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Olympians Converge on Penrith for Nepean Triathlon

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Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith visited Atmosphere Health and Fitness Club to meet with Director, Kristelle Vicary, General Manager, Dane Wigg and Warwick Brennan to raise awareness of the upcoming Nepean Triathlon.

A host of sponsors have combined to ensure the Nepean weekend remains one of Australia’s classic triathlons with Atmosphere Health and Fitness Club, Cellarbrations, Gulf Western Oil, Destination NSW and Penrith Council, all strong supporters of the race.

“Penrith is a wonderful place to compete with the lakes precinct offering one of the most fantastic triathlon facilities in Australia,” said Stuart Ayres.

“I welcome all competitors to our beautiful city and congratulate them on making the decision to join this iconic event”.

The 34th Nepean Triathlon weekend of racing to be held on 24 and 25 October at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, has attracted 30 of the best professional triathletes to Penrith. Both 2014 Nepean champions, (Olympians) Aaron Royle and Ashleigh Gentle are early favourites. Beijing Olympics bronze medallist and 2013 Nepean champion Emma Moffatt and recently crowned world under 23 champion, Jake Birtwhistle are the ones to watch though. Others that have shown recent form are Ryan Bailie, British 2012 Olympian, Stuart Hayes, Great Britain Triathlon champion, Emma Pallant, Irish ITU Representative Ben Shaw and Ironman Australia winner, Michelle Bremer from New Zealand.  The race has also attracted a number of other of other international athletes to Penrith, which is the oldest continuously run triathlon in the Australia.

There are 4 different distance triathlons over the weekend, which has attracted 1300 competitors, making this event one of the largest in the country. This number of athletes coming to Penrith is a great tourism boost for the local service industry with accommodation, restaurants and attractions booked out and busy over the event’s weekend.

Sunday morning brings the classic 34th anniversary Atmosphere Nepean Triathlon which consists of a 1km swim in the Olympic rowing lake, followed by a traffic free 30km cycle along Castlereagh Road, and then a 10km run inside the Olympic complex. All finishers will receive a unique 34th anniversary finisher’s medallion, race towel and a great finisher’s shirt. The race will again feature the guys vs the gals handicap format with the women starting ahead of the male wave by the difference between the leading male and female averaged over the previous five years. This concept has proved most exciting and last year Gentle stayed ahead of Royle to take the overall Nepean title and the bonus prize money.

 

On the Saturday afternoon the PAC Nepean Enticer races are held and these are designed for the novice competitor and those that want to complete a short distance triathlon. Competitors of all ages enter these races and witnessing the smiles on their faces as they cross the finish line you can see why triathlon is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Race 1 for the 7 to 10 year olds features a 50 metre swim, 2km cycle and 500 metre run,  Race 2 for the 10 to 13 year olds has a 125 m swim, 5km cycle and a 1.25km run and Race 3 is for the over 14’s and includes the adult waves. This race has a 250m swim in the Olympic rowing lake, a flat 10km cycle followed by a 2.5 km run. All competitors in each Enticer race will receive a great finisher’s race shirt and a finisher’s medallion to commemorate finishing the race. The races present great value and a great opportunity to try the sport and become a triathlete.

Details of the races and online entry can be found at www.nepeantriathlon.com  

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Stuart Ayres - Member for Penrith

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