In an important Olympic sporting year for Northern Ireland, a new triathlon has been launched which will see 300 competitors swim, cycle and run their way around Belfast on Sunday July 1st.
The INTERSPORT Belfast Titanic Triathlon will take place in the heart of the city and is hoping to attract both novices and experienced athletes, with two different race distances catering for varying levels of fitness.
Organised by a number of Belfast triathlon and running clubs, the event is part of the Titanic Belfast Festival and was developed due to the surge in the popularity of this fast growing sport. The race will also test the proposed course for the prestigious 2013 World Police and Fire Games.
The Triathlon Ireland sanctioned event takes place in sheltered open water within Belfast Harbour, on a flat and very fast cycle route and finishes with a multi-lap run along some of Belfast’s major city centre thoroughfares.
Competitors will travel through the heart of the city, around Custom House Square, Harbour Estate and City Centre, passing a number of historic sites and visitor attractions.
Belfast City Council is hoping to grow the race to become a permanent fixture on the city’s sporting calendar.
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall Ó Donnghaile, said: “It is fantastic to see a new sporting event on the calendar in such a momentous year for our city. The Belfast Titanic Triathlon will give people a chance to experience sport in the heart of the city as well as allowing us to showcase Belfast – and all that it has to offer – to visiting competitors and their supporters.”
Race organiser Stuart Kennedy said, “Triathlon is a core Olympic sport which will feature prominently in London this summer, hopefully with two of our local elite athletes competing. As one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK and Ireland, we wanted to give everyone in Belfast and beyond the opportunity to get involved in an event in the heart of the city.
“Sports tourism has also grown rapidly in recent years with people travelling to participate in city centre events, so this will hopefully provide another great reason for visitors to experience Northern Ireland in 2012,” he continued.
“Places on the inaugural Belfast Titanic Triathlon are limited to 300 and there has already been incredible interest in the event so get your spot booked quickly to avoid disappointment,” Stuart added.
Tom Foley, General Manager of title sponsor INTERSPORT, said, “We recognise the growing popularity of the triathlon and are delighted to be supporting the INTERSPORT Belfast Titanic Triathlon. We’re hoping to encourage people of all abilities to come from near and far to take part in what will be a historic sporting event and a new highlight on Northern Ireland’s sporting calendar. It is an ideal opportunity to bring sport to the people.”
The event is supported by Belfast City Council and SportNI. In addition to INTERSPORT, the race has partnered with major local retailer SS Moore as official kit suppliers and received support from McConvey Cycles, training provider Springvale Learning and international swimwear brand Aqua Sphere.
This event is not just for the elite with many first-timers signed up to experience a challenging triathlon. To find out more information about the race and to register for the event visit www.belfasttitanictriathlon.com.