Join Paratriathlon champ at new Glasgow triathlon event

Bellahouston Sports Centre - Sunday 22 September 2013

Brand new sporting event Tri Together, which has been uniquely designed for disabled and non disabled people to take part side by side, is arrives in Glasgow this autumn.

The event organisers, the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability and triathlonscotland, are encouraging local people to sign up and join fellow Scot Jane Egan, World Paratriathlon Champion in 2011, on the start line.

Tri Together is an award-winning, accessible, short-distance triathlon for people of all ages and abilities to swim, bike and run together. The event will take place at Bellahouston Sports Centre and Park on Sunday 22 September. This exciting new event has been designed so everyone, from beginners to seasoned triathletes, can take part on their own or share the challenge together in a relay team.

Tri Together is a fundraising event and the money raised will help Leonard Cheshire Disability Scotland to continue its work with people with disabilities at its services across Scotland, such as Glasgow Supported Living, Support at Home - Edinburgh and Fife and Cheshire House in Inverness to name a few.

A junior race has been introduced for children aged 8-16 so the whole family can get involved.

Kilbarchan-based Jane Egan, who won the World Parathriathlon Championships in 2011 and the ETU Triathlon European Championships in 2012, will be taking part on the day. She also took part in Leonard Cheshire Disability’s London triathlon event last year. Jane only took up triathlon four years ago, after she was diagnosed with a neurological disorder and had begun to use a wheelchair.

She says: ‘I had always enjoyed sport and didn’t want to give it up. I found triathlons were not only great fun, but felt inclusive too. They are a great way to cement friendships and meet new people.

‘I am really excited about taking part in this brand new event for Glasgow. I thoroughly enjoyed taking part in Tri Together London last year, and would recommend the event to anyone. As well as having fun and challenging yourself, you will be raising money to help Leonard Cheshire Disability Scotland to continue its work in the area.’

In order to bring the event to Glasgow the charity has partnered with triathlonscotland, the national governing body for triathlon. Their events and volunteer manager, Gemma Simpson, says: ‘We have chosen to work with Leonard Cheshire Disability to bring Scotland its first ever fully inclusive triathlon event because we believe they understand the needs of all the participants and will ensure a great race experience on the day.

‘With the introduction of Paratriathlon at Rio 2016 we are hoping to uncover a few Scottish Paratriathlon stars of the future but more importantly we just want to encourage everyone to have a go at triathlon and enjoy a great day out.’

Jane Egan will also be attending a free taster session organised by the charity on 6 July. The day will be the first triathlon taster event to take place in Scotland and will be designed to help beginners feel prepared for the event. It will take place at Bellahouston Sport Centre from 2pm-5pm.

There will be opportunities to try specialist equipment like adapted bikes and racing wheelchairs. Experienced coaches from Glasgow will also be on hand to share advice and answer questions.

The taster session is funded by Big Lottery Fund through their 2014 Communities programme, which offers funding to encourage more people to take part in physical activity in the lead up to the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

There are a limited number of places available at each taster session so to register visitwww.lcdisability.org/triathlontraining or email tritogether@lcdisability.org. The taster is free but there is a deposit of £5. Payments will only be taken if you register and do not attend.

To sign up for Tri Together Glasgow on 22 September, or to find out more about race categories and distances please visit www.lcdisability.org/tritogether or text TRI to 80878. Race entry is £22 for adults, £12 for 13-16 year olds and £10 for 8-12 year olds. Minimum sponsorship applies for adults only.