Keswick Triathlons
This is general race information –
briefing notes specific to 2014 race can now be found by following the
link in the left hand column.
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.
Race HQ Location
Is to be situated on Crow Park, Lake
Road, Keswick, opposite The Theatre By The Lake.
Wetsuit Cleaning. You
should already have received an email regarding the threat of invasive
non-native species and detailing the procedure we will be adopting at
thius race. A reminder is below.
• You will ensure that all equipment to be taken
into the water is clean and dry before you arrive on the race morning.
• After the race and before removing anything else from the transition
area, go to the washing point with your wetsuit, goggles, swim cap etcetera
and your race number.
• Check your equipment for obvious vegetation or other marine
life and remove anything found.
• Wash all above mentioned equipment in the fresh water and tubs
provided.
• Once done to their satisfaction, a steward will mark your race
number to indicate that your equipment has been cleaned.
• When you later leave the transition area with all of your other
equipment show your appropriately marked race number to the transition
exit steward who will check it against your bike number tag in the normal
way .
Compliance with this process is essential to ensure that we are able
to pursue our sport in such beautiful surroundings.
Car Parking.
Please note car parking is not
available at Keswick Rugby Club this year. There is a ‘Pay &
Display’ car park directly opposite Crow Park, spaces are limited.
There are other ‘Pay & Display’ car parks around the town centre.
DO NOT PARK ON GRASS VERGES NEAR TO CROW PARK. If you do you will get
a ticket and we will get hassle off the police. Details of all Keswick
car parks can be found HERE
Registration
Registration will take place in the
marquee on Crow Park. Registration will be on Saturday 14th June between
2pm-5pm. There will be emergency registration on Sunday morning at the
same location between 7.00-7.40am. It is vital that we get started
on time so if you can’t register on Saturday please let us know and
arrive early on Sunday morning.
If you paid the lower BTF members
entry fee you must produce your current BTF race licence, if not you
will have to pay an extra £4 for a BTF day licence. No arguments
on this please, licence or £4. If you paid the non BTF members
entry fee you will be issued with a day licence at registration. You
will then be issued with your race number, bike number tag and timing
chip. If you paid extra for a race shirt this will also be issued at
registration. Please check that you have been given the correct timing
chip – it should have the same number on it as your race number.
Race Briefing
This will take place in the transition
area prior to the start of the races and and is compulsory for all entrants,
the race briefing will cover both race. 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.
Numbers
You will be issued with 2 numbers, a bike tag and timing
chip at registration. One number is to be displayed to the front for
the run and the other to the rear for the cycle section. You can use
race belts but please ensure your number is clearly displayed as above.
Do not pin the middle of your number to the belt as it will fold in
half and be impossible to read. Race number needs to be visible for
the benefit of race officials and time keepers. Please write your emergency
contact details on the back of your race number. If you have any medical
conditions which you have informed us of and feel that they are relevant
to the race please write these on the back of your race number as well.
You will be issued with Event Clips. These are good and can be used
instead of pins and they do not put holes in expensive tri-suites.
Timing Chip
This must be worn around your ankle
using the strap provided. Put it on as soon as you are issued with it
at registration. If you leave it in your car, house, kit bag, you won’t
get a time. Please avoid crossing the timing mats once the race has
started other than to record your time. Your chip will be removed very
shortly after crossing the finish line, however should you manage to
escape from the finish corral before your chip is removed avoid crossing
any of the timing mats. THERE WILL BE A £10 FEE FOR LOST OR NON-RETUNED
CHIPS and remember…we know where you live!
Transition area
The transition area situated on the
top of the hill in Crow Park
The transition area is strictly for competitors and officials only.
This is for safety and security.
You can rack your bike on race day only,
transition will open for racking from 7:15am
Please attach the bike tag to your
bike, suggest around the saddle rail as shown, before checking into
transition. This tag will be checked against your race number when you
remove your bike from transition after the race.
In the transition area you will find rows of numbered
bike racking. Rack your bike at the space corresponding to your race
number. Place everything that you will need for your bike and run near
to your bike. There is enough, but not a lot of room. Remove any large
bags or boxes or place them to the edge of the transition area. Please
make sure you rack your bike the right way round the saddle should be
hung over the rail and with the numberunder the nose of the saddle.
The bikes rack alternate sides giving you more room.
Please also note that the use of mobile phones and ipods, etc is prohibited
in the transition area as well as out on the bike and run courses.
Transition Flow
Familiarise yourself with the way you
will come in from the swim and where you exit onto the cycle route,
and then where you come back. The transition are will close prior to
the race briefing. So arrive in plenty of time. Transition flow is dependant
on other exhibitors on the field and may vary year on year. Please see
briefing notes for this years transition flow.
Toilets and changing facilities
There will be portable toilets on site.
There are also toilets on the car park close to Theatre by the Lake.
We are looking into the possibility of showering facilities in the Rugby
club.
Rules.
The race has been sanctioned by British
Triathlon Federation and is subject to BTF rules. There will be British
Triathlon Race officals both static and mobile. There are many rules
governing triathlons/duathlons which can be studied at the British Triathlon
website if desired. However, listed are a few of the more basic ones
that often upset race officials and other competitors alike.
• Helmets; Must be worn and fastened before you
remove your bike from the racking and until you place it back on the
racking before your second run.
• Drafting or taking pace during the cycle section
is not allowed. There must be at least 7m between cyclists on the road.
If you are overtaken you must drop back at least that distance before
trying to regain your place. This link
explains it very well
• Transition area; No cycling in the transition
area. The mount/dismount points will be pointed out at the race briefing.
Helmets shoes and other equipment must be stored neatly at your racking
spot so as not to impede other competitors. Transition space is limited
only bring what you need for the race into transition.
• Marshals and officials are all volunteers and
the race could not take place without them. Any abuse will result in
disqualification. Please refer any dispute to the race official.
• No outside assistance. If you puncture or have
mechanical problems once the race has started you have to fix them yourself.
No handing up of food or drinks from anyone else. You have to carry
or leave in transition what you require. The drinks station in transition
is an exception to this rule as it is provided for all competitors.
• No Litter. If you need to take energy bars,
gels etc. make sure that you dispose of the wrappers appropriately.
The easiest way is to tuck it in the leg of your shorts, you won’t
know it’s there. Anyone caught littering during the race will be disqualified.
Race Route
SWIM – 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.
The Short Race will be two waves. The
Long Race will start very shortly afterwards and will be in 3 waves.
Both are based on your stated swim time. 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.
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 RACE OFFICIALS.
IF THEY CONSIDER THAT YOU ARE RIDING DANGEROUSLY THEY WILL REPORT IT
TO THE OVERALL RACE OFFICIAL. THERE IS ONLY ONE SANCTION FOR DANGEROUS
RIDING – DISQUALIFICATION.
Please take particular care on the bike
route when joining the A66, and on entering Grange, the road narrows
to single track and there is a tight corner where cars approaching from
the opposite corner may not see you.
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.
All of the short route will be on tarmac or gravel paths. See respective
route maps.
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.
Contingency Plans
Swim – If there is any reason why the
swim can’t go ahead then the swim will be replaced with a short run
around Crow Park, distance to be confirmed, but will only be long enough
as necessary to split the field up enough to avoid drafting on the cycle
section
Cycle – If there unavoidable roadworks
on the course the route may be subject to change. If there is any reason
why the cycle section can’t go ahead then the race will be a swim/run
(aquathlon)
Run – If there are any reasons why the
run can’t take place on the footpaths it will be re-routed along roads,
which will be dependant on the location and nature of the issue. If
the run needs to be cancelled the race will finish at the end of the
bike section.
TriHard will always endeavour to put
on a race of some format for you.
Drinks
Will be available on each transition
exit and at the finish courtesy of A1 Multisports .
Spectators
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.
Prize Presentation
This will be as soon as possible after
the race has finished. Please be patient, the more you hassle the longer
it takes. Prizes will be given per category depending on the number
of entrants in the category.
Results
Provisional results will be posted
on the TriHard home page later on the day of the race. Full results
will be available two or three days after the race..
Any sensible questions not answered
here please email via . Replies will be brief as these are many of you and few of us.
Most importantly have a very safe and enjoyable day.
Rob Wilkins
Race Director.
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