This weekend, Leeds will become the centre of the world of triathlon as elite paratriathletes and triathletes are joined by thousands of participants in Roundhay Park for the fifth edition of the event.
This festival of triathlon will be like none of the other four as, for the first time, the world’s best paratriathletes will be part of the weekend with AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Para Series Leeds Presented by Volvo on Saturday 5 June.
The World Triathlon Para Series racing is the first part of an elite double-header, with World Triathlon Championship Series rounding off the weekend on Sunday afternoon.
Taking place in front of a limited number of spectators, the event will see the highest level of paratriathlon and triathlon racing take place in and around Roundhay Park, providing those in the park and those at home with the chance to watch some top racing.
The Para Series action will be broadcast live on BBC Sport Online from 15:30 – 17:30 on Saturday 5 June, with the Championship Series racing shown live on BBC2 from 13:00-18:00.
Both races are within World Triathlon’s qualification window for the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, meaning that athletes will be competing for gold at the weekend but also for their chance to represent their country this summer.
Dave Ellis, British paratriathlete and winner of the 2019 Groupe Copley World Paratriathlon Series Montreal, said: "It's brilliant to have a World Triathlon Para Series race in the UK for the first time, plus being at the iconic Leeds race makes it even more special. Really looking forward to a great weekend of racing!"
Liv Mathias, who came second at the U23 World Championships in 2019 and will be making her debut in Leeds this year, said: “I’m so excited to race! I’ve been in the crowd cheering for the last 4 years, it’s crazy that I’m going to be racing this year.”
You can view the start list for AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Para Series Leeds Presented by Volvo here and AJ Bell 2021 World Triathlon Championship Series here.
With elite racing in the afternoon on both days, the mornings will be busy with amateur athletes racing, providing the opportunity to compete on the same course as their heroes and conquer their swim, bike, run challenges.
Saturday morning will see TriStar, Youth, open sprint, GO TRI and aquathlon racing, whilst Sunday will see standard distance action across the venue.
British Triathlon Home Nation members who have registered for the age group waves will be able to try and qualify for the Great Britain Age-Group Team and challenge to become national champion. Whilst Yorkshire-based participants racing in the Yorkshire Championships will be seeking to leave with local bragging rights in addition to the open race.
You can keep up to date with the event by following on Facebook and Twitter and find out more by visiting www.festivaloftriathlon.org.
