Granite Weekender organisers aiming to deliver for athletes and spectators alike

When the Guernsey Triathlon Club’s new showpiece event takes place this weekend, the former Granite Man – now in a fashionable 100km format – will be the cornerstone of a vibrant multi-sporting festival based at and around the Peninsula Hotel.

Action begins with Saturday’s Novice Triathlon, junior Splash and Dash, and 5k Your Way charity run.

But the weekend hits its full competitive flow on Sunday with the Granite 100 and supporting sprint.

Triathlon Club president Emily Squire, who features alongside Amy Critchlow, Laura Fry and Sam Gosling in the core organisational team, has highlighted the festival atmosphere provided by the new base.

‘When you do it at Pembroke ... it’s an event for the participants,’ she said.

‘Whereas actually you always get loads of friends and family, and what we want to do is make it more spectator-friendly.

‘It was Sam, Amy and Laura really that came up with the idea of the Peninsula, because it’s got that natural amphitheatre, almost, and it allows us to keep everyone in one place, have a proper big transition and a proper finish area, with food, and everyone can have a drink afterwards.

‘We’re really proud of the fact that triathlon in Guernsey is welcoming and fun and it’s great to take part in.

‘Having this event in a central position where people can have a drink afterwards in a social way, I think that’s important to all of us.’

Critchlow added: ‘It allows more of an atmosphere to be created with having everything on site, and it’s more central on the race course – spectators can watch the transitions and actually walk to the quarry.’

Port Grat forms a unique setting for the full distance’s 2km swim, the 80km bike leg spans most of the island’s west coast, and the aforementioned Les Vardes Quarry will feature not once but twice in the 18km run.

The quarry is much deeper than in the last Granite Man – reaching 82m below sea level – and so promises quite the spectacle, especially given musical support from DJ Richard Le Tocq. It will also feature once in the 37km sprint race.

A very competitive men’s field will be another big draw.

While reigning champion Chris Norman and prolific previous winner Mat Dorrian are among the experienced triathletes tackling the full distance, up-and-coming competitors like Thierry Le Cheminant and Ethan Woodhead add a new dimension.

In a quieter women’s line-up, Lindsay Sword looks like the one to beat following her victory in the domestic Island Games qualifier at Rocquaine.

Sunday’s racing has also attracted numerous visitors, with 12 Jersey and 10 UK entries, plus one Netherlands traveller.

‘We have got quite a few visitors coming to the island and we really want them to have a positive experience of the race, but also of Guernsey,’ Critchlow said.

• The Granite 100 starts at 7am on Sunday. More information is available at www.graniteweekender.com.