SANCTIONED

MULTI SPORT EVENT ORGANISATION

Tel: 07748 911742

Bedford Autumn Sprint Triathlon - please download and read carefully for your safety and information!

Please note: Entrants' individual start times are calculated according to swim speeds submitted. These start times will be available on this website approximately 1 week before the race. These start times are approximate and may vary slightly on the day as more entries arrive in the last week.

Competitor Information for Sunday 30th September 2007

Arrival

Please arrive in good time to park, register and set up. Your approx. start time will appear next to your name on the start-list.

Parking

Parking is free and is located in the car park on Foster Hill Road adjacent to Bedford Park. On no account must anyone drive inside the park grounds. Please also avoid parking on the section of Foster Hill Road adjacent to the pool as this is part of the bike route. This section will be coned so please don't move them.

Registration

Registration opens at 6.15am and is located in the dance studio in the pool complex.

Proceed as follows:

1. Give registrar your name – they will find your name on the list and will either:

a. If you are a BTA member ask to see your license. If you cannot produce it you will have to pay the £3 for a day membership.

b. If you are not a BTA member and have paid the £3 give you your day membership form.

2. Take your goody-bag.

3. Have your race number written on your right shoulder with marker pen (this is waterproof but will come off with a bit of soap and a scrub after the race).

Numbers

You will find three race numbers in the goody-bag along with eight safety pins. The large Tyvek (waterproof & tearproof) numbers must be worn on the bike and run sections. The BTA rules state that a number should be visible at the back for the bike section and the front for the run section. It is your responsibility to make the numbers visible at all times. If the timers cannot see your number they won’t have time to run after you!

The small numbered sticker is for your bike. This must be in place before you rack your bike in the transition area. When your race is finished you must show the marshal your Tyvek number to retrieve the corresponding bike. If you cannot you will have a long wait until all the other bikes have been retrieved!

Setting Up

You can rack your bike in any free space along the racking provided. It is not numbered so first come – first served. Only competitors are allowed in the transition area. Please keep bags and equipment tidy so they don’t impede or cause a hazard to other competitors. The pool complex has a large, well-equipped changing village. Lockers are provided for a 50p deposit and their use is advised for your security. The organisers cannot accept responsibility for any loss.

Race Briefing

The race briefing will take place 15 minutes before the start. This will inform competitors of important information and of any late changes that may affect the race.

Swim

The first competitor will start at around 7.30am. This may change slightly as more entries are received but not by more than a few minutes.

Please enter the pool hall through the changing village NOT the transition area. Keep an eye on the numbers starting and get in line early.

Competitors will be set off individually in number order at 20 second intervals. You need to be ready to swim when the starter calls you. You do not need to wear a swim hat. You must start in the water – absolutely NO DIVING.

You must swim 66.6m in each of the six lanes. This means ducking under the lane rope after every 2 lengths and swimming up and down the next lane. After 12 lengths you will be at the other side of the pool and can climb out. This is a very simple and effective system, which requires very little counting.

Keep to the right at all times. If you need to overtake please make sure the way is clear before pulling out. Touch the toes of the person in front and they should let you pass at the end of the length. Please bear this in mind if your toes are touched!

Safety Points:

NO DIVING

NO RUNNING ON POOLSIDE

T1

After exiting the pool hall find your bike and get set for the next section. You MUST have your helmet in place and FASTENED before you un-rack your bike. You must not cycle in the transition-area. Wheel your bike to the exit where the marshal will supervise your exit onto the highway. You can then mount up and continue.

Cycle Section

You must wear a helmet. The cycle section is a 25km loop on open roads. The first and last parts are on main roads in built up areas. The middle part is on undulating country roads. You will have to negotiate many turnings and traffic islands – most on main roads. You are subject to all the normal laws of the road. You must ride with caution and adhere to the Highway Code at all times.

At one point (approx. 2km from the start) there are traffic lights. They operate for Sainsbury’s supermarket, which will be closed until 10am. However, they will still be in operation. If they are not green when you get there YOU MUST STOP!

Anyone seen violating this or any other law will be disqualified immediately and take no further part in this or any subsequent race organised by Galeforce Events. Please don’t put yourself and the future of triathlon in jeopardy for the sake of a few seconds.

All turnings will be clearly signed (large black arrow on fluorescent yellow background). Marshals will be at key points for your guidance and safety. Please obey their instructions. Extreme caution must be taken at the turnings in Felmersham. YOU MUST SLOW DOWN WELL IN ADVANCE on the downhill section leading to the T-junction in Pavenham.

The cycle section ends at the entrance to the Bedford Park. You must dismount before the line and then wheel your bike back to the transition-area.

Please study the route maps provided. It is your responsibility as a competitor to acquaint yourself with and navigate the course.

Re-rack your bike in it’s original position and prepare for the run section. Do not unfasten your helmet until your bike is re-racked.

Run

The run is 5km and comprises two full and one short lap of Bedford Park. You will be handed a rubber band on each lap to show you have completed the course.

Safety Points:

Please be careful when exiting the transition area onto the run - other competitors may be coming the other way.

Please treat other park-users with respect - they have an equal right to be on the path.

Finish

The finish line is in the park adjacent to the pool complex. Please don’t ask the timers for your result as they will be busy timing others.

Timing

Split times will be taken as you exit the pool hall, start the run and at the finish line. Please make sure your numbers are visible well in advance. Shout your number as you exit the pool hall.

Refreshments

The pool Cafe will be open.

First Aid

Paramedics will be on hand during the race as well as lifeguards in the pool hall.

Presentation

The presentation will take place as soon as the overall results have been collated and checked. The location will depend on the weather. Trophies are given to: 1st, 2nd & 3rd Male and Female Overall + 1st Male and Female in each BTA age-group (every 5 year split). Several trophy winners missed out at Race 1 because they had gone home - don't miss your moment of glory this time! Results are very quick these days so you won't have to wait too long after the last finisher.

Results

Full results will be available on the website the next day.

Marshalling

If you know anyone who could possibly help with marshalling on the day we would be very glad to hear from them. Please contact us info@traks.tk or on 07748 911742.

Have a good race!

Bedford Traktors Tri Club