Parc Bryn Bach to host World Class Triathlon

Parc Bryn Bach has once again been chosen to host the standard distance event of the Corus Elite Series, which will see top triathletes from across the world descend on the Welsh Valleys on Saturday 26 July.

In its second year, the elite triathlon competition will play an important role in the preparation of the British triathletes competing at the Beijing Olympic Games next month, as this will be the last event before the Team GB squad, which includes World Champion Helen Tucker from Bridgend, depart for the Games.

The event, which doubles as the British Elite Championships, will also provide an opportunity for developing talent to gain vital experience against the world’s best triathletes on home soil. International competitors include Africa Continental Champion; Mari Rabie from South Africa, Beijing bound Bermudan, Flora Duffy and Portuguese Under 23 star Joao Silva.

Parc Bryn Bach, owned and managed by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, is now regularly used for this type of event due to its perfect environment and excellent onsite facilities. Bryn Bach Lake, running through the centre of the park, will be used for the circular two lap1500m swim. The triathletes will then saddle up for an exciting 40km bike leg on the park’s closed road cycle circuit before finishing the course with a flat five lap 10km run around the perimeter of the lake. The standard distance is the same length as that which will be contested in Beijing this summer at the Olympic Games.

Many of last year’s competitors described the bike course as a very technical route with a steep climb followed by an extremely fast decent where some triathletes reached speeds of up to 40 mph.

Tim Don, 2006 World Champion and last year’s Parc Bryn Bach Corus Elite Triathlon Champion said:

“Bring a world cup triathlon to Parc Bryn Bach; this place is such a great race set in a superb location. The bike course is fantastic. There should be more courses like this – it is great for the sport.”

President of the British Triathlon Federation and former elite triathlete, Sarah Springman, said:

"This will be a fantastic opportunity for developing athletes to gain experience of high quality elite racing for future major championships, especially to race against the likes of World Champion Helen Tucker and the other Team GB athletes, who will be jetting off to Korea to prepare for the Beijing Olympic Games immediately after this race! Parc Bryn Bach is an excellent venue for triathlon racing and I am looking forward to another challenging and extremely competitive race in the beautiful Welsh hills.”

Chairman of Corus, Jim Leng, said:

“Through our sponsorship of British Triathlon we look to support elite racing whilst delivering the sport of triathlon to the community who will have the chance to experience world class racing right on their doorstep. 2008 marks our second year in our sponsorship of British Triathlon which aims to bring together sport and the world of business, based on our belief that they share many of the same values.  At the same time, our commitment to British Triathlon aims to create success at championships around the world and events like the Corus Elite Series are a positive step towards achieving this ultimate goal.”

Jason Owen, Executive Member for Leisure & Culture at Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council said:
“We are delighted that Parc Bryn Bach has been chosen once again to host the Welsh leg of the 2008 Corus Elite Series. The park has been going from strength to strength with continued investment into its facilities, which demonstrates its capacity to hold world-class events. It has a unique combination of open water, closed road cycling and running routes, which we hope will continually attract future events to the area. The race will enhance the reputation of Wales and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and promote Blaenau Gwent, the Heads of the Valleys region and Wales as an outstanding destination for sport, tourism and economic investment. I also hope it will inspire local people to get fit and physically active.”

The Team GB triathletes competing are:
Helen Tucker, 2008 World Champion
Hollie Avil, 2007 Junior World Champion
Tim Don, 2006 World Champion, 1998 Junior World Champion
Alistair Brownlee, 2008 Under 23 World Champion, 2006 Junior World Champion
Will Clarke, 2006 Under 23 World Champion

This world class event will be recorded and televised on August 10 by Channel 4, and a helicopter will be filming footage of the race for some incredible shots. The event has free entry and everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy the day.

On Saturday 26 July, Parc Bryn Bach will host four races including; Youth Aquathlon – Male 8.45am and Female 8.48am, Junior Aquathlon – Male 9:15am and Female 9.18am, Elite Female Triathlon – 10.45am and Elite Male Triathlon – 1.45pm. 

For further information on the Corus Elite Series race at Parc Bryn Bach, please visit http://www.britishtriathlon.org/