Northwest TriathlonClub

Eunisure Liam Ball Triathlon

On-Line Race Briefing 2018

Registration:

Sat 19thMay:16:00-17:30 hrs Coffee Dock, Templemore Sports Complex --- A longer race briefing (and a Q&A session) will start at 17:30 hrs for newcomers to the sport.

Sun 20thMay:

Wave 1 --- 07:15 hrsWave 2 & 3 --- 07:30 hrsWave 4 --- 08:30 hrs

Wave 5 --- 09:00 hrs

Race day briefing:

Waves 1, 2 & 307:45 hrs Main Hall

Waves 4, 5 09:15 hrs Main Hall

08:00 hrsWave 1 Start

08:30 hrsWave 2Start

09:00 hrsWave 3Start

09:30 hrsWave 4Start

09:30 hrs1st Finishers expected

10:00 hrsWave 5Start

11:30 hrsRefreshments in Main Sports Hall

12:00 hrsPrize Giving

The race is being run out of the Templemore Sports Complex in Derry.

Athletes will be allocated a wave start, and registration time for their heat.

Please note these, and sign in on time to avoid back logs.

Getting there:

Belfast direction: crossing over the Foyle Bridge, straight through the roundabout at the end of the bridge. Take the first exit at the next roundabout. At the next two roundabouts go straight (only small roundabouts), take the first exit off the next roundabout. The Templemore Sports Complex will be on your right hand side.

Dublin direction: cross over the Craigavon bridge (big blue bridge), and take the third exit off the roundabout at the end of the bridge. Take the second exit off the next roundabout (Foyleside shopping centre), you are now driving alongside the River Foyle. Take the third exit off the next roundabout (City Hotel), and the second exit off the next roundabout (Strand Road). Keep to the inside lane, carry on driving down the Strand road, through 2 sets of traffic lights, and take the first exit off the Pennyburn Roundabout turning onto the Buncrana road (A2). Straight through the next set of traffic lights, and take the third exit off the next roundabout. The Templemore Sports Complex will be on your Left hand side approx 150 mts from the roundabout.

SWIM:

  • You need to be on the pool bank 10 mins before the start of your race, please do not block the exit route for the swimmers leaving the pool --- follow instructions from the pool marshals.
  • To facilitate group use of the pool you will be pre-allocated a swim lane based on the estimated swim time stated on your entry form. You will be notified of this and you should register at the allocated time (see above).
  • All swimmers will swim 30 lengths of the pool making 750m.
  • Wave 1, 2, 3 and 4 will have 30 minutes to complete the required length of swim, all other waves will have 20 minutes. Anyone failing to complete the full distance before the cut off times must complete the length that they are on when the whistle goes and then immediately leave the pool.
  • Swimmers will be tapped on the head by the lane counters (if possible) when they have 2 lengths left to swim --- but you must count your own lengths.
  • Swimmers will be given different colour hats so the lane counters can identify the lengths covered, please remove the coloured swim hat and leave it on the bank when you have completed your swim.

Transition:

  • On exiting the pool athletes will make their way through the appropriate changing room, down the steps, through the sports hall and out the side door of the Main Sports Hall of the Complex. Transition will set up on the all weather pitch at the side of the Complex. You will enter the near side of transition and make your way to your bike following the marked route.
  • Securely fasten your helmet first before touching your bike, follow the exit route out onto the cycle course.
  • On returning back into transition after the bike leg, athletes will enter via the entrance for the playing pitches on the Buncrana Road. Dismount your bike at the dismount line --- remember to keep your helmet fastened,rack your bike and make your way onto the run course.
  • Carpet will be laid on the floors in the Complex, but EXTRA CAUTIONshould be taken to avoid slips.
  • The changing rooms are a sterile area. No clothing or equipment should be left here at all, as the pool opens to the public shortly after the swim leg finishes and we cannot guarantee the safety of your belongings. All equipment/clothing needed to complete the race should beplaced in transition beside your bike, and all other belongings packed away safely. You may like to have a pair of runners in the changing area to protect your feet as you run across the all weather pitch.
  • UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU PERMITTED TO LEAVE CYCLING CLOTHING ON THE POOL BANK TO CHANGE INTO AFTER YOUR SWIM, however you canchange into cycling clothing in the changing room, but your helmet must be in your allocated position in the transition area.
  • Only athletes and marshals are permitted in the transition area. Please inform all your friends and family that they are not permitted in the transition area AT ANY TIME. This is in the interest of safety and security.
  • All athletesmust put on and secure their helmet BEFOREremoving their bike from the rack. Failure to do so will result in a correction by race marshals – failure to obey marshals or to rectify the problem will result in a time penalty and/or disqualification. It’s for your own safety so please obey all instructions.
  • You must then walk/run with your bike to the transition exit and mount your bicycle carefully where instructed by the marshals.
  • Mount line for your bicycle will be on the opposite side of the Buncrana road. Police/Marshals will be present to stop traffic and aid road crossing. When instructed athletes must stop and wait until called to cross the road. Obey Police/Marshals at all times at this junction.
  • You must not mark or highlight your transition spot, you will be allocated a racking appropriate to your wave start (i.e Wave 1 rack 1, Wave 2 rack 2 etc.)
  • All sports bags and boxes must be removed by competitors from transition area prior to the start of their race, however they can be left on the grass verge beside the transition.
  • Your bicycle must be roadworthy (your responsibility) and helmet must be on your head and securely fastened before entering transition, it will be checked.
  • You must not impede any other athlete or interfere with the gear belonging to other athlete in any way – this includes throwing/placing you gear on top or near that of others, knocking/interfering intentionally or accidentally any equipment of any other athlete.
  • DO NOT CYCLE IN THE TRANSITION AREA
  • Ignoring instructions from the Technical Officials will result in a penalty or even disqualification – so take it easy, stay cool, calm and collected and enjoy the race. NWTC Marshals are they to make sure you have a safe race – so listen to them and be courteous at all times.

Safety on the bike:

  • OBEY ALL MARSHALS, PSNI, GARDAI AND ALL ROAD MARKINGS AS PER RULES OF THE ROAD
  • If you are involved in an accident stay at the scene until you are told to proceed
  • Give way to traffic – the roads are not closed so theRULES OF THE ROAD APPLY
  • Stay on the “hard shoulder” where provided at times and stay into the left hand side at all times unless passing another cyclists – anyone cycling outside the hard shoulder (where provided)will be cautioned.
  • Bike helmets must be fastened for the full duration of the cycle section of the race. Athletes with unfastened helmets will be penalised or disqualified.

BIKE:

  • Leaving the grounds of the Complex, athletes will cross the main Buncrana Road and mount their bike after the MOUNT LINE, cycle down the A2/N13 to Bridgend, taking the first exit off the roundabout on to the N13 towards Burt village/Letterkenny. Stay on this road for 4.5 miles until the turnaround just before the Maxol Garage, from here its straight back to the complex.
  • There are long stretches of wide hard shoulder on the N13. Athletes should cycle in these wherever possible.

Areas on the bike course that require special attention.

  • Entering and leaving Bridgend village on N13 there are a few traffic islands/Calming areas to slow traffic. The road narrows here, so extra caution should be taken by cyclists.
  • There are also traffic islands through Burt village. Again extra caution should be taken as the road narrows.
  • On your way back to the transition there is a large roundabout (the first one you encountered on the way out) at Coshquin. Athletes must ensure they use the correct lane approaching the roundabout and do not end up going in the wrong direction, you need to move out from the left hand side of the road otherwise you will end up in the slip lane for turning left. Marshals will be posted on the roundabout and slip road to prevent this from happening.
  • There are 2 roundabouts on the bike course. Traffic will not be stopped on either roundabout, so rules of the road apply. Obey all marshals’ orders at these junctions.
  • At the bike turnaround past Burt village, athletes will have to cross a busy roadway. Marshals and Gardai will be present stopping traffic at the turn around but cyclists should take extra caution and be aware of motorists approaching from both directions before making the turnaround, and stop if necessary.
  • The bike route passes a Chapel on the N13. Athletes in the later waves need to be aware when passing the Chapel in case parked traffic opening their doors in front of you. Marshals will be posted at this area warning motorist, but athletes should stay alert when in the vicinity of the Chapel.

Drafting

  • Drafting is the term to describe the act of taking shelter behind or beside another competitor or vehicle, within the “Draft Zone” during the cycling segment.
  • Competitors are not allowed to Draft and all competitors must reject any attempt by others to draft.
  • A competitor who does not clearly avoid violating the drafting rules may receive a penalty.
  • The “Draft Zone” extends to 10 metres behind the front wheel of the competitor’s bicycle. A competitor may enter the draft zone but must be seen to be making forward progress. A maximum of 20 seconds will be allowed for a competitor to pass through the draft zone.
  • The draft zone of one competitor may not overlap the draft zone of another competitor.
  • A competitor is overtaken when the front wheel of another competitor’s bicycle is ahead of theirs. It is then his/her responsibility to drop out of the draft zone.
  • Side by side riding is not allowed.
  • A competitor may enter a bicycle draft zone (subject to the official’s judgment) in the following circumstances:
  • The competitor enters the draft zone, and progresses through it within 20 seconds
  • For safety reasons
  • At the exit or entrance of a transition area and at the turn around point
  • If race officials exclude a section of the course for safety reasons
  • Motorbike Officials can instruct cyclists to “pull back” without giving penalties.
  • After you exit the Coshquin roundabout it is a straight road back to the Sports Complex, you will be directed into the Grounds of the Complex through a gate on the main road.
  • Once inside the gate you will cycle along the pathway beside the football pitches, this is a NO PASS zone (but still keep the pace up as you do not want to slow down people behind you)
  • Follow this pathway up a slight incline onto the all weather pitch where the transition area is, dismount before the dismount line and run with your bike to your bike rack position. KEEP YOUR HELMET FASTENED UNTIL YOUR BIKE IS RACKED

RUN:

  • After racking your bike and taking off your helmet follow the exit onto the run route.
  • Follow the run course in front of the Main Complex building and turn right onto the exit road from the Complex.
  • Athletes will run out the Complex main car entry/exit road and turn left onto the Templemore Road towards the Woodbrooke roundabout. Here you will cross the road, stay on the cycle path through Galliagh estate for another half mile, you will then double back then to the Woodbrooke roundabout, and run along the cycle path leading back to the Complex, turn left just before the finish gantry back onto the Complex entry/exit road and onto the Templemore Road and follow the same route again (2 laps anti clockwise direction).
  • The finish is in front of the Templemore Sports Complex.
  • There is a foot or cycle path for the majority of the lap. Athletes should use them where available.
  • There is a couple of road crossings on each lap. Marshals will be present aiding crossings, when instructed athletes must stop to let traffic through.

Remember the Event organisers, Marshals, Police and Gardai can only do so much to ensure safety throughout the race, especially on roads open to traffic during the race.

It’s up to you the competitor to use COMMON SENSE throughout the race to ensure you and your fellow competitor’s wellbeing.

Please check (above) the time of your race day briefing in the Main Sports Hall on race day, you must attend your briefing.