What is a Triathlon

An enticer race is: 250 m Swim, 10 km Bike, 2.5 km Run

A sprint race is 750 m Swim, 20 km Bike, 5 km Run

An Olympic (standard) race is 1500m Swim, 40 km Bike ,10 km Run

A half ironman (70.3) is 1.9 km Swim, 90 km Bike, 21.1 km Run

An iron distance (Ironman) race is 3.8 km Swim, 180 km Bike, 42.2 km Run

We also conduct Junior Races at smaller distances for kids from 5 to 12 years of age.

unless otherwise specifically stated, all our events are NON-DRAFTING (see below), so you can use any bike you like (road bike, Time Trial, BXM, Mountain Bike etc).

What is a Duathlon

A duathlon is held in the winter months when it is too cold to swim

The main distance is a 5km Run, 20km Cycle. 2.5km Cycle

Enticer and 12 years is a 2km run, 10km Cycle, 500m Run

We also offer smaller distances for kids from 7-11 Years

11 important triathlon rules to remember…….

Triathlon is a great sport & fun to be part of, but we do have to make sure that it continues to be fun by looking out for the safety and interests of others. One way to do this is to read and understand the rules below, and remember practice them when you race. The rules haven’t been designed to hinder anyone – in fact, they are there for the opposite reason – to make sure the race is fair for everyone. So please take the time to read these 11 important rules and remember to practice them out there on the course.

• Competitors must behave in a manner that is safe, fair and demonstrates good sport conduct before, during & after the race. Be careful, enjoy yourself and don’t give anyone else a hard time.
• You must stay on the prescribed course and it is your responsibility to know the course (don’t rely on the marshals to tell you during the race) Do not cut on the inside of swim buoys, or cut corners on the bike or run course.
• Do not throw anything (goggles, sunglasses, wetsuits etc) onto the course or to spectators – you must place all your gear with your bike in transition.
• Your torso must be covered on both the cycle and run – either with swimmers, a singlet or t-shirt. In some races, all participants may be required to wear a race singlet provided by the event.
• Your helmet must be done up before you remove your bike from the rack and it must stay done up until you place your bike back on the rack after the cycle. You will be stopped if you do not obey this rule. You are also never allowed to wear earphones or headsets.
• You are not allowed to ride in the transition area. You must dismount your bike at the marked zones or lines.
• On the ride, keep to your left, unless overtaking someone, and obey the road rules – they still apply even though you are in a race. Remember the road may be open to general traffic and you are sharing the road with other competitors & motorists. NEVER EVER in training or in races over take anyone on the left hand side this will nearly always end in an accident OVERTAKE RIGHT.
• Don’t get too close to the person in front on the bike. This is called “drafting” & it is not allowed in triathlon.

Drafting

The draft zone is seven metres (roughly four bike lengths) long, starting from the front edge of your front wheel and three metres wide (1.5m either side). If you stay at least four bike lengths behind the competitor in front of you, you will correctly avoid the draft. Once you are closer than this, you will have 15 seconds to overtake the rider in front and must be gaining on them at all times during that 15 seconds. The correct way to overtake is stay to the left, ride up to the person in front, then when you get close enough, go around them on the right (checking behind you first no one is coming) and once you have passed them move back to the left of the road as soon as it is safe to do so. You must overtake to the outside (right) not in the inside (left). If you are overtaken, immediately drop back at least 4 bike lengths so you are out of the draft zone.

You are deemed to be drafting if you speed up as soon as someone’s wheel has gone past yours to catch them. Drop back out of the draft zone first before you attempt to pass them.

Technical officials will be out on the bike course and may warn you if you are too close. If you draft you may be given a Stop-Start penalty (ie you may hear a whistle or horn, your number will be called out & you may be shown a yellow card and directed to pull over to the side of the road). Stop with the official, get off your bike and lift both wheels off the ground. Return to the race when the official says so. In some races you will be advised in the race briefing prior to the race that they will have a penalty box that you have to spend time in. Listen in the briefing where this is as if you get a penalty it is your responsibility to stop at the penalty box to serve your time. When you get in the penalty box ensure the marshall writes your number down & that he has started the time for your penalty.

If you do not serve your time you will be disqualified.

Remember drafting is cheating. Your number will be recorded and two such penalties results in an instant disqualification.

• Your bike must be returned to exactly the same position you were racked in at the start.
• You may not receive any outside assistance during a race. For help ask a race official. No family members can hand you food or drinks this is also classed as outside assistance.
• Racing under others names however innocent is fraudulent if anything happens on the course the wrong family members could be contacted. You must register for races in your own name & the correct age group. If you are caught you may be suspended from the sport.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS AND WEAR SUNSCREEN AND A HAT. THAT GOES FOR OUR SPECTATORS TOO!

But most importantly remember to enjoy yourself & cheer your fellow club competitors around the course that is what makes our club so special.