SOUTHWELL TRIATHLON/LAST MINUTE TRIATHLON

Two events but basically run on the same course. The only major differences are the police presence when exiting/entering the transition of the main road and registration. The pool based swim is in a nice modern leisure centre with ample parking. The run from pool to transition is unpleasant as it uses a stony dirt track. Transition is well arranged on a grass field. The cycle route is on a busy A road and can be split into 4 lots of 3 miles. The route is out and back and is undulating, flat, busy roundabout, flat, undulating. There are speed cameras on the route and even Doc C can trigger them! The run is a two lap affair with a hill to be negotiated twice. Basically nice well organised event with OK route that is challenging but not ludicrous.

DAMBUSTER TRIATHLON

 This is a well organised and very popular event both locally and nationally in a very pretty area of the country. The swim is in Rutland water (massive fresh water reservoir) and is both cold and has some amounts of weed. The transition is a tarmac car park and well laid out. The cycle route involves busy main roads and quiet villages with some very harsh 20mph speed restrictions. The other bit to mention is the famous “rutland ripple” The cycle route involves most of the 500m climbing in a selection of increasing length hills over the first few miles. On some of the descents exceeding 40mph is not difficult. This out of the way the rest of the route is more undulating and on good surface. The run is pancake flat and involves two loops out onto the dam. Water is available at the turn round points and don’t forget to collect your wrist band to prove you have done the correct distance. Nice cafeteria is open at the finish area. Electronic results available in tent virtually immediately after you finish.   

RIPON TRIATHLON

A very well organised event, though not a surprise as North Yorkshire Police are heavily involved. Probably the only downside is having to register on the day about 3 hours before the start. This is OK if the weather is fine, as in 2006. Swim is open water lake and clear. There is the odd shallow bit but generally very pleasant. Transition is massive field with a short run between the different sections. The cycle route is relatively flat but some bits of the route are busy. The old A1 is used and is an excellent surface. The odd roundabout and the three R turns need a bit of care but are not horrendous. Beware they are very hot on “drafting” and the penalty board was pretty long in 2006. The run is out and back in quiet country lanes Water is available on the run section. All in all a good triathlon, no silly hills, well organised/marshalled and a good one if you are trying an Olympic for the first time.

Worksop Half Marathon (report by Craig Marriot)

Last week I completed the Worksop half in a time of 1:45.43 chip time or 1:46.0.1. (I prefer the chip time because it's faster).  It is a fantastic course; all the talk about it being hilly is not true, it's just a little bit undulating. Conditions were excellent, a bit breezy to keep you cool on a warm day and then at about half way round the heavens opened to keep you even cooler. Next week 10.11.07 it's the Burley Bridge 21 another undulating (2669 feet of ascent) run I can recommend it.

DRIFFIELD TRIATHLON

This is another new event for 2008 organised by name new to me. This uses a 25m pool in the school and the advantage is that there should be no more than 4 competitors in a lane at any time! This contrasts with other pool bases triathlons that can be a bit “chaotic” Transition is a hard tarmac area and is approached on an area that needs caution as it is slippy. The cycle route has some “speed bumps” that need care to negotiate and a few R turns. There is only one hill of significance and this isi not steep just long. The advantage is you get the same, downhill to make up for the slog. Entry again to the transition needs avoiding the same “speed bumps” The run is flat and easy though you need to ensure you do enough laps.

ROTHERHAM TRIATHLON FESTIVAL

I can speak for only half the weekend events but it seemed to be a successful event, and again new for 2008. The comments are pertinent to both the sprint and Olympic distance as you just do 1 lap for sprint and 2 for Olympic. The open water swim is in a nice lake with good water quality. The local swans did not decide to molest anyone. The start and finish are at a large pontoon but beware the exit can be slippy and the transition area is rough. The cycle route has a few hazards: There are many speed bumps, the main hill about a mile from transition is steady and incorporates a sharp turn half way up. Choose your “gear” well. The rest of the route is undulating but the road surfaces are uneven and pitted. 2008 saw quite a few “prangs” The run section is delightful, basically circuiting the lake you swam in earlier. This seemed to lack as much atmosphere as other pace setter events but in 2008 the weather may have been a contributory factor. Generally a well marshalled route and event.