60 young triathletes have been selected to compete in Triathlon at the 2018 School Games National Finals.
2018 School Games is a national multi-sport event for the UK’s most talented school-age athletes taking place at Loughborough University from 30 August to 2 September.
Over 1,400 athletes will compete across 11 sports at the School Games, five of which include disability disciplines. This year the School Games has introduced four new sports (Canoeing & Rowing, Laser Run, Netball and Triathlon). The event will give many young people, across a variety of different sports, an experience of high-level competition in a multi-sport environment similar to an Olympic or Paralympic Games.
Triathlon makes its debut at this year's School Games and promises to be a special inclusion in the competition schedule; paratriathlon will also be making its debut in 2018 as part of the wider triathlon programme.
Getting underway on Thursday 30 August with an Aquathlon, which takes a pool swim followed by run format, the first winners will be crowned after a heats and final competition. Friday will see a day of action at the nearby Prestwold Racing Circuit, starting with a bike skills test, completed individually in the fastest possible time. Later in the day the athletes will contest a circuit race, with competitors starting by running into T1 and collecting their bikes, completing the bike circuit, followed by T2 and a short run to the finish line. The final day of action is back at Loughborough University and is a now widely adopted and super exciting Mixed Team Relay, the perfect conclusion to three days of action.
The 2018 School Games squads have been announced and can be seen on the event website here.
At the event, the UK’s brightest young athletes will experience the excitement of competing at the highest level, living in a dedicated Athletes’ Village on the Loughborough University campus, taking part in a School Games ceremony and performing in front of huge crowds of spectators.
“The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes,” says Ali Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sport Trust. “Competitors get a real taste of what it’s like to be part of a world-class sporting event at the amazing sporting venues of Loughborough University, and the event is a great way to see our future sporting champions in action today.”
The 2018 School Games is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and Home Country Sports Councils and is delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.
Tickets for the event are available now, at www.schoolgamesfinals.org/buy-tickets/
