Chirk Sprint Triathlon Sunday 17 th April 2016 RACE INFORMATION PACK 400m Pool Swim / 24k Bike/ 5k Run A very warm welcome from Wrecsam Triathlon Club. Chirk is one of the most popular triathlons in the country. We have reviewed our operating procedures this year to allow more athletes to participate in this scenic race. Chirk Sprint Triathlon is now in 19th year and owes its continued popularity to the scenic location and the local people & businesses that support the race. Wrecsam Triathlon Club is grateful to North Wales Police, Wrexham Highways Department and Freedom Leisure for their continuing support for this race. Without this support, the race could not continue to be run. Over the years the club has made charitable donations in excess of 40,000 including local donations to schools and organisations in Chirk in recognition of the support and help they receive from the local community. This year we have our own dedicated web site at http://www.chirktri.org.uk We also are supported by Kronospan, Village Bakery and Tri Claire s
Arrival and Parking From the North: Approach along the A483 past Wrexham and Ruabon in the direction of Oswestry. Leave the A483 after crossing the River Dee viaduct (wind socks) at the roundabout signposted Chirk. Go down the hill and turn left at the roundabout and proceed along the B5070 until the sign for Chirk Green is seen on the left. Parking will be signposted to the right in Kronospan. From the South: Approach along the A5 until the roundabout with signposts for Chirk. Follow the signs for Chirk. Proceed along the B5070 passing the last pub in England, up a steep hill and into Chirk. Go through the village until sign to Chirk Green is seen to the right. Parking will be signposted to the left in Kronospan. Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to get to registration for your allotted registration time. It takes 10 15 minutes to get from the car park to registration. Please do not park on local roads as this annoys local residents and it is only with their goodwill that the event can continue The Leisure Centre is a Dog Free Area, please do not bring dogs onto Leisure Centre Grounds.
Registration Registration opens at 7.30am onwards in the Main Hall of the Leisure Centre, follow pedestrian signs from the car park making sure you are aware of any competitors exiting transition on their bike leg and any returning cyclists heading back to transition. NEW REGISTRATION PROCEDURE FOR 2016 You will be given a 15 minute registration window via email 1 week before the race, this is the time you need to collect your race number, once you have registered you must be on poolside within 30 minutes. If you want to have an extended warm up please do this before you register and allow enough time. The first port of call at registration is your race number allocation. You will be given a single race number, safety pins, a Chirk Tri race belt and buff and some other goodies. Race numbers must be displayed on the rear for the cycle and on the front for the run. Race belts are provided at registration and must be used. Please write your name and any medical condition (s) you may have and an emergency contact on the back of your race number. If you present a valid WTA / TE membership cards you will get a 3 refund, otherwise a day licence will be provided. Issue of timing chips this needs to be attached to your LEFT ankle and worn throughout the race. Once you have completed registration, please take your bike immediately to transition to rack before heading to poolside within 30 minutes Relay teams: The timing chip must be worn by the swimmer and passed to the cyclist then the runner. The race number should be worn by the cyclist and passed to the runner. Please ensure that the chip and number are attached to the cyclist before putting on your helmet and then removing your bike. On completion of the cycle leg, the cyclist should rack their bike first, before passing the timing chip and race number to the runner. The runner must ensure they have fixed their number to their front before leaving transition. Estimated registration times Registration times are allocated to batches of 25 athletes in 15 minute windows from the slowest swimmers to the fastest. An estimate of your registration time is below, you will be given a 15 min time slot 1 week before the race, this will also be displayed on the start list here : http://wrecsamtri.niftyentries.com/chirktri/startlist Estimated Swim Time Estimated Registration Time Estimated Swim Time Estimated Registration Time More than 11mins Between 07:30 08:30 Between 7 and 8 mins Between 10:30 11:30 Between 9 and 11mins Between 08:30 09:30 Between 6 and 7 mins Between 11:30 12:30 Between 8 and 9 mins Between 09:30 10:30 Faster than 6 mins 12:30 These are only estimates, you will be provided a 15 minute registration window 1 week before the race
Prize Giving Prizes will be at 15:00 either in the finish area or in the registration hall in the event of bad weather. They will be awarded as follows: Overall Top 3 Men & Women - 200, 100, 50 Age Groups Goody Bags The number of prize positions is dependent on the number of entrants in each age group: More than 50 entries, 3 places More than 20 entries, 2 places Other age groups 1 place. As of 1 st April these would give prize positions as below: Youth Men & Women (15-16) 1 st Junior men & Women (16-17) 1 st Over 40 Men & Women 1 st, 2 nd, 3 rd Over 50 Men 1 st,2 nd,3 rd Over 50 Women 1 st,2 nd Over 60 Men & Women 1 st Over 70 Men & Women 1 st Local Men & Women 1 st Individuals are eligible for more than one prize, eg Overall and Age Group Winner. Ie no roll down of prizes.
Transition Area The transition area will be secure and only triathletes with a valid race number be allowed into the transition area in addition to marshals. NO EXCEPTIONS. Please ensure your helmet is on and fastened before entering transition. This will be checked by marshals along with ensuring your bar ends are plugged/taped. The transition area will be busy, so please limit the amount of equipment, clothing, etc. you bring in with you to just what you'll need when actually racing. Please don't bring huge bags or boxes of spare equipment, track pumps, food, clothes, etc. as they will only get in your and everyone else's way. Note that transition will be "live" as soon as the first competitors start, so there will be competitors racing in and out during the day; please be aware of this and don't get in the way. Listen to the marshals who will be trying to ensure that everything runs smoothly! Your bike number must match your race number. No bike will be allowed out of transition without a valid race number so please ensure you have this with you when you collect your bike. It is vital early starters remove bikes as soon as possible to allow later starters to rack in vacant spots. Numbers 251 500 will be asked to rack at number 1-250
Course Swim - 400 meters 16 lengths The swim will consist of 16 lengths of the pool. You must be on poolside within 30 minutes of registering. You will be put into waves of 4 people starting every 3 minutes in order of arrival at the pool, please ensure you are ready as your time will be recorded from the 3 minute interval. RACE BRIEF IS COMPULSARY FOR ALL COMPETITORS. You must wear the swim hat allocated to you. On leaving the pool leave hat at poolside. You will be given a coloured timing card with your race number and name on, please give this to your time keeper before entering the pool. The colour of the card will match your swim hat. Your timekeeper will insert a coloured board the same colour as your hat when you have 2 lengths remaining. The lane timers decision is final. Do not argue with them they are doing their best in a difficult and exhausting job. Any verbal abuse or argument will result in immediate disqualification. Any disputes can be addressed with the race official after you have finished. Cycle Route - 24k Competitors must use the cycle racks provided by the organisers corresponding with their race numbers. Race numbers 251-500 are to rack in the rack number minus 250 i.e. 251 racks in 1. And so 355 would rack in 105. ONLY COMPETITORS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE TRANSITION AREA NO EXCEPTIONS There will be 2 coned temporary bike lanes All competitors MUST use this lane, no overtaking within the coned area, max speed 10 mph, merge with traffic as you join the existing bike lane. No Riding in transition.
The route will start at the mounting point. The route will be signposted and marshalled. This is a non-drafting race and there will be draft busters & moto marshals All competitors are advised that normal road safety regulations must be obeyed, as the route will take place on public highways. This applies in particular to the right turns on the course. There are speed bumps on the roads from the Leisure Centre to the main road. Please be alert to the presence of other competitors. Competitors need to take care at the end of the road from the Leisure Centre onto the main road new coned bike lane and again it's use is mandatory, no overtaking, max 10 mph. The bike course has two right turns across traffic. These will be marshalled and Chapter 8 marshals will be present. We will endeavor to warn traffic for competitors but you must obey traffic rules at all times. DO NOT CUT THESE CORNERS (several DQs last year for dangerous riding.) Turn left at the Station mini roundabout (unless you fancy a tour of Chirk Castle, as a couple did last year.) The route down the Ceiriog valley is out and back and your number will be noted at the turn around point in Glyn Ceiriog. It is a fast and scenic route. The bends at Dolywern over the bridge are tight and there will be a series of slow down signs. You do need to take care here. On return the left turn at the Cenotaph has a new coned bike lane and again it's use is mandatory, no overtaking, max 10 mph. Please be aware of the bus stop immediately adjacent to this junction. We have introduced these new coned sections at two very busy junctions to reduce bike approach speeds and minimise the stopping of traffic. The aim is to improve safety and also reduce disruption to local residents. Failing to use the lanes is an error of course and will result in competitors being DQ'ed. If for any reason you are unable to get back to the Centre, alert another competitor or draftbusters and they will report to us on return to the Centre or via Raynet and marshals. We will send the broom wagon to collect you. Run route - 5k
The route will start and finish at the Transition. It will be signposted and marshalled. The run exits transition in the opposite direction to the bike exit. Turn right out of the Leisure Centre and proceed to the T junction. Turn left and proceed up the steady hill. Turn right over the bypass and descend the steep hill. Continue for several hundred meters before forking left. Narrow lanes take you to the turnaround point. Return along the course and the finish is at the Leisure Centre. See new map on website. Water station will be at the half way stage at the turnaround point. Penalties The race is run under British Triathlon rules, these have been updated for 2016 so please ensure you are familiar https://www.britishtriathlon.org/britain/documents/about/competition_rules.pdf The decision of Race Official is final and any verbal dispute will result in disqualification. Any penalties will be adjusted on the final time. Particular attention is drawn to the following. 2-Minute penalty for: Drafting ( new for 2016 draft zone extended to 10m and you must pass within 20 secs or drop back) Not displaying your number on the back for the cycle leg or on your front for the run Equipment impeding other athletes 1-Minute penalty for: Moving bike without helmet fastened Riding in the transition area (failing to mount or dismount where indicated) Disqualification for: Illegal equipment Banned equipment, includes mobile phones, mp3 players, video recording devices and calf guards Threatening, abusive or insulting words or conduct Breaking road traffic regulations Dangerous conduct / cycling Failing to obey marshals or the Police Drafting (second offence) Racing topless (after warning) (inc front fastening tri suits not fully zipped) HEALTH & SAFETY Medical cover will be available during the race. In the unlikely event this is required please alert a marshal who will act accordingly. If for any reason you decide to pull out of the race for any reason (this includes before starting after registration you MUST inform a marshal and hand in your timing chip. All registered athletes must be accounted for so that we are sure you are safe. It also avoids the cost of a missing person's search. If you suffer from any medical conditions i.e asthma please write this on the back of your race number.
Results chip timing, texted results & instant print out Results will be available at the finish. Printed results will not give split placements/category places. Live results will be available here https://wrecsamtri.niftyentries.com/results/chirk-triathlon-2016 Changing and Toilets Available in the Leisure Centre Refreshments There are dispensing machines in the Leisure Centre. There will be a refreshments van in the area of the Leisure Centre, serving organic food. Bike Spares Our race sponsor TriClaires will be on site to help with any last minute must haves and bike mechanic issues. Massage This will be available in the Main Hall or outside depending on the weather. Rubbish Chirk Triathlon is an environmentally friendly event. Recycling bins are available around the event. Please use them. Dogs Please be aware that Chirk Leisure Centre is a dog free area, you are not allowed to bring dogs to registration, transition or finish areas. CIRCUMSTANCES OUTSIDE THE CONTROL OF THE RACE ORGANISERS This race is run by triathletes for triathletes. The majority of the costs for the race are incurred before the race takes place Leisure Centre hire, competitors gifts, Road management, Radios, BTF Registration, Tannoy, First Aid and all the many things necessary for a race to run. In the event of extreme weather conditions or full road closure due to an accident on the course, it may be necessary to stop the race. In such circumstances the race organisers would not be able to make any refunds to competitors. A full and transparent race budget would be made available on the Wrescam Tri website and any funds remaining would be donated to charity.