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 energy 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.
