British Triathlon approves return of races from 29 March

“We don’t know what the future holds but we’re in this together”.

That’s the strapline which British Triathlon is using to spread word of its preparations for a return to competition.

It has announced that it has started to issue permits to allow sanctioned events to take place from Monday 29 March.

Under the title ‘The Big Reboot’, it is working on a programme bringing together all three home nations’ own governing bodies, intended to support their work in “providing guidance, support and opportunities for existing and aspiring athletes to dig out their goggles, pump up their tyres and tighten their laces for when club training sessions and local events can resume.”

Clubs, coaches and volunteers from across the sport are to be offered help and support so they can deliver their activities safely and make the most of the opportunities to engage their local communities in swim, bike, run, the organisation says in a statement.

British Triathlon CEO, Andy Salmon, said: “The return will look different in each Home Nation, and Triathlon England, Triathlon Scotland and Welsh Triathlon will be organising their own reboot plans to best meet the needs of their clubs, members and event organisers.”

On your marks…

A slow build-up to the end of the month’s big date is already under way, with the first stage of the relaxation of restrictions from Monday (8 March) meaning you can leave your home for recreation or exercise outdoors with other members of your own household or one other person.

Then, from Monday 29 March, the following changes come in:

• Up to six people or two households can meet outdoors
• Outdoor sport and leisure facilities can open, including open-air swimming pools and open water swimming venues
• Organised outdoor sport will be allowed for adults and children with no limits on the numbers in such gatherings, provided any event complies with the guidance from all relevant national governing bodies
• The first permits for new events will be able to be issued from Sunday 28 March, with events allowed to take place from Monday 29 March

Andy Salmon added: “The return will look different in each Home Nation, and Triathlon England, Triathlon Scotland and Welsh Triathlon will be organising their own reboot plans to best meet the needs of their clubs, members and event organisers.

“With the encouraging announcements and signs that sport will be returning gradually over the coming weeks and months, it’s time to reboot so that we’re in the best position possible for when Covid-Secure sport is possible at clubs and events across Britain.”

Stick to the rules - for now

In the meantime, British Triathlon stresses that it is essential that everyone continues to follow the English lockdown rules and its own COVID guidelines, including only leaving home for exercise - not recreation or leisure - and only with one other person from outside their household; no-one should travel outside their local area; and all indoor and most outdoor sports facilities remain closed.

Summing up the past year, BT said: “It’s been a weird year. Restrictions have meant that many of us have had to adapt our training and racing but instead of looking back, let’s set our sights on the year ahead and what could be the biggest comeback our sport has ever seen.”

PICTURE: A scene from Nottingham 19, one of the last officially-sanctioned events to be run by British Triathlon. Competitive action is set to re-start from the end of March.