The Granite Weekender – A Multi-Sport Weekend for the whole family to ‘Find their Grit'

Media release from Granite Weekender

The inaugural Granite Weekender multi-sport festival will be taking place on Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September 2024, seeing a range of competitors swimming, cycling and running around the west coast of the Island. Around 28% of entries for the main event – the Granite100 – will be arriving from Jersey, the UK, and the Netherlands, to enjoy not only a 2km swim in Port Grat Bay and an 80km cycle along the West Coast; but also to challenge themselves by finishing the event with an 18km run, descending 85m below sea level into the Ronez quarry, and climbing back out again – twice!
All competitors taking part will be able to ‘find their grit’ throughout the weekend. Although entries for the main events of the Granite100 and the Granite Sprint are now closed, entries are still available for the Granite Novice ‘Try a Tri’ and the junior Granite Groms ‘Splash and Dash’ taking place on Saturday 31 August.

Amy Critchlow, Island Games Triathlon Bronze Medallist and one of the Organising Team Members, said:
“We are really excited to be organising the inaugural Granite Weekender – a weekend full of multi-sport fun and adventure. There are some spectacular routes and we’ve got a huge amount of support from local businesses. Following the success of the Island Games last year, and the amazing Triathlon competitions, we’re welcoming triathletes of all abilities throughout the weekend – many of which have been inspired by the Games – to give multi-sport a go. Where else in the world can you swim, bike and run in such amazing scenery – and descend to sub sea-level at the same time? It’s going to be an amazing weekend of adventure.”

The Organising Team has worked closely with staff at Traffic and Highways, as well as Civil Protection and Bailiwick Law Enforcement to ensure the weekend runs as smooth as possible. Although most of the weekend’s events will be taking place on ‘open roads’, road access to the Port Grat East Car Park, Les Dicqs, Let Petit Clos, Rouse and Rousse Car Park (including Rousse Kiosk) will be closed from 06:00h until 15:00h on Sunday 1 September. During this time, although pedestrian access will be available, no vehicular access (including bicycles) will be permitted whilst the events are taking place, including access or egress to properties business or parking areas. The only exception will be for emergency vehicles.

Sam Gosling, former Triathlete and one of the Organising Team Members, said:
“We really appreciate this temporary road closure will cause disruption but are keen to ensure the safety of both competitors and members of the public remains of paramount importance – so a huge thank you to the residents and businesses impacted for their cooperation and support. We are also aware there will probably be more cyclists and runners out along the West Coast and around the quarry than there usually are on a Sunday morning! However, we would really like members of the public to remember the fantastic atmosphere created during the Island Games roads events, and to come out and help support and cheer on the athletes taking part, as well as being considerate road users to all using the roads at this time.

Businesses and associations contributing to the Granite Weekender’s family fun and festival feel include:

• Ian Brown’s Cycles and Healthspan providing prizes for the main G100 event along with competitor goody bags.
• Wheels & Co, providing water bottles for competitor goody bags and prizes, along with the offer of last-minute bike checks and maintenance for competitors.
• CMC Wellbeing, providing a much-appreciated post event massage station.
• The Peninsula Hotel, which will be the location for the ‘Event Headquarters’, including race briefings, transition, and that all important refuelling station for competitors and spectators alike. From 7am an event breakfast menu will be available, and from 11am an event BBQ station will be set up for competitors and supporters to enjoy.
• Ronez, which is generously allowing use of the quarry (aka ‘the Party Pit’) to provide a dramatic run with a difference – although this will be the first time athletes in the main event will have the challenge of navigating the steep sub-sea level quarry loop twice – all to the accompaniment of a DJ to help motivate and inspire!
• Support from the Guernsey Tourism Management board, enabling organisers to purchase an upgraded timing system and rescue paddle board – providing much needed support for a number of Island events.

Full details for all events, including a detailed information pack containing all the routes and spectator parking information, can be found at www.graniteweekender.com.