Club Insider on Coalfields Triathlon Club

With AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland taking place on 29-30 July 2023, find out a bit more about Coalfields Triathlon Club, one of the Triathlon England affiliated clubs that swim, bike, and run throughout the year in and around Sunderland.

Whether you’re wanting to get into swimming, cycling and running for the first time, looking for some top tips having entered the event in July, or are simply after a group of like-minded people to enjoy and develop your triathlon skills with, clubs are a great place to be.

Founded in 2013, Coalfields Triathlon Club welcomes new members of all abilities. The club hold twice-weekly coached swim training at Washington Leisure Centre, with social cycling and running sessions also held throughout the week. Coalfields’ Chairperson, Chris Wright, said “We are a small, but friendly and welcoming North East club, we currently have about forty members, and the majority compete in events over the course of the year.

“Coalfields has members from a wide range of ages and abilities. We’ve got a GB Age-Grouper in the club and on the flip side, we’ve got some people who have just joined and are completely new to triathlon. We’ve also got some members who are in their second or third year of competing.”

“Our committee are passionate about promoting female participation and inclusion for all, both through social media and other avenues. I’m really proud of the fact that this year we are very close to achieving a 50/50 split of female and male club members.

“We welcome new members, and as long as you can swim 400m you can come and join the club. If you feel inspired to give triathlon a go, and fancy learning what it’s all about, we’re the club for you.  We are also happy to welcome members from other local triathlon clubs to train with us, who may find the times and location of our swim sessions work well for them.”

Speaking about the World Triathlon Championship Series coming to Sunderland this year, Wright added: “It’s going to be massive, I’m over the moon to see this event in our city, with local, GB and world triathletes competing, and with all the opportunities it brings. It gives North-Easteners and visitors from further afield the opportunity for a great spectator experience, whether they have heard of triathlon before or just enjoy watching local events.  On several sections of the course it’s a free to watch event, so it brings triathlon to everyone.”

“Putting it on in July, fingers crossed we’re going to have glorious weather. People will come down because, not only is it a fantastic spectacle but it’s also on Sunderland’s beautiful seafront, with our wonderful award-winning golden beaches.

“In and around the Roker and Seaburn area we’ve got some fantastic locations including the marina, the harbour, a great range of hotels and restaurants, and the Riverside walk to the city centre.  We have a pod of dolphins who regularly swim between the piers, so look out for them too.”

AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland is a flagship event as part of the collaborative work between Sunderland City Council and Triathlon England to develop swim, bike, run participation and resource within the local community.

Wright has already signed up to marshal at this year’s event, having done so at the British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final in 2022. “I found it very rewarding, it was a great experience,” he said. “There’ll be other Coalfields members marshalling this year, and additionally we have members who will be racing at the event, which is great to see.  It’s a mix of people wanting to race and people wanting to give something back and be on hand to be a marshal and help make the event a great experience for all spectators and competitors.”

Entries to AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland are open and available in a variety of distances, for individuals and for teams. The event takes place in and around Roker Seafront on 29-30 July 2023, and you can find out more about the event and the opportunity that’s right for you at https://sunderland.triathlon.org/2023.

Whether you’re a regular participant of swimming, cycling or running, targeting AJ Bell 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series Sunderland, or want to use it as a springboard to be more active, check out your local club for your swim, bike, run journey.

Find local affiliated clubs, including Coalfields Triathlon Club across England, Scotland and Wales on the British Triathlon Club Search https://www.britishtriathlon.org/clubs/search.