Leeds to host ITU World Triathlon Series race in June 2016

Less than a month after Leeds was officially announced as the host the 2016 International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Triathlon Series race, the dates for the prestigious sporting event have been confirmed.

The ITU has unveiled that the world’s best triathletes, including Yorkshire’s own Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, will be competing in the region on 11-12 June 2016.

Featuring as one of eight confirmed races in the ITU World Triathlon Series, Leeds will be broadcast on BBC television, and to a global audience.

The event would see Olympic-distance elite men’s and women’s triathlon races start with a 1500m swim in Roundhay Park, before taking on a 40km bike route into the city centre where they would complete a number of circuits, and then finish with a 10km run through Leeds in front of possible crowds of up to 40,000 spectators.

Leeds won the race to replace World Triathlon London as London’s Hyde Park is set to undergo construction work in 2016 for the build of a cycling ‘super-highway’ through the city.

Hyde Park has hosted a major triathlon every year since 2009. This year’s event, on 30-31 May featured as part of UK Sport’s National Lottery funded #EveryRoadtoRio events series, attracted 1.2 million viewers for the live BBC broadcast.

Commenting on the race coming to his hometown, Alistair Brownlee said: “Triathlon has come from a sport that hardly anyone knew about, to in 2016 there being a World Series race in my home city of Leeds.

“In Leeds the entire city is going to be behind the triathlon. It’s going to be the major event of the summer, and I think the whole city will get behind it. Hopefully hundreds of thousands of people are going to come out to support the sport.”

Jonathan Brownlee added: “Having a World Series race right here at home is amazing, and it’s just a year away. This will be a really big part of our Olympic build up, and what a send off it will be to be cheered along by thousands of home fans before we go.”

As well as cheering, the general public will have the opportunity to take part in the event through competing and volunteering. A range of competition opportunities are planned for all levels, from beginner to amateur world champions.

Councillor Judith Blake, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “As could be seen from watching the coverage of the races in London recently, there is already a real excitement about the World Triathlon Series coming to Leeds next year so we cannot wait for June 2016 to come around.

“As our leading Leeds-based triathletes Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee, Non Stanford and Vicky Holland have all said, there is a huge appetite for watching world-class sport in our city and the Yorkshire region, and like the Tour de France this event will be something everyone can get involved with, watch and support.

“Lots of ideas are already coming in for the supporting cultural programme, while the chance to volunteer or take part in the mass-participation races mean there will be something for everyone, so this is shaping up to be another fantastic event to showcase our city and region to the watching world.”