Olympic Triathlon Relay Race Details 2009

Race Date

Sunday 5th July 2009.

Registration is from 4pm-6pm Saturday and 6am-7:30am Sunday 5th July. The registration tent will be located in the field alongside transition. The Relay event has its registration with the Sprint, and will be clearly marked.

T-shirt orders can be collected from the communications tent. We have a few extra t-shirts ordered in ladies' small and medium, and men's medium and large - £10.00. Hog Roasts can also be pre-ordered from information point within communications tent. Cost £4 each.

Race briefing is at 8.15 for the relay. Relay competitors start with the third Olympic wave at 8.30. Start times on website are provisional until registration.

Race Venue

Whitlingham Country Park, Whitlingham Lane, Trowse, Norwich, NR14 8TR.

Race Distances

1500m open water swim, 38km single lap bike ride and two-lap 10km run.

Race Enquires

NorwichTri@tri-anglia.co.uk

Map information

This map will help you locate the race and see all details of the routes and facilities. Turn your desired information (Olympic, Sprint, HQ) on or off with the checkboxes above the map. Click on the name by each checkbox to see the full extent of all features in that category; click on an individual item in the left-hand legend to move the map to that location. You can also use the usual Google Maps controls to move and zoom the map.

Directions

The Norwich Triathlon is based on the Whitlingham Great Broad with the swim starting from the Whitlingham Outdoor Centre (OEC) at the eastern end of the broad and transition based adjacent to the Flint Barn on Whitlingham Lane on the South shore of the broad. The broad is accessed from Whitlingham Lane in the village of Trowse to the South East of Norwich City Centre.

Head towards Norwich on the A11, A140, A47 etc. as relevant to your location, and join the A47 Southern Bypass. Exit the A47 at the junction with the A146, signposted for Trowse, Beccles and football traffic. At the traffic lights follow directions to Trowse and County Hall. At the roundabout turn left into County Hall where event parking is available. From here you will be directed or shuttled to the race site.

Parking

Competitor parking will be in the County Hall car park (see map above), which is about 30 minutes' walk from the Race Centre. Please ensure you allow yourself sufficient time to reach the Race Centre. Parking will be free and a mini bus shuttle service will be available to transport your baggage and guests to and from the race. This service will commence at 6.00 a.m, with four minibuses on route until 7.15, reducing to one until 7.45. The service will then stop until 12.30, when one minibus will be available (increasing to four as and when they become available from the bike course).

Competitors will need to cycle their bikes from the car park to the race location, however kit can be placed in plastic bags provided and transported to the start. Please arrive in good time to allow for this journey.

Registration

Registration will be open from 4.00 pm - 6.00 pm on Saturday 4th July and from 6.00 am - 7.30 am on Sunday 5th July, and will be situated near the transition area. Please check on the notice board to see which wave you are in. At registration you will be given your race chips and 'goody bags' containing your race numbers, swim cap, t-shirt (if ordered) etc. You will be given four large race numbers for wearing during the bike and run sections, and two small numbers, one to stick on your helmet and the other to stick on your bike.

For the team's cyclist to get into transition they will need their race number and to have their bike number applied. Only the cyclist should enter transition - the change-over point is outside (see map below).

The team's swimmer should also use the marker pens provided on race day to mark their race number on their hand to aid identification during the swim. Pens will be located in the registration tent and at swim start. Cyclist and runner, please write details of any medical conditions we need to be aware of on the back of your race number. Inhalers can be left in a sealed clear plastic bag at registration, clearly marked with your name and race number. These will be stored in the communications tent during the race.

BTF cards will be checked, so if you don't have a valid BTF card and have entered as a BTF member, you will be required to purchase a £5 BTF day licence.

Your race chips should be worn round your ankle. Please ensure you wear your race chip, as without it you will not get a time. All three team members' race chips must be returned to the marshals in the transition area when the cyclist collects their cycle after the race. Lost chips will result in a charge of £10 being made.

Race Briefing

There will be a Race briefing at 8.15, 15 minutes before the swim start at 8.30, at the Outdoor Centre. All team members MUST attend as it covers all sections of the race. The transition area will be closed at 7.40 am for the first race briefing. If any competitors have any queries about the race then this is the time to raise them with the race referee or organiser.

The race will be run under BTF rules and if any competitor wishes to read any particular rule(s), then a BTF handbook will be available on the day of the race at the help desk.

At the race briefing each team will be issued with a wrist band which must be passed to the next team member at the change over points. Change over points will be manned and separate to the transition area.

Transition and Change Over Points

Swim 1500m

See interactive map above for swim course. The swim is an open water 1500m swim in Whitlingham Great Broad. The lake is a nature reserve used throughout the year for outdoor education and the water quality is usually excellent.

Wetsuits are MANDATORY. Olympic individual and relay competitors will be started in three waves of approximately 100 people. The start is in the water touching the decked water frontage of the Outdoor Centre.

Competitors will be allowed to enter the water once the wave briefing is complete. Please do not dive in. You must wear the swim hat indicating your swim wave throughout the swim. Competitors should also write their race number on their hand using the marker pens provided at the information/registration desk. Swimmers may swim any stroke accept backstroke.

The course is marked with six large inflatable yellow buoys. There are other smaller buoys permanently in the lake, but please ignore these. Having started from the decked water frontage of the Outdoor Centre swimmers will proceed out into the lake past the first two marker buoys, staying to the North of the buoys (i.e keeping the buoys on your right). The third yellow inflatable buoy is at 800m and indicates your first turn. Again approach to the north of the buoy (keeping it on your right). You will be turning through around 70 degrees. You will then proceed 150m to the fourth buoy which marks your second turn. You will approach to the East of this 4th buoy (keeping it on your right) - this is the only buoy that you don't stay on the North side of. You turn sharply right at this buoy, around 150 degrees. The fifth marker buoy is again swum past on the North side (so keeping the buoy to your left). The sixth and final buoy you will again pass on the North side (keeping it on your left) and you will then turn to your left and swim the 50m to the swim exit. Staying to the North of these final two buoys will keep you out of the reeds that grow along the South shore of the lake.

Water safety and swim marshalling is provided by members from Norwich Canoe Club and Waveney Valley Canoe Club. These canoeists will shepherd you to help keep you on course. They will also provide assistance in the event of an emergency. Taking assistance from a canoeist will be construed as withdrawal from the race. In addition to the canoeists two rescue launches will also be on the water, however during the swim these will only be moving if called to assist by one of the canoeists.

If you require assistance at anytime during the swim, turn on to your back and wave your arms to attract the attention of a safety boat. This is reason we ask competitors not to swim backstroke during the race.

Swim exit takes place on the concrete launching ramp adjacent to the transition area. Please take care when exiting water, it may be slippery and your balance may be impaired by the swim. There will be helpers to give you assistance in getting out of the water should you need it. A water station will be provided between the swim exit and transition.

Tips for first time competitors: The swim can feel congested and there may be some collisions. None of your fellow competitors are deliberately trying to punch you, kick you or pull your goggles off, although these things can happen when swimmers get to close. For your own enjoyment and that of your fellow competitors, find yourself a bit of room, e.g. by starting towards either side of the decking, or by waiting a few seconds to set off slightly behind the main pack.

Cycle 38km

See the interactive map above for the bike course; the gradient profile is below.

All competitors are required to abide by the Highway Code and reckless riding will be grounds for disqualification (DQ). The cycle course is undulating. with approximately 50 per cent on fast main roads and 50 per cent on small technical country roads. Signs and marshals will ensure the course is clearly marked.

There are four left turns onto major roads, which require care, and three right turns. At each right turn competitors must stop and only continue when the road is clear. When passing through Poringland there is one pelican and one zebra crossing - you may have to stop. Please take care at the White Horse Lane/Stoke Road junction, as there is a car boot sale nearby on Sunday mornings and there may be traffic turning or attempting to park.

AT THE RIGHT TURN FROM ARMINGHALL LANE ONTO STOKE ROAD, COMPETITORS WILL BE REQUIRED TO STOP AND PUT ONE FOOT ON THE GROUND, AND ONLY MOVE OFF WHEN THEY CONSIDER IT SAFE TO DO SO. FAILURE TO PERFORM A FOOT-DOWN STOP WILL INCURE A 2 MINUTE TIME PENALTY.

Every competitor must ensure that his/her bicycle is in a safe and roadworthy condition. Competitors must wear their race numbers provided at all times throughout the cycling section of the event and in such a way that it is clearly visible from behind. (Number belts will be allowed, but must have number visible on back during cycle, and front during run). Cycle helmets approved by the BSI, ANSI, Snell or equivalent standards authorities must be worn and must be fastened before competitors mount their cycles. Helmets and must be worn at all times during the cycling section of the event and not unfastened until the cycle has been returned to its original racked position (FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN A 2 MINUTE PENALTY). Any assistance other than that provided by the organisers will result in a penalty. Competitors are NOT ALLOWED TO DRAFT! The cycle draft zone is defined as a rectangle surrounding every competitor that is 3 metres wide and extends 10 metres behind the front wheel of a competitor's cycle. All competitors must follow the normal rules of the road, obey all traffic signals and must follow any directions given by the police, race marshals or officials. Any infringement of the law and subsequent legal action is the sole responsibility of the competitor.

Tips for first time competitors: Whilst out on the road stick to the left kerb so as to give fellow riders plenty of room to overtake safely. When overtaking be mindful that other riders might be trying to overtake you, so always look behind before pulling out. When overtaking please don't immediately slow down but instead continue until you are at least 10 metres clear of the rider you are overtaking. When being overtaken you need to wait until you are 10 metres behind the passing rider before you speed up or attempt a counter overtaking manoeuvre, not doing this will put you in breach of the drafting rule and will earn you a time penalty.

Run 10km

See the interactive map above for full details of the race route. Please note that it has changed from previous years and is now two unequal laps, off-road with surfaces ranging from tarmac to gravel to woodland paths. The run picks up the old Whitlingham Lane (between Transition and the Broad), passes the OEC (swim start) where there will be a water station, and then follows the lakeside path along the north side of the Broad, around the eastern end and a short way back along the south side*. From there it takes a new path which turns back to follow parallel to Whitlingham Lane, crosses the lane and passes through a grassy car park where there will be a water station. Immediately after the car park the path enters the woods with a short, sharp climb. You need to collect a coloured band from the marshal here and loop back through the high woods towards the Broad. After descending and leaving the woods, it turns left to follow another new path through the woods by the road. BEWARE OF A NUMBER OF SHALLOW STEPS ALONG THIS PATH. At the end of this path the route rejoins the road for 30m before picking up the lakeside path once more to head back to Transition. Cross the timing mat, and run a second lap of the lake only, keeping on the lakeside path for the entire second lap (do not turn left at * above - marshals here will be checking that you have a coloured band to confirm one lap has already been completed). After crossing the timing mat on the second lap, run a further 50m and turn left and left again to finish.

No form of locomotion other than running or walking is permitted. No individual support vehicles, cyclists or escort runners are allowed. The competitor's race number must be securely fixed and clearly visible from the front at all times. Competitors must follow the directions and instructions of all race officials. There will be other people using the paths, so please treat them with respect and warn them if you think they are not aware of you approaching.

Litter

A good portion of the Norwich Triathlon takes place in a country park. Water bottles, gel wrappers and energy bar wrappers are not normally found lying on the ground in country parks. To ensure we are able to keep the Norwich Triathlon in future years, please help us to keep in favour with the local authorities and dispose of your waste properly. Any competitor found littering the course will be subject to a time penalty.

Large waste sacks, held open by stakes, will be located after the water stations to throw plastic cups, gel wrappers and other rubbish into. All marshals will also have bin bags for collection of your rubbish, so if taking gels etc. between water stations please hold on to any wrappers until the next marshal point.

Refreshments

Water will be available at the finish area and other refreshments will be available for purchase from the Visitors Centre which will be open from 7 am on Sunday 5th July.

A hog roast will be available at £4.00 a serving. Roasts can be pre-ordered via a cheque payable to Tri-Anglia and sent to Kerry Davis, PO Box 3412, Norwich, NR7 7AP. Tickets to be collected at registration. You can also pre-order at the communications tent during registration. Pre-ordering is recommended as we are limited to 250 servings.

Toast Catering will also be present to help refuel those lost calories with delicious homemade cakes.

Team Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the first team in each of the three categories of male, female and mixed.

Prize giving will take place approximately 30 minutes after the last competitor has finished.

Race Results

Race timing will be provided by 'Race Timing Systems Ltd' and the race results will be put on web site as soon as possible after the event.

Showers, Toilets & Changing

Limited showers are available at the Outdoor Activity Centre and toilets are available near transition. We recommend that competitors arrive in their tri kit (excluding wetsuit - that would be silly...) as changing facilities are limited.

Lost Property

Items of lost property should be taken to the information desk. Anything not collected on race day will be kept for 2 weeks and then disposed of.

Swim start

Competitors may wish to wear shoes for the walk to the swim start. Receptacles will be provided at the OEC, and all shoes placed in these will be taken to transition in time for it reopening at 12.15 pm. You are advised to make your shoes easy to recognise, and if possible to attach the pair together.

Massage

Post-race massage facilities will be available for a £5 donation. Proceeds to Norfolk Air Ambulance. Give those weary limbs a treat!

Severe Weather Contingency

If the weather is too bad for the cycle section to take place then the event will be changed to a swim-run, 1500m-10km.

In the unlikely event that the water quality does not meet swimming standards, the event will be changed to a duathlon, with a one-lap run of the lake replacing the swim.

Marshals

If you have a relative or friend who may like to be a helper on the day then please contact Kerry on 01603 460903 as soon as possible. Duties will not be onerous!

Last Minute Urgent Enquiries

4th & 5th July only - Call 07825817412

Charity

Several competitors will be using the Norwich Triathlon to raise money for charity. This is very noble and we would like to hear of the fund raising successes of our competitors. If you would like to raise money for a charity but are having trouble selecting one, please give consideration to the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) who provide an additional emergency service in the Eastern Counties. For 2009 EAAA are Tri-Anglia's supported charity and donations can be made at http://www.justgiving.org/tri-anglia

And finally...

Feedback! Norwich Triathlon is organised by Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club, a local club run by its members on a voluntary basis - we are not professional event organisers, so we welcome your feedback, comments and suggestions on how we can we make Norwich Triathlon 2010 even better than 2009. Please send your comments to NorwichTri@tri-anglia.co.uk

Thanks to

• St John Ambulance	• Norfolk Constabulary
• Norfolk Outdoor Education	• Whitlingham Country Park
• Race Timing Systems Ltd	• British Triathlon Federation
• Norwich Canoe Club	• Waveney Valley Canoe Club
• City of Norwich Athletic Club	• Bungay Black Dog Running Club
• Norwich Road Runners	• Tri-Anglia Triathlon Club
• All our Marshals	• Our sponsors