With the event postponed until 2021, the organisers have launched a virtual duathlon challenge that will take place in July.

Registration is now open, and participants in the challenge will have a choice of distances to sign up to before completing their distance on foot and by bike from 20-26 July 2020.

This is the first time the local organising committee have created a virtual challenge, giving participants the opportunity to take part from home whilst still feeling connected to other participants.

Participants will be able to take part in either a standard, sprint or GO TRI distance challenge during the week. Times will be tracked on Strava, with the time needed to complete both the run and bike distances combined for an overall time.

A virtual leaderboard will be created for each distance with the overall times, and participants will be able to filter by age group and gender to see how they compare within their distance.

Everyone who completes the challenge will receive a bespoke medal, as well as a certificate to celebrate their achievement.

For more information about the challenge and to sign up, click here https://www.festivaloftriathlon.co.uk/

Leeds Cares are the Official Charity of AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds 2020 and participants in the challenge will have the opportunity to donate to the charity, helping to support them in their work with NHS hospitals across Leeds.

Wayne Coyle, Event Director AJ Bell World Triathlon Leeds, said: “I’m so excited that we’re able to launch this virtual challenge following the disappointment of having to postpone this year’s event.

“With a range of distances on offer, this challenge promises to be as open and accessible as the main event, whilst allowing participants to take part from wherever they are in the world during lockdown.”