Indoor hybrid race Supertri E woos age group athletes

The fastest indoor triathlon format is expanding its reach into the age group field. Supertri E opened up its registration to a limited number of clubs in its local area of London, England. The amateur athletes will compete before the elites in the same fast-paced indoor event at the London Aquatics Centre on April 5.

Future races could include all age groupers

The move signals Supertri’s continued expansion in the age group market. In its announcement, the company hints at the possibility that the indoor race could expand in scope to include beyond a few select clubs to the larger global age group audience.

“While the amateur racing in London is designed to offer a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of Supertri E, it opens up the tantalising prospect of greater participation opportunities, both real life and virtual, in the future,” the company stated.

Mixing it up with a new format

It is the sixth season for the unique rapid-fire race that involves a pool swim, stationary bike and treadmill run. This year will see the fusing of real life and virtual racing with the addition of MyWhoosh virtual cycling app adding advanced technology. With MyWhoosh the race is a hybrid between live action and a virtual platform. Athletes will each have their own avatar and can see the power they generate on the bikes and speed on the run in a virtual world.

With a screen in front of them on the bike and run, athletes can monitor their competition as avatars and see everyone’s data. Spectators of the pro event can see both the real life action from within the arena and also through the virtual world on display.

The race format is changing too. In keeping with the original tradition of Supertri, athletes will repeat the swim, bike, run course multiple times by completing three rounds of each back-to-back during the finals round. The morning heats will involve only two rounds of each, determining the top 10 athletes who will advance to the final championship round later that day.

“Our vision has always been to push the limits of triathlon, break down barriers to entry and create a community of triathlon fans,” said Supertri CEO Michael D’Hulst. “By opening Supertri E to the public, we’re giving athletes of all levels a unique opportunity to compete in a cutting-edge format and be part fo the action like never before.”

Big names and past champions on the start line

Supertri E has evolved over the years to partner with MyWhoosh and World Triathlon. Last year it was held in the same venue and attracted record-breaking views. This year’s competition includes Paris Olympics gold medallist Cassandre Beaugrand from France, adding to the intensity for spectators and athletes alike. Beaugrand was the runner up to winner Beth Potter from Britain last year, but took the title in 2022. Potter holds the title for 2024 and 2023 with back-to-back wins.

Last year’s champions Chase McQueen from the US and Potter are confirmed to defend their titles. McQueen had to fend off Britain’s Max Stapley and France’s Maxime Hueber-Moosbrugger for the win in 2024.

Britain’s Jonny Brownlee is also on the start list, sure to entice his local fans to the arena and online to watch the excitement unfold.