World class Llandudno triathlon to attract thousands

Sep 4 2008 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

AN EVENT which will bring Olympic standard athletes to Llandudno and give the tourism industry a shot in the arm is planned for next summer.

Around 1,000 competitors and thousands of spectators are expected at the Llandudno/Conwy Triathlon, the first of its kind ever staged in North Wales.

What makes it unique is that the swimming will be in the sea off the North Shore, and organisers are predicting it will attract British squad team members, including Olympic 2012 competitors.

“Since this year’s Olympics there’s been fantastic interest and the sport is the fastest growing in the UK. This will be the first sea-based triathlon in the north of the country and will be a top class event,” said Simon Hill of organisers Xtra Mile Events.

“It would attract a large number of spectators to the town, many of whom will be impressed by the spectacular setting.”

He said Llandudno is the ideal location for the event because of its Blue Flag beaches, beautiful scenery and the variety of terrain.

“This is one of the most fantastic and beautiful towns in the UK and it has all the ingredients to make an incredible event. The 1,500 metre swim will be in the bay and for this the water quality has to be excellent, and as it’s a Blue Flag beach it meets the criteria.

“The 40k bike ride will consist of four laps round the Great Orme, and the 10k run will be on the promenade. Facilities for spectators to view all three phases of the event will be excellent and there will be a fantastic atmosphere. It will showcase Llandudno as a top class sporting venue,” he added.

July 6 has been pencilled in for the event, but Mr Hill said the company needs the backing of the police, the council highways department and local sports clubs to ensure it can go ahead.

“We’re hoping to get local sporting organisations involved in running the event and in return we will make a donation to them,” said Simon.

Brian Bertola, chairman of the town council’s tourism committee, said: “I welcome this, it will put the town on the map for sport of a high standard and we will support it in every way we can.”

Find coverage of last weekend’s Llanrwst Triathlon on pages 19 and 70