AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Leeds routes announced

Single site venue for the 2021 AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds

Major changes announced today versus prior years for the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds. For the first time, the swim, T1, T2 and finish line will all be held within Roundhay Park.

Previously a point-to-point affair, with the finish line in the heart of the city at Millenium Square, the home of the UK’s World Triathlon Series race will now start and finish at one of Europe’s largest city parks. As well as allowing the creation of a Covid-19 Secure event area, this should also help simplify some of the hugely complex logistics of this huge event. Alas, Covid has probably added more of those to the organisers!

For the first time all races at AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds will start and finish in Roundhay Park, with all routes reaching the same finish line outside the park’s Mansion House.

With a packed weekend of action on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June, British Triathlon have today released the confirmed routes for all races on offer at the event following last week’s reopening of entries for the 2021 event.

Staging the event in and around the park means that the organisers are able to create a Covid-19 Secure event area within the event perimeter. Following the appropriate government and British Triathlon’s own guidance for event organisers, there will also be social distancing and increased hygiene measures in-place across the event site.

Entries for GO TRI, sprint and standard distance races are now open, with relay options also available for sprint and standard. To secure your place in the park, please visit https://leeds.triathlon.org/2021.

As in all years since the event moved to the city in 2016, participants will swim in Waterloo Lake before making their way to T1 and setting off along the roads and paths in and around the park.

One of Europe’s largest city parks, Roundhay Park and the routes around it provide ample opportunity and challenge to participants of all types as they make their way around the park on their journey towards the Mansion House and achieving their swim, bike, run goal.

Both the bike and run routes will take participants through the park and past landmarks such as the Upper Lake and it’s fountain, the Victorian Shelter and Barrans Fountain before reaching the finish line underneath the grade II listed Mansion House.

It is at this finish line that age group athletes will achieve their times in search of qualification for the Great Britain Age-Group Team, as well as complete their attempt at claiming the crown in the British or Yorkshire Championship in the standard distance, with places available at https://leeds.triathlon.org/2021/standard. 

The area at the foot of the 1820s regency building will be transformed into the finish area that will be the same end goal for all taking part, from GO TRI and TriStar participants at the beginning of their triathlon journey to the World Triathlon Para Series and World Triathlon Championship Series athletes at the top of the sport.

To view the maps for all races taking place over the weekend, please click here https://leeds.triathlon.org/event_information/the_routes.

Wayne Coyle, Event Director for AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Leeds, said: “Roundhay Park has played a major role in the previous editions of the event as the start for all races, and 2021 will enable participants see more of the park with all races now finishing at the same place outside Mansion House.

“Operating a single site means that we’ll be able to make the event Covid-19 Secure within the event area to protect all athletes, volunteers and staff at AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Leeds.

“It’s always an exciting milestone when we release the routes and I’m really excited to be able to share this year’s routes.”

Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s Executive Board Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles, said:

“We are delighted to be hosting the AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Leeds this year, especially as it unfortunately had to be postponed in 2020, and look forward to creating an unforgettable event.

“Roundhay Park is one of Leeds’ best assets, covering more than 700 acres of parkland, lakes and woodland, and will provide a beautiful setting for everyone taking part this summer.”