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| 09 Apr 2008 | ||
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Corus, British Triathlon's premier sponsor, is to launch the 2008 Corus Elite Series with the first race taking place at GreenPark in Reading, on 18 May. In its second year, the three race triathlon competition will play an important role in the preparation of British triathletes hoping to compete at the Beijing Olympic Games later this year, as well as providing an opportunity for developing talent to gain vital experience against the World's best triathletes on home soil. With strong medal hopes and recent international success in both the men's and women's fields, the elite events offer an opportunity for a UK audience to experience top level racing, generating excitement across the summer. GreenPark, one the UK's most successful office parks owned by Prudential and managed by PRUPIM, was chosen for its excellent facilities and its location; Reading was the venue of the first British triathlon in 1983. GreenPark is the ideal setting for an elite triathlon as Longwater Lake, running through the centre of the Park, will be used for the swim and the surrounding closed roads for the bike and running legs. The course will challenge the 50 strong men's and women's fields. The 750m swim in Longwater Lake includes a straight swim down the lake consisting of an exciting run out and dive back in at 300m. The 20km cycle leg will take participants out and around the spectator friendly closed roads of the office park before the triathletes transition into a speedy three lap 5km run to race to the finish. The Corus Elite Series race in Reading adds to the portfolio of major events hosted in Reading, and has been given the support of Reading Borough Council and SEEDA, the South East England Development Agency. The event will also play host to a novice event on the morning of the Corus Elite Series to allow local people looking for an opportunity to get involved with the sport to have a go at triathlon themselves. Entry details can be found on the British Triathlon website, www.britishtriathlon.org. President of the British Triathlon Federation and former elite triathlete, Sarah Springman, whose first triathlon was at Kirton's Farm in Reading in 1983, said: "It will be great to see racing in the Corus Elite Series in Reading so close to the acknowledged first British triathlon, some 25 years ago. This will be a fantastic opportunity for developing athletes to gain experience of high quality racing for future major championships, especially to race against those Corus British Triathlon team members who have been winning medals and finishing in the top ten in the recent ITU World Cup events." 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." The Corus Elite Series race in Reading adds to the portfolio of major events hosted in Reading and has been given the support of Reading Borough Council and the South East England Development Agency (SEEDA). The South East has the greatest level of sports participation in the country contributing £640 million to the UK economy. SEEDA will be working with other cultural agencies and key partners to engineer and co-ordinate the South East offer, ensuring opportunities presented by the 2012 Games are maximised for the region as a whole. Paul Gittings, Reading's Assistant Lead Councillor for Culture and Sport, said: "Reading was the birthplace of triathlon in the UK some 25 years ago so it is particularly fitting that we are now hosting such a prestigious international event and we look forward to a long association with the British Triathlon Federation and Corus to build on what will be the undoubted success of this year's race in GreenPark. It will also be a tremendous opportunity for local youngsters to see first hand some of the leading triathletes in the world and hopefully they will be inspired to take up this fantastic sport." Oona Muirhead, SEEDA's Executive Director for Sustainable Prosperity commented: "The Corus Elite Series in Reading forms an integral part of SEEDA's aim of putting the South East on the map as a competitive, professional and desirable destination for hosting major sporting events in the run up to the 2012 Games. As a major investor in the event we are excited to be supporting the England stage of this world class competition which will not only bring an economic boost to the town of Reading, but will also showcase the region internationally." Tim Davis, Business Park Development Director of PRUPIM commented: "A healthy and active way of life is something that we promote at GreenPark so we are delighted to host the 2008 Corus Elite Series and welcome some of Britain's best triathletes who exemplify this lifestyle. We wish all participants the very best." The other two races in the Corus Elite Series will take place in Parc Bryn Bach, Wales and Strathclyde Park, Scotland, on 27th July and 7th September respectively. The Parc Bryn Bach event will provide an opportunity to see the athletes selected to represent Team GB in Beijing, and Strathclyde will showcase any Olympic medal winner's return to race on home soil. Extended highlights of the three races in the Corus Elite Series will be broadcast on Channel 4 as part of a summer series of triathlon programming. For further information on the Corus Elite Series race at Reading, please contact: Pitch PR, Helen Lord | ||
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