Stowmarket Tri - The HaverSports West Suffolk Triathlon

Because the swim takes place in a pool, it is difficult to offer a full length (Olympic) triathlon. In light of this, the distances are:

The duathlon will begin with a mass start at the finish gantry beside transition around 10am. You must attend the same pre-race briefing at 9.15am.

You will head onto the run route, completing 1 lap for Sprint or 2 laps for Sprint+.

You will then make your way to transition and complete 1 cycle lap for Sprint or 2 for Sprint+.

Having finished the bike and exited transition again you will complete another lap for to finish.

There is 1 water station on the run which you will pass once per lap. You will also be provided water at the finish.

You must start within the pool and not dive in. If you wish to overtake you must tap the foot of the swimmer ahead of you then overtake them at the end of the length.

The swim will be in a pool.

You will be given an exact start time before the race. Due to restricted space beside the pool please do not be at the poolside earlier than 10 minutes before your start time, unless advised otherwise. You will be able to wait beside the pool.

You must swim on your front (front crawl or breaststroke). If you are struggling at any point in the swim and need help lie on your back and raise your hand into the air and the lifeguards will assist you. You will be starting in the deep end - if you need to use the steps to get in and out, please inform the marshals.

It is now compulsory to wear a swim hat under BTF rules. You can either bring your own, or buy a HaverSports one for £5, at registration or in advance.

We recommend you leave all your kit in transition and cover the short distance from exiting the pool to transition barefoot. This is paved and will be swept clear. Only athletes are allowed in transition - if you choose to leave any kit outside of transition, such as shoes by the pool exit to wear to transition, we are not responsible for this.

You will be given an approximate start time - you may start sooner or later than this. Your race will start when the swim starter says go having got you in the pool. Your swim time will finish when you exit the poolside area.

Sprint

You will swim one length of the lane and then return, before crossing into the neighbouring lane. Having completed two lengths in each lane you will exit the leisure centre to head to transition in the car park.

Sprint+

You will swim up and down the lane twice, before crossing into the neighbouring lane. Having completed four lengths in each lane you will exit the leisure centre to head to transition in the car park.

While we have done our best to make this a fast course you must still abide by the highway code and follow marshal’s advice.

Our traffic management will help you to start as you turn right on Gainsbrough Road after the mount line. Further traffic management will help you to turn right onto Onehouse Road and right again onto Salthouse Lane as you exit the town. You will ride through Onehouse and Harleston before turning left onto Stowmarket Road through Haughley New Street, then left again as you pass Haughley Park. Your next left takes you south onto Warren Lane and Wood Lane as you pass through borley Green and onto Lower Road. At the end of Herron Hill you will take a left onto Finborough Road, heading back into town. You will take a left at the recreation ground back onto Onehouse Road, before turning right back onto Gainsbrough Road to finish.

If you are doing Sprint+ this is where you will carry straight on to complete a second lap instead of turning into Gainsborough Road.

For a map of the Sprint cycle route, including mile/kilometre markers, click here.

For a map of the Sprint+ cycle route, including mile/kilometre markers, click here.

You will leave transition the same way as on the bike and then head left, joining the footpath beside the leisure centre and running left on it (away from Gainsborough Road). The footpath will bring you onto Lowry Way, at the end of which you will join and cross Chilton Way. Following the footpath, you will emerge back on the road at Starhouse Lane. Here traffic management will guide you down after turning left on the road, with a second left and crossing at the bottom to join Finborough Road. Your water station will be along here. You will carry on alongside the recreation ground (where you turned left on the bike), then at the end of it turn left to cut diagonally across the park. Crossing Recreation Road, you will take the footpath to emerge on St Mary's Road. Taking the footpath at the end of the road, our traffic management team will get you across Gainsborough Road to finish.

If you are doing Sprint+ you will run past the finish line (sorry!) to complete your second lap. You can grab a bottle of water from the finish if you require it.

For a map of the Sprint run route, including mile/kilometre markers, click here.

For a map of the Sprint+ run route, including mile/kilometre markers, click here.

The car park beside the leisure centre will be used for transition.

When collecting your bike, you must have your helmet securely fastened before picking up your bike.

Upon registration you will rack your bike and must have a sticker attached to your helmet and one to your bike. You must show your helmet is attached properly (no more than two fingers between the fastened strap and your chin) to enter transition to rack your bike. When you enter transition from the swim you must wear your helmet and have it fastened before touching your bike. No helmet, no ride.

The marshals will have the decisive say on who can enter transition and who must wait. You must have your race number attached to be able to reclaim your bike at the finish, or failing that provide photo ID. Once finishers are ready to collect their gear priority for entering will be given to those who are in the process of racing.