British Triathlon is pleased to announce age group registration for the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships will open today, Friday 15 January at www.britishtriathlon.org.

All British age group duathletes looking to qualify for this year’s event in the Scottish Capital will have four opportunities in which to do so. As host nation, British duathletes will have extra qualification places available with 25 in total per age group.

British Triathlon expects to send one of the largest ever teams to a Major Championships, helping make the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships one of the most successful ever held.

All athletes who wish to compete in the Age Group race must first join their Home Nation Association (triathlonscotland, Triathlon England or Welsh Triathlon) through the British Triathlon website, www.britishtriathlon.org.

Once joined they need to register their intent to compete before proceeding to take part in one of the four official race qualifiers listed below:

• Clumber Classic Duathlon – 6 March 2010
• Stirling Duathlon – 28 March 2010
• Big Cow Emberton Duathlon – 11 April 2010
• Cambridge Duathlon – 2 May 2010

Each race has four qualifying places per Age Group, with each qualification place subject to the criteria outlined at www.britishtriathlon.org/age.

Registration is open from Friday 15 January and closes on Friday 30 April 2010, at 5pm prior to the final qualifying event.

All athletes who intend to qualify must register through the online system by the date above; this includes athletes applying for pre-qualification and discretionary places.

Catriona Morrison, reigning ETU Duathlon European Champion commented:

“As a local duathlete, the excitement is growing as the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships becomes ever closer. The course is exciting and challenging and will be a real test of fitness and determination for both Elite and Age Group duathletes alike. With registration for the Age Group race now open, I would urge all duathletes both novice and experienced to begin their training and look to qualify for what will be a spectacular event in a beautiful city”.

British Triathlon Director for Age Group Portfolio, Howard Vine added:

“I am really looking forward to the 2010 Edinburgh ITU Duathlon World Championships. The venue should provide great racing with excellent home support. The prospect of having the largest Great Britain Age Group Duathlon team is superb and the competition at qualifying events will create some great domestic races”.