Swim route 1900m
The swim route starts from the Groves and is essentially the same as the Olympic course with an additional 200m before the turn around point making it 1000m upstream / 900m downstream, exiting at the slip road by the Boathouse Inn. There is a single rolling start from 0700. The river is about 80m wide for the whole course so there is plenty of room for all.
The middle distance incorporates a rolling start from 07:00, swimmers will go down the ramp in pairs every 5 seconds then across the start mat and then jump into the water to immediately start the swim from the jetty on the Groves. The swim goes up the right side of the river to the turn around point.
You should keep all the buoys on your left when passing. Yellow buoys are used to mark the route out and red buoys will mark the route back. You must not swim in the restricted zone in the middle of the river between the yellow and red buoys.
The river is very wide for the swim, between 80m – 100m so does not flow particularly fast. For the first 300m swimmers have the entire width of the river, as you pass the exit point on the way upstream the channel narrows to accomodate the returning swimmers, please keep left of all the buoys.
Exit the river using the ramp adjacent to the Boathouse Inn, there is a 50m run up the road which will be matted before a short flight of steps and about 25m of uphill tarmac path which will be matted too before running accross the grass to transition.
Bike route 87km
The Middle distance course is two laps of the olympic course with an additional loop around Wrexham Industrial Estate only on the first lap.
The route exits from Grosvenor Park at the North West corner and proceeds along Union Street into Park Street and Duke Street then heading out of the City over the Old Dee Bridge. The course then follows Eton road out to Eccleston, through Pulford, Rossett before heading east through Borras Head and Borras, it then drops onto the new fast Wrexham Industrial Estate Relief Road where you complete a lap of Wrecsam Industiral Estate on the first lap only before heading back to Chester along Sibberfield Lane and Chester Road. Upon arriving at Sandy Lane a single lane will be closed to traffic for the return to Grosvenor Park through Boughton.
Lap 1
Lap 2
Total Distance – 86.88km mapmyride.com | Download GPX | Download KML
Lap 1 – 47.30km – Elevation 261m mapmyride.com | Download GPX | Download KML
Lap 2 – 39.58km – Elevation 235m mapmyride.com | Download GPX | Download KML
The bike route heads out from the North West exit from Grosvenor park onto Little St John Street before heading down Park Street and Duke Street onto Old Dee Bridge. All the roads till you get over the bridge are closed to traffic. Once over the bridge you head out on Eaton Road towards Eccleston.
Once in Eccleston turn right and head down Rake Lane turning left onto the B5445 Wrexham Road, continue for 6.5km through Pulford, Lavister and Rossett. There is a small section of 20mph, please stick to the speed limit. There is a pedestrian crossing in Rossett which will hopefully be turned off, if not we will have marshals minimising the use of the crossing but if they are on red you must stop and you will be credited with your stopping time.
At 13km you start to go up Marford Hill, about halfway up turn left onto Hosely Lane and proceed to Borras Head following the road to the right down to the A5156.
Middle Distance Extra Loop (First Lap Only, Pink Signs Starting at Number 1)
Follow the A5156 onto the A534 for about 2km then turn right at the roundabout (you will need to be in the right hand lane of the dual carridgeway) onto the Wrexham Industiral Estate. Once in the estate, take the left turn at the first roundabout and follow the road. At the T Junction turn right and continue to follow the road round the the first roundabout where you turn left and head back to the main road. Turn right onto the main A534 on exiting the estate.
Return to main Olympic course
Continue for about 6km on the A534 before turning left onto Sibbersfield Lane B5130. There is a right turn 2km from turning off the main road which will be policed to give you right of way. Proceed for 10km through Churton and Aldford before arriving in Huntingdon, there are several pedestrian crossings which should be turned off.
Continue up Sandy Lane and onto Boughton, one lane will be closed to traffic along Boughton all the way back to the North East entrance to Grosvenor Park.
Do not enter the park on your first lap, but continue past the park (drink station is as you pass the park before you rejoin the route for the second lap). Take care as other athletes will be exiting transition as you pass.
The drinks station will have bottles of High5 2:1 in the first zone and water in the second zone.
On your second lap you do not do a loop of the Wrexham Industrial Estate.
Run route 20km
The run route follows the Olympic course to the turnaround point before heading about 300m further along the riverside path to the turnaround point. It then returns on the same route as the Olympic Distance. You need to complete 5 laps.
The finish will be in the Park.
Remember – 5 laps
The route exit transition from the South West corner and descends down to the lower paths, through the arch and then out the park via the South West corner and onto The Groves. The route heads downstream on The Groves and onto the Old Dee Bridge before heading upstream on the river path under the suspension bridge and into the meadows. Head up to the turnaround point and then back out the meadows onto Lower Park Road. Head back over the river on the suspension bridge, for the first 4 laps proceed back onto The Groves. After you have completed the 5th lap head back into the park up the hill and onto the finish straight.
Cut-off times
Due to us having to open the roads in the City Centre the following Cut off times are in operation:
Lap 1 of the bike must be completed by 10:30, anyone not completing the first lap by this time will be directed into transition where they may complete the run if they wish.
Lap 4 of the run must be completed by 14:15, anyone not on their final lap by this time will be directed to the finish line.
Unfortunately these cut off times are necessary to allow the roads to re-open on time.
No refunds will be given to people who do not make the cut offs.