Posted: July 21, 2004

Triathlon: Jane Tomlinson And Family To Compete At The Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup

Inspirational fundraiser and athlete faces the ultimate challenge with the support of her family at the Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup

Following the triumph of her epic 'Rome to Home' cycle challenge, terminally-ill cancer sufferer Jane Tomlinson will be joining forces with her family as they enter the 'People's Race' at the 2004 Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup. This will be one of the last events she will compete in before retiring from her amazing history of sporting achievements and physical challenges.

Jane (40) is a mother of three, whose fundraising achievements were recognised by the Queen with a birthday honours list MBE. She will be joining 1000 athletes on the starting line alongside her daughters Rebecca and Suzanne, racing over the stunning Salford Quays course, made famous by the Commonwealth Games Triathlon and the inaugural ITU World Cup Triathlon in 2003.

Jane has been living with a terminal diagnosis since 2000 when her breast cancer returned after a ten year respite. Jane has truly pushed herself to the limit and, despite constant pain, has completed many leading UK marathons and triathlons, a tandem cycle ride the length of Britain from John O'Groats to Land's End and most recently an epic tandem cycle ride from 'ROME to HOME' (in Leeds).

Jane, who still works is hoping to push her fundraising target beyond £1 million this year as she competes in events across Europe. Jane admits, "In a quest to publicise the work of and raise funds for key charities across the UK, the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, either together with a triathlon or as individual disciplines, have taken me across Europe and raised over £500,000 to date. I am looking forward a great weekend with the family and taking the children around the course ... although I'm sure it will be the other way around with them pushing me through to the finish."

The Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup swim-bike-run race is one of the UK's top international sporting events and the only World Cup Triathlon held in the UK. The event will see 150 of the world's elite triathletes go head to head just weeks before the Olympic Games in Athens. Event organisers are hoping to top last year's event, which drew a crowd of 40,000 who turned out to cheer on the athletes in England's Northwest, the home of world class triathlon in the UK.

John Lunt, Race Director of the Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup comments, "Jane has an amazing story to tell and it is our pleasure to provide Jane and her family with the chance to pull together their collective enthusiasm and experience into one of the biggest and best events on the triathlon circuit."

John Shanley, Chief Executive for SPARKS (Sport Aiding Medical Research for Kids), one of Jane's chosen charities, said: "Jane is probably the most inspirational woman in Britain today. Apart from her remarkable sporting achievements, it's humbling to think she's still working for the NHS as a paediatric radiographer, a career that gives her an insight into the kind of groundbreaking medical research SPARKS funds for babies and children. All this while undergoing debilitating medical treatment herself, training intensely for events like the World Cup and raising her family. All of us who know Jane can only marvel at her energy, her passion and her sheer determination."

Jane has set up her own appeal, appropriately called Jane's Appeal, which has already raised over £800,000. The funds raised go to her four favoured charities-SPARKS, Macmillan Cancer Relief, Hannah House care home and The Paediatric Acute Services at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust.

To support Jane's Appeal, visit www.janesappeal.com and to enter or find out more about the Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup call 0161 848 8601 or visit www.trisalford.info.

Sponsor messages:
Countryside Properties, the North West's fastest growing developer of sustainable communities and urban and rural regeneration, has announced its continued sponsorship of The Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup this July. www.countryside-properties.com.

The Northwest Development Agency (NWDA) is responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and has 5 key priorities: Business Development, Regeneration, Skills & Employment, Infrastructure and Image. www.nwda.co.uk.

Rocco Forte Hotels: a collection of stylish luxury hotels with individual designs ranging from traditional to contemporary and reflecting each hotel's location. The brand also guarantees good locations, comfortable accommodation, hi-tech conference facilities, exemplary cuisine, the latest in-room technology, friendly service, attention to detail, and health and fitness facilities. www.roccofortehotels.com.

The Lowry Hotel: With cutting edge design, stunning architecture and 165 contemporary air-conditioned bedrooms and suites, including the presidential suite, the North West Hotel of the year the five star Lowry Hotel provides a sophisticated riverside base for your visit to Manchester. www.roccofortehotels.com.

The £900 million Trafford Centre, in Manchester is one of the most successful shopping and leisure destinations in the UK. It attracted 27 million visitors throughout 2002 and is home to 280 stores, a UCI cinema - the busiest in the UK and one of the largest food courts in Europe known as The Orient. The Centre's owner and developer Peel Holdings PLC has also donated the use of Dock 9 for the swimming element of the Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup www.traffordcentre.co.uk.

Key 103, the official radio station of the Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup, is Manchester's most listened to radio station with big characters like Steve Penk and Justin Moorhouse, playing the best variety of music in Rock, Pop, Dance and RnB. It's also the home of some of Manchester's most in demand dance DJ's including Graeme Park and Flip & Fill.

The Manchester Evening News is proud to be the official newspaper sponsor of the Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup 2004

The ITU is the sole worldwide governing body of the Countryside Properties Salford Triathlon ITU World Cup and the sport of triathlon