The city could be set to have a new sporting fixture on the 2016 calendar if proposals for a triathlon are given the go ahead later this month.
Councillors have been recommended to give initial approval for plans for a triathlon to take place in September 2016, centred on Hove Lawns. The decision will be made at Economic Development and Culture committee on Thursday 18 June. The organisers would then need to develop the full plans required for such an event.
Triathlons have been boosted in popularity in recent years by the success of British athletes on the international stage, including the 2012 Olympics. Triathlons involve athletes competing in a swim followed by a cycling course and ending with a running section. The international event distance is a 1500m swim followed by a 40km cycle and ending with a 10km run.
The Brighton & Hove event would begin with a sea swim, followed by the cycle section along the A259 coast road and the run would take place on Hove Promenade/Lawns.
The Brighton & Hove Triathlon would be for up to 3000 participants with categories for elite athletes, experienced, intermediate and new participants. Age group events, designed for participants as young as 10 years old, would also be included.
Cllr Alan Robins, Deputy Chair of Economic Development and Culture Committee, said: “Brighton & Hove has an excellent reputation for hosting high profile sporting events and a triathlon would be a welcome addition. The event would encourage enjoyment and participation in sport as well as attracting competitors and spectators to the city. We’ve had great recent successes with events such as the Brighton Marathon and the Tour of Britain cycle race and we are looking forward to Rugby World Cup 2015 this autumn. The city is known for celebrating and welcoming new events of this kind.”
The triathlon would be mainly based on Hove Lawns, to the west of the Peace Statue. A race village would be set up around the start and finish line with a Sport and Fitness show running over the Triathlon weekend.
The Sport and Fitness Show has submitted the application to organise the triathlon. The group are professional sports event organisers, experienced in staging races and activities throughout the UK.
More information
Read the reports for the Economic Development & Culture Committee The meeting is open to the public and will be held in Jubilee Library on 18 June, from 4pm. The Triathlon is agenda item number 11.
Please note: This release was initially sent out with the date of Sunday 18 September, however the date is to be confirmed