| Watch over 50 IAAF Events Live and On-Demand at WCSN.com |
A new UK triathlon event designed specifically for corporate teams was launched today with the aim at raising funds to support up-and-coming young talent in sport through the charity SportsAid.
The SportsAid Corporate Triathlon Challenge, a unique executive sporting challenge open to corporate teams of three, will take place on July 2nd 2008 in the stately surrounds of Ragley Hall in Alcester, the home of the Marquess and Marchioness of Hertford. Full details have been published on the event website – www.sportsaidtriathlon.com.
SportsAid is the charity for sports people, helping the next generation of Great Britain’s young sportsmen and women to succeed. The charity supports on average 1500 athletes, both disabled and able-bodied, each year. SportsAid is the first organisation that says “Yes” to talented young athletes offering help at the start of their journey, when, more often than not, mum and dad are the solitary sponsor. At this stage, independent recognition and financial assistance make a huge difference.
Some of Great Britain’s best known names in sport received their first support from SportsAid including Sir Matthew Pinsent, Paula Radcliffe, Sir Steve Redgrave, Dame Kelly Holmes, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Amir Khan, Sharron Davies, and Ben Ainslie.
SportsAid currently supports some of Great Britain’s emerging young triathlon talent including 14 year-old Camilla Freeman whose older brother Ollie is a prospective Beijing Olympic triathlete and whose sister, Henrietta, was European Junior Champion. The charity is also supporting ten members of Great Britain’s newly formed squad of triathletes with a disability preparing for the World Triathlon Championships in Vancouver.
Triathletes also feature in SportsAid’s alumni. 2006 World Student Games Champion, Harry Wiltshire, received support from the charity, as did Abbie Thorrington, who represented the Great Britain Senior Team at last year’s European Championships.
The SportsAid Corporate Triathlon Challenge is a sprint triathlon event consisting of a 750m open water swim, a 20 km cycle and a 5 km run. Corporate teams can contest either the team race, where all three team members complete the full triathlon course, or the team relay race, where each member of the team completes one of the three triathlon disciplines. The swim and run will take place within the grounds of Ragley Hall, the cycle on quiet well-marshalled public roads around the estate.
The SportsAid Corporate Triathlon Challenge is more than a sporting challenge though. After taking part in the challenge, participants will enjoy a post-race buffet meal in the Great Hall, where they will be able to network with other businesses, enjoy Ragley Hall’s outstanding cuisine and listen to celebrity guest speakers from sport and business.
The idea of holding a corporate event in aid of SportsAid came from former British Triathlon Federation Chief Executive, Norman Brook. Brook stated “There are many individuals taking part in triathlons up and down the country to raise funds for charity. It seemed logical that we should have an event that supported the charity which is supporting our emerging talent in triathlon and other sports.”
The event will be directed by Ian Lole of Triangle Event Solutions, who is one of the top event organisers in the UK. Support for the challenge has already been forthcoming from the Royal Life Saving Society, 2XU Wetsuits, Finish Line Event Solutions, and Race Timing Systems. Triathlon England and the British Triathlon Federation support the relationship between the Corporate Challenge Triathlon and Sportsaid and hope that the sport of Triathlon can be used as a vehicle to raise money for young sports people.
Tim Lawler, Chief Executive of SportsAid said today "SportsAid is very pleased to be involved with this exciting new event. Triathlon has great appeal as such a dynamic sport and SportsAid increasingly has great support from the commercial sector, so hopefully it’s a perfect mix. The funds raised will make a real difference to talented young sports people at such a key time for British sport."
Jem Lawson, Chair of the Board of Triathlon England said: “I am delighted that this Corporate Challenge Triathlon will help developing talent in triathlon and other sports. Triathlon England has recently been able to put extra coaching resources into the 9 English regions. The structure is in place to identify and develop talent. Donations to Sportsaid will enable that organisation to continue to help young athletes.”
About SportsAid
SportsAid is the charity for sports people - we help the next generation of British sporting talent to succeed. For 30 years we've worked directly with the National Governing Bodies of Sport. Supporting SportsAid will ensure the right talent is helped at the right time.
Know someone else who's interested in running and triathlon?
