Sunderland to host 2022 British Triathlon Grand Final with a view to hosting 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series

Launched today as part of a wider partnership between British Triathlon and Sunderland City Council, the seafront of Sunderland will host the British Triathlon Grand Final for the first time in August 2022 which will see the best British domestic athletes go head-to-head.

Taking place over the weekend of 20 and 21 August 2022, this year's Grand Final will bring together athletes from the Youth & Junior, Senior and Paratri British Triathlon Super Series for an action-packed weekend of racing, which will also see Sunderland host the 2022 Inter Regional Championships on the same weekend.

A key part of the British Triathlon performance pathway, the British Triathlon Super Series provides an elite national series of events and athlete development opportunities across the year, culminating in the British Triathlon Grand Final in August 2022.

A year later, the city is earmarked to host the world's best triathletes during a leg of the prestigious 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series which sees the world's best travel to iconic cities around the world.

Today's launch on Marine Walk, where part of the event route is planned to go, is part of a partnership being actioned by British Triathlon and Sunderland City Council to increase opportunities around swim, bike, run in the city.

The events form part of British Triathlon's three-year major events strategy, announced in October 2021, to grow the reach and inspire the sustained positive impact of swim, bike, run through the platform of major triathlon events.

Speaking at the launch in Sunderland, Jonny Hamp, British Triathlon Director of Events, said: "We're really excited to be in Sunderland today officially launching this year's British Triathlon Grand Final and the plans for the World Triathlon Championship Series. The Grand Final is always one of the highlights of the domestic calendar and we're delighted to be bringing the racing to the seafront of Sunderland for what promises to be a fantastic weekend of swim, bike, run.

"We know the events will no doubt draw excitement, but this year's Grand Final along with the planning towards the 2023 World Triathlon Championship Series is part of a much wider plan towards swim, bike, run engagement in Sunderland which we know will be just as exciting and important as the two major events."

 Helen Marney, British Triathlon Director of Development, said: "Bringing swim, bike and run in all its forms to more people and more places is something we are very much committed to and extremely excited about, so we're delighted to be working with Sunderland City Council on increasing swim, bike, run opportunities across the city, not just at the major events but throughout the year in the heart of local communities. 

"It's a journey that has already begun with a range of new opportunities and investment in development to make swim, bike, run a cornerstone of how people and communities in Sunderland enjoy active, healthy and vibrant lives."

Cllr Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: "We're really excited to be welcoming the British Triathlon Super Series Grand Final to Sunderland this summer. It's a huge coup for our city.

"We're equally thrilled to be planning to host a leg of the prestigious World Triathlon Championship Series next year which will see the world's best triathletes competing in Sunderland.

"One of the key findings to come out of our recent Let's Talk events consultation was that residents are keen to see new and different events in the city.

"We hope that this and other major sporting events such as the Tour of Britain which we have lined up this summer will inspire more people to take up swimming, cycling and running as part of our exciting programme of swim, bike, run activities over the next few years.

"Many of us want to be more active and the physical and mental health benefits of physical activity are well documented

"So, this is very much about working in partnership with British Triathlon to create opportunities for people to be active and take advantage of our fantastic city and the wonderful coastline and green spaces we have on our doorstep."