2015 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships Preview

On Sunday June 27th, the world’s leading long course triathletes will race at the 2015 ITU Long Distance Triathlon World Championships in Motala, Sweden. Last year’s women’s winner, Camilla Pederson (Denmark), will return to defend her title against tough competition including multiple Ironman winner American Mary Beth Ellis. Retired Olympian Rasmus Henning, also from Denmark, will be racing against fierce male competition including multiple Ironman winner and Challenge series record holder, Australian Joe Gambles.

In 2013, Canadian Rachel McBride came third at the event in Belfort, France and in 2006 Sara Gross was sixth. Gross won the ITU European Long Course Championships in 2005.

This is the third time the event will be hosted in Sweden. Motala is a small town situated on Lake Vattern, with the four km swim course taking place in the bay which usually reaches a temperature of 17 degrees in June. The 120 km cycling course is challenging and uphill through a beautiful countryside. The final leg of the race, the 30 km run course, follows three loops of unpaved roads and trails before eventually turning into asphalt route along the water.