Multisport Magazine Issue 25 | Page 37

J ervis Bay, NSW is the new home of International endurance brand - Long Course Weekend (LCW). The event, which has its origins in Tenby Wales where over 7500 athletes descend each year, will begin its international journey in Jervis Bay on the weekend of the 27th, 28th and 29th October 2017 followed by Mallorca the next weekend. The unique event lasts three days and this fun, inclusive format is ideal for clubs, training groups and families to come along and enjoy the benefits of training and racing together. To kick-off the weekend on Friday evening, the competitors have The Jervis Bay Swim Classic to complete – a 3.8km open water swim that takes place in Huskisson. The Jervis Bay Swim Classic also has a 1.9km swim, 1.5km swim and 750m swim all to correspond with triathlons most popular distances. On Saturday attention turns to The Ride the River Cycle Classic which has 180km of undulating countryside. The event also incorporates 90km, 40km and 20km events – distances to attract athletes of all abilities. To finish the weekend off, the athletes, on Sunday, will complete The Huskisson Run Festival- a 42.2km marathon taking in the beautiful coastline of Jervis Bay and Huskisson. There is also a 21.1km run, 10km run and a 5km run which allows everyone to be involved. More than 1500 competitors are expected to attend the LCW with approximately 200 athletes attempting to receive the Long Course Weekend medal, which entails completing all three of the longest distances. Successful LCW athletes will be awarded with the exclusive LCW medal and polo shirt at the finish line presentation on Sunday after the marathon. LCW began in Tenby, W ales six years ago and has grown in numbers every year. Matthew Evans, Scott Powell and their team at Activity Wales Events are now taking this 3-day event around the world with new events to be announced in early 2017. “We are so excited to be launching our first LCW outside the UK in Jervis Bay for several reasons. Long Course Weekend is not just a race, it’s an experience. To get this right you need to have a great team delivering the event and it must be in the right location. It’s not about big conference centres and cities, but intimate relationships with the community and stunning landscapes. This is why it is dubbed ‘the little big race’,” says Evans. “We have a fantastic team, with not just their vast experience, but their passion for the athlete, supporters and the community. This event will change the face of Long Distance Events,” says Evans. Jervis Bay lends itself to be the heart of endurance sport in Australia. With the highly successful Huskinson Long Course event held in February each year, the LCW will complement the stable of events already in the region. “Shoalhaven is the hot bed of endurance sport in Australia. With the highly successful Huskisson Long Course event held in February each year, the Long Course Weekend will compliment the events already in the region. We pride ourselves on our spectacular natural assets and we look forward to sharing many of Shoalhaven’s experiences with the competitors and their friends and family,” said Tourism Manager Coralie Bell. COMPETITION DATES Friday 27th – Sunday 29th October 2017 COMPETITION VENUE Huskisson, Jervis Bay NSW NUMBER OF MEDAL EVENTS Three: The Jervis Bay Swim Classic, The Ride the River Cycle Classic, The Huskisson Run Festival medal PLUS THE LCW MEDAL: Awarded to the athletes entered into the LCW events; 3.8km swim, 180km cycle and 42.2km run COMPETITION FORMAT Each individual event will take part on a separate day of the weekend. FRIDAY 27 OCTOBER – THE JERVIS BAY SWIM CLASSIC 750m Swim 1.5km Swim 1.9km Swim 3.8km Swim SATURDAY 28 OCTOBER – RIDE THE RIVER CYCLE CLASSIC 20km Cycle 40km Cycle 90km Cycle 180km Cycle SUNDAY 29 OCTOBER – HUSKISSON RUN FESTIVAL 5km Run 10km Run 21.1km Run 42.2km Run MULTISPORT MAGAZINE | 37