The prestigious ITU World Triathlon Series gets underway for 2019 next weekend in Abu Dhabi, with today (Friday 1 March) marking 100 days until the first of its two UK stops, beginning with the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds.

The Series, seeing the world’s top triathletes swim, bike and run at nine locations across the globe, kicks off in the UAE city on Friday 8 March, marking the start of an important year in terms of Tokyo 2020 Olympic qualification.

The first phase of Games selection for British triathletes takes place in October this year, with emphasis being placed highly on athletes’ performance at both WTS Yokohama in May and the Tokyo Test Event in August. With fierce competition just to get on the start line at either event, the 2019 season is likely to witness some of the finest athletic displays within the sport.

Come 8-9 June and the ITU World Triathlon Series returns to the City of Leeds for the fourth consecutive year, seeing everyone from local triathlon beginners to international stars help spread the sport across Leeds in a two-day multi-sport takeover. One week on and the action moves to the East Midlands, where the Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Nottingham will be brought to life on 15 June. Thousands of amateur triathletes will line up on the same two start lines as their Olympic heroes to take on the iconic event courses. With a choice of distances to suit all participants, both locations cater for those who are challenging for a British title, all the way to those who are putting swim, bike and run together for the first time.

Find out more and book your spot at Leeds.triathlon.org or Nottingham.triathlon.org

Andy Salmon, British Triathlon CEO, said:

“With the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in sight, this season will be packed full of drama and excitement as athletes battle for a place on the start line. However, both the AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds and Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Nottingham will not only showcase the elite stars but shine the spotlight on the thousands of individuals lining up to complete their very own swim, bike, run challenge; no matter what their goals may be.”

Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr Judith Blake said:

“It is extremely exciting that we are now just 100 days away from the start of AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds. To have the opportunity to host this wonderful event for a fourth successive year is a real honour, and we are extremely proud that the atmosphere at AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds is one of the very best in the sport.”

Cllr Dave Trimble, Portfolio holder for Leisure and Localities at Nottingham City Council said:

“It’s so exciting that the ITU World Triathlon Series is about to begin again. Nottingham was proud to be part of the successful 2018 Series, with teams competing and earning points to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The athletes loved it and so did the crowds - we cannot wait to do it all again this June as this city returns to the world triathlon stage for 2019.”

2018 AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds silver medallist, Georgia Taylor-Brown, said:

“Having two ITU World Series races in the UK is amazing both for the British athletes and the thousands of fans that turn out to support us year after year. Personally, having my family in the crowd in Leeds cheering me on to a silver medal last year is something I won’t forget and, with Tokyo 2020 on the horizon, this season is set to be even more exciting.”

Collectively, the two events are set to amass more than 90,000 spectators across the two weekends; gathering together both dedicated fans and those looking to get their first taste of the electric atmosphere. The grandstands at both events put fans at the heart of the action and so whether you take your seat in Leeds for the individual rivalries or watch teamwork at its finest in Nottingham, grab your tickets now at Leeds.triathlon.org or Nottingham.triathlon.org

The AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds is organised by British Triathlon in partnership with AJ Bell, Triathlon England, Leeds City Council, UK Sport, the ITU.

The Accenture World Triathlon Mixed Relay Nottingham is organised by British Triathlon, in partnership with Accenture, Triathlon England, Nottingham City Council, UK Sport, OSB and the ITU.