Olympic Triathlons in South East

From the organiser

Reviews

• C

  Chris D

  Did the Sprint in 2018

  Really enjoyable, good venue, easy to get to, close transitions and very flat so PB friendly

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  Julie B

  Did the 10K in 2018

  The race was managed very well except there could have been another water station at the other end of the lake... it was very hot and there is no shade so an extra drink would of helped.Thanks

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• J

  Joe F

  Did the Half Marathon in 2018

  Excellent race, really well organised and great atmosphere. Lovely scenic setting and totally flat Course! Also great to go to a race where you then also dont have to pay more to park and there arent annoying rules about using headphones.10/10 and look forward to doing it again :)

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From the organiser

From the organiser

Reviews

• C

  Chris S

  Did the Olympic in 2018

  It was my first olympic distance tri, I was pleased not to be battling waves and swell. Good atmosphere, some pretty serious racers were there probably for the flat course, but plenty of first timers too. This is a lap-heavy race, but at least you can't get lost. Well organised and good for spectators as you can see all the racing from one spot apart from the back straight on the bike loop.

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• A

  Ariana M

  Did the Sprint in 2018

  This was my first triathlon and it was so much fun, I want to do it all over again. It was really small, only about 20 women in my wave, but it was perfect for beginners. They played great music by the bike racks so the atmosphere was brilliant, everyone was so nice and the medals were sparkly which was a huge bonus :) The course is very flat, you do laps though so it could get boring maybe, there was a serious crosswind on the day, but it was great fun being able to see all the boys from their wave, and friends doing the Olympic. Lots of high fiving on the run, couldn't recommend this more for beginners, or people wanting a PB. I'll definitely be doing it next year.

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• A

  Alex R

  Did the Olympic in 2018

  Great race, well organised and good place for first tri

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From the organiser

From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2018

  I did the 10 k run option this year, after doing the aquathlon last year (can't swim at the moment due to wound on leg).  This is a multi-sport event with races starting off at different times, the 5 and 10 k runs were at 1000 am.Registration was easy, you can collect your number the day before (did this as local to me).  However, the timing chip wasn't available until the next day, but there was no queue to collect this.  There's no official baggage storage (most people leave these in their cars or in transition), but if you've come by tube/bike for the run you can leave it under the stairs by registration.The race starts by the lake, with the 5 k (one lap) and 10 k  (two) legs going together.  There were only 26 in the 10 k, so it's not too crowded.  The run initially goes around the lake, and then loops around the Merchant Taylors school sports field.  It's funny going past the pavillion whilst the criket teams are warming up, last year it was Middlesex and Sussex 2nd XIs there.  The grass surface is good for running and there are some nice long straights.  However, quite a bit is unshaded, so it can be a bit hot on the run.  You then head off for a second loop, and there is a water station as you start this.  There's only really support at the start/end/transition area, but the marshals around the course are all very good.  The DJ is enthusiastic as well.The medal is decent enough for a budget event, and a bottle of water is handed to you at the end.  There's a nice atmopshere and feel about the event, there's still a lot going on as people are coming in from the bike and tri events (having runners doing the 70.3 tri overtaking you at speed is quite humbling).  As there are permanent changing facilities, there's quite a few toilets available and the upstairs cafe/bar is lovely.  There's a reasonable amount of parking available, and not too far from the tube station at Moor Park.  All in all, it's a nice small multi-sport event, would probably do again as it's local, but may tri the aquathlon or swim next time.

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From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2018

  Eastbourne 2018 was the best. This event deserves recognition. If you're reading this you should be booking Eastbourne Triathlon 2019; simple.

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• R

  Did the event in 2018

  Rich Campbell and his wonderful team set the standard for perfectly formed local friendly triathlons with the feel of a huge organisation behind it. Eastbourne triathlon just keeps getting better each year.

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• R

  Did the event in 2018

  Fab event, my favourite so far! Great to have an event with the organisation level of a large event, but still maintain the friendly and personable feeling you get from a local race. The swim, bike AND run were tough thanks to an unforgiving current in the swim, but loved every minute of it. The stunning views throughout the bike and run mean you forget what a tough course this actually is, never thought I'd love a hilly course so much. Everyone was so friendly and helpful throughout, so thanks to all the marshalls and lifeguards.

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From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2017

  This was my first attempt at a sprint tri, having worked my way up from my first attmept at a super sprint last year, to say I was nervous was an understatement and being told it was slightly longer than a standard sprint didnt do anything to ease the nerves.Registration was a breeze, however my partner was less happy that he had to pay a days entry fee to the castle to come and support me as we didnt plan to hang around after to enjoy the castle given we had been up since 4am!That morning we were told its was to be a compulsory NON wetsuit swim as the moat was so warm.  Having only braved OWS since June last year, despite doing quite a bit of since, i had only ever done it in a wetsuit and was pretty freaked out by it.The moat was indeed warm, and very shallow.  Owing to the fact I didnt have rubber up around my neck i had a big frekaout when one of the many reeds wrapped itself around my neck, shoulders and back... probably wouldnt have noticed had i been in rubber, quickly remebering I was told you could stand up the whole way round i did, to try and remove it and calm down, but immediately sunk into the silt below my feet which probably freaked me out just as much!  The swim was lovely on the whole though, you swim under the arches of the castle and its a swim course i'll never forget! The bonus of no wetsuits was not having to do the wesuit removal dance and was off out quickly on my bike!The bike course was very boring it was an out and back.  No support to speak of and i think i remember only seeing two marshals. I distracted myself looking out for my friend who was in a slightly later wave and would eventually pass me on his way out.  Other than that it was fairly uneventful, it was undultating, but thats it really, but it did allow me to just focus on the task in hand without having to lookout too much where i should be going!The run course.... well its hilly. pretty darn hilly.  Jelly legs and hills! yay!But it was pretty, in the castle grounds, and run alongside some super friendly runners, we all kind of kept each other going!The finishers tshirt is by far.... My all time favourite!!! Fantastic fit for women, and execellent quality and design!  The medal was flipping huge too.  Whilst I've moaned about a few things, I'd love to go back and try this one again becuase on the whole i did really enjoy it!

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  Beautiful, unique location in the castle grounds.Swim was non-wetsuit due to the water temperature. Water in the moat is very silty, so expect to get a bit dirty! It's fun swimming beneath the castle arches although it can be slightly crowded.Bike route is straightfoward out-and-back on the A20 It's quite undulating and windy and longer than a 'standard' sprint at 27km.Run course is very hilly and all on grass. It's challenging but there are lovely views of the castle.Awesome medal and goody bag including T-shirt. Highly recommended.Read more here: http://paddlepedalpace.co.uk/2017/07/race-re-cap-leeds-castle-triathlon/

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  Set in the beautiful grounds of the Castle plenty of parking on site as soon as you arrive it's easy to navigate through registration then you are marked up with visible numbers then your pointed of to the direction of transition. Brilliantly organised & set up.Luckily for us it was wet suit swim! 2 laps Around the Castle in the muddy murky moat! The Swim entry is Australian style from the shoreline in 2 Waves. Unfortunately it was congested as the gaps between bouy's was narrow causing bottle necking. Unlucky for me as I was used as a human punch bag! Transition was set right near the Finish Line. Bike ride was simple flat route out and back on the main road of a20. Run was 2 laps and gave your supporters plenty of opportunities to see you. It's a hilly X country loop up behind on the grounds so it gives you spectacular views of the Castle. It's excellent for Spectators they do pay an additional £8 to be with you but that includes entry to the Castle all day if you wish later. My other half enjoyed being able to literally walk about all over the course to give his support & take great photos which was a welcome sight on the run with me grimacing! The whole set up was amazing, plenty of refreshment tents and the poshest toilets I've seen at a Triathlon! The Marshals were brilliant cheering you on every step and plenty of water on the run loops. I suffered badly with stomach cramps today so it wasn't a great day for me. I muddled on as the Bling and the goody bag was well worth the pain.. Love the T shirt to!

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From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2018

  It was a boiling hot day. The water was great ... wish I'd done one with a longer swim! Cycle course was fantastic. What a great track to go round, but missed the variety of longer courses. The run was grueling. Hot hot sun and no shade or variety. There was a sprinkler but it was turned off mysteriously on return leg of the run.

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  Human race always organise races well.efficient and easy to register online and on the day registration.fantastic venue, the course couldn't be simpler. Amazing atmosphere with families out, great spots to see athletes and cool stands. Erdinger always goes down a treat.

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  This is the second time I've completed Bananaman in the team time trial event, and I absolutely love it. Great value for money, easy to navigate and lovely atmosphere. The only criticism this year is lack of things to do for young kids, last year there was a bouncy castle, this year there wasn't anything for them.There was a kids scootathon which I will enter my boy in to next year.The swim is a bit of a fight at the start, but there is plenty of room to move to the side away from the action.The bike can get a bit boring with 6 laps, but it's pancake flat, and as a team it's great.The run is also not the most inspiring route, but it's flat and here you go up and down with all the spectators to your side.Aid stations were very limited with water and sis drink in cups only on the run.The best bit is LIDL provide a BBQ which  everyone, whether racing or not, can get involved for free. A lovely day and great value for money. I would have got more involved if more to do with the kids, last year people stayed around longer after their event, I think thy didn't this year owing to the lack of entertainment. I loved it though and will be back.https://pickupthepacepaul.wordpress.com/2017/07/08/bananaman-2017

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From the organiser

Reviews

• A

  Aurore F

  Did the Owler Tri Sprint in 2018

  Great race for a PB! The cycle route and run route are flat and very easy to navigate.The swim was enjoyable although the lake is a bit shallow in places.

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From the organiser

Reviews

• C

  Chris D

  Did the Sprint Saturday in 2018

  It was ok, initially my A race for the season but soon fell by the wayside. Swim was split into waves just as we were about to go, without grading people (faster in group 1 etc) so as a result we got set off 2 mins behind the first group so had to swim through some of the slower swimmers. Bike course was flat and fast but too narrow for the number of competitors (& certainly not big enough for PR filming motorbikes to be going as well). Run course was similar, too narrow for the number of people, water cups filled 1/3-1/2 which wasn't enough given the 30 deg day. It was also mis-measured, ended up running ~6km for the 5 km sprint section...

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• F

  Fran O

  Did the Olympic Saturday in 2017

  Really enjoyed my first Olympic distance tri! Got a PB on the run course, just dont open your mouth on the swim.

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• D

  Dante M

  Did the Olympic Sunday in 2017

  It was my first Olympic triathlon and I absolutely loved it. Cycling through redlights in London and having the roads closed off was pretty amazing. The swim was not as bad as I thought it would be in terms of dirty water. The only drawback is that the run was over populated and very crowded. I know some people felt the swim was also overcrowded.

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From the organiser

From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2017

  The middle distance is advertised as being short (80km bike / 20km run) but its actually even shorter than that.  However, you will be glad that it is short.  The bike is a monster. 1.33km of climbing over 4 laps. No really big hills but just a constant undulation.  The run is lumpy as well and has a big hill.  It was also muddy and slippery underfoot which added to the fun.Its super value for money, £80 for a middle distance race.   Very good organisation, feed stations are well stocked.  The lapped course makes it good for spectators and the site set up is great with a small transition and parking right next door.My tip would be to use a road bike rather than TT.  There isn't much oppotunity to get aero and the descent is tricky - tight counry lanes with a couple of tight corners

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• R

  Did the event in 2015

  Very hilly and testing course. Beautiful setting. Definitely recommend

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• R

  Did the event in 2005

  A good race with a range of distances (Sprint up to half iron). Support was good, weather was nice and although tough (bike has 2000ft of climbing) and run is off road and hilly the course is good fun. Well marshalled although was lacking a photographer.

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From the organiser

From the organiser

From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2018

  I've done this tri twice and I will enter again in 2019. Despite the swim being shortened this year due to adverse sea conditions, I really enjoyed the race. The flat cycle course is a bit boring but it does give you the chance to really go for it. The crowds are very supportive and the organisation is good. This is a good first timer event.

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  Had a fantastic time at this event. Was a little nervous as it was my first se swim event. Did need to be the sea was as flat as a Pancake.Organistaion was excellent, as was the support from all the locals. I would throughly recommend this event to any seasoned or newbie Triathletes

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  £101 with race license is very expensive (Probably due to the cost of closing the road) for an Olympic event especially since it is a circuit event where you basically ride and run up and down the same bit of road and prom. Swim was brilliant and the best safety crews I have ever seen. However on the bike circuit organisers vehicles were parked right where you had to do a tight turn making the already small arae even smaller. Marshalls at the crossing points didnt get a grip of people walking out and twice i had to vertually come to a stop to avoind an accident, I even had one of the event cars pull out on front of me!!. The  Run was not sectioned off to the public and even had a roller blading group set up right in the middle of it. For the money only prizes for the first in age category is a bit tight.The best bit was seeing the kids taking part in the morning especially in the sea soem with only there swim suits on RESPECT.

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From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2018

  The best course I've done. Simple and fast.

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  Completed the Olympic Distance Triathlon today at this race, it was a good way to end the season!Registration is easy and well later out Race briefing was short but amusing.. after all it's quite difficult to get lost at Dorney ! Water was cold today but a great swim with easily visible buoys..the bike course is monotonous but well marshalled and flat albeit windy in placesrun is flat and clearly marked out lots of places to buy things and eat afterwards.. another cracking Human race event !

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From the organiser

Reviews

• N

  Neil L

  Did the Super Sprint in 2017

  Lovely course, great atmosphere and feels really busy. Great post race experience/village as well...

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  Manon v

  Did the Olympic in 2015

  This was my first ever triathlon, and it was such a good one to do! The swim is good for people who are bad at sighting (like me), because you always stay around the edge of the lake, and pass through some narrow areas which help you swim in a straight line. The cycle route is a bit rolling and really beautiful, and the run is green and nice.

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• R

  Did the event in 2018

  Glad to actually finish this year, as bike broke down last year, but a few comments - why not help to avoid congestion at registration point by allowing participants to pay in advance for insurance online, absence of "goodies" this year, poor show considering how many sponsors, better signs for bike racks this year, didn't know about "no bag" rule by bike, until we arrived, signage from bike rack to swimming area (there were none), cycle route for short route should have had more signs, please review, apparently no photos of me throughout route despite wearing number (disappointing). Maybe will return in 2020.

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From the organiser

Reviews

• S

  Shaun M

  Did the Olympic in 2018

  1:The day was great however having to go and pick your pack up the day before was a pain......2:The biggest thing for me was the colour of the buoys in the water, they should of been yellow, red, or orange and not blue/purple as they were very hard to see while you are swimming!!!3:The water stations were very close together which didn't make much sense cold of done with one more water station.

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• P

  Pete A

  Did the Olympic in 2018

  I had to make a extra trip to Marlow to pick up my race number. It could have been sent in the post and it seems it was possible to pick it up on the day. It was an hour round trip.

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• H

  Harrison F

  Did the Sprint in 2018

  Good race, well marked. People were drafting though and marshals didn't know the rules so cheating was going on but overall was good.

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From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2017

  A few months ago I participated, for the second year in a row, in the Big East Triathlon in Essex. This event is fantastically organised and all the organisers/volunteers are so helpful and friendly. The course for the run is particularly beautiful along the sea front (if a little windy at times!) Overall, it is a brilliant event for both beginners and more experienced triathletes. I participated in this event in 2016 as my first ever triathlon and a year later I was placed 3rd in my category. Unfortunately I was short on time and so couldn’t wait for the prize giving but they still went out of their way to both congratulate me and made the effort to post my trophy to me. Thank you to everyone involved in the organisation of this event.

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  First half distance completed in 2017 and would do the event again in the future.  Good value for money and nice flat course.  Only downside was the lack of entries, but hopefully the event will grow in the future.

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  Easy to find, register and set up, plenty of toilets and bar/cafe nearby.Really enjoyed this triathlon, my first ever open water swim and I felt very safe and had a great swim.Cycle took you through the dengie, very scenic and flat course.Run was mostly off road, I have problems with my ankle, and the surface made it difficult for me to push on the run as I didnt want to risk twisting my ankle. Though very scenic runWould definetly do this event again, though more information about the run would be good, also for someone who had only done one triathlon before, the rules werent fully explained, resulting in a helmet violation for myself, which was a rule I knew nothing about.

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From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2018

  A serious race. 1,000s of triathletes racked up and starting in waves. Iconic venue with run passed the Castle.

  Not one for a complete novice, but ideal for me as I began to put myself up against the competition, pushing me on to my all time PB!

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• R

  Did the event in 2018

  The human race organised Windsor triathlon was run with super efficiency and precision. It had to be as there were so many competitors, there wasn’t  room for error. The bike route was great to ride, fast and plenty of straights to safely up the speed on. Well marshalled and signed. It just got too busy with the vast amount of entries. The run was too busy, the long walk section became crowded but good crowd support in Windsor town. Overall I had a good race, but far too expensive for a standard distance triathlon.

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• R

  Did the event in 2018

  Windsor is a beautiful place to race; the swim is great (surprisingly warm and clear with a helpful current, the ride is pretty flat and quite beautiful in parts and the run is challenging with some steep hills but location is incredible as is the support lining the track.All of the above should lead to this being a 5* rating but alas not as the overall organisation was really not what you would have expected for such an established race.Firstly my race pack never arrived so I had to get there extra early to pick up in time (not ideal with a 6:50am wave start). There wasn't really anywhere to safely leave a bag, nowhere near enough toilets and nowhere to change (before or after the race)The swim is great (very easy and well marked) and transition to the bike is pretty smooth. Bike course not  nearly as well marked and marshalled as it could have been; I had several people ride alongside me for directions and got lost myself at one point as a critical junction was un marshalled at the time with only a tiny sign (resulted in quite a bit of time wasted). The roads are decent condition and you can keep a pretty good average speed up but they are open to traffic and if in a later wave can get a little busy - you will get stuck behind the odd truck at points.Transition to run again smooth and the run is a joy (even if it is a lapped route) as you have the Castle, the park and great crowds to keep you going; you will need it as have to do some serious uphill work. Only downside to the run were the water stations; the crew were lovely but the water was in plastic cups which are pretty impossible to drink from without breaking pace.Windsor is a good place to get a PB if you don't get lost or stuck behind a tractor and it is well worth doing but go prepared; know the route, don't rely on the marshalls and remember to take your own loo roll!Enjoy

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From the organiser

Reviews

• C

  Caroline B

  Did the Sprint in 2017

  A great event in my favourite place of the UK. It was my first triathlon, and I received lots of communication from Dengie Events in the lead up to the event so I knew what to expect. There was buzzing atmosphere both before and after the race, and I got an amazing sports massage after the race (thanks, Charlie!). The sun came out about 3km into the ride which was fast, flat and fabulous. Will definitely be back again next year to take on the Olympic distance!

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  Recently took part in the Maldon Sprint Tri. The event was really well organised, the race briefing note was emailed to me well in advance of the race and gave me time to plan getting to site with enough time to set up. Once there parking is right next to the transition and registration area making it stress free to get your number pack and rack the bike. The race itself was great fun, swimming in an estuary was something a bit different. The bike course was quiet with relatively little traffic and well marshalled at all the key turning points. The run is through the park and along the Promenade which again is well marshalled and sign posted. I would heartily recommended the race which is suitable for beginners and more experienced triathletes alike. I have raced twice there now and will again again next year

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• R

  Did the event in 2016

  A very well organised race well signed out on bike apart from no Marshall at the turn point on the sprint distance .Very good support at the prom will be doing Olympic distance next year .Can you do something about the salt in the water please for next year ha ha

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From the organiser

Reviews

• R

  Did the event in 2018

  Completed this event today. Swim was cancelled which couldn't be avoided sea conditions where atrocious. However this did make for an expensive run bike run. Expected the rest of the event to be well organised. However unfortunately this was not the case. Imformation was poor. I asked four different event officials where the run start would be now the swim was cancelled and got three "I don't knows" and a "somewhere on the promenade"! Anyway start found set of on run. Simple up and return course except a marshal managed to direct myself and another runner directly into the on coming path of the bike course! Not a good start from the marshals. Bike course 6 laps of up and.down on a closed road. Parked cars meant that it wasn't  that wide and there was no separation between up and down cyclists meaning over taking could be dangerous with on coming cyclists potentially coming straight towards to you. Had to deal with pedestrian's crossing infront of me when sprinting flat out downhill again due to insufficient marchelling. Shame because it is a nice local event for me and has potential but I don't think I will be competing next year.

  
  Organiser replied:

  Sorry we had to cancel the swim part of the triathlon and replace it with a short run. It is very disappointing for everybody including the organisers as we had prepared everything for the swim and were ready to go with it up until about an hour before the start, including lifeguards who all still needed to be paid. So although it does end up an expensive run bike run duathlon, it is how triathlon has to be organised and still much better than no event at all. Unfortunately with a last minute change, many marshals won't know those changes, it's impossible to inform them all, however the swim start direction signs were in place and clear and acted as direction signs to the start as it was almost in the same place. As the race commentator I did inform all competitors at least 50 times through the duration of the morning to follow those signs up the steps and left along the beach path for 150 metres so I'm sorry you didn't hear that. I can't really comment on your experience with our marshals, I would suggest though it was a misunderstanding as being misdirected wasn't something that happened to any other competitors as far as we are aware. Sometimes we can get cars parked inside the road closure that don't consider the event at all and are very difficult to deal with. We do leaflet all cars the evening before and put advance warning signs up. The reason we don't flood the course with lots of cones down the centre of the road is because they can become a hazard to the cyclists in such high wind. All in all it was an extremely windy day which did spoil many things and make it incredibly difficult for all marshals and race crew to manage and that has to be taken into consideration. However huge credit to all the competitors that took on the challenge, as it was as tough as it gets. All the best - Vic, Event Director

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• R

  Did the event in 2017

  This was my first sea swim triathlon, and we were fortunately blessed with sunny calm weather on the day (we saw the start of the half marathon the day after, and it was much rougher).  We'd registered the day before, but didn't see any massive queues on the day.  The swim was fairly basic and easy to follow, though I would have preferred having a canoeist on both turn points.  The start was nice and wide, so it was fairly easy to find your own line and not too crowded.We were helped out of the water onto the stones.  We'd been advised that we could leave shoes by the edge to help the crossing to cycle transition in the field.  It was really useful having toilets in the transition area, by the way.The bike leg was on closed roads on the seafront, quite a short loop but straight apart from a tight 180 degree turn, which was quite awkward the first couple of times, especially if you can hear faster riders behind you.  Pulling away from the far turn (which was at the bottom of a slight incline) made it harder to get back up to speed.  As with loop courses, it can be a bit dispiriting to be constantly overtaken if you are (like me) a slower rider/runner.The run was four out and back loops along the seafront, with good support from bystanders and supporters, and public toilets on the front.  There's a drink station at every loop.All in all, this was a well organised event with good marshals, with a nice ride and run along the seafront.  It should also be added that Seaford is a really nice town with some good walks, cafes and pubs, and it's well worth making a weekend of it.

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