The Challenge Family welcomed the 10th race to its global triathlon series with the addition of a new iron distance race in the picturesque English town of Henley-on-Thames in the United Kingdom. The full long-course race is set to take place on September 18, 2011 on the north side of the scenic River Thames in Oxfordshire. The new triathlon event is roughly an hour's drive from London and about 30 minutes from London Heathrow Airport.
Triathlon: Challenge Henley-on-Thames
When: Sunday, September 18, 2011
Where: Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Divisions: Professional, Age Group, Relay
Website: www.challengehenley.com
The full distance triathlon event consisting of 3.8km swim, 180km bike and 42.2km run will be joining Challenge Roth, Challenge Barcelona, Challenge Copenhagen, and Challenge Wanaka in the Challenge Family of global long distance triathlon events.
Challenge Henley-on-Thames is the culmination of nearly a year's work to secure the required permissions, including road closures. And picturesque though it may be, the bike course especially will challenge athletes with its 7,000 feet of climbing through the Chiltern Hills.
The swim will take place on the world famous Royal Regatta Rowing course, swimming towards Henley town centre/bridge and then returning back to the Henley Business School. The two-lap bike course will take in some 7,000 feet (2100m) of climbing in the Chiltern Hills. Competitors will have the chance to test both their climbing and descending skills and pass through typical English villages on the journey. The four-lap run course will take athletes over Henley Bridge, around the lanes in Remenham, past Hambledon Lock and Temple Island as they return on the Thames path alongside the river, back over Henley bridge. The course also takes runners past a variety of rowing clubs, including the world famous Leander Rowing Club. The finish will be at the Henley Rugby Club.
"We are really pleased to welcome Henley-on-Thames into the series," said Challenge Family CEO Felix Walchshöfer. "UK athletes are always very well represented in our series, usually the first or second largest nationality on our start lists after the local athletes. With such a loyal base in the UK, we're delighted to be able to bring the Challenge brand to them."
Challenge-Henely-on-Thames hopes to attract a strong international and national field of male and female professional triathletes to the 2011 race were athletes will be competing for a total prize purse of 50,000 Euros.
Just Racing (UK), a sports event management company with races across the United Kingdom will be the race organizer. www.justracinguk.com
Registration opens today, September 21st, 2010. Entry fees for individual competitors will be 300 pounds, with relay team entries available for 400 pounds.
For additional information on the new Challenge Henley-on-Thames triathlon event visit: www.challengehenley.com or to see other races in the Challenge Family visit: www.challenge-family.com.
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