The Royal Windsor Triathlon returns for 2018 on Sunday 17 June, and next year will boast a new ‘Sprint with the Pros’ wave headlined by event ambassadors and elite triathletes Stuart Hayes and Emma Pallant.

The exciting new ‘Sprint with the Pros’ wave will offer participants the opportunity to tackle a Sprint triathlon alongside Stuart and Emma, as well as other elites and top club athletes. The first event of the day, the course will encompass a 750m swim in the River Thames, a 20km bike round the streets of Windsor and a 5km run which takes triathletes into Windsor Great Park and along the spectacular Long Walk. This non-drafting wave will also include the opportunity to attend an exclusive Q&A session with Stuart and Emma over the race weekend, as well as the chance to potentially beat an Olympic great. Read on to find out more and check out our teaser video below:

2012 London Olympian and World Series Triathlon Race Champion, Stuart Hayes was instrumental in securing the Brownlee Brothers’ success at their home Games. An experienced coach with Team Dillon, and two titles already under his belt at the Royal Windsor Triathlon (2016 – 1:54:28 and 2015 – 1:56:22), Stuart will undoubtedly be a firm favourite heading into the 2018 event.

Emma Pallant moved from racing as a track athlete to take on the challenge of triathlon in 2012. Since then she has claimed World Duathlon and Aquathlon Championship titles, is a World 70.3 Silver Medallist and a British Triathlon Champion. A local Surrey girl, Emma won the Royal Windsor Triathlon in 2017 (2:06:49), 2016 (2:06:06), and 2014 (2:03:43) and can’t wait to toe the start line again in 2018.

“Since I took up triathlon I have been returning to Windsor to race each year and its one of my favourite events to do,” says Emma Pallant. “The swim is nice and quick, the bike is along roads we ride on through the summer and the run through the town you have so much support! It’s a fun, friendly race with heaps of competition and history and a beautiful castle backdrop, the home of the queen for a royal race!”

“I have been racing Windsor Tri since the 90’s,” says Stuart Hayes. “I live just down the road in Twickenham, so the Royal Windsor Triathlon is very much a home event – I have been using Windsor as a training ground for the last 20 years and will continue to train and coach around Windsor so it’s a really special event to be a part of.”

An event that has cemented its place in triathlon history, the Royal Windsor Triathlon has been running for 28 years with developments including the Club Championship competition, popular Mates Waves and the new for 2018 Macmillan Beginners Wave.

“Human Race has a history of supporting triathletes as they progress through the ranks, and the Royal Windsor Triathlon offers both the seasoned and amateur triathlete the ultimate race experience,” says Nick Rusling, CEO of organiser Human Race. “The brand new ‘Sprint with the Pros’ wave is an exciting addition to the event that will no doubt generate some fantastic competition – we hope that the next generation of youngsters, our up and coming triathletes, will benefit from the experience of racing alongside professionals. I look forward to seeing who claims a podium spot in 2018!”

For more information and to register for the Royal Windsor Triathlon visit www.humanrace.co.uk/windsor-triathlon.