Chester Triathlon Club

Information for Competitors

THIS RACE WILL BE RUN UNDER BRITISH TRIATHLON RULES. FULL RULES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE BRITISH TRIATHLON WEBSITE, IN THEIR HANDBOOK OR AT REGISTRATION.

THIS IS A NON-DRAFTING RACE AND CYCLE HELMETS ARE COMPULSORY.

If you wish to be clear about British Triathlon rules on drafting please click here.

For all enquiries please contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Getting to the race

The race venue is The Meadows, this is located at the junction of Lower Park Road and Elizabeth Cresent, Handbridge, Chester, CH4 7BB. We have a limited number of car spaces on the Meadows and an overflow car park 500m away. There will be no parking on Queen's Park Road and we ask you to use the designated parking to avoid inconveniencing local residents in other streets. If a marshal asks you to move, please do so - it will be for the benefit of the majority.

From the motorway network, follow the M53 towards Chester to the motorway end, where it becomes the A55. Leave the A55 at the junction with the A483 (Wrexham turning) and turn right towards Chester. Continue along the A483 for two miles, going straight on at junctions.

At the end of this road you reach a large roundabout with traffic lights. Stay in the right hand lane and take the fifth exit to Overleigh Road (sign-posted Handbridge). If you go over a river-bridge you have gone too far and are heading into the city centre.

After about 800 yards turn right into Queens Park Road continue, the overflow parking is located just before Lower Park Road and if the Meadows Parking is full you will be directed into it. The Meadows is about 500m further down Queens Park Road. It is an 500 metre walk to Registration at the Meadows.

If you are registering on Saturday, you can drive directly to the Meadows and park.

Registration

You can register from 16:00 to 19:00 on Saturday evening, or on Sunday morning from 06:15 to 07:45. PLEASE ensure you register at least one hour before your wave is due to start!

To register:

1. Get your number from the list on the noticeboard. Please check noticeboard for any late changes or important information.
2. Go to the registration desk. You must show your current British Triathlon licence with its photograph properly attached. We have no way to check your British Triathlon membership so, if you don’t have your card, you will not receive your £5 back. i.e. you will be assumed to be a non-BT member as issued a day licence.
3. When all is in order you will be given your start pack which includes race numbers, bike number, timing chip and swim hat.

If you have a medical condition please write the details on the back of your race number.

Transition

Transition security will be in place from 06:30 on Sunday. Transition will close at 08:15. Please allow plenty of time to rack your bike. You will not be able to rack your bike on the Saturday.

Your start pack will contain a bike sticker, which you must attach to your bike before you enter transition.

You will only be allowed to remove your bike on production of your race number, to match the corresponding bike number on your bike.

Swim : 1500m - Wetsuits will be compulsory

The swim start is a short walk upstream from registration along the meadows path – please allow at least 10 minutes to walk to the swim start. You are advised to use the toilets provided at Regitration/Transition as there are no toilets at the swim start.

The first swim wave will set off at 08:00. Subsequent waves will be at 10 minute intervals.  The last swim wave should be no later than 09:00. You will be told your wave a couple of days before race day: the wave starts will also be posted on this website. Your swim hat colour will correspond to your wave. Do not get into the water until your wave is called.

You will swim upstream 350m, passing several yellow buoys on your left hand side. Turn round at the red buoy and swim downstream 1150m, with the yellow buoys still on your left.

If you get into any difficulty at any time, lie on your back with your hand in the air to signal to the canoes that you require aid. Let the canoe tow you towards the bank where you can stand or sit.

Exit the river at the swim exit ramp, which will be clearly marked, and make your way to the transition area.

Bike : 40km

You must abide by the rules of the road, and take directions from the police and marshals.

YOU MUST NOT cross the centre line (cut the corner) at right hand junctions.

The police will be manning these junctions. You will be disqualified and could even be prosecuted for dangerous riding.

• Leave the Meadows turning left out the gates into Elizabeth Cresent before turning first right onto Queen's Drive which becomes Queen's Park Road. Beware, there are two small speed bumps on Queen's Park Road.
• Turn left into Queen's Park View and continue up Hartington Street.
• Turn right into Appleyards Lane.
• Turn left into Eaton Road.
• At T junction turn right into Hill Road/Rake Lane.
• At T junction turn left onto B5445 (Wrexham Rd).
• Turn left into Old Lane.
• At the end of Old Lane turn around cone and return along Old Lane to B5445.
• At T junction turn left onto B5445.

Look out for parked cars. LOOK WHERE YOU ARE GOING.

• Continue on the B5445. You will enter a 20mph limit and there are speed bumps at the start of this section.

CAUTION as you pass newsagents and the church as vehicles will be coming and going.

• At roundabout continue straight on.
• Turn left onto Hoseley Lane.
• Turn left onto Borras Road.
• Turn left onto B5102. As you enter the 20mph limit there are speed bumps.
• Turn left onto B5445.
• At roundabout complete full turn, returning along B5445 towards Chester.

CAUTION as you pass newsagents and the church as vehicles will be coming and going.

Return to race venue and T2 following a more direct course back (i.e. no turn into Old Lane this time).

As you approach the finish you turn left down Victoria Cresent and follow Lower Park Road into the meadows.

Marshals will be noting your number at the turn point on Old Lane and at the roundabout on the B5445.

NOTE: the FIRST time you get to this roundabout you go straight on, the SECOND time you do a full 360 degree turn.

Run: 10km (2 laps)

Leave transition and run along the path through the middle of the meadows to the turn around point. Come back past transition and run along the path by the river, please keep to the left as pedestrians may be using this path. Run under the suspension bridge and follow the path up the hill and around Queens Park High School playing field. At the exit onto Queens Park Road turn left and follow the road turning left at Victoria Cresent. Run onto the pedestrian suspension bridge and please take care if conditions are wet. The bridge may be slippery.

Run a loop around Grosvenor Park and cross back over the suspension bridge.

Turn left into Victoria Crescent and continue along Lower Park Road onto the Meadows and around transition to the second lap or the finish chute on the second lap.

For 2012 there will be a drinks station at 2km and at 5km as you run through the transition area for the second lap.

Presentations

We hope to make presentations by 13:00 (earlier if we are able). Provisional results should be available after the presentations. Results will be available on the Chester Tri website at www.chestertri.org.uk. Prizes will only be awarded to winners who attend the prize giving. Please see the prizes page for prize details.

Chester Tourist Information (01244 402111) have details of accommodation in the area.