Adventure Tri-Series Unveiled
Over 2,000 competitors from eight countries are expected to participate in The VisitScotland Adventure Tri Series. Scenic locations across Scotland form the backdrop for competitors tackling an open loch swim, rocky mountain bike tracks and rugged trail runs in Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and Falkirk.
Leading Scottish triathletes Catriona Morrison and Fraser Cartmell were on hand in Falkirk this morning to unveil the programme and to call on amateur athletes to join in the first event at Loch Ness on 23 July.
The popularity of last year’s Series has led the international team race to be featured in the 2005 programme.
VisitScotland Director of Marketing, Malcolm Roughead said, "We are delighted to be the title sponsors of the VisitScotland Adventure Tri series and are looking forward to welcoming competitors and spectators alike and working with our partners in Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and Falkirk to ensure the success of all three events.
The VisitScotland Adventure Tri Series will highlight a few of the many stunning parts of our country, showcasing Scotland as a 'must visit' destination for outdoor activities and adventure sports and further underpinning our increasingly successful adventure sports campaign. We are confident that these events will provide a huge boost in getting the message out to outdoor enthusiasts throughout Britain and beyond and show how tourism in Scotland is developing alongside its more traditional elements."
Race organiser, John Caine of Nova International, said, "We are delighted to be staging this fantastic and unique event for the second year and are hoping to build on the success and popularity of the 2004 Adventure Tri Series. This year we have three outstanding venues in the form of Loch Ness, Loch Lomond and Falkirk which will deliver an exhilarating challenge alongside a beautiful backdrop for both the competitors and spectators."
Channel Five have committed to six half hour television programmes to be broadcast and international networks ESPN Asia, Fox and Supersport will also run the event, showcasing Scotland as an adventure holiday destination across the world.
Paul Bush, Deputy CEO of EventScotland, commented, "The VisitScotland Adventure Tri Series offers a good mix of international elite athletes and emerging amateurs keen to test their abilities in adventure tri racing in a spectacular setting. With TV coverage secured, this event will focus on the dramatic scenery in Scotland, while also boosting the country’s position as an excellent host of sporting events.
"EventScotland has promoted this event within the local authority network and we’re pleased that our investment has been matched by other partners bringing a substantial package of funding. The result will mean an enhanced, well staged event, attractive to top quality athletes and international and UK visitors."
Rhona Fraser of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE), said, "Loch Ness will make the perfect venue for the Adventure Tri. Loch Ness and the surrounding area provides a wonderful natural amphitheatre for a range of outdoor pursuits and is ideally suited for an event like this.
"Tourism is, of course, a major industry, and we would hope that the adventure tri will draw participants and spectators from far and wide. Just as importantly, the national media coverage which the event will generate, including television, also creates an outstanding promotional opportunity to present the attractions of Loch Ness to a huge audience."
The Provost of Inverness Councillor Bill Smith said, "We are delighted to welcome The VisitScotland Adventure Tri Series to the Highlands as part of the 2005 Inverness Gathering. We can guarantee that the participants will enjoy the challenges and the hospitality that awaits them in the Great Glen and the Highland Capital and I would like to thank our partners EventScotland and Nova International for giving us the opportunity to bring such a prestigious event to our region."
Dave Anderson, Chief Executive, Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire said, "This event will bring the beauty of the Loch Lomond area to a worldwide TV audience significantly raising its profile as a visitor destination. The thousands of people expected at the event itself will provide a significant boost for the local economy this summer and we're delighted to welcome competitors and spectators from all over Europe and beyond."
Cllr Tom Coleman, Convener of Falkirk Council’s Education and Leisure Committee commented, "Falkirk will offer the perfect location for this type of event. There are many attractive settings across the area and organisers are currently selecting the best sites to showcase this. It’s a new and exciting sport and one that allows participants to witness some of the great scenery Falkirk has to offer. We look forward to welcoming the athletes in October."
More commonly, triathlons feature athletes swimming, cycling and running non-stop from start to finish. The Adventure Tri Series separates the three disciplines by a couple of hours in order that the best possible scenic backdrop can be used. Athletes move between the venues with the overall results compiled with the aid of computer chip timing.
The other events in the Series will take place on 20 August in Loch Lomond and 2 October in Falkirk.
For further information on how to enter either The Adventure Tri Series or the 10km open Trail Run go to www.greatrun.org or phone the event hotline on 0191 272 7033 during office hours and requesting an entry form.