Gatorade Big
Half & Trentham Triathlons
Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire
7:00am Sunday 27th July 2008
Welcome to
the sixth year of the race…..
We aim to make this an exciting, safe and fun experience
so please take time to read all the information
on this sheet as there are many changes over previous
years. It will also make the race far more enjoyable
for you and reduce the need to ask many questions
on the day.
Good luck and have a great race! Keith Hancock,
Race Director.
Main
points to remember.....
1 Make sure you bring these competitor
notes with you and that you arrive at the venue
before the entrance closure time of 7:00am on the
day of the race (cycles will be using it shortly
after 7:00am). Allow plenty of time to park, register,
rack your cycle and get to the swim start for your
compulsory race safety brief. Please note that the
race registration, transition and finish area are
not inside the gardens and if you wish to enter
you have to pay the normal fees. For details visit
the website at www.trenthamleisure.co.uk Please
note there are no dogs allowed in the Italian Gardens
except guide dogs. Dogs are allowed at the triathlon.
2 Know exactly your start time
and how many laps of each discipline you are doing
(write it on your arm in waterproof ink if you feel
you may forget!).
3 Make sure your race numbers are
clearly displayed on your front and back for the
cycle and run sections of the race and are pinned
in all four corners with the safety pins provided
(if using an elastic number belt pin both numbers
on top left and right hand corners, not half way
down as they fold over and your number can’t
be seen!).
4 The roads are open to traffic
so take extra care on the cycle course especially
at sharp turns, watch for pedestrians crossing and
obey the Highway Code. Keep to the left at all times
except when overtaking.
5
Be on time for your start and listen carefully to
the swim safety brief.
6
Ensure you make your way to the swim start with
shoes needed to run from the swim finish to the
cycle transition area.
7
Enjoy the race and once you have read all this information,
if you still have questions please ask at registration.
Volunteers
Wanted…..
Do you have family or friends supporting you at
the Trentham Triathlon? We are always recruiting
volunteers for the race, on all areas from timing
through to finish line refreshments. No experience
is necessary and every volunteer receives a pair
of designer Sundog sports sunglasses worth £45.00,
the official race T-shirt, food and drink for the
duration and lots of thanks as we rely so much on
volunteers to make the event possible. If you would
like to help out please email Keith at keith@uktriathlon.co.uk
or call him direct on 07887 780553 he will be delighted
to hear from you.
Staying
at Trentham Gardens.....
If you wish to camp or caravan at Trentham Gardens
you can only do this by pre booking, as there is
a special arrangement for Saturday night only for
the event. Please note there is no electric hook-up
or showers available. For details and booking please
phone 01782 657341 and ask for Kelly Jones. For
B&B and hotel accommodation please call Tourist
Information on 01782 236000 or visit the website
www.visitstoke.co.uk
Eating
before & at the race.....
There are a wealth of restaurants and cafes at Trentham
Gardens that offer good food if you want to load
up on carbohydrates the day before the triathlon.
On race day we are in association with the Six Arches
restaurant and self service cafe based in the garden
centre that overlooks the cycle out, run course
and finish line that is open from 7:30am for breakfast,
ideal for spectators whilst the cycle section of
the triathlon is underway.
Race
Day Photography…..
The official race photographers are SportCam who
will be positioned around the course. Please make
sure you have your race number clearly visible so
you can check out your photographs on the website
at www.sportcam.net a couple of days after the race.
Massage.....
Pre & post race massage is available on both
Saturday & Sunday in the marquee, which is situated
next to registration. The massage team can help
with niggling aches and strains and get you ready
for the event, as well as aid recovery and reduce
stiff muscles after the race!
TRI
UK Retail Stand.....
For all the best in triathlon bikes, clothing and
equipment look no further. TRI UK INC. will be located
next to the registration marquee from Saturday afternoon
through to Sunday for those last minute emergencys
or to just treat yourself! For sales, product information
or a mail order catalogue call 07000 874 854
Race
Itinerary & Info.....
DIRECTIONS & PARKING
From the M6 take junction 15 (Stoke-on-Trent), at
the junction take the A500 toward Stoke-on-Trent
and after approximately
2 miles take the junction for the A34 heading toward
Stone and Stafford. Trentham Gardens is approximately
1.5 miles on the right hand side. On race day follow
the “Triathlon Parking” signs to the
car park. Make sure that you arrive at the venue
before the entrance closure time of 7:00am (as cycles
will be using it shortly after 7:00am). Public toilets
are situated within the retail park at the venue
and are open from 6:00am.
REGISTRATION
(Located in the marquee alongside the garden centre)
Registration is open on Saturday from 1:00pm to
4:00pm and on Sunday from 5:45am to 7:45am.
At registration you collect your race numbers, safety
pins to attach numbers, swim cap and official T-shirt.
Make sure your
race numbers are clearly displayed on your front
and back for the cycle and run sections of the race
and are pinned in all four corners (if using an
elastic number belt pin both numbers on top left
and right hand corners).
Not displaying your race numbers fully may mean
a time penalty and possibly no overall time in the
results. Race numbers must not be mutilated or folded
in any way, as this will constitute a 2 minute penalty!
It is good practice to write your name, blood group
and any allergies you may have on the back of your
race number in the unfortunate case of an accident!
Please note mobile phones or any type of personal
music system is not permitted whilst competing in
the event.
BTF
MEMBERS
We support membership of the BTF and therefore we
recognize BTF members. In order to verify your BTF
Membership please show your 2008 BTF licence at
registration or you will have to pay the £5.00
difference. The £5.00 extra that none BTF
members have already paid is the cost of a PRO TRI
day licence that allows you to compete.
CYCLE
TRANSITION AREA IS OPEN AT 5:45AM (You
can only rack your cycle on the morning of the race!)
Once registered you may go to the cycle transition
area, which is situated next to the registration
marquee.
Classic, Sprint and Fun competitors please rack
your cycle from 6:45am onwards.
For security purposes make sure you have your race
numbers with you to enter and exit the transition
area.
WAVE
START TIMES
BIG HALF Triathlon 07:00am All Males, Females &
Relay
Sprint Triathlon 08:10am All Males & Females
Classic Triathlon 08:15am All Males & Females
Fun Triathlon 08:35am All Males & Females
COMPULSORY
RUNNING SHOE TRANSITION
Due to the length of the run from the swim finish
to the cycle transition area and the different type
of ground conditions underfoot, there is a compulsory
shoe transition. When you make your way to the lake
for the start, wear either your running shoes for
the final run discipline or a spare pair of running
shoes. Next to the lake start and finish slipway
will be a shoe transition area where you lay out
your shoes. There will be numbered bays to help
you remember where you put your shoes. When you
exit the lake you enter the shoe transition area
to put on your shoes before you commence the 500
metre run (or walk!) from the swim finish to the
cycle transition area. Coconut matting is very difficult
to lay out on the new winding gravel paths that
run through the gardens and could be a tripping
hazard if they crease up. It will be much more comfortable
for competitor’s feet and massively reduce
the risk of underfoot damage.
SWIM
(BIG HALF & Relay 1.2 Mile, Classic 1500 Metres,
Sprint 500 Metres, Fun 200 Metres)
Cut off time for BIG HALF 8:30am
You must wear your allocated swim cap, which will
be given to you at registration. You enter the lake
via the concrete slipway next to the boat launch
and the swim starts in the water.
IMPORTANT
SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT.
There is known to be fresh water mussels in the
lake and water depth is approximately 1.5 metres
so we have therefore made it a rule on the basis
of safety that there is to be no walking on any
part of the swim course. If for any reason you have
to stop swimming then stand in the same position
until you are content to continue swimming or if
not then raise your arm and a safety craft will
come to your assistance.
BIG HALF Triathlon & Relay 4 x Laps of triangular
course
Sprint Triathlon 1 x Lap of triangular course
Classic Triathlon 3 x Laps of triangular course
Fun Triathlon 1 x out & back of Fun course
BIKE
(BIG HALF & Relay 56 Miles, Classic 46K, Sprint
23K, Fun 11.5K) Cut off time for BIG HALF 12:30pm
You must fasten your helmet before taking your cycle
off the rack. Walk or run to the cycle mount line
where you commence the cycle section of the race
(no cycling in the transition area). The cycle course
is open to traffic and is fast and fairly flat with
some undulations. Please take extra care at the
roundabouts, especially when you have to go right
around them and obey the Highway Code. There is
a pelican crossing on the course, if you receive
a red light and have to stop or slow down the marshal
will take your number and you will be compensated
on the results. There is one feed station on the
cycle course strictly for BIG HALF competitors only.
If you require Gatorade or water please throw your
empties safely toward the hedge in the lay-by (marshals
will collect them). Nature Valley granola bars and
bananas are available too!
Dismount your cycle at the end of the cycle course,
a marshal will tell you, do not unfasten your helmet
until you have racked your cycle. You cannot compete
without a cycle helmet!
BIG HALF
Triathlon & Relay 3 x lap of the long course
Sprint Triathlon 2 x lap of the short course
Classic Triathlon 4 x lap of the short course
Fun Triathlon 1 x lap of the short course
DRAFTING
Cyclists must maintain a forward distance of 5 metres
between each other at all times except when overtaking
when it is the responsibility of the overtaken rider
to drop back to maintain this gap. Drafting marshals
will strictly enforce this rule and offending cyclists
will receive a time penalty then disqualification
on the second offence.
RUN (BIG HALF & Relay 13.1
Miles, Classic 10K, Sprint 5K, Fun 2.5K) Cut off
time for BIG HALF 3:30pm
BIG HALF Triathlon & Relay 4 x out and back
of the long course
(A wrist band will be given to you on every lap
to assist counting)
Sprint Triathlon 2 x out and back of the short course
Classic Triathlon 4 x out and back of the short
course
Fun Triathlon 1 x out and back of the short course
The run
is around the lake on a gravel track. When you’ve
completed the run filter through to the finish line.
There are two feed stations on the run course and
one at the finish line which will be serving Gatorade
isotonic sports drink, water, Nature Valley granola
bars and bananas.
RELAY
COMPETITORS (1.2 Miles-56 Miles-13.1 Miles)
Each member of the relay team completes one of the
disciplines in the triathlon. At registration you
will be given a wrist band which you have to relay
to the finish line. After completing the swim, the
swimmer then passes the wrist band to the cyclist
inside the cycle transition area next to where the
cycle is racked, the cyclist must not take their
cycle off the rack until they have received the
wrist band. The cyclist completes the cycle course
and passes the band over to the runner in the transition
area only when the cycle has been placed back on
the rack. The runner completes the run course and
hands in the band at the finish line.
PRIZES,
PRIZE GIVING & RESULTS
There are prizes and medals for top 3 male &
female in the BIG HALF, Classic, Sprint and Fun
competition as well as overall winners of the Relay
event. There are Saucony prizes for all BTF 5 year
age groups in the BIG HALF, Classic and Sprint Triathlon
as well as spot prizes. Prize giving will take place
shortly after each race has finished at the rear
of the finish line, this will be announced over
the P.A. system. Results will be available to view
straight after each event has finished and published
on the website at www.uktriathlon.co.uk on Monday
28th July.
Important
note to all competitors as your safety is paramount
to us.
The Trentham Triathlon is registered, sanctioned
and governed by PRO TRI a none bias association
dedicated to delivering professional health and
safety, risk assessment, rules and refereeing guidance
to the UK Triathlon Race Series.
Whether you are a BTF member or not, you are covered
by The UK Triathlon Race Series public liability
insurance.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks to all that have made this event possible
especially all volunteers, management crew and all
at Trentham Leisure, Gatorade, 220 Triathlon, Sundog,
Saucony, Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire
Police and anyone else that has helped in anyway.
