is that we have had a slow but steady demand to give a safe entry-level event in the Shropshire area. This new event is aimed at athletes who are not quite ready to go the full Olympic distance, but who would really fancy a go at taking part in a Triathlon. For this reason we intend to provide a quality taster event in a safe environment on the same day. Why not take part yourself?”
The TRI UK Shropshire Triathlon and new Ellesmere Sprint Triathlon are both non-profit making events which raise money for local and national charities. All the local organisations that help to run the event enjoy helping out, and we hope that the 2014 event will once again generate much needed funds for their various causes.
The course details and competitor names will appear on our information website (www.shropshiretri.info) as and when they are finalised. Please remember to bookmark our site and keep visiting.
Online applications will be available from 30 September 2013. shropshire.gov.uk/leisure
