Organised by Channel Rotary Club Folkestone, The Channel Triathlon will take place on Sunday 5 September 2021 and will include a GO TRI for first-timers and beginners.
Starting with a sea swim from Sunny Sands Beach, participants will transition onto the bike course which will take them inland for a ride through Kent’s countryside before returning to transition. The final leg of the event will see entrants run along Folkestone seafront and back to the finish on the harbourside.
Last year’s event saw £11,500 raised for charities in the local area including Shepway Sports Trust and Folkestone Rescue, as well as for national mental health charity Mind. This year will see money raised through the event supporting charities such as The Celia Blakey Centre for Cancer Care.
The event is organised by Channel Rotary Club Folkestone who have been raising money locally since 1980, with 2021 the fourth triathlon that the group have run.
Joe Sullivan, Event Director of The Channel Triathlon, said: “The Channel Triathlon, in its 4th year, has been a major fundraiser for Channel Rotary. Covid caused many new areas of need but in a difficult year we were able to distribute £25k in our community.”
Forming part of the schedule for the first time is GO TRI The Channel Triathlon which is specifically tailored for beginners with a shorter distance and reduced entry cost.
GO TRI is British Triathlon’s introductory programme for triathlon and multisport, with GO TRI The Channel Triathlon comprising a 250m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run and entry for £16.40 including the booking fee.
Including this as part of the existing event schedule will provide participants with the opportunity give swim, bike, run a go and experience the atmosphere of a larger event, with experienced triathletes taking part at other times during the morning.
Speaking about the inclusion of the beginner-focussed race, Sullivan said: “On September 5th we include a GO TRI. A 250 metres sea swim protected by the Harbour Arm. A slightly testing outward 10k bike but the 2.5k run is flat and picturesque in the Coastal Park. A nice challenge supported by enthusiastic marshals.
“The tri has tremendous support of County, District and Town Councils, the community; local businesses too, especially the new Harbour Arm where the tri is based and you can enjoy a celebratory pint afterwards.
“We also encourage team relays for the sprint and standard triathlons. Another fabulous way to enter the tri world.”
There are multiple opportunities to get involved with the event which include sprint, standard and relay triathlon, as well as a sprint and standard aquabike and open water swim. Similarly to in 2020, the event will follow British Triathlon guidance on being Covid-Secure.
For more information about The Channel Triathlon including the GO TRI, please click here.
British Triathlon permitted events have met the required safety standard in their planning, as well as demonstrated that they will be run in a Covid-Secure manner according to British Triathlon guidance. You can find permitted events locally and nationally by using the event search below.
