Hogmanay Triathlon Event
This Triathlon event in the magnificent North East, Hetton Le Hole which includes the excitement of racing on an undulating bike course, with transition at the swimming pool at Hetton Leisure Centre. The run takes you on a looped course, one lap depending on the distance, around Hetton.
Final Race Instructions and General Information
Directions
The event HQ is located at the venue in reception.
Car Parking
You will be directed to the car park parking which is to the rear of the leisure centre. The car park will remain closed during the cycle section of the event.
Registration
Registration will be in the reception as the swimming pool.
At registration you will be given your event pack, as well as your race number placed on your left calf. BTF members must show their membership cards (without this you will be charged £5.00 for a day licence). You will be issued with a race number and you will also have your race number written on your left calf. Your race number must be displayed at the back on the bike section and at the front on the run section. You will also receive two numbered stickers: one for your bike and one for the front of your helmet.
There will be a notice board at registration. This will have a copy of the risk assessments, BTF rule book and Race Permit permanently on display. It will also be used to display information such as water temperature, general announcements and rule violations.
Details:
Entry Fees
Sprint £30.00
Novice £28.00
Non BTF members +£5
NB: One day license only applies if you are a non BTF member
Last Entries: Last online entry date Wednesday 27th December at 11.00pm. Entries will be taken on the day at an additional cost of £5.00, if not otherwise sold out.
Race Licenses: Race licenses are required otherwise a £5 day license will be charged
Minimum age:17 years on 31st December 2017.
Timetable
6.00am
Registration and Transition opens
6.45am
Race Briefing
7.10am
Wave 1 off
10.30 am
Prize giving in reception.
Preparing for Transition
Bikes can only be racked on race morning. After registering you will be directed to Transition where you will leave your bike, cycle kit and running gear. Competitors will have their own numbered racking area corresponding to their race number. It is recommended that you ‘walk through’ & familiarise yourself with the routes to/from your bike from/to the entrances and exits of transition prior to starting the race. Remember to leave your bike in a low enough gear, ready for the cycle section. There is no cycling in transition: mount/dismount your bike at the mount/dismount points. You bike racking area must not be marked with towels, balloons, powder, etc as these will be removed.
Transition will remain open to competitors throughout the day. It is a secure area patrolled by marshals. Competitors may enter and leave the area by the signed entry/exit only. You will be required to verify your identification i.e. race number, with those on the gate. No one other than competitors or race officials will be permitted into the transition area at any time.
It is your responsibility to ensure that your bike is in safe road-worthy condition, before entering transition. Any bike that is considered unsafe or hazardous to the rider or other competitors will not be allowed into transition. All handlebar ends must be plugged. Remember to check there are no punctures or flats the day before the race and before leaving for the event and ensure your helmet is securely fitting.
Race Briefing
You must be changed and ready for your swim race briefing in front of transition at the specified time. You will have a separate briefing by the Swim Director on poolside.
Transition Area
The transition area is located to the rear of the swimming pool in the car park (this will be closed for oncoming cars).
NB: There will be a dry and warm transition area for clothing weather dependent.
Swim Section
According to British Triathlon rules the pool must be tested regularly for water quality. The final test will be done prior to the event and results will be posted up at registration. In the unfortunate event of chlorine levels being above the appropriate limit for safe swimming in this section of the event this discipline will be abandoned in favour of a duathlon. We regret that in this case no refunds can be offered. Historically all previous water tests have been well below these limits.
The temperature of the pool will be taken one hour before the event and will also be posted up at registration. If the temperature of the pool exceeds the appropriate level then the distances will be reduced.
Bike Course (1 Lap)
The bike course is a total of 12.2 miles (20.3K) following an undulating route leaving the swimming pool taking a right hand turn onto Dog Row and then joining the Quay. At the next turning it is another right hand turn onto the B1284. You proceed up the uphill passed the school taking the next left had turn onto Hazard Lane. You then proceed on this route joining Robyn lane for 1.85miles where you join the A690. You stay on the A690 for a total of 550 metres where you run left off it heading towards Pittington. You then proceed on Pittington Lane for 0.80 miles and then turn left in Low Pittington onto Coalford Lane heading towards High Pittington. You continue on Coadford Lane through Littletown joining the B1283 for 5.5 miles until you join Salters Lane signposted Haswell. You take the left hand turn and head. You stay on Salters Lane for 2.5 miles and then turn left on the A182 signposted Hetton. You then continue on this road for 1.6 miles coming into Hetton where you turn left then right back into the sports centre.
Novice Bike Course (1 Lap)
The bike course is a total of 8 miles (13.3 K) following an undulating route leaving the swimming pool taking a right hand turn onto Dog Row and then joining the Quay. At the next turning it is another right hand turn onto the B1284. You proceed up the uphill passed the school taking the next left had turn onto Hazard Lane. You then proceed on this route joining Robyn lane for 1.85miles where you join the A690. You stay on the A690 for a total of 550 metres where you run left off it heading towards Pittington. You then proceed on Pittington Lane for 0.80 miles and then turn left in Low Pittington onto Elemore St and then Elemore Lane. You stay on Elemore Lane for 2 miles then join the A182 heading at Easington Lane and then head towards Hetton. You stay on the A182 coming into Hetton and turn left at the crossing and then right back into the sports centre.
Drafting
Drafting on the bike section is illegal. This is when a competitor gains an advantage by cycling in the slip-stream of the cyclist in front. Competitors should ride a minimum of 10m behind the cyclist in front, except when overtaking. If overtaking is not completed within 15 seconds the overtaking cyclist must drop back. Static marshals will check that all competitors comply with the drafting rule.
In order to monitor drafting our bike director will tour the bike route in an estate car. The legal distance you should be behind the rider in front is approximately the length of an estate car. Additionally there will be static marshals on course monitoring drafting.
Transition (T2)
You will safely dismount your bike before the dismount line and wheel your bike into T2. Here you will rack your bike, remove your helmet and change into your running gear, ensuring your race number is visible at the front.
Run routes
Sprint distance
The running route is 3.2 miles (5.2K) on a fairly course on pathways following a circular route from the sports centre. Out of transition runners then proceed adjacent to the A182 on a pathway for 1.13 miles.
You the turn left on the B1260 (Gillas Lane W) for 0.50 miles. At the roundabout you then turn left onto the B1284 (North Rd) for 1.3 miles. You then turn left passed the school onto the Quay, Dog Row and then Park View heading back towards the Sports Centre.
Novice distance (1 lap)
The running route is 1.2 miles (1.9K) on a flat course on pathways following a route from the sports centre. Out of transition runners then proceed adjacent to the A182 on a pathway for ½ a mile. You then head down into the park turning left. At the bottom of the bank you stay on the path heading left. Running through the park sticking to the path you are heading back towards the sports centre. At 1 mile you head up the bank and finish under the gantry at the front of the sports centre.
Refreshments Stations
There will be 2 refreshments stations on course where fluid will be available:
Refreshments station 1: At the 1 mile point on the run
You may bring additional filled bike bottles which will be stored at this refreshment station for a quick change of bottle during your bike section. You should place this bottle in the labelled box in transition when you rack your bike. A marshal will transport the box of bottles to the refreshments station ready for your bike section. This bottle should be easily recognisable. Please note we cannot guarantee the safety or security of your bottle. Your empties will be taken back to transition for collection at the end of your race.
Refreshments station 2: At the Finish. Medical supplies will be available here too.
Cut-off Times
As it is our intention to encourage all participants to complete their challenge there are no enforced cut off times for the event. However, after the following times the medical director, referee and safety officer will assess the ability of the competitor to complete the course and it may be necessary to remove the competitor in the interests of their health and safety and for the sanity of our marshals.
Prize Presentations
Prize giving will take place at the Finish area in front of the pavilion in the afternoon once most competitors have completed their event, which is expected to be about 11.00m. There will be trophies for male and female age category winners (1st places only) and overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners in each of the 3 distances. If you are expecting a trophy you must be present at the presentations to receive your trophy.
Race Appeals Process
An appeal is a request for a review of a decision made by an official. Appeals cannot be made against judgment calls [made] by officials. Judgment calls include, but are not limited to: drafting, dangerous riding and unsporting conduct.
Appeals must be made in writing to the race official. The time for a competitor or official team representative to file an appeal is no later than 15 minutes after his or her finishing time or the posting of the infraction, whichever is the later; however, the intention to write an appeal has to be announced within five minutes of his or her finishing time or posting of infraction. After this deadline only announced protest will be admitted. A fee of £30 will be charged, which is refundable if the appeal is upheld.
Withdrawal from the Race
If you withdraw from the event at any stage before the finish, please inform an event marshal. This is for your own safety, and to save us from searching for you out on the course. If you cannot complete a stage, but wish to continue with the other disciplines in the event, you may do so, but you will be disqualified from overall results. You must inform an event marshal of this as soon as you are able to do so, and don’t forget to return your chip at the finish enclosure
Spectator Viewing
Start and Finish area at the school to cheer on their competitors as they run past the finish at each run lap and at the end of their race.
Spectators are welcome to line the roadside to cheer passing cyclists but should not offer any form of assistance to the riders such as offering drinks bottles or assisting with mechanical problems.
Nudity
Competitors who are publically nude at any point of the race risk disqualification. For more details see the BTF Rules & Regulations. Please familiarise yourself with these. They are available to view on the BTF website: http://www.britishtriathion.org
Toilets
Toilet facilities are available at the visitor’s reception. There are also toilet, accessible toilet, shower and changing facilities in the Sports Centre, on the approach to the Finish area, and at the Pavilion, just past the Finish Area. These facilities may be used by the runners.
First Aid
First aid will be available on site. If anyone is in need of medical attention they should inform the nearest event marshal who will contact the Medical Director
Abuse to Officials
Any competitor who is abusive to a race official risks being disqualified.
Pre Race training
We regret that free access to the lake or grounds is not available to competitors prior to race day
Responsibilities
The organiser cannot be held responsible for competitors’ or spectators’ property lost, stolen or damaged before, during or after this event.
And Finally ….
We hope that you enjoy the event and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
