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Keswick to host British long distance triathlon for first time

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Keswick to host British long distance triathlon for first time

Route North  Lots of people getting into water wearing wetsuits.Route North

The event will begin with a 1.2 mile (1.9km) swim in Derwentwater

A major British long distance triathlon event is to be held in a county for the first time.

The organisers of the Lakesman, based in Keswick, Cumbria, are to host the British Championships and English Championships for the middle distance races in 2025.

Also known as a 70.3 triathlon or half Ironman, the event is made up of a 1.2-mile (1.9km) swim, a bike ride of 56 miles (90km) and a half marathon.

Race director Phil Whitehead said: “It is a first ever for Keswick, a first ever for Cumbria and brilliant for the event, the athletes, the volunteers and all of our suppliers.”

The Lakesman began in 2016 and each year several hundred athletes take part in the middle distance event, which begins with a swim in Derwentwater.

Route North  Four men on bikes with a backdrop of trees and hills. Route North

The bike route includes the Western Lake District, so athletes get to experience a side of the lakes often unvisited by tourists, organisers say

Mr Whitehead said the Championships were a “massive chance to further showcase our beautiful county and inspire future generations of athletes”.

“It is down to the hard work of a lot of people, and we will all celebrate together next June,” he added.

Route North  Los of people running with the Cumbrian Hills behind.Route North

The Lakesman triathlon was first held in 2016 and is based in Keswick, Cumbria

Event director Marie Whitehead said: “It’s not just that next year there’ll be extra athletes who are some of the best in the country, it’ll also be a real boost to the local economy.

“We estimate the event brings in about £2m each year and the competitors are not just staying in Keswick, they’re staying in places like Cockermouth, Carlisle and Workington too.

“We do this because we love Cumbria and we love triathlon and we’re just so delighted that more athletes will get to see just how beautiful this county is.”

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