ALISTAIR and Jonny Brownlee's legacy triathlon has received a double boost four months before its fourth staging.

The Brownlee Tri, which is based at Leeds' Harewood House, has not only achieved Triathlon England’s prestigious event quality mark, it has also been recognised as one of the top three triathlons in the United Kingdom by the 2016 Running Awards.

The event, which takes place on Saturday, September 24, has increased in size and improved in quality year on year.

The Brownlee brothers, who live in Bramhope and are both Bingley Harriers, are delighted at how their triathlon has grown, with Alistair saying: "We started the Brownlee Tri after the London 2012 Olympics to try and inspire people to give triathlon a go.

"We have had many beginners take part over the last few years, which we are extremely proud of, and for the event to also be recognised within the triathlon community is absolutely fantastic.”

Brownlee Tri event manager Sally Richards added: “As an event organiser, achieving Triathlon England’s event quality mark level two is a huge achievement.

"A lot of hard work goes into delivering the Brownlee Tri, and producing a high quality and enjoyable event for our participants and spectators is the main priority.

"It is fantastic news that we are meeting and hopefully exceeding Triathlon England’s standards and expectations”.

A ten per cent early bird discount is available for the 2016 Brownlee Tri before Tuesday, May 31 at www.brownleetri.com.

When that deadline has passed, attention will switch to the fifth leg of the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Series – the inaugural Columbia Threadneedle World Triathlon Leeds – which is being held on the weekend of June 11-12.

It provides recreational athletes with the opportunity to compete on the same course as the world’s best, and follows in the footsteps of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ in Leeds and the Tours of Yorkshire.

It will also be the last chance to watch Alistair and Jonny Brownlee compete on home soil before they head for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

On Sunday, June 12, over 5,000 triathletes of all levels of ability will compete on the unique ‘point-to-point’ course with two separate transition areas.

Starting with an open water swim in Roundhay Park, the bike and run legs will take in Leeds city centre.

The world’s best will then contest a 1500-metre swim in Roundhay Park, a 41.5km ride through Roundhay, Moortown, Meanwood, Weetwood, Headingley and Woodhouse before completing six circuits of a city centre loop and a 10km run over four shorter laps of the city centre loop.