World Class Triathletes Set To Battle It Out In London
Thursday, 3rd August 2006
On 5th and 6th August over 10,000 competitors will take part in the 2006 Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon. As the largest triathlon in the World, London boasts an enviable elite field which will see some of the greatest triathletes from across the globe battle it out for glory on the streets and waterways of our Capital.
Defending champion, Stuart Hayes will race against an international field including Tim Don, Richard Stannard and 2012 Olympic medal hopeful Olly Freeman, as well as a strong Antipodean contingent including Chris McCormack and Olympic Silver medallist Bevan Docherty. Unbeaten so far this season and in her current form Emma Snowsill is tipped to claim victory over the female field which also includes Annaliese Heard, Liz Blatchford, Leanda Cave, Julie Dibens and rising star Henrietta Freeman.
The elites will race on Sunday 6th August for a record event prize fund of US $80,000, the highest ever fund offered at the London Triathlon.
Starting at ExCeL the competitors will embark on a 1500m swim in the Royal Victoria Docks, followed by a 40k bike and 10k run. The bike course takes the competitors through Canary Wharf, along London's embankment and past some of London's most famous landmarks including the London Eye. They will finally turn at the Houses of Parliament. After four laps on the bike the elites will then race for home in a loop around the Royal Victoria Docks, finishing in the ExCel Centre itself. The winners of this year's male and female elite races will automatically secure themselves a place in the 2007 NOOSA Triathlon in Australia.
This year the London Triathlon will also play host to a number of celebrities including former Labour Party Press Secretary, Alistair Campbell, BBC Breakfast presenter Kate Silverton, Celebrity Chef, Jean Christophe Novelli and the famous fundraiser Lloyd Scott, who will complete the swim in a deep sea diving suit, the bike on a penny farthing and tweed jacket, and the run in a full, medieval suit of armour. He is expected to finish in just less than nine hours.
Nick Rusling, Event Director commented: "The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon is a fantastic challenge for thousands of competitors from all walks of life. This year we are very excited about the calibre of the elite field and it is great that international elites are now competing in the event. This year the prize fund has been raised to US$80,000 and we are looking forward to a competitive race."
Source: British Triathlon
More info: http://www.thelondontriathlon.com/