TRIATHLON

7,000 elites, amateurs and fundraisers ready to race at the UK's most stunning triathlon

By IMG Consulting

This weekend, 13-14th June 2015, up to 7,000 participants will take on the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon. Widely regarded as the season opener in the triathlon calendar and one of the most stunning triathlon venues in the world, triathletes will race in the grounds of the palace and swim in the beautiful freshwater lake.

As the first of three rounds of the British Super Series, the event always welcomes a strong elite field. With Mark Buckingham, Lestyn Harrett, Emma Pallant, Alice Sharpe and Sophie Coldwell among the names tipped for the podium this weekend.

In 2015, Blenheim Palace will also play host to another competitive race when relay teams from three Formula One teams go head-to-head on Sunday. Situated within Britain’s ‘Motorsport Valley’, the venue is the perfect location for an off-track battle of the fittest. Mercedes AMG, Red Bull and Force India will each have three relay teams representing them on race day.

As well as the elites and general entrants, the event boasts an incredible number of fundraisers, with £450,000 raised last year for blood cancer charity Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, and more than £1.5 million raised for the charity over the event’s history.

Back for a second year are Scarlett’s Dragons, a 164-strong team, who have rallied together to support 10 year-old Scarlett Clarkson who is currently receiving treatment for leukaemia.  Last year the team comprised of 22 dads of children at the Dragon School in Oxford, who took on the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon to raise an astonishing £120,000 for the charity.

Dan Clarkson, Scarlett’s dad and founder of Scarlett’s Dragons, is hoping to raise even more money and awareness at this year’s event, commenting: “For the first time ever at the event a whole wave will be decked out in turquoise and pink, dedicated to one very special person. We are aiming high with our fundraising again, as this is a cause which is so close to our hearts. Having a child with cancer has a devastating impact, both for the child and their family. If we can help reach a day when no other family has to go through the pain of having their child diagnosed with leukaemia, then the pain of our training will be well worthwhile.”

Also taking on the event is Emma and Sophie Ireland, racing in honour of their father who was diagnosed with lymphoma last year. After unsuccessful chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Rob Ireland’s only chance of recovery is a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. Currently there is no match for him on the UK donor system so his daughters have set up a Facebook campaign called ‘Give Our Dad a Bone’, which has since attracted global support and an increase of new donors.

Despite being told that his lymph nodes were swollen only two days before the event, Rob competed in the 2014 Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon. He was diagnosed with blood cancer just one month later. However, this year he’ll be cheering two of his daughters, Emma and Sophie, on from the side line as they take part to raise awareness for their campaign and for Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research. 

Matt Lawley, Head of Sports Events at Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, commented: “It’s the stories of those like Scarlett’s Dragons and the Ireland sisters that really highlight the importance of our work to find better treatments and cures for all patients affected by blood cancer. We are grateful to them, and all of our unstoppable Blenheim Palace triathletes, for their support in helping us beat this disease and wish them the best of luck this weekend.”

James Robinson, MD of event organisers IMG Challenger World, added: “We’re looking forward to greeting our first-timers as well as our seasoned triathletes and a strong field of elites at the start line. With a sell-out field of triathletes and thousands of spectators expected we know the atmosphere will be unbelievable - it’s going to be another awesome weekend at Blenheim Palace!”








To keep up with all the latest news from the Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research Blenheim Palace Triathlon, visit www.theblenheimtriathlon.com, www.twitter.com/blenheimtri  and www.facebook.com/blenheimtri.