28 August 2007
Heath sportsmen double up for fitness feat
Athletes, take your marks and get set for the annual Hampstead
Heath Duathlon on Sunday 2 September.
The gruelling test of swimming and running prowess will
incorporate all three ponds and the Lido.
The race starts at 9.30am at the renowned Parliament Hill Fields
Lido where solo competitors and team members will each swim three
lengths of the pool (180m). They will then run 800m to the men’s
pond and swim a complete 360m circuit before running 600m to the
Ladies pond to do a 220m circuit then heading 1.5km to the mixed
pond for the final 120m lap. The last leg involves an 800m “sprint”
back to the finishing line at the athletics track.
Some of the teams expected to take part in this year’s event,
jointly organised by the City of London and the Hampstead Rugby
Club, include the London Triathlon team, the Highgate Harriers and
Heath lifeguards.
Paul Maskell, Leisure manager at Hampstead Heath, said: “The
Duathlon is always a popular event for competitors and supporters
alike. It takes in some of the highlights of the Heath, with all
three ponds and the lido as picturesque arenas for this battle of
stamina and endurance.
“Even with this year’s unreliable weather, it’s bound to be a
great day out.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Hampstead Heath is the collective name for Parliament Hill and
Golders Hill, a total of 791 acres (320 hectares). The Heath is
situated just four miles from the centre of London and falls within
two London Boroughs, Camden and Barnet.
The City of London has managed all of Hampstead Heath, apart
from the Kenwood area, since 1989, and has a long established
policy of protecting open spaces in and around London for the
enjoyment of the public, at no cost to the local ratepayer.
Press enquiries: 020 7332 1754
Email:
Lesley.mair@cityoflondon.gov.uk