An international sporting event that is expected to bring £2m to the North Yorkshire economy has found a new host town after problems with the previously selected venue.
The internationally recognised Long Course Weekend will now take place in Masham in September this year – and for the following two years.
Initial plans were to see it based in Pateley Bridge but difficulties over using the Nidderdale Showground have led to the move to the neighbouring town.
However, events are still expected to go through Pateley Bridge and around Nidderdale.
Competitors from across the country are expected to descend on the county for the event, which is based on the principles of the triathlon but is tailored to open up the three disciplines of swimming, cycling and running to as wide an audience as possible.
It is expected to attract thousands of competitors and visitors.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Derek Bastiman, whose portfolio includes the visitor economy, said: “I am delighted that the community of Masham has taken the opportunity to be the new host town for this prestigious event, and that Pateley Bridge will still benefit from events coming through the town and the visitors they will bring with them.
“To be hosting such a well-respected and internationally-renowned sporting event is a real coup. It will give us the chance to showcase to a global audience what we can offer here in what is one of the most beautiful and diverse parts of the country.”
The event was established in Wales in 2010 and now has annual competitions taking place across the globe including in Holland, Belgium, Mallorca, Australia and New Zealand.
Competitors have the choice to participate in one of the individual disciplines or choose all three to take part in the competition. The swim distances range from 1.2 miles to 2.4 miles, cycling routes will be from 56 miles to 112 miles and the run will start at five kilometres to a full marathon. There will also be a children’s running event to encourage all members of the family to get involved.
The chief executive officer of the Global Long Course Weekend, Matthew Evans, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the latest Long Course Weekend in Masham. The town’s enthusiasm for hosting events is evident and the passion and support the local community has shown us is second to none."
The exact course has yet to be finalised, but the event will be staged from Friday, September 6, to Sunday, September 8.
Masham Parish Council’s vice-chair, Ian Johnson, said: “We have always been keen to support big sporting events such as the Tour de France’s Grand Départ and the Tour de Yorkshire when many thousands of visitors came to Masham.
"We have a reputation for volunteer-led events with the annual steam rally and sheep fair raising thousands for charity. The town always likes to celebrate and will embrace this weekend with gusto.”
The staging of the event has also been welcomed by businesses around the Masham area.
The owner of the Old Station Caravan Park in Masham, Flo Grainger, said: “The benefit to tourism businesses in the area will be great, and will provide a much-needed lift over the winter months, which can be very lean in these rural areas.
“It will showcase what is on offer and will boost trade and assist employment for years to come, bringing fresh hope to many in a time of ever-rising overheads, for a fragile rural economy, largely based on tourism.”
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