MULTI SPORT EVENT ORGANISATION                       

Jordans Bedford Classic Triathlon 2008 - Event Description

Overview: The Bedford Classic has been growing since 1999 and is now established as a top quality event. The fast, spectator-friendly course and the great atmosphere have made it a favourite event with hundreds of triathletes.

Prizes: There is significant prize money for 1st, 2nd & 3rd as well as age group prizes! (click for more)

Location: Bedford is located between the M1 and A1 approximately 1 hour by car north of London and 90 minutes south east of Birmingham.

Access: The race is set in the Bedford’s beautiful Embankment area close to the town centre. Ample parking is close by and free.

Changing and shower facilities are available at Bedford’s International Athletic Stadium - home of Paula Radcliffe.

Course: The 1500m swim takes place in the River Great Ouse, which flows gently through the centre of the town. The course starts at the Butterfly Bridge and runs 870m upstream to the turnaround buoy at St. Marys Bridge. Then it’s back downstream 630m to the swim exit opposite Eat Fish restaurant. Spectators walk alongside the river cheering on their swimmer for the whole 1500m. As the river is fairly narrow (40m at most) it’s not hard to pick out individuals. This is also a safety consideration and many triathletes use Bedford as their first open water event.

Transition is a mere 20m away and occupies The Embankment road, which is closed for the event.

Once onto the bike competitors have the luxury of a few hundred metres of traffic-free road. Then it’s 40km of almost entirely fast and flat open roads. The amended course still takes in Hammer Hill on the A600 but is followed by a super-smooth section down to Shefford. The next point of interest is a right turn at the T-Junction in Ickwell Green. This now has a compulsory one-foot-down stop and should be approached with the utmost caution! Then it's up the not-so-steep Moxhill. However once over the top it becomes steep and you'll have a good few miles of speed! Once through Cople the course resorts to fast and flat all the way back to Bedford. Please be aware of the short section of dual carriageway at the start and end of the course. It will be busy and you will need to be in the right-hand lane as you leave it both going out and coming back. You must take the 3rd exit at both roundabouts. 

The 10km run is three laps around the embankment running parallel to the swim course. This is entirely flat and so very fast! Competitors are in sight for almost all the run so spectators can watch the race unfold. The finish line is located next to transition and close to the after-race massage tent.

The race is also one of the only to accommodate wheelchair triathletes.

After the race browse the tri stands, replace lost energy with food from Nikki and Julian's catering van or even relax alongside transition at restaurant with some up-market cuisine and cheer on the finishers.