From participants as young as four to the world’s best triathletes, day one of AJ Bell 2022 World Triathlon Championship Series Leeds had it all.
It’s the sixth time the city has hosted the World Triathlon Championship Series and once again, the international triathlon event brought with it a festival atmosphere to Roundhay Park, attracting thousands of participants of all ages and abilities and spectators who lined the route cheering on the world’s elite.
The performances of Georgia Taylor-Brown and Sophie Coldwell certainly gave the home crowd plenty to cheer as the two Brits won silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the elite women’s race, where Beth Potter and Sian Rainsley also finished in the top-15.
Sadly, the races of Jonny Brownlee and Alex Yee ended prematurely in the men’s elite race after they were both involved in a crash early on the bike and weren’t able to continue. Catch-up on Saturday’s elite action below.
From the world’s best to those just starting out, it was a day that showcased and celebrated the breadth of swim, bike, run.
The Family and Kids Swim Run events certainly brought that to life with families taking part together, including one family with two boys aged four getting involved in swim, bike, run for the first time, alongside their family.
GO TRI was another way for people to start their swim, bike, run journeys and there were hundreds of people participating in the GO TRI waves on Saturday, including many for the first time.
The future stars of swim, bike, run were also on show with TriStar 2, TriStar 3 and Youth events allowing young athletes between the ages of 11-17 to compete against other athletes of a similar age.
Leeds also hosted the latest leg of the British Triathlon Senior Super Series with Jess Fullagar producing a dominant performance to win the senior women’s race, while James Chantler-Mayne also secured maximum points with victory in the senior men’s race.
There’s still one more day of action at AJ Bell 2022 World Triathlon Championship Series Leeds with the British Standard Distance Triathlon Championships, the Yorkshire Standard Distance Championships and the open standard distance races taking place.
The event will conclude with the elite mixed relay for the first time in Leeds where nations from across the world will go head-to-head over the relay format for what promises to be a fantastic spectacle.
