| 7:00am
Sunday 26th July 2009
Welcome
to the seventh 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 it will make the race far more enjoyable and
reduce the need to ask questions on the day.
Good luck and have a great race! Vic Bickerton, Event
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 which you have to pay to enter
(with the exception of the swim where entry is free for
the duration of the swim only). For details of the Trentham
Estate visit the website at www.trenthamleisure.co.uk.
You can also visit our Trentham page where you can print
a 2for1 entry voucher. 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 Julie at Julie@uktriathlon.co.uk
or call Vic direct on 07753 988869.
Staying at
Trentham Gardens.....
For B&B and hotel accommodation please call Tourist
Information on 01782 236000 or visit the website www.visitstoke.co.uk
There is a Premier Inn on site with a limited number of
rooms left, please visit www.premierinn.com
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
there are restaurants and takeaways open from when the
race starts serving hold and cold food and drink.
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 near 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.com
Retail Stand.....
For all the best in triathlon bikes, clothing and equipment
look no further. TRI UK.com will be located near to the
registration marquee from Saturday afternoon through to
Sunday for those last minute emergencies 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 5:30am.
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 recognise
BTF members. In order to verify your BTF Membership please
show your 2009 BTF licence at registration or you will
have to pay the £5.00 difference. The £5.00
extra that non 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 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 and obey the Highway
Code. 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). 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 8 x lap
Sprint Triathlon 2 x lap
Classic Triathlon 4 x lap
Fun Triathlon 1 x lap
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 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
Asics 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 27th
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 non 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, Asics,
Staffordshire Borough Council, Staffordshire Police and
anyone else that has helped in any way.
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