The Jenson Button Trust Triathlon takes place on Sunday July 17 in Derby.

IN 2010 Jenson Button set up a Trust which would allow him to raise money for a number of charities and worthy causes. One event which the Trust organises and runs is the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon.

We caught up with one of the organisers, Claire Duffin, who explained more about the phenomenal success of the triathlons, the work that goes on behind the scenes and what spectators can expect on the day of the race.

Read on for comment from Jenson Button himself and to find out how you can enter this year’s triathlon.

When was the Jenson Button Trust started and what was Jenson’s vision for what the Trust could achieve?

Set up in March 2010, the Jenson Button Trust was established to allow Jenson to donate to a number of charitable causes and campaigns that were close to his heart, with the overall aim of giving as much help to as many as possible. The Trust runs a number of fundraising activities and events from the Jenson Button Trust Yacht in Monaco to the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon.

Last year’s race was held in Derby and was a huge success.

Which charities benefit from the Trust and why are they so close to Jenson’s heart?

The Jenson Button Trust aims to raise money with Cancer Research UK, to fund pioneering work to help accelerate research and beat cancer sooner. Jenson Button and Cancer Research UK both believe we will beat cancer. The more research we do, the sooner that day will come

Jenson said: “My life has always been about the need for speed, but supporting Cancer Research UK is my most pressing and important challenge yet. All the money we raise will fund life-saving research to help beat cancer sooner.”

The Jenson Button Trust Triathlon is now in its sixth year and sets out to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

What was the idea behind the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon? When does the event take place this year and are people still able to enter?

Now in its sixth year, the Jenson Button Trust Triathlon is the key annual event organised by the Jenson Button Trust to raise money for Cancer Research UK. It is designed for triathletes of all abilities and experience to come together and enjoy a day of sport and entertainment.

It includes not only one of Britain’s best triathlon competitions but also a buzzing event village with a post-race party with prizes presented by Jenson, food and live entertainment.

Last year the event was held for the first time in Derby and was a huge success. This year’s event will be held on Sunday July 17 in Derby’s Markeaton Park with JBTT working again with Derby-based HUUB Events.

Individuals and teams will get the chance to race twice on the day. The preliminary will consist of a 200m swim in Markeaton Lake; 10km cycle from the park and on closed roads into the city centre before returning to the park to complete a 2.5km run.

In the individual event, the top male and female performers will then go on to the finals – completing a 400m swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, with the runners up entering the wooden spoon race. The Team Challenge participants will race again in the afternoon over the Super Sprint distance and the team with the fastest average time will emerge victorious.

Jenson said: “Last year’s Jenson Button Trust Triathlon was a great success and we are keen to make this year the biggest and best ever. We had a lot of support from the spectators which was a great boost when you are going through a lot of pain out there.

“We also had a great band of volunteers who came out in their own time to ensure everything went smoothly.

“To get the chance to swim in open water, cycle on closed roads and then run through the lovely park is fantastic.”

For more information and to register for the event visit www.jensonbuttontri.com and, for latest news and training tips, please follow on Twitter @JBTrustTri

Jenson is passionate about making this year’s triathlon the biggest and best yet.

Who is the race open to and will Jenson be racing himself?

Jenson Button will be joined in the triathlon by novices, experienced and elite triathletes alike as well as teams of three people. Jenson then presents the prizes at the end of the day.

The triathlon is open to all with Jenson presenting the prizes to the winners at the end of the day.

What else will be going on during the day and how can we get behind and support what’s going on?

The lunchtime break will see the first ‘Be More Bailey’ family mini triathlon. Children aged eight and above, accompanied by an adult will start with a 50m swim in the lake then head out onto the closed roads for a one and a half mile cycle before a 750m run – crossing the same finishing line as the JBTT triathletes.

Nine-year-old Bailey Matthews, who has Cerebral Palsy, first captured the hearts of the nation when a video of him casting aside his walking frame to cross a triathlon race finishing line went viral. Bailey shot to fame when he received awards for his courage and determination in the ‘Pride of Britain’ and ‘BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015. He will compete in the event alongside his dad Jonathan.

Jenson Button said: “Bailey is an inspiration to us all. I hope that young people far and wide will enter this mini triathlon and then, hopefully, catch the triathlon bug and join us for the main event in years to come.”

As well as the opportunity to compete alongside Jenson Button, last year thousands of people came to Markeaton Park to cheer on the triathletes and enjoy the event village and many more lined the cycle route into the city centre.

Entries are still open. please visit and follow on Twitter @JBTrustTri

The race is always cheered on by spectators who have travelled from far and wide.