Meanwhile the total number of registrations for the Kyocera Beach Challenge has surpassed 1,100. Last year’s record number of participants (1,250) will be well and truly beaten. The recreational cross triathlon series are full. On 8 July there were 10 starting permits left for the short distance only. We have increased the maximum number of entrants for the Beach Run end the Sea Swim to 600 and 300 respectively.

KYOCERA WK Cross Triathlon 2013 participants on a large map

Renate van Oosten, responsible for sponsor acquisition, about getting KYOCERA on board: “We have always been convinced that The World Championship was an attractive event for companies. However, the economic situation proved to be an obstacle. We simply had to be patient. But things moved fast when talking with KYOCERA. We met once to discuss matters and it proved a success. We hit it off straight away. It was clear our event and KYOCERA are a perfect match.

For KYOCERA sustainability is one of the core values of their corporate philosophy.

Naturally, swimming, cycling and running are sports that go very well with the philosophy of sustainability. And as an international company the World Championship is an interesting event. There will be athletes from 30 countries at the starting line and so the brandname KYOCERA will be in every race report, which wil produce positive attention in countries outside The Netherlands.
With all the partners we had already attracted we are now able to give the World Championship the appeal it deserves. Every inhabitant of The Hague is already familiar with KYOCERA as the name on the roof of the ADO DEN HAAG stadium. But soon it will also be known as the logo synonymous with The Beach Challenge.”

Etienne Hendriks, general manager of KYOCERA Document Solutions Netherlands: “The Beach Challenge and the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championship are great events, professionally organized almost entirely by volunteers. We feel this is enough reason to give this event our wholehearted support. As an enthusiastic sportsman I know from experience what a fantastic feeling it gives you when you put in a performance on your own strength, be it individually or as a member of a team. Many of our employees share this feeling. That is why a KYOCERA team will enter the Beach Challenge.”

Wouter in action

After nine months a suitable heart was available and Wouter could start a new life. Becoming fit and living as healthily as possible was his ultimate challenge. Practising a sport is the right way to do this and fortunately, that was already his passion. You would think that for someone with a donor heart the triathlon is not the most obvious choice. The necessary intensive use of medicines and limited amount of strain a donor heart can take do not allow extreme  fluctuations and exertions. However, endurance sports enable you to monitor your heart rate carefully and the sport is perfectly suited to realize optimum physical shape.

Just before Wouter fell ill he became fascinated with the triathlon and he joined endurance sports club RTC. After the initial challenge to participate in track and field events such as running 5km and 10km and achieving good results at swimming and cycle trials, the idea arose that even a triathlon should be possible again. After various minor competitions this resulted in competing in the Mallorca half-distance Ironman in 2012. Meanwhile Wouter has joined the most professional triathlon team of the Netherlands, Team4Talent, and is now even dreaming of participating in the Hawai Ironman.

That is why we are proud that Wouter is willing to act as ambassador for the “Ik word donor”  campaign at the Beach Challenge and World Championship Cross Triathlon. Of course Wouter will be competing in the Beach Challenge himself. We will welcome him at the start of Zeezwemprestatietocht (seaswimming event) on Thursday evening and the World Championship Cross Triathlon on Saturday morning. Meanwhile we will follow Wouter in his preperation for the Beach Challenge and his ambition to start in Hawai. Moroever, we will do our utmost to convince competitors en followers of the Beach Challenge of the necessity to register as a donor.

Read the full story of Wouter on “I word donor” or follow Wouter on Twitter through @wduinisveld

The details on how to register can be found here.

Photo: Jeroen Neervoort

Henk van Lint (NTB chairman), alderman Karsten Klein, organizer Frank Hamelink and Frans van Steenis (chairman Kijkduin Beach Resort) have a toast

Alderman Karsten Klein is thrilled with the upcoming WC: “The Hague is very much a sporting city. Top sport and recreational sport get all the support and attention they need. The Hague has a lot to offer, and this is recognized by internations sports federations. Not only does the city have thirteen kilometers of beach and beautiful dunes, it is also easily accessible and it has a great diversity in hospitality facilities. Cross Triathlon is a young and growing sport, and the organization of the WC next year is an appreciation to all parties who have committed themselves in bringing this great event to The Hague.” This year The Hague was host to the ETU European Championships Cross Triathlon. The WC Cross Triathlon is not the only Worlds that is on the city’s calendar: in 2014 the WC Hockey willl be held in The Hague and in 2015 The Hague will host the WC Beach volleyball.

Organisor Frank Hamelink expects participants from at least 30 different countries at the start. Especially from the United States there is a lot of interest. Much of the world top will be at the start. Conrad Stolz, ruling world champion, has announced to come to The Hague. The South African twittered after the announcement of the WC location “I already marked July 13 2013 in my calender- Holland, hier kom ons!”. For the European champions, the Spaniard Del Corral and the Csjech Erbanova July 13th is the most important date in their race season.

Besides the WC for Elite there are categories for paratriathletes, juniors and age groupers – participants in the 70-75 category have already applied. The event, generally known as the Beach Challenge, will last four days, starting on Wednesday July 10th. It will also offer recreational activities such as a Cube MTB Criterium, a Sea Swim, a Beach Run and a Kids Challenge.