Chester Triathlon Club

Chester Tri are pleased to announce that next year’s Deva Triathlon has been selected as an ITU Triathlon  World Age Group Qualifying Race for 2012. There are over 700 triathlon events conducted in Great Britain each year but only eight receive a British Age Group Championship and only 16 events in 2011 are designated as Qualification Events for the GE Great Britain Age Group Team. Only events which demonstrate ‘the highest quality event management’ and which provide ‘a safe and enjoyable environment’ for competition are eligible for selection as qualifying races.

British Triathlon Director for Major and National Events, Ian Braid commented: ‘British Triathlon recognises Deva Triathlon as one of our major events for 2012. Each event within the 2012 British Triathlon Major Events Programme provides the perfect platform for our growing Age Group community to achieve their personal triathlon challenges. This event was selected following a highly competitive tender process, and has met the criteria to ensure that all athletes will have a quality experience in trying to qualify for the GE Great Britain Age Group Team.’  Malcolm Westwood, British Triathlon Director for Age Group, added: ‘Every year competition for British Age Group titles and for places on the GE Great Britain Age Group Team becomes more and more competitive. It’s important that all the events which form the 2012 British Triathlon Age Group Major Events Programme provide the best possible racing experience and I have no doubt that the Deva Triathlon will do just that.’ As a result, Chester Tri has reorganised its programme of events so that a weekend of triathlon culminates in the qualification race.

The weekend of 30th June/1st July 2012 will see three separate races run from the Meadows. Action will start on the Saturday with the Deva Divas, which moved back to this venue in 2011. This race is a ‘sprint’ distance triathlon aimed at first-time female competitors, who are guided through their preparation with the help of an introductory seminar and three training days organised by Chester Tri. On race day, competitors  will undertake a 750m swim in the river Dee, a 25km bike through Eccleston and out to Marford, and a 5km run around the Meadows. Divas organiser Sally Napthen, said, ‘Feedback from Divas was that the Meadows was a superb venue for both competitors and also spectators, with friends and relatives able to see Divas during both swim and run. As the event filled up so quickly this year we have increased numbers to 350 and entry will open at the beginning of October. It was great to bring Divas back to Chester and we're really looking forward to a tri-packed weekend in 2012.’

A brand new event, the Little Deva, will take place over the same course as the Deva Divas, also on the Saturday. The Little Deva is for aspiring triathletes, both boys and girls, aged 15-19 who wish to try their hand at an open water swim triathlon. Head Junior Coach Alan Cronin said, ‘Our existing Deva Junior Triathlon has grown in recent years to become the most eagerly anticipated event for juniors in the North West due to the safe environment and organisation. This year it was once again fully supported, with a record 180 entrants aged 8-16. We hope to build on this success with the introduction of the Little Deva Triathlon for older juniors in 2012.’

Following these two races, top amateur athletes from all over the country will descend on Chester for the Deva Triathlon on 1st July, competing for a chance to represent Great Britain in the World Age Group Triathlon Championships in Auckland in October 2012. Only the top four in each of the fourteen age groups , which range from Under 20 to 80+ will be selected. The Deva Triathlon will be the last chance aspiring athletes have to qualify, so competition will be tough over the 1500m swim, 40km bike, and 10km run course. Deva Tri organiser Dan Craigen said, ‘We are very excited that the Deva Triathlon has been selected as one of three races in the UK to have World Championship Qualifier status. We hope that this will see an increase in the participants of the event and will mean more people experiencing the sights of Chester. The race has evolved over 14 years from the original race to the current format, but is still entirely run by volunteers of the City of Chester Triathlon Club with the aim of developing sports in and around Chester. We are also pleased that this year we will link up with the Deva Divas and the new Little Deva races being held the day before. We hope this will encourage more participants into the sport and encourage people to stay longer in the city and sample its facilities.’

His remarks were seconded by Cllr Stuart Parker, Executive Member for Culture and Recreation at Cheshire West and Chester Council, who said: ‘I would like to congratulate the hard work of Chester Triathlon club in bringing this fantastic weekend of triathlon together on the historic River Dee in Chester. This type of event celebrates not only 2012 but shows the real quality voluntary organisations can bring to the Borough to provide opportunities on both a local and national scale in support of the Embrace the Games programme. We look forward to an exciting sports and festivals programme in 2012 and wish the best to everyone in their endeavours.’

The club is also keen to hear from local businesses interested in supporting the race, and anyone who would like more information should contact Dan Craigen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .