Alistair and Jonathan Brownlee finished fourth and fifth in the thrilling sprint distance international elite event, which was one of the closest ever in the history of the ITU World Series. It was the first time ever in an ITU Triathlon World Series event that the Brownlee brothers and Javier Gomez all started without at least one of them making it onto the podium. In the women’s race, British athlete Helen Jenkins put in a burst of speed on the run leg to finish seventh.

 

The London 2012 Olympic venue also welcomed elite international paratriathletes and more than 5000 amateur competitors. Swimming, cycling and running just within Hyde Park, cumulatively all participants covered a total distance of 108,275km - enough to circumnavigate the world 8.5 times.

 

Helen Jenkins said: “The crowds were fantastic today, especially when I started moving through on the run, it really keeps you motivated.”

 

Women’s winner, Gwen Jorgensen (USA) said: “The fans are awesome. You heard people cheering the whole way. I think that’s what makes it a great triathlon and gives us all another gear.”

 

A third of the competitors in the amateur events were complete novices, including 2008 Olympic bronze medal winning swimmer, Joanne Jackson, who completed her first ever triathlon.

 

Local resident, Tom Moxham, 25, said: “The event was absolutely amazing. The support along the route was incredible and, as a Londoner, the privilege of being able to compete within Hyde Park on the London 2012 triathlon course was truly special. I’ll certainly be back next year to try and beat my PB!”

 

2012 Olympic Champion Alistair Brownlee summed up the participation of athletes like Tom Moxham and the extensive BBC coverage, commenting: “It’s always good to race in Hyde Park. We get great crowds, which really make the race here. It’s so hard to put your finger on what legacy is, but I think we’re seeing it in participation figures and following.”

 

Event director, Robert Puestow felt the sprint format for the elite races – a change to the standard format of the Olympic distance - was a huge success. He said: “The PruHealth World Triathlon London saw incredibly close and exciting racing in perfect conditions. Having the two elite sprint races on the same afternoon helped us attract a crowd similar, if not even bigger than when we hosted the World Series Grand Final last year.”

 

“It’s a privilege to be able to host this event in Hyde Park. It’s become a fantastic spectacle for our sport and made fantastic live viewing on BBC1. It also gave 5000 athletes the experience of racing at the Olympic triathlon venue.”

 

Individuals interested in taking part in the 2015 event can register their interest at www.worldtrilondon.com to receive priority entry into the 2015 event.

 

PruHealth World Triathlon London in numbers

 

£5 million economic impact

40,000 spectators

5,000 amateur competitors including 1600 first timers

200 elite competitors

100 photographers and journalists

29 different nations

 

Results:

Elite men

1. Mario Mola, ESP, 49.46

2. Richard Murray, RSA, 49.47

3. Joao Pereira, POR, 49.49

4. Alistair Brownlee, GBR, 49.52              

5. Jonathan Brownlee, GBR, 49.58          

14. Aaron Harris, GBR, 50.19     

16. Gordon Benson, GBR, 50.21

17. Adam Bowden, GBR, 50.22

38. Mark Buckingham, GBR, 50.58                         

52. Matt Sharp GBR, 52.23

 

Elite women

1. Gwen Jorgensen, USA, 54.44

2. Sarah Groff, USA, 55.12

3. Emma Jackson, AUS, 55.19

7. Helen Jenkins, GBR, 55.39

11. Jodie Stimpson, GBR, 00:55.43 

14. Vicky Holland, GBR, 55.52   

24. Lucy Hall, GBR, 56.29            

47. Holly Lawrence, GBR, 58.16