Race directors and pro triathletes Luke McKenzie and Beth Gerdes are promising a $500,000 prize purse, to be paid 10 deep across both men and women.

Confirmed athletes already include Gwen Jorgensen, Lisa Norden, Tim Don, Ben Hoffman, Leanda Cave, Luke McKenzie, Heather Wurtele, Trevor Wurtele, Rachel Joyce, Leon Griffin, Barrett Brandon, and Lauren Brandon.

Wildcard invitations to the top athletes across distances will be made in the coming months and a full roster will be confirmed by September. Expected invitees include the 2015 Ironman, 70.3, and ITU World Champions. 

The innovative race structure will include individual time trials and races that mix up the traditional order and distances of swim-bike-run. Similar to the cycling model, the Island House Invitational will feature swim, bike, run, and overall classification leader’s jerseys and prizes. 

“I’ve always wanted to create an event similar to the enduro format that excited me so much as a spectator and racer in the 1990’s,” said McKenzie. “After talking with Mark (Holowesko, owner of The Island House hotel), we realised that by working together, we could make it happen in a really amazing way.” 

Gerdes tells 220 that there will be a one-hour television show broadcast internationally after the race, as well as live timing and social media throughout the event. To learn more about the race, visit: www.islandhousetriathlon.com.

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[This article was updated on 6 May to include details of the prize purse]

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>>> Dates confirmed for 2015 World Paratriathlon Events

Joe Townsend goes in the Men’s PT1 race (category definitions below) to open his 2015 international season following shoulder surgery. The 2015 British Paraduathlon Champion will face tough competition from Bill Chaffey, the Australian who is undefeated since 2010, and reigning world bronze medallist Geert Schipper (NED).

In the Men’s PT2 race, Andy Lewis is up against ITU World Paratriathlon Champion, Vasily Egorov (RUS). Lewis started his season well with a win in Buffalo City in March, but Egorov is yet to race internationally this year, so it’s all to play for. 

James Smith goes for Great Britain in the Men’s PT3 event, whilst sole British female, Melissa Reid, tests her fitness in the Women’s PT5 race. She’ll face Spaniard, Susana Rodriguez, who has been a regular international medal winner, including having won the ETU European title last summer. 

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Following the 750m swim, the 21km bike course is famously hilly and technical, forcing athletes to work hard to maintain pace around the three-lap circuit. Being almost totally flat, the 5.2km run course will provide a fast final stage.

Madrid is the third of ten rounds of the ITU World Paratriathlon Event series. The rounds offer ranking points that help qualify starting slots at major Championship events.

However, it is the British Paratriathlon Championships in Llanelli next weekend (16 May) that will decide which British athletes will be allocated British entry slots at events including the ITU World Championships in Chicago in September.

Paratriathlon sport class definitions

PT1 – Wheelchair users. Athletes use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment.

PT2 – Athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athethosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT3 – As above with less severe impairment.

PT5 – total or partial visual impairment competes with a guide.

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(Images: British Triathlon / James Mitchell)

The event consisted of three categories: Novice, Sprint as well as a children’s triathlon, which was open to boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 15.

The children’s event was won by 14-year-old Lucas Lyne who completed the course in an incredible time of 12:55mins. Maephie Lindlahr, 13, was the fastest girl around the course with a time of 14:08mins. 

They and the other children swam 100m in the pool, cycled 2km around the athletics track before running the final kilometre.

For the adults’ event, the Novice competitors had to swim 200m, endure 12km on the bike and then head to finish on foot for the last 2.5km.

The sprinters on the other hand swam 400m in the pool but then cycled 24km and ran the final 5km. 

The Novice category was won by female competitor Danielle Moraviec, 24, who crossed the finish line in a time of 38:23mins. She was closely followed by Matt Dunn, 21, who had a time of 39:55mins.

The Sprint event was won by 2013 champion Alex Fortune in a time of 1:11:27. Alex missed the event last year due to the birth of his second child. Claire Powell was the fastest female in 1:20:10. 

Try Tri Events regular competitor Christopher Stocks, 47, said: “Today was really good, the weather was fantastic. I was a bit worried yesterday as it was a bit wet but it’s nice and dry today. The second hill when you come through Sparsholt on the bike for the second lap, that really hurts. It was ok, but it hurt a lot today.” 

Full results here.

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An open-water event, the organisers say a spring-fed lake guarantees beautifully clear, warm water for first timers finding their comfort zone or seasoned triathletes hunting their new personal best race time.

Local countryside will host a single or double loop bike course depending on chosen distance, sprint or standard. The final leg, the run, takes in lakeside views all the way to the finish line.

“Tallington Lakes is a hidden gem in South Lincolnshire and provides the perfect backdrop for our triathlon,” said race director Jason Randall. “We’re excited to bring this event to the local community and look forward to welcoming triathletes from across the UK on Sunday 5th July.

Sprint triathletes will take on a 750m swim, 24km bike, 5km run – the perfect distance for first timers and novice competitors. The more seasoned triathlete or fitness enthusiast looking to take on a longer distance challenge will conquer a 1,500m swim, 46km cycle and 10km run. Entry fees start at £45.

The event is chip timed and regular water stations are offered throughout the course. On the race village a bike mechanic will be on hand for all competitors along with a sports therapist for a post race massage.

Water-ski, wakeboard, jet-ski and canoe facilities should keep the family entertained. For accommodation, lakeside lodges are available along with 88 camping and caravanning pitches in landscaped surroundings.

For more information and to book your spot head to www.sbrevents.co.uk.

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>>> Gallery: Brownlee Tri North 2014

The pontoon will take swimmers out to the deep water for the start of the Brownlee Tri and also provide a ramp to swim onto for exiting the lake. This year’s course will also offer a new challenge with a refreshed run route. 

Alistair and Jonny Brownlee’s hugely popular triathlon will once again offer Sprint and Super Sprint distances for individuals, and a Sprint and Corporate Challenge relay for teams around the spectacular course. In addition, the Brownlee Tri also boasts a packed entertainment village for competitors and spectators to enjoy.

Swim route details

The swim route has been enhanced with the introduction of a pontoon for swim entry and exit. The out-and-back anticlockwise route has a short loop for the super-sprint and a longer loop for the sprint. Swim onto the ramp to leave the water, before a short run on grass to transition. 

Bike route details

The bike route is completely traffic-free and remains unchanged from 2014. However, transition has been re-positioned so the push to the bike mount line is no longer up-hill! The bike is a scenic anti-clockwise circuit, passing in front of Harewood House and along the same roads as the Tour de France last year. 

It is a challenging and fun route, with some climbs and descents! The route is predominantly all within the Estate grounds and passes through the Deer Park with views across Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside. It is 2 laps for super-sprint and 4 laps for sprint.

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Run route details

The run route is new for 2015 and follows the woodland trails that Alistair and Jonny train on. The off-road sprint route passes alongside the waterfalls of Eccup Beck and within earshot of Emmerdale.

There are gentle climbs and a steeper descent (the opposite of last year!). The super-sprint route passes along trails and grass paths that provide views back to the House, before re-joining the sprint runners for a dramatic finish in front of Harewood House.

To view the full routes and elevation – CLICK HERE

The Browlee Tri 2015 will be held at Harewood House in Leeds on Saturday 26th September 2015 – for more info and to register head to www.brownleetri.com.

(Images: Marc Lucas Photography)

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Eights schools will be taking part on 8 July by inviting 400 kids aged 8-11 to the roadshow, described as a pilot for what could become a national scheme that aims to combine cross curriculum activity and foster wider access to sport. More information on the ‘TriKnights’ project here.

Alison Saunders, Head teacher at St Lawrence primary school (Stone Street) which will be taking part in the day, said: “This is a unique and exciting opportunity for the children to be exposed to a contemporary and popular sport. 

“It is our role to expose children to changing trends in learning and sport and help motivate them to lead a healthy lifestyle. Triathlon broken down is swimming, cycling and running so naturally part of a child’s life, and we hope to use this fun platform as a creative way of delivering the curriculum and benefiting the children.”

The day will see the children’s time split between cultural education and sport. The triathlon section will encompass a lake swim, cycle around the lake and run through the grounds pre-empted and supported by triathlon coaches who have been involved in the Olympic Games (www.thetrilife.co.uk).   

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For more information contact Yvonne Turner at [email protected].

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The morning’s racing started with glorious sunshine at St Mary’s Sports Centre in Calne, Wiltshire; unfortunately this proved to be the calm before the storm as 639 competitors took on the variable weather conditions from stormy to pure sunshine. 

The triathletes who started early managed to escape the worst of the weather with only a few minor puddles to avoid. The triathletes who started later were not as lucky.

Proceedings were brought to a halt when the main thunderstorm hit and race officials made the decision to suspend the racing for 10 minutes. “The flashes of lighting and stair rod rain made the decision easy to stop the race for safety reasons until the storm had passed,” said race director Aaron Ward.

After a short break the racing was back underway as the triathletes took on the 750m pool based swim, 25km bike and 5km run. The weather improved as the elite triathletes took to the course but the road conditions being greasy made for fearless bike handling skills as the elites gambled on the wet and dry sections of the course setting them up for a fast flat 5km run.

As the racing came to a close, Samuel Wade of Cardiff Metropolitan Uni was the quickest across the line in a time of 01:05:18, nearly a minute ahead of Richard Horton 01:06:14 and Chris Perham 01:06:17, both of Loughborough Uni.

It proved to be a clean sweep for Cardiff Metropolitan Uni when Zoe Thomas took the women’s BUCS title in 01:11:43.  In second place was Sophie Coldwell a Loughborough student in the world class performance squad at Loughborough with an overall time of 01:12:32 who lost time on the bike section to Zoe Thomas. 

In third position was Chloe Cook from Leeds Beckett Uni (Carnegie) who had the fastest run split of the day in 18:23 and an overall time of 01:12:47. The fastest female swim split on the day was Kimberley Bell in 09:08. A triathlete to watch out for in the future from Birmingham Uni was Floren Scrafton with an overall position of 12th but with the third fastest female run split of the day with 18:49.

For full results head here.

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Lewis, who is a single leg amputee, had arguably the best race of his career in the PT2 classification (definitions below). Competing in a highly competitive event, he was beaten by the reigning world and European champion, Vasily Egorov (RUS) and Italy’s former world and European champion, Michele Ferrarin.

Reid won bronze in the PT5 classification for visually impaired athletes. She and her guide, Mel King, finished third behind local favourite, Susana Rodriguez (ESP) and Joleen Hakker (NED).

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Joe Townsend faced a tough field in the PT1 event, including multiple champions, Jetze Plat (NED) and Bill Chaffey (AUS). Returning from shoulder surgery earlier, Townsend was characteristically tough on the challenging course.

James Smith finished sixth in the PT3 event to round off the British results.

The British squad was smaller than it might have been due to next weekend’s British Paratriathlon Championships in Llanelli. The results of the South Wales event will decide selections for 2015 major championship events, including the World and European Championships.

Madrid marked the third of ten rounds of the ITU World Paratriathlon Event series. The rounds offer ranking points that help secure starting slots at major Championship events.

Paratriathlon sport class definitions:

PT1 – Wheelchair users. Athletes use a recumbent handcycle on the bike course and a racing wheelchair on the run segment. 

PT2 – Athletes with comparable activity limitation and an impairment of, but not limited to, limb deficiency, hypertonia, ataxia and or athethosis, impaired muscle power or range of movement. In both bike and run segments, amputee athletes may use approved prosthesis or other supportive devices.

PT3 – As above with less severe impairment.

PT5 – total or partial visual impairment competes with a guide.

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(Image: British Triathlon / James Mitchell)

Team manager Chris McCormack says, “We tried to keep it a surprise to the end, but there’s no one else who could be a perfect fit on a team of superstars. He’s the current Ironman World Champion, two times Ironman 70.3 World Champion, Ironman Europe Champion, and the most lethal bike rider in the history of the sport.”

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Kienle believes the Bahrain Endurance 13 is the strongest triathlon team ever, and wants to take part in making it the most successful as well. He states, “It is an honour to be part of this great group of athletes.

“I believe that the members of the team are great role models for others to start to have a more active lifestyle. I think there is great potential in the Middle East. I like the vision behind the team, and sport can do a lot of good things in the world.”

Kienle joins a team that has racked up great results this weekend to support the official launch. Sam Appleton won the Byron Bay Triathlon, while at Ironman 70.3 Mallorca Daniela Ryf scored an overall win and His Highness Shaikh Nasser finished 13th in his age category; both have qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship to be held in Austria.

At the inaugural Ironman 70.3 Vietnam, James Cunnama and Caroline Steffen stood atop the podium, while Terenzo Bozzone went three-for-three with another podium finish from three consecutive weekends of racing.

The Bahrain Endurance 13 Team

Javier Gomez Noya (ESP)
Sam Appleton (AUS)

Jodie Swallow (GBR)
Brent McMahon (CAN)

Luke Bell (AUS)
Caroline Steffen (SUI)

Joe Gambles (AUS)
Jan Frodeno (GER)

Terenzo Bozzone (NZL)
Daniela Ryf (SUI)

Ben Hoffman (USA)
Sebastian Kienle (GER)

James Cunnama (RSA)

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For further information on the team, visit – www.bahrainendurance13.com