'Lord Mayor’s Loiners’ to take on Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds challenge

New Leeds Lord Mayor Cllr Jane Dowson will lead a civic team later this week in an exciting triathlon city challenge.

Forming part of the Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds event which is taking place in the city on 10 and 11 June, the Lord Mayor will be joined by fellow councillors John Illingworth and Fiona Venner when they compete as the ‘Lord Mayor’s Loiners’ in Sunday morning’s relay sprint distance group. As part of this category, team members each take on one of the disciplines that make up a triathlon; swimming; cycling; running.

Beginning the 750m swim element of the race at Roundhay Park Lake will be the Lord Mayor, who will then hand over to Cllr Illingworth as he begins a18.9km ride on the streets of Leeds. Once completed, Cllr Venner will then cross the iconic blue carpet of the finishing line on Millennium Square following a 7.5km run around the city centre.

Sunday 11 June, will also mark the beginning of the men and women’s elite races, which will feature triathlon’s Rio Olympic heroes Alistair Brownlee, Jonny Brownlee and Vicky Holland. Last year a crowd of over 80,000 watched brothers Alistair and Jonny who both hail from Leeds, take first and second spots respectively in the men’s race. With a packed programme of activities taking place at Roundhay Park over the weekend and in the city centre on the Sunday, Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds is an event not to be missed.

To find out more information around the weekend and schedule, please see: please visit http://leeds.triathlon.org

Lord Mayor of Leeds Councillor Jane Dowson, said:

“The first Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds event was a truly unforgettable occasion in the city, and I was determined on becoming Lord Mayor to find a way in which to compete in this year’s event.

“The sprint relay is a great way in which to take on one of triathlon’s three disciplines with friends, and I would like to thank both John and Fiona for agreeing to be part of the ‘Lord Mayor’s Loiners’ team.

“I will be starting the first leg of the relay as part of the swim in Roundhay Park Lake and cannot wait to get started, even if the water might be a little bit colder than what I’m used to! The make-up of our team also shows that it doesn’t matter what size, shape or age you are- this is a sport for everyone.

“The weekend is the perfect day out for all the family, and with our very own Brownlee brothers competing on the Sunday and of course Vicky Holland, don’t miss out on your chance to cheer on some of the world’s greatest triathletes right here in Leeds.”

For  views of the action and famous Blue Carpet finish, a limited number of tickets are still available for the grandstand in Millennium Square http://leeds.triathlon.org/spectators/grandstand_tickets/

Best free places to watch – Roundhay Park, The Headrow and Briggate. More details at http://leeds.triathlon.org/spectators/where_to_watch/

Full details of road closures and changes to public transport over the weekend are available at http://leeds.triathlon.org/event_info/local_information/

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact;

Colin Dickinson

Leeds City Council press office (0113) 39 51578

Email: colin.dickinson@leeds.gov.uk