SWINDON DUATHLON

SUNDAY 6 APRIL 2008 FROM 10.30AM

10km run - 40km bike - 5km run also Do-A-Du 5km - 16km - 2.5km

A World Duathlon Qualifier and British Duathlon Series Ranking Event

Start list as at 2 April available here

WELCOME

The thirteenth Swindon Duathlon will once again take place at the Science Museum, Wroughton. The venue provides closed roads so there is no traffic to contend with, which is ideal for both the experienced and first time duathletes and it's more suitable for the wheelchair athlete.

LOCATION AND HOW TO GET THERE

The Science Museum, Wroughton, Nr Swindon, Wiltshire (private site). From The North, London, South East and South West - M4 Junction 16, on roundabout take exit marked Wroughton B4005, pass Blooms Garden Centre on right, carry straight on towards Salthrop (do NOT follow signs for Wroughton), up the hill (careful of S-bends at top). At T-junction at very end of road turn left onto A4361 and then after 400 metres turn right into Science Museum site - look for brown sign. From the South go to Salisbury, then Devizes and follow A4361 towards Wroughton, follow brown sign on right for Museum. Gates open 8.20am. No site entry on Saturday. It is a NO SMOKING site.

MICK COSSINS

Although we have not kept the name of Mick Cossins Memorial Duathlon, we would like Mick's family and friends to know that he is still often in our thoughts along with other characters from the triathlon world who are no longer with us.

ACCOMMODATION

The nearest low cost accommodation is the Travel Inn/Beefeater, Lydiard Fields at Junction 16 M4 (behind the Hilton). For B&B and camping call the Tourist Office on 01793 530328 or 01793 46645. There is no camping on-site.

PARKING/TOILETS

Parking is 800 metres inside the grounds on grass area; please park with consideration to others. Do not go onto runway around grass at any time there are runners and riders on runway! You can get out of the site at any time as long as everyone parks sensibly. Toilets are situated behind hanger D4.

REGISTRATION

Registration will be held in the Marquee near Hanger D3 area. Registration for both the age group and Do-A-Duathlon is between 8.20am and 10.00am on Sunday. No registration after 10.00am!

At registration you will be required to show your ETA, STA or WTA Race License (excluding day members and Relay competitors). You will be issued with a T-shirt, two race numbers, a timing wristband and a bike sticker, which must be attached to the cycle before entering transition. The sticker does not have to be visible throughout the race - for example it can be placed under the saddle.

NON-BTF MEMBERS

All non-BTF members must collect a day license at Registration to compete in a BTF Sanctioned event (day licence fee already included in entry fee). Non-members must show some form of picture ID.

START TIMES - remember age at 31/12/08

Be at the start line 5 minutes before your start time for a final briefing.

DUATHLON AND FUN RUN LATE ENTRIES

Postal entries will be taken up to Thursday 3 April- usual fee, on-line 4 April. Late entries on the day between 8.30am and 9.50am, please add £2 to fee.

MEDICAL ADVICE

If you feel unwell on race day please don't race. If you have any medical condition including asthma or any allergies please write the details on the back of your race number and using a waterproof pen put a small red cross on the outside of your number. If you see anyone in any difficulty throughout the race please inform the nearest marshal.

LEG MARKING

Upon entering the transition area to rack cycles, your right leg will be marked with the appropriate Age Group category letter. The categories for both men and women are as follows:

Please note: Age Category is Age At 31/12/08.

BIKE RACKING

All age group and short event bikes must be racked between 8.30am and 10.40am on Sunday. Entrance can only be gained to the transition area with a velcro timing wristband. Your bike must have a sticker with your number on and you must show your cycle helmet and race number upon entry. Only competitors with a wrist band and race number will be allowed back into transition to collect cycles after the event, and the wrist bands must be given in on leaving the transition area. Please rack according to your race number (bike can be removed after the event from 1.00pm. Please do not leave your kit bags in transition, lock them away in your vehicle, as they can prove to be obstructive to other athletes.

SPECTATING

The centre of activities will take place at Transition, and Race HQ; located close to HangerD3. Spectators can get a clear view of the cycle and run from the grass at the edge of the car park, also good views of the cycle to the right of Hanger D3. Spectators must not walk, run or cycle on the bike or run course - this is a closed course for the safety of both the competitors and spectators. No crossing the bike course!

TRADE EXPO

The Expo will be throughout the day on Sunday from 8.45am. Total Fitness Bath will be on hand for those last minute purchases, along with Runners Retreat, Kinectic-One, Smedley Wellness and a Food Vendor.

TIMING

Your timing wristband, which must be worn at all times, will bear three tabs.

• Tear off one tab at the end of the first run and place it on the timing table.
• On leaving the transition area for the second run, give in the second tab
• Give in the final tab just over the finish line. No Tab, No Time!

RELAY

The first runner must carry the timing wristband; they will tear off one tab and place on the timing table before handing the band to the cyclist at the racking. He/she then puts on their helmet unracks their bike and will run with their bike to the mount line. When the cyclist returns he/she should rack their bikes, take off the helmet then hand the band to the second runner. The runner goes to the timing table where they should hand in another tab. When crossing the finish line, the runner hands in the final tab. The cyclist will need the wristband after the race to retrieve their bike from transition.

DROP OUTS

If you drop out of the race for any reason after you have registered could you please inform a member of the registration team and hand in your wristband. Those who drop out during the race please inform the Transition Director who will be situated at the entrance to transition and hand in your wristband.

MASSAGE AND EVENT PHOTOS

Post race massage will be available in the Marquee. The cost will be £8 for a massage lasting approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Photos will be printed and available to purchase after the event from www.evokepix.co.uk

PRIZES AND RESULTS

The prize giving will take place at 1.30pm(ish) at the Finish area and prize winners must attend to receive their prize. There will be product/cash prizes for the top three women and men overall. Science In Sport prizes and awards to the top finisher in each five year BTF age group and a prize will be awarded to the first Relay Team. In the Do-A-Duathlon there will be prizes for the first male and female overall, First Vet 40+ and first youth male and female. A set of results will be available at prize giving, and will be on www.triferris.com by Monday. For those who require printed results please hand in an SAE at registration.

LOST PROPERTY

Please report any lost property to the Transition Director who will be at the entrance to transition throughout the event. The organisers are not responsible for the loss of personal property.

EVENT DIRECTORS

Race Organiser - Lorraine Ferris
Race Director - Trevor Gunning
Run Director - Tony Curry
Bike Director - Kevin Ferris
Transition Directors - Andy East and Richard Masling
Timing Director - Margaret Masling
Site/Elite Director - Phil Yarde

THE COURSE

To download a printable course map (Adobe Acobat format) please click this link.

The Start

This is located adjacent to transition on runway in front of Hanger D3 - please use crossing area and be aware of runners lapping. Be at the start 5 minutes before your start time for a short race briefing.

First run 10km

Two-lap (2 x 5km) course starting on the runway next to transition/D3, then left onto disused runway in front of Hanger A1(see map - red arrows). Please keep left at all times! The end of the lap is close to the start point, after two laps head straight on into transition. If you have to drop out for any reason do not cut across cycle course.

Bike 40km

5 laps (5 x 8km) on runway and service roads starting to the right of hanger D3 and heading clockwise, keep to left at all times because cyclist will be on both sides of runway/road. All runway/roads are very wide, but road narrows at Gate to Main Site into size of a B road for 400m. Slow down and take care at u-turns as it maybe slippery if wet. It is up to you to count your own laps - 5 x 8km; starting your computer is a good idea if you have one, or stick pieces of tape on your top tube and pull one off each time you finish a lap (see map - blue arrows).

Second Run 5km

One 5km lap on course as per first run but at the end of the lap go left into the finish shoot (see map - red arrows).

Do-A-Duathlon Course 5km - 16km - 2.5km

The first run is one lap of the same course as detailed above (see map - red arrows), followed by two laps on the bike - 2 x 8km, and one short lap of 2.5km on second run (see map - green arrows).

A FEW RULES

Race Numbers - One number must be worn on the front and one on the lower back. Numbers must not be folded, cut down or mutilated in any way. Even if you wear a belt please pin both numbers to belt!

Cycle Helmets - BSI, ANSI or SNELL approved helmets are compulsory and must be worn throughout the cycle section. They must be fastened prior to removing your bike from the rack and neither undone or removed until after re-racking your bike.

Transition - No riding is allowed in the transition area at any time. You must run with your bikes to the mount zone and on your return to transition dismount in the zone before entering transition. Check out where mount and dismount lines are before the race.

Cycle Conduct - Competitors must make sure that their cycle is in a safe and roadworthy condition. All competitors must keep to the left and overtake on the right. Please take note of signs and obey marshal instructions.

Drafting - Both the age group event and Do-A-Du event are non-drafting race. During the cycle section competitors must not take pace behind or beside another competitor or vehicle. You must be 7 metres behind the front wheel of the competitor in front and 3 metres to the side, apart from when overtaking. When overtaking you must pass the competitor in front within 15 seconds. It is the responsibility of the cyclist being overtaken to drop back once the overtaking cyclist's front wheel is ahead of his/hers. Competitors are not allowed to draft from any vehicle including the lead vehicle.

Disqualification - The following infringements will result in disqualification: Abusive language, breaking road traffic regulations, dangerous conduct/riding, failing to obey marshals or the police, nudity, outside assistance, unsporting impedance, 2 x drafting violations, course irregularities (short cut), tampering with other competitors equipment.

For further details of race rules see BTF Handbook or website: www.britishtriathlon.org.

THANK YOU

We would like to thank the people who have generously helped and supported this event such as Age Group sponsor Science In Sport, Total Fitness Bath, Specialized, Smedley Wellness, Runners Retreat, Kinetic-One, printers Cats Solutions Ltd, St John Ambulance, Science Museum, Wroughton and of course the many volunteers, without whom we could not hold such an event.

TO CONTACT US

Write to: Tri Ferris Promotions, 4 Lindisfarne, Woodshaw, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire SN4 8LQ. Email: triferris@btinternet.com. Tel: 01793 853933.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED

We still need a few more people to help make this event a success. All volunteers receive a Special Crew T-Shirt, food, refreshments, free prize draw ticket and have the best views of the race. You don't have to be there throughout. You will be individually briefed upon check in. If you can help in any way please call: Lorraine Ferris on 01793 853933, email: triferris@btinternet.com

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