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Gatorade Big Half and Trentham Triathlon - Sunday 10th July 2011
Welcome to the Ninth year of the race...
We aim to make this an exciting, safe and fun experience so please take time to read all the information on this sheet as it will make the race far more enjoyable and reduce the need to ask questions on the day.
Good luck and have a great day!
Vic Bickerton, Event Director.
Main points to remember.....

• Make sure you bring these competitor notes with you and that you arrive at the venue before the entrance closure time of 7:00am on the day of the race (cycles will be using it shortly after 7:00am).
• Allow plenty of time to park, register, rack your cycle and get to the swim start for your compulsory race safety brief, but do not arrive at the venue before 5am as the gates will be locked. Please note that the race registration, transition and finish area are not inside the gardens which you have to pay to enter (with the exception of the swim where entry for competitors and spectators is free for the duration of the swim only).
• For details of the Trentham Estate visit the website at www.trenthamleisure.co.uk.
• Please note there are no dogs allowed in the Italian Gardens except guide dogs, however dogs are allowed at the triathlon.
• Know your start time exactly and how many laps of each discipline you are doing (write it on your arm in waterproof ink if you feel you may forget!).
• Make sure your race numbers are clearly displayed on your front and back for the cycle and run sections of the race and are pinned in all four corners with the safety pins provided (if using an elastic number belt pin both numbers on the top left and right hand corners, not half way down as they fold over and your number can't be seen!).
• The roads are open to traffic so take extra care on the cycle course especially at sharp turns, watch for pedestrians crossing and obey the Highway Code. Keep to the left at all times except when overtaking.
• Be on time for your start and listen carefully to the swim safety brief.
• Ensure you make your way to the swim start with shoes needed to run from the swim finish to the cycle transition area.
• Enjoy the race and once you have read all this information, if you still have questions please ask at race information which is just after registration.

Volunteers Wanted
Do you have family or friends supporting you at the Trentham Triathlon? We always need volunteers for the race, on all areas from timing through to finish line refreshments. No experience is necessary and every volunteer receives a pair of designer Sundog sports sunglasses worth £50.00, the official race T-shirt, food and drink for the duration and lots of thanks as we rely so much on volunteers to make the event possible. Please email Julie at
julie@uktriathlon.co.uk or call on 01270 842 800, we'll be delighted to hear from you.
Staying at Trentham Gardens
For B&B and hotel accommodation please call Tourist Information on 01782 236000 or visit the website www.visitstoke.co.uk. There is a Premier Inn on site with a limited number of rooms left, please visit www.premierinn.com
Eating before & at the race
There are a wealth of restaurants and cafes at Trentham Gardens that offer good food if you want to load up on carbohydrates the day before the triathlon. On race day we have catering by the finish line serving hot and cold food and drink.
Race Day Photography
The official race photographers will be positioned at the finish line. Please make sure you have your race number clearly visible so you can check out your photographs on the screens at the finish line.
Massage
Pre & post race massage is available on both Saturday & Sunday by the finish line. The massage team can help with niggling aches and strains and get you ready for the event, as well as aid recovery and reduce stiff muscles after the race!
Race Itinerary & Info
DIRECTIONS & PARKING (for satellite navigation ST4 8JG) From the M6 take junction 15 (Stoke-on-Trent), at the junction take the A500 toward Stoke-on-Trent and after approximately
2 miles take the junction for the A34 heading toward Stone and Stafford. Trentham Gardens is approximately 1.5 miles on the right hand side. Make sure that you arrive at the venue before the entrance closure time of 7:00am (as cycles will be using it shortly after 7:00am), but no earlier than 5:00am as the gate will be locked. Public toilets are situated within the retail park at the venue and are open from 6:00am.
REGISTRATION (Located in the marquee alongside the garden centre)
Registration is open on Saturday from 1:00pm to 4:00pm and on Sunday from 5:45am to 7:45am.
At registration you collect your race numbers, safety pins to attach numbers, swim cap and official T-shirt. Make sure your race numbers are clearly displayed on your front and back for the cycle and run sections of the race and are pinned in all four corners (if using an elastic number belt pin both numbers on the top left and right hand corners front and back).
Not displaying your race numbers fully may mean a time penalty and possibly no overall time in the results. Race numbers must not be mutilated or folded in any way, as this will constitute a 2 minute penalty!
It is good practice to write your name, blood group and any allergies you may have on the back of your race number in the unfortunate case of an accident. Please note mobile phones or any type of personal music system is not permitted whilst competing in the event.
BTF MEMBERS
We support membership of the BTF and therefore we recognise BTF members. In order to verify your BTF Membership please show your 2011 BTF licence at registration or you will have to pay the £5.00 difference. The £5.00 extra that non BTF members have already paid is the cost of a PRO TRI day licence that allows you to compete.
CYCLE TRANSITION (You can only rack your cycle on the morning of the race)
Once registered you may go to the cycle transition area, which is situated next to the registration marquee. Big Half & Big Half Relay competitors please rack your cycle from 5:45am
Sprint and Fun competitors please rack your cycle from 6:30am onwards.
For security purposes make sure you have your race numbers with you to enter and exit the transition area.
WAVE START TIMES
BIG HALF & Relay Triathlon: 07:00am All Males, Females & Relay
Sprint Triathlon: 08:10am All Males & Females
Fun Triathlon: 08:15am All Males & Females
COMPULSORY RUNNING SHOE TRANSITION
Due to the length of the run from the swim finish to the cycle transition area and the different type of ground conditions underfoot, there is a compulsory shoe transition. When you make your way to the lake for the start, wear either your running shoes for the final run discipline or a spare pair of running shoes. Next to the lake start and finish slipway will be a shoe transition area where you lay out your shoes. There will be numbered bays to help you remember where you put your shoes. When you exit the lake you enter the shoe transition area to put on your shoes before you commence the 500 metre run (or walk!) from the swim finish to the cycle transition area. Coconut matting is very difficult to lay out on the winding gravel paths that run through the gardens and could be a tripping hazard if they crease up. It will be much more comfortable for competitor's feet and massively reduce the risk of underfoot damage.
SWIM - BIG HALF & Relay 1.2 miles, Sprint 500 metres, Fun 200 metres
Cut off time for BIG HALF 8:30am
You must wear your allocated swim cap, which will be given to you at registration. You enter the lake via the concrete slipway next to the boat launch and the swim starts in the water.
IMPORTANT SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT
There is known to be fresh water mussels in the lake and water depth is approximately 1.5 metres so we have therefore made it a rule on the basis of safety that there is to be no walking on any part of the swim course. If for any reason you have to stop swimming then stand in the same position until you are content to continue swimming or if not then raise your arm and a safety craft will come to your assistance.
BIG HALF Triathlon & Relay 4 x Laps of triangular course
Sprint Triathlon 1 x Lap of triangular course
Fun Triathlon 1 x out & back of Fun course

BIKE - BIG HALF & Relay 58 miles, Sprint 20km (12.5 miles), Fun 20km (12.5 miles)
Cut off time for BIG HALF 12:30pm
You must fasten your helmet before taking your cycle off the rack. Walk or run to the cycle mount line where you commence the cycle section of the race (no cycling in the transition area).
The cycle course is open to vehicular traffic. Follow the signs around the course and do not turn until you see signs or a marshal instructing you to do so. Please take extra care at all junctions and roundabouts and obey the highway code. Although there are marshals present, they are not there to stop traffic. Failure to ride safely will constitute an instant disqualification.
There is one feed station on the cycle lap for BIG HALF competitors only that you will pass twice, once at mile 7 and again at mile 29. If you require Gatorade or water please throw your empties safely off the road toward the feed station (marshals will collect them). Bananas and flapjack will be available too.
Dismount your cycle at the end of the cycle course, a marshal will tell you, do not unfasten your helmet until you have racked your cycle. You cannot compete without a cycle helmet!
BIG HALF & Relay 2 x laps of BIG HALF course.
Sprint & Fun 1 x out to Sprint and Fun turn point and back.
(please see map on website for more details of both courses)
DRAFTING
Cyclists must maintain a forward distance of 5 metres between each other at all times except when overtaking when it is the responsibility of the overtaken rider to drop back to maintain this gap. Drafting marshals will strictly enforce this rule and offending cyclists will receive a time penalty then disqualification on the second offence.

RUN - BIG HALF & Relay 13.1 Miles, Sprint 5km (3.1 miles), Fun 2.5km (1.6 miles)
Cut off time for BIG HALF 3:30pm
BIG HALF Triathlon & Relay
4 x out and back of the long course
(A wrist band will be given to you on every lap to assist counting)
Sprint Triathlon
2 x out and back of the short course
Fun Triathlon
1 x out and back of the short course
The run is around the lake on a gravel track. When you've completed the run filter through to the finish line. There are two feed stations on the run course and one at the finish line which will be serving Gatorade isotonic sports drink, water, bananas and flapjack.
RELAY COMPETITORS (1.2 Miles - 58 Miles - 13.1 Miles)
Each member of the relay team completes one of the disciplines in the triathlon. At registration you will be given a wrist band which you have to relay to the finish line. After completing the swim, the swimmer then passes the wrist band to the cyclist inside the cycle
transition area next to where the cycle is racked, the cyclist must not take their cycle off the rack until they have received the wrist band. The cyclist completes the cycle course and passes the band over to the runner in the transition area only when the cycle has been placed back on the rack. The runner completes the run course and hands in the band at the finish line.
PRIZES, PRIZE GIVING & RESULTS
There are prizes and medals for top 3 male & female in the BIG HALF, Sprint and Fun competition as well as overall winners of the Relay event. There are prizes for all BTF 5 year age groups in the BIG HALF and Sprint Triathlon as well as spot prizes. Prize giving will take place shortly after each race has finished at the rear of the finish line, this will be announced over the P.A. system. Results will be available to view straight after each event has finished and published on our website.
Important note to all competitors as your safety is paramount to us. The Trentham Triathlon is registered, sanctioned and governed by PRO TRI an independent association dedicated to delivering professional health and safety, risk assessment, rules and refereeing guidance to the UK Triathlon Race Series.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks to all that have made this event possible especially all volunteers, management crew and all at Trentham Leisure, Gatorade, 220 Triathlon, Sundog, Asics, Staffordshire Borough Council, Stoke City Council Highways, Staffordshire Police and anyone else that has helped in any way.