CORNER BROOK, NF - For the tenth time in its 20-year history, the Corner Brook Triathlon committee is changing the layout of its course.

The World Cup event will still have its swim at Glynmill Pond and the grueling run through the heart of the city on O'Connell Drive & Elswick Road. However, the bike portion of the race will be a much different than in past years. This summer, the bike leg will still begin by going up, and coming back down University Drive. Then, rather than sweeping up O'Connell Drive, riders will head down Mt. Bernard Avenue to the Millbrook Mall where they will proceed through Herald Towers Lane and onto Griffin Drive for the 1.5 kilometre flat ride to the turn-around. The athletes will then follow the same course back along Griffin Drive, up to Mt. Bernard Avenue and University Drive, thereby completing the "out and back" loop. Cyclists will travel the loop six times to complete the 40 km course. This new format will open the riders to new challenges and make for a more spectator friendly competition where roadside spectators will see the cyclists pass through the transition area 12 times.

"I'm confident the new course will be a hit with athletes and spectators alike," said Steve May, Cycle Route Director for the Corner Brook Triathlon Committee. "I expect to see more pack riding strategy come into play, as the new course contains a lengthy flat section that will allow groups of cyclists to work together in a manner that just wasn't possible on our previous hilly courses. The new course will require triathletes to have skills in both pack riding and hill climbing if they want to stand on the podium at the end of the day."

Despite reducing the overall amount of climbing on the bike course, The Corner Brook Triathlon will still be considered, "the toughest course in the world", as the new layout can be deceiving. The triathletes will still have to battle the hilly run leg following the completion of the cycle portion of the event.

This year's ITU Corner Brook World Cup will mark the 20th anniversary of for the event and the 4th consecutive ITU World Cup event. Following the success of last year week-long festival of multi-sport, organisers will bring back a number of athlete and crowd favorites such as: the NewTel Downtown Dash (July 26th), Swim Relay (July 27th) and Colemans Kids of Steel (July 28th). To start off the festivities, the City of Corner Brook will host their annual Celebration of Summer on Wednesday, July 25th, where everyone is invited to attend and take part in the excitement.

For further information contact:

Steve May, Cycle Route Director
Corner Brook Triathlon Committee
Tel: (709) 639-2000 - may@seafreez.com

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