DETAILS have been announced ahead of Challenge Weymouth, one of the country’s top triathlon events.

Courses will include the ‘historic beauty’ of the Jurassic coastline and rural villages as well as passing along The Esplanade and harbour in Weymouth.

The event is attracting some of the top names in UK triathlon and will be held on September 14 this year.

Organisers have been working closely with Dorset highways authorities over the past few months to determine the best and safest routes.

Alan Rose, event director for Challenge Weymouth, said: “We have spent a huge amount of time down in Weymouth, receiving a very warm welcome from the local area.

“I can say with confidence that we have picked the very best course, in an area which is proud of its ‘Olympic Legacy’, having been a host venue for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing events.”

He added: “It is a course that will not only show the historic beauty of the extraordinary Jurassic coastline, but also allow for some fast times and most importantly a memorable race for all.”

The bike course will consist of two laps, with approximately 1800m of climbing. Mr Rose said: “The course is not pan flat but is certainly fast.

“It would be best described as ‘undulating’, with no real nasty hills, but lots of rolling countryside.

“Much of the road quality is quite simply superb, we could not believe how smooth it was.

“The course takes athletes along the beautiful and historic Jurassic coastline, a safe and uninterrupted course with a mix of closed roads, traffic controlled turns and areas open to traffic.

“The views are magnificent, and the route passes through many historical villages, weaving through the rural landscape.”

The run course is flat and consists of four laps of 9.3km passing through the heart of Weymouth town centre and the Jubilee clock.

Entertainment will be provided along the route to facilitate a ‘real party atmosphere’ including special ‘support zones’ and ‘Beer Mile’- involving many food and drink outlets.

For a full description of both routes and to find more information about the event please visit challengetriuk.com/news

Cycle challenge route

The 90k bike route will start and end in Weymouth heading up to Dorchester, along to Puddletown and Bere Regis before cycling down to through Bovington, along to Wareham and back through Wool and on to Weymouth.

The run course begins at Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth before going along The Esplanade towards the harbour, which marks the start of ‘beer mile’, and back through St Mary Street before rejoining The Esplanade back towards Lodmoor County Park. This completes one lap of 9.3km and will be repeated four times. Those completing the half will do two and a half laps.