Triathletes from all over the world will be able to take part in a triathlon usually held in the English Lake District – by doing the virtual event from their own homes.
Organisers of the hugely popular annual Lakesman Triathlons cancelled this year’s event because of COVID-19.
But to help people keep their motivation and benefit their mental and physical well-being during lockdown – organisers have launched the virtual Lakesman in Lockdown which will take place on the same weekend, June 20-21.
Since entries for Lakesman in Lockdown opened on Friday more than 600 people have already signed up for the event which is sponsored by Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors.
Lakesman Triathlons organiser Marie Whitehead said: “We moved very early on to cancel this year’s Lakesman event as it was true to our ethos of always putting people before profit.
“We didn’t want to wait to be told to cancel it. We knew it was the right thing to do for our athletes and we have transferred everyone who can take part next year to 2021 which is already a sell-out. Some people couldn’t transfer and we have given them a full refund.
“But we wanted to give people something to focus on this year to help people’s mental well-being and physical health during lockdown – and we have come up with Lakesman in Lockdown.
“We opened the entries for Lakesman in Lockdown on Friday (May 15) and we’ve already had 600 people sign up!”
Unlike the usual Lakesman Triathlons there are no restrictions on the number of entries for Lakesman in Lockdown – as anyone can take part anywhere in the world from their own home.
Marie said: “We’ve already got people taking part from the USA and Canada. Everyone is really excited that this is happening.”
Peter Stafford, managing director of sponsors Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors, said: “We are delighted that the organisers of the Lakesman Triathlons have come up with an innovative way of ensuring that there will still be an event for people to take part in this year – albeit from their own homes.
“Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors has always been a keen supporter of the Lakesman Triathlons and we are very pleased to be sponsoring this year’s Lakesman in Lockdown event. We hope everyone enters into the spirit of the event and really enjoys the challenge.”
As well as the Lakesman Full which, without swimming this year, will involve a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run, there are a full range of events for all ages from under-8s upwards.
Competitors will record their own times and are being encouraged to share photos and videos of them taking part in the events from their own homes.
Those taking part will also receive official entry numbers to print off and attach to their running/cycling vests, an official Lakesman in Lockdown Finisher t-shirt and a finisher’s certificate.
Entries can be made by visiting https://resultsbase.net/event/5476
Entrants must comply with whatever are the COVID-19 restrictions in their area or their country when they take part in the virtual Lakesman in Lockdown weekend on June 20-21, 2020.
Photos:
Competitors taking part in Lakesman Triathlon weekend in the English Lake District in 2019. This year’s event has been cancelled due to COVID-19 with the next event taking place in 2021. But a Lakesman in Lockdown event has been organised for June 20-21 so people can still take part in the challenge by running and/or cycling from their own homes, anywhere in the world.