A high quality field is all set for the 2016 British Elite Triathlon Championships this weekend as Tri Liverpool is set to host the very best of British Elite, Paratriathlon and Age-Group competition.

Sunday’s Tri Liverpool event, based in the heart of the historic Albert Dock area in Liverpool, hosts one of the marquee events of the 2016 season, the British Triathlon Championships.

Almost 2,000 athletes have been attracted to the fourth edition of Tri Liverpool which will be awarding British Triathlon Championship medals in Elite, Junior, Youth, Paratriathlon and Age-Group (Standard Distance) competition. As well as the best of British, there will also be the first opportunity for many to experience triathlon, courtesy of the Sprint and GO TRI+ Beginner waves.

The Elite races conclude the day at 15:00 (Women) and 16:30 (Men), with both start-lists featuring excellent strength in depth. Racing over the Sprint Distance, close racing and excitement is guaranteed.

The Elite Women’s entry features defending champion Sophie Coldwell. Sophie is an ever-present at this event, finishing fourth, second and first overall over the past three years. Having won the ETU Triathlon U23 European Championship Silver medal already this year, she will want to maintain her excellent record in Liverpool.

Another Liverpool regular in good form is Jess Learmonth. Third overall in the past two editions, the 2016 ETU Sprint Triathlon European Championship Silver medallist comes to Liverpool from a strong second place last weekend at the AJ Bell London Triathlon.

“I’m really looking forward to racing in Liverpool. I’ve raced there a few times before, it’s always a great atmosphere and I love the bike course with its cobbles and technical corners. Liverpool always attracts a decent field and this year is no different with a star-studded start list including some very talented juniors, and the Australian girls continuing their UK tour. Hopefully the weather will be kind to us, as I’ve experienced some tough conditions at Liverpool in the past.”

Sophie and Jessica will likely be looking to form an early breakaway with another super swimmer, Lucy Hall, the London 2012 Olympian, while other top British names expected to feature include 2016 European Champion India Lee, Georgia Taylor-Brown and multiple European Aquathlon Championship medallist, Hannah Kitchen.

The race is also a key selection race for Junior athletes looking to qualify for the Cozumel World Championships in Mexico and so you can expect the likes of ITU Duathlon World Junior Silver medallist Kate Waugh plus the Holten ETU Junior European Cup podium trio of Olivia Matthias, Bronwen Owen and Sian Rainsley to be mixing it with the Senior athletes.

Competition will also come from overseas. Australia’s Charlotte McShane won this event three years ago, and she comes to Liverpool full of confidence after winning the AJ Bell London Triathlon. She heads a small group of top Australian athletes who are regular visitors to the UK.

The Elite Men’s race is equally high quality and wearing race no. 1 is defending champion Morgan Davies. Retaining that title will be a tough challenge. Adam Bowden is perhaps the race favourite, the World Triathlon Series regular currently tenth in the Columbia Threadneedle Rankings, courtesy of a very consistent 2016 season.

Adam is used to racing a couple of brothers, and this time it will be Tom Bishop and David Bishop. Tom narrowly missed out on selection for Rio 2016, while David will arrive in Liverpool full of confidence after his best career result to date, winning the AJ Bell London Triathlon.

Much like the women’s race, the Junior Men are also expected to feature strongly. Sam Dickinson was the first Junior (fifth overall) last year and has since added Silver at the ETU Triathlon Junior European Championships. Simply winning the Junior title will be a huge challenge to, given the presence of Ben Dijkstra and Alex Yee. Ben and Alex won the Gold at the ITU Duathlon Junior World Championships in 2015 and 2016 respectively, and both possess exceptional speed on the run.

There is an Aussie threat in the men’s race too, including Alpe d’Huez Triathlon winner Dan Wilson. Second last week at the AJ Bell London Triathlon, he’ll be aiming to go one better this weekend.

Racing starts in Liverpool at 07:00 with the British Paratriathlon Championships. Among those featured is World Champion Andy Lewis (PT2), plus Rio-bound athletes Joe Townsend (PT1), David Hill (PT4), George Peasgood (PT4), Lauren Steadman (PT4) and Faye McClelland (PT4).

All of the events in Liverpool features multi-lap, closed road racing providing a great course for both athletes and spectators alike. If you are not racing, why not come down and watch the action, which is based by the Echo Arena in the Albert Dock.

Tri Liverpool – Sunday 14 August 2016

Race website: triliverpool.com

Full start lists: triliverpool.com/the-event/start-list

Schedule:

07:00 – British Paratriathlon Championships

08:30 – British Age-Group Standard Distance Championships (first wave)

12:00 – Open Sprint Distance (first wave)

12:30 – GO TRI+ Beginner Distance (first wave)

14:00 – British Youth Triathlon Championships - Male

14:05 – British Youth Triathlon Championships - Female

15:00 – British Elite Triathlon Championships – Female (Senior and Junior)

16:30 – British Elite Triathlon Championships – Male (Senior and Junior)