ELITE athletes from around the world will be taking part in Challenge Weymouth this weekend, as organisers announce the event could bring benefits to the town for decades to come.

The sport’s top representatives will be taking part in Sunday’s triathlon and young star Joe Skipper is hoping the race will be his chance to break the British record by completing the course in under eight hours.

Athletes also spoke of how having a major race event in the town could inspire youngsters in Weymouth.

Speaking at a press conference at Weymouth Pavilion, race director Alan Rose said the event will run until at least 2016, but he is ‘looking for longevity’.

He said: “We are very keen that we continue to build and develop this event over the three years that was initially agreed, but we are looking to extend beyond that. We want to be an event like Roth in Germany, which has just celebrated its 30th year.”

Speaking after the conference, Weymouth and Portland Borough Councillor and briefholder for tourism and leisure Rachel Rogers welcomed the long-term plans for Challenge Weymouth.

She said: “I think this is a very exciting part of the Olympic legacy and it’s great to see that taking off. Three years is great, but 30 would be fantastic.”

Cllr Rogers added: “There are 50 local people taking part on Sunday and hopefully they will act as an inspiration for even more people to get involved in the future.”

Athlete Stephen Bayliss is involved in the DOVE project which aims to encourage involvement in triathlons at a grassroots level.

He said: “It is massively important for youngsters to see events happening like this on their doorstep. It’s an opportunity for so many people to see it happening. They may not have done it before but you never know what will inspire a lifelong ambition for them.”

Meet some of the top competitors...

ATHLETES from as far away as New Zealand will be in Weymouth this weekend and with prize money worth €50,000, including €8,000 for the overall winner, it’s bound to get competitive.

Here are some of the top competitors taking part. For a full list of competitors, visit www.dorsetecho.co.uk l Keegan Williams (New Zealand): Completed his first Ironman triathlon in 2007.

• Joel Jameson (Switzerland): Came second in Challenge Henley in 2012 and third in 2013.

• Joe Skipper: First ever triathlon was in Weymouth and Portland. Hopes to set a British record by completing the course in under eight hours.

• Joanna Carritt: Challenged to enter her first triathlon with friends in 2003 and turned professional in 2009.

• Craig Twigg: Has previously represented Great Britain in Olympic distance triathlon. Won this year’s Outlaw triathlon in Nottingham.

• Stephen Bayliss: Has won four long-distance titles including Challenge Henley in 2012.

• Charissa Wernick (California): Won the San Diego International Triathlon this year and came second in the Superseal Olympic Triathlon.

• Eleanor Haresign: Ran her first Iron distance triathlon in Lanzarote this year in a time of 10 hours and 42 minutes.