Challenge London has partnered with Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) with the aim of breaking down barriers to participation when it takes place in the UK capital on 6 August 2023.
RBC will be hosting the RBC Community Challenge, which adds three additional elements to the Challenge London weekend. These three additional challenges, which are being offered for free by RBC to bring new individuals to the sport, are:
- An RBC Community Cycling Challenge
- An RBC Community Open Water Swim
- An RBC Community Super Sprint Triathlon
Noting that mass participation events can be a powerful trigger for lifestyle changes, RBC is encouraging community groups to get together and participate in shorter distance events. The community challenges feature: circa 25km & 50km cycles, 400m and 1,500m swims as well as the Super Sprint Tri.
In addition to breaking down barriers to participation, the RBC Community Challenge will also support the community. In return for a free place, participants are encouraged to raise funds – either for Challenge London’s official charity partner, Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, or a charity of choice.
Craig Dews, CEO at LimeLight Sports Club, organisers of Challenge London, said, “At LimeLight Sports Club we are always exploring meaningful partnerships and opportunities to help diversify our events as well as break down barriers to participation. Thanks to the commitment from Royal Bank of Canada, so many new people will get the unique opportunity to experience one of the best triathlon events in the world, in the heart of London.”
Dave Thomas, CEO at RBC Europe, added “Promoting diversity and inclusion and supporting the communities where we operate are values dear to everyone at RBC. The RBC Community Challenge represents an exciting opportunity to encourage people who may never have considered entering such an event, or thought it out of their reach, to take part in this great triathlon. They will experience the positive and transformational benefits of sport, all whilst encouraging fundraising for charity too. We can’t wait to see everyone in August.”
Challenge London is open to all abilities, with participants riding by Big Ben, the London Eye and Houses of Parliament, having set off from the ExCeL Centre in East London, the heart of the London Docklands. The triathlon consists of six distances and challenges, including: Super Sprint, Sprint, Sprint Relay, Olympic, Olympic Relay and Middle.