Jervis Bay, NSW, is to be home to the ‘new’ phenomenon of endurance sport, The Long Course Weekend (LCW). The event, which has its origins in Tenby where over 7,500 athletes descend each year, will begin its international journey in Jervis Bay on the weekend of October 27, 28 and 29.

The unique event lasts three days and this fun, inclusive format is ideal for clubs, training groups and families to come along and enjoy the benefits of training and racing together.

The weekend kicks-off on Friday evening where the LCW athletes have the swim to complete - a 3.8km open water swim that takes place at Jervis Bay. The swim also has a 1.9km swim, 1.5km swim and 500m swim, all to correspond with triathlons’ most popular distances.

On Saturday, the attention turns to The Grand Fondo, a 180km ride of undulating countryside that also incorporates 90km, 40km and 20km events - distances to attract athletes of all abilities.

To finish the weekend, the athletes will complete the run - a 42.2km marathon taking in the beautiful coastline of Jervis Bay and Huskinson. There is also a 21.1km run, 10km run and a 5km run, which allows everyone to be involved.

More than 1,500 competitors are expected to attend the Inaugural Jervis Bay LCW, with approximately 200 athletes attempting to receive the Long Course Weekend medal, which entails completing all three of the longest distances. Successful LCW athletes will be awarded with the LCW fourth medal and polo shirt at the finish line presentation on Sunday after the marathon.

“This weekend is going to be a fantastic way for athletes from all genres of sport to come together and enjoy a full range of events,” said Mark Emerton, owner of Elite Energy Sports, Australia’s premier event company. “At Elite Energy, we work hard to create experiences that will encourage people to get active and LCW fits our ethos perfectly. When Shane Smith from Sport 3 Events approached us to be the company that brings LCW to Australia, my team and I jumped at the opportunity. Jervis Bay will fall in love with this event, as will athletes from around Australia.”

LCW began in Tenby six years ago and has grown in numbers every year.

Matthew Evans, Scott Powell and their team at Activity Wales Events are now taking this three-day event around the world, with new events to be announced in early 2017.

“Our team is excited about LCW Jervis Bay,” said Matthew Evans, founder of LCW.

“We are so excited to be launching our first LCW outside the UK in Jervis Bay for a number of reasons. Long Course Weekend is not just a race, it’s an experience. To get this right, you need to have a great team delivering the event and it has to be in the right location. It’s not about big conference centres and cities, but intimate relationships with the community and stunning landscapes. This is why it is dubbed ‘the little big race’

“We have a fantastic team under Mark and Shane, with not just their vast experience, but their passion for the athlete, supporters and the community. This event will change the face of long distance events,” added Matthew.