Join in and celebrate Chichester's weekend of sport

And if you are not keen on entering, how about signing up to volunteer at the events?

Entries are open for:

• the Natures Way Foods Junior Aquathon on Saturday 14 July;
• the Natures Way Food Chichester Triathlon on Sunday 15 July; and
• Try-a-Tri races also on Sunday 15 July.

Councillor Eileen Lintill, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Wellbeing at Chichester District Council, says: "The Triathlon and Junior Aquathon events are suitable for all ages and levels of experience. With London 2012 inspiring people across the country to get active, we hope that many will be encouraged to celebrate the Olympics by tackling their very first Triathlon.

"These events will also form part of the Chichester District's Big Month, which celebrates a series of events, from the opening of our new museum 'The Novium' to the Olympic Torch Relay."

Sarah Baldock, Natures Way Foods Sales and Marketing Director, says: "We are very proud to be the main sponsors for 2012 as this event brings together the whole community. Volunteering is another great way to get involved and we will be providing our own team to help make the weekend a great success."

The main Triathlon event on the Sunday includes a 600m pool swim at Westgate Leisure Chichester, a 42km (26 mile) cycle ride and a 10km (six mile) run. If you don't feel like tacking those distances on your own, you can also enter a team into the main Triathlon event. All you require is for one team member to complete the swim part of the race, one team member for the cycle section, and one team member for the run.

Alongside the main Triathlon event, there will be the Chichester Try a Tri event. This is a sprint triathlon suitable for competitors who prefer a shorter distance triathlon involving a 400m pool swim, 30km (18 mile) bike ride and a 5km (three miles) run.

The Junior Aquathon is for competitors between eight and 16. It will include a swimming race at Chichester Westgate Leisure, followed by a race around Chichester College's campus. The distance set for junior competitors will be dependent upon their age.

To enter please see the links on the right.

Meanwhile, support is also required to run these events and volunteers are now being sought to help on both the Saturday and Sunday. If you are interested in supporting either of these please contact Ben Polhill, Sport Development Officer for further details.

Cllr Lintill adds: "Volunteering is a very rewarding way to play a big part in the success of the day. For those who would like to be involved in this exciting event, but do not want to enter the race why not lend a hand as a volunteer?"

Volunteers will help marshal the race and make sure the day runs smoothly. You could be required for the following:

• registering the athletes at the Westgate Leisure Centre before the start of the race;
• counting the required number of lengths for each swimmer;
• marshalling at different points along the bike section of the race;
• marshalling at different points along the run section of the race; or
• marshalling the finish area on Chichester Colleges front field.

Volunteers do not need any previous experience as they will be fully briefed before the event.

Date: 23 May 2012

Reference: 3113