Weymouth and Portland are gearing up for a busy few months of sporting action, with major national and international events heading to the area between now and the autumn.
From world-class windsurfing and triathlon to running and motocross, Weymouth Beach, Portland Harbour and the surrounding coastline will provide the backdrop for a varied programme of events attracting competitors and spectators to the area.
One of the biggest international events comes in September when the iQFOiL World Championships take place at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy from September 7th to 12th.
Up to 250 of the world’s leading Olympic windsurfers are expected to compete, including double Olympic medallist Emma Wilson, once again putting the waters used for the London 2012 Olympic sailing events on the international sporting stage.
Just over a week later, Ironman 70.3 Weymouth returns on September 20th. Competitors will take on a 1.9km swim, followed by a 90km cycle and 21.1km run through Weymouth and the surrounding Dorset countryside.
The programme follows an already busy summer of sport in Weymouth. Earlier in the season, Weymouth Beach Volleyball Classic brought competitive beach volleyball to the sands, while the Coastal Combat Festival followed in August with MMA, boxing, Muay Thai and submission grappling on Weymouth Beach alongside live music.
September will also see the return of Hangers Heroes’ Fleet & Feet Trail, offering 10k, half marathon and full marathon routes through the countryside above Weymouth for walkers, runners and canicross competitors, with the exact date still to be confirmed.
The sporting calendar continues into the autumn when Weymouth Beach Motocross returns on October 10th and 11th, bringing two days of racing to the sands.
The area’s appeal for sport extends well beyond organised events. Weymouth Bay’s relatively sheltered waters and reliable breezes make it popular for paddleboarding, open-water swimming, windsurfing and kitesurfing, while Portland’s limestone cliffs attract climbers from across the country.
On land, the South West Coast Path and Rodwell Trail provide walking and cycling routes with views across the Jurassic Coast.
Graham Perry, Chair of the Board at We Are Weymouth, said: “This is shaping up to be one of the biggest sporting summers Weymouth & Portland has ever seen (since the 2012 Olympics!).”
He added: “Events like these matter to the town far beyond the sport itself. They fill our hotels, restaurants and cafes, and they put Weymouth & Portland in front of a national and international audience as one of the best places in the country to watch sport, or to get out and take part in it yourself.”
With international championships, endurance events and more action on Weymouth Beach still to come, the months ahead look set to reinforce Weymouth and Portland’s long-standing reputation as a destination for both competitive and recreational sport.
Leave A Comment