British Age-Group Championships announced

Significant changes announced today for the British Age-Group Championship calendar for 2017, with news that the Duathlon and Standard distance events will be hosted at the Bedford Autodrome Duathlon and Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds, respectively.

The loss – after just one year – of the Windsor Duathlon comes as no surprise. Despite what is a potentially stunning venue in Windsor Great Park, a series of factors from the first edition – weather (rain, and it’s impact on parking and transition), logistics and having to stop the event, mid-race, for the Queen (honestly) among others – meant that it wasn’t able to deliver to the levels required in year one.

For Tri Liverpool, the situation is a little different in my opinion. Starting in 2013 (in glorious sunshine), the event has been held in the centre of Liverpool for four years. Having attended and worked on all of them during this time, the 2016 event was in my opinion, the best by far. Is it the end for Tri Liverpool? I asked British Triathlon:

“We can confirm that the 2017 British Standard Distance Triathlon Championships will move from Tri Liverpool to the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds on 11 June 2017.

“Tri Liverpool has hosted the Championships for the past four years and has helped the event become one of the highlights on the triathlon calendar. We would like to thank Liverpool City Council for all their support to develop an event that attracted both newcomers to the sport and provided a showpiece event for the British triathlon community. We are currently working closely with Liverpool City Council to confirm plans for future events and aim to confirm these early in the New Year.”

One thing is certain – British Triathlon are investing a LOT in the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds event, and adding the British Championships only adds further to the need to be able to deliver. And, given the huge shortcomings with the Age-Group event this year, they truly MUST deliver.

In their favour, they are very, VERY aware of this (I know, I’ve spoken to them), plus, a new Race Director is taking control this year who has a very good track record of delivering quality events.

Below is the full press release announcement from British Triathlon.

British Triathlon confirms 2017 Age-Group Major Events Calendar

Today (Monday 28 November) British Triathlon can confirm that Bedford Autodrome Duathlon and Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds are to respectively host the British Duathlon Championships and British Standard Distance Triathlon Championships in 2017.

The events complete the 2017 British Triathlon Age-Group Major Events Calendar, which offers Home Nation members four opportunities to compete for a British Age-Group title across four distances over the coming year.

The British Duathlon Championships are set to kick-off the competitive season on Sunday 9 April, bringing together the best of Britain’s multi-sport talent in a battle for the podium. Nice Tri Events are organisers of the well-established Bedford Autodrome Duathlon, providing a great location for those looking for a fast, closed-road course. The event has also been chosen to host championship races for junior and senior elite duathlon and paraduathlon.

Head of Nice Tri Events, Keith Ritche said:

“It’s fantastic to be hosting such a key event within the British Triathlon Calendar. The Bedford Autodrome is purpose-built for speed and space and ticks all the boxes for delivering an exciting and memorable British Duathlon Championships.”

The British Triathlon Standard Distance Championships will relocate from their previous home at Tri Liverpool to take place within Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds on 10-11 June, showcasing every level of the sport from the world’s best elite performers, to those taking their first steps in the sport.

Jack Buckner, British Triathlon Chief Executive, said:

“After four fantastically memorable years at Tri Liverpool, we have decided to move the British Standard Distance Triathlon Championships to the heartland of the sport in 2017.

“As we prepare to witness the greatest athletes in the world go head-to-head in Leeds next June, what better opportunity to showcase the best of British age-group talent than see them finish on the same iconic blue carpet in Millennium Square.”

British Triathlon Director Major Events, Jon Ridgeon, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to fully confirm the 2017 British Triathlon Age-Group Major Events calendar, offering four fantastic locations for our athletes to compete for British titles at over the coming 12 months.

“Each venue is a brand-new addition to the championship calendar, chosen for its fantastic location and ability to stage a show-stopping event. We believe all four can do just that.”