Don’t just tri…

Sunday 20th May 2012, Crow Park Keswick.

Start 8.15am

Last updated 12/05/12.

Welcome to the fourth KMF Triathlon. This race is somewhat different to the normal run of the mill triathlon and will require a little more thought and preparation than many races. This is particularly relevant if you are not used to the narrow and twisty nature of Lakeland roads and are not used to running in the environmentally very sensitive fells of this area. PLEASE TAKE TIME TO STUDY THESE NOTES even if you are a very experienced triathlete.

The water level in the lake varies greatly over relatively short periods of time. If it is high enough the swim exit will be directly into Crow Park, if it is too low then the swim exit will be near to the start at the boat landings which will mean a 250m run to transition partly along tarmac road to transition. The exit route to be used will be announced at the pre-race briefing.
1. All bike racking will take place on Sunday Morning.
2. There are toilets next to the theatre and also beyond the tea gardens 200m away. There will also be portaloos on the showground inside Crow Park.

Spectators:- There will be a lot happening in the park and around Keswick related to the Mountain Festival throughout the weekend. The park also affords a fantastic view point for the swim.

The roads around the lake are very narrow with few parking places. Please do not take your car over there to watch the bike section as you will disrupt the race. It is however an easy bike ride to the far side of the lake and for the longer race there should be time to get there ahead of the race.

Car Parking:- Car parking is available at Keswick Rugby Club, Crow Park Road, CA12 5EG. You will have to pay £3 for the day or £5 for a weekend ticket from Friday to Sunday .Bargain. It’s a short walk from the rugby club to the transition area via the rear entrance to Crow Park and will also give you opportunity to check out the rather unusual run from the cycle dismount point to transition. There is a ‘Pay & Display’ car park directly opposite Crow Park, it is expensive and last year the local authority kindly bought in extra staff to ticket cars parked on grass verges. You have been warned.

Registration:- Will be in a marquee situated in Crow Park adjacent to The Theatre By The Lake. If at all possible please register on Saturday 22nd between 2-5pm. If that is not possible then registration will also be open at the same location on Sunday 22rd between 7.00-7.40am. It is vital that we get started on time so if you can’t register on Saturday please arrive early on Sunday morning.

Pre-race briefing will be at 7.50am at the transition area. Attendance is important for any last minute changes. Time will be tight, if you are in the short race be in your wetsuit and ready to get in the water immediately the brief finishes.

Timing Chip and Numbers:- These will be issued at registration. Two numbers will be issued, a number must be clearly displayed to your rear for the bike section and the other to your front for the run. Race belts can be worn, but you will be liable to a time penalty if you fail to display your number as above. Do not pin the middle of your number to your race belt as it will immediately fold in half and not be able to be read. The timing chip will also be issued at registration; it must be worn around your ankle, either one. If you leave your chip in the car, tent, etc. you won’t get a time. Chips must be returned at the finish, lost chips will be charged at £10. I suggest you put it on when you are issued it at registration and leave it on until you finish the race. The timing chip is very easy to fit to the ankle strap, if you find that you have to force it you are doing it incorrectly, please refer to the notices at registration.

Please note careless depositing of litter will result in disqualification. Use pockets or stuff it up the leg of your shorts.

TRANSITION AREA:This area is fenced for safety and security. Competitors only in the transition area. You will be issued with a plastic bike security tag at registration, this must be fixed to your bike so that it can be read. You will not be allowed into transition without your race number and bike sticker attached. Similarly you must have your race number matching the tag on your bike when removing your bike after the race. Your racking position will be numbered, incorrectly positioned bikes will be removed. There is enough room at your racking point for your bike, shoes and deposited wetsuit. Avoid bringing large plastic boxes into the transition area, if you must take out what you need then place at the edge of the transition area.
SWIM. The Short Race will be one wave only and will start at 8.15am. The Long Race will start very shortly afterwards and will be in waves as yet to be decided. You will be issued with a swim cap at registration. These are colour coded so that we can easily see that people are in the correct start wave. Please wear the cap issued on top of any other swim caps you may wish to wear. If you start in a wave other than the one allocated to you then your time will be incorrect and you will mess up everyone else’s results as well as your own.

The swim start will be in the water at the landing stages. Exit from the water will, water levels permitting, be on the beach in Crow Park. The water will be cold wetsuits will be compulsory, shortie type wetsuits are not advised but will be permitted. If you get into difficulty in the water raise an arm and wave from side to side towards one of the kayaks. When the kayak comes to you hold on to its front or back, it will then pull you to the shore or to the rescue launch. Once you have held onto a kayak you are out of the race. There will be a short run from the lake shore to the transition area.

CYCLE:- There are two separate cycle routes both will be signed and marshaled but it is your responsibility to know the route and navigate it safely and within the law. Study the routes and preferably ride or drive them beforehand. None of the roads will be closed to other traffic. You are the only person responsible for your safety. Marshals cannot and will not stop traffic for you.

ALL MARSHALS ARE ASSISTANT REFEREES. IF THEY CONSIDER THAT YOU ARE RIDING DANGEROUSLY THEY WILL REPORT IT TO THE OVERALL RACE REFEREE. THERE IS ONLY ONE SANCTION FOR DANGEROUS RIDING – DISQUALIFICATION.

RUN:– Both runs routes follow the same course initially along the lake for about 2.5k. When you leave the lakeside path and come onto Borrowdale Road the two routes part. The short race route turns left back towards Keswick following the roadside footpath and the long race route turns right towards Borrowdale. See respective route maps linked in the left hand column.

The long run is a mix of road, track and fell path involving about 1000 feet of climbing. If you have fell shoes my advice would be to wear them, failing that and especially if dry a decent soled standard running shoe should do. Most of the off-road sections are on National Trust land who have very kindly given their permission to use it. The route passes through a number of SSSI areas; it is of great importance that you follow the marked route. This is a condition of our use and permission may be refused for future events if it is not adhered to. The route is fairly complicated by necessity, again I would strongly advise if possible to go around it beforehand or at the very least carefully study the map. Absolutely no littering.

Fell runners please note:- in triathlon the idea is that everyone does the same route. This also applies to the swim and the bike. Taking short cuts will result in disqualification and for the reasons given above may also jeopardize the future of the event.
Results and Prize Presentation:- Results will be displayed on the screen at the finish of the race and will be uploaded to the web by Monday 21th May.

The prize presentation will be held in Crow Park at approx. 1.00pm.

Please be nice to marshals, you wouldn’t be racing if they weren’t there.
Most importantly HAVE A GREAT DAY….