London Triathlon Aiming to Raise £1 Million for Charity

The Michelob ULTRA London Triathlon, one of the world’s largest triathlons, is aiming to raise £1 million for charity when it takes place at the ExCeL Exhibition Centre, or Royal Victoria Dock, in Docklands, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 August.

The four main charities which have put forward their own entrants to run in all three race categories are the British Red Cross, the National Autistic Society, Get Kids Going, and Leukaemia Research.

Entrants, split over five different age bands, can compete at three different levels from Super Sprint right up to Olympic distance which involves a 1500km swim, 40km bike race, and 10km run. The Olympic level takes roughly 2 hours and 55 minutes to complete.

Teams can also compete for industry cups, including the Financial News Cup for participants from the financial sector, as well as the TNT Magazine Cup for Aussies, Kiwis and South Africans only.

The event will also host the Triathlon Expo, a giant exhibition displaying all the latest equipment and sports gear, all of which can be tested for free, as well as giving out lots of free samples to pick up.

Last year’s race saw numerous high profile participants from the world of triathlon, including British Michelle Dillon, 2004’s winner, as well as Welsh Leanda Cave, winner of the silver medal in the last Commonwealth Games.

The event is not simply for professional triathletes, however, but even the novice can take part. The organisers also run training days for amateurs to give them the skills they need to have a successful race.

Gill Whibley, editor for the Telegraph’s online newspaper, was one such novice who really enjoyed participating in last year’s event: “For days after the 2004 London Triathlon, I was on a high and evangelically set about convincing anyone I met that they should sign up immediately for the following year’s event.”

She offered this advice to other first-timers: “Don't panic. Remember that you probably wouldn't have signed up for it if you didn't think you could do it. Secondly, slot your training around your life, having a social life and making time for your family is still important. Finally, enjoy it.”