LOCAL events company TryTri has a new partnership with Wessex Cancer Trust for the May Day Triathlon in Winchester.

Wessex Cancer Trust have come on board as the lead charity partner and hope that lots of budding triathletes will fundraise for them at the event on May 8.

TryTri’s parent company is ReesLeisure, the company behind the Winchester Half Marathon, ABP Southampton Marathon, Southampton Sailing Week and The Southampton Sporterium.

Nikki Rees, managing director of ReesLeisure, said: “TryTri started in 2004 with a small event in Winchester with children and first timers giving it a go. Since then we have helped thousands of people complete their first triathlon and seen GB status athletes and Ironmen achieve their potential. It’s such a warm, welcoming environment and just a fantastic day.”

ReesLeisure events have raised over £1million for charity since 2015 and the company are thrilled to have linked up with Wessex Cancer Trust for the triathlon event that takes place at Kings’ School.

There is a novice and sprint distance triathlon route available and a children’s event in the afternoon. The day starts with swimming in the school pool; then you jump on your bike to take in a picturesque route through the countryside of Winchester; before finishing your event with a run route that returns you to the school field and through the finish gantry to collect your well-deserved medal!

Kate Warne, community liaison officer at ReesLeisure, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Wessex Cancer Trust to TryTri Events as the lead charity partner for the May Day Triathlon. This year will see the 11th edition of the May Day Triathlon, the longest running event in our calendar.

“This event is now well established and widely supported in the community, so it makes perfect sense to team up with a local charity and help support them. Our triathlons are great for setting yourself a challenge and an interesting event to sponsor and spectate. Our partnership with Wessex Cancer Trust means that we have made it easier to fundraise on their behalf when you sign up to the May Day Triathlon, so if you’ve always fancied trying a triathlon, now’s your chance!’

Laura Beavis, corporate partnerships and events manager for Wessex Cancer Trust, said: “We’re delighted to be working with ReesLeisure on the May Day Triathlon 2020 and hope we’ll be able to raise awareness of the services we provide locally. We put services into local communities, so people affected by cancer have somewhere to go at a time they most need support. Over the last two years we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the number of people we’ve been able to help, but we rely on voluntary donations, and raising money through events and partnerships like this one is crucial to keep our services running each day.”

The May Day Triathlon will be on Friday May 8 (May Day Bank Holiday) at Kings’ School in Winchester and registration are now open here at https://trytri.co.uk/

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