features
People profiles: Michael Burkert
INTOTRI
What is INTOTRI?
By offering free entry-level triathlons, INTOTRI has ambitions to do for triathlon what parkrun has done for running. Similar to parkrun, we schedule events at the same time and same place each month, harness volunteer support, make them free to enter and offer a welcoming environment.
Distances are set to be achievable, but still a challenge. The super sprint distance is a 400m swim, 10k bike ride and 2.5k run. There’s also a junior distance (200m, 4k, 2.5k) and, for those who want to progress, a sprint distance (400m, 20k, 5k).
Why did you launch it?
Despite triathlon being a friendly and fast-growing sport – and one many health club operators are embracing, supporting members to prepare for the events – there are a few barriers to participation: the swim, especially if it’s open water, the idea of getting on a bike wet, having the right gear and expensive entry fees.
We’ve removed the barriers. Participants can stop and rest in the swim, and can even walk if they want to. The first transition isn’t included in the overall time either, so people can go to the changing room and change after the swim, which means they don’t have to wear a trisuit.
In fact, they can use any kit – they can even do the cycling leg of the triathlon on a tandem bike if they wish! – and there are no cut-off times.
How can health club operators engage?
We’re looking for partners so we can run more events. We need access to a pool (usually between 7.00am and 8.00am on race day), safe bike and run routes, and buy-in from operators. We take care of everything else: the insurance, risk assessments, child protection policy, the route, marshalls and marketing.
Who is the core target market?
People coming back into sport after a few years, or who are confident in one discipline but not all three. Once people are inspired by triathlon, they might then take out a swim membership at a club, or have swimming lessons, or join the gym to work on strength training for the bike and the run.
What are your plans going forward?
Our first site, Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Centre at Walton-on-Thames in Surrey, has hosted 11 events so far and is going from strength to strength. More sites are set to come on-stream as well: Redcar and Cleveland Leisure Centre will go live in April, as well as a site in south Manchester which we’re just finalising, and discussions are underway with other centres. Taking the concept into schools is also an ambition.
