Wakefield Tri Club Event Instructions – General
These instructions are written based on a triathlon event based on Pugneys. They should be relatively easily interpreted for other events.
In general we run our events in line with the British Triathlon competition rules that can be found on the British Triathlon website:
This is merely a summary and points out some of the specifics with regards to the location / routes for Wakefield Triathlon Club events.
Arrival and Registration:
Please arrive with plenty of time and register for the race before racking / preparing for the event.
You will need to pay the usual Open Water Swimming price to take part in any of the events that use the lake at Pugneys.
Very few WTC events require registration in advance, but this means that it can take a little longer to register everyone, distribute numbers and get everything prepared ahead of the race so please keep this in mind and make the marshal’s job as easy as possible.
Briefing and Race Start
Make sure that you listen carefully to the race briefing. It is as important as any externally organised race because we do sometimes have to change the routes to avoid roadworks or for other reasons and it will contain important safety information.
Our races are usually mass start races (everyone starts when the marshals say ‘Go’), sometimes our races are in both the Summer and Ladies series and in this situation there are two waves, a main wave and a ladies only wave.
All men will start in the main wave. Ladies taking part have the option of starting in the main wave or the Ladies wave. If you decide you want to start in the main wave then please inform the marshals at registration so that they can ensure that the timings are adjusted correctly for all competitors.
Whichever wave you start in, whenever an event is part of the Ladies Series and the Summer Series all ladies taking part are included in both sets of results.
Swim:
Usual club rules apply in that wetsuits are mandatory unless it has specifically been stated at the event that they have been made optional based on water temperature.
The swim route is as shown below:
When exiting the swim, if marshals are attempting to collect times at the swim exit SHOUT YOUR RACE NUMBER.
Make your way to transition, but remember that Pugneys is a public park and therefore you must be careful and ensure that you do not run in to any walkers etc. who might be near to the swim exit / transition area.
Transition 1:
It is important to try and keep transition as tidy as possible, because, as already mentioned, Pugneys is a public park and we do not want to create blockages / trip hazards for people walking around the park.
Usual transition rules apply in that you must have your helmet on and fastened before you are able to remove your bike.
You will need to put a race number on, either pinned to your clothing or to a race belt. (Race belts are one of the cheapest pieces of triathlon equipment you will ever buy and one of the most useful).
If you don’t have a race belt then the race number should be pinned to the front of your clothing rather than the back.
Take your bike and walk / run with it to the mount line which will have been pointed out in the race briefing. Again, take care to avoid cars and members of the public.
As you mount your bike, SHOUT YOUR RACE NUMBER, it will give the marshals a chance of getting your time splits.
Bike:
There are various bike routes that we take from Pugneys and they are shown on the website:
The route being used should be advertised prior to event will be described in the race briefing but it is your responsibility to make yourself aware of the route before the event.
All of the routes head out on the A636 past the Renault / Nissan garages and across the M1 junction.
We do not close the roads for our races and so Highway Code rules apply. This includes, but is not limited to:
-You must give way to traffic from the right on roundabouts. This will often mean that you will have to stop at the roundabout leaving Pugneys.
-There is a pedestrian crossing on the A636 and traffic lights on the motorway roundabout. If the lights are red you MUST stop.
-You must ride safely and within the speed limits at all times.
Riding dangerously, running of red lights etc, puts you at risk and safety is our utmost consideration. It also jeopardizes our ability to run these events in the future.
Anyone seen riding dangerously at any point on the course, will be disqualified as you would in any other triathlon.(We actively encourage people to report other competitors who have ridden dangerously – the reporter will never be named)
All WTC events, with the exception of the specially arranged road races, are non-drafting events. This means that you must not ride within 10 meters of another competitor unless you are overtaking them. If you have been overtaken it is your responsibility to drop back the required 10 meters from the person in front of you.
Transition 2:
The dismount line will be where the mount line was. Dismount before you get to the line AND SHOUT YOUR RACE NUMBER. (All the shouting is for your benefit – if you want your splits to be timed anyway).
Again, usual transition rules apply in that you must have your helmet on and fastened until you have racked your bike.
Be careful of cars leaving Pugneys and pedestrians just out for a walk, they are rarely expecting to see a triathlete running with a bike.
It remains important to try and keep transition as tidy as possible, because, as already mentioned, Pugneys is a public park and we do not want to create blockages / trip hazards for people walking around the park.
As you leave transition for the run, yes, you’ve guessed it, SHOUT YOUR RACE NUMBER!
Run:
The run leg is usually a number of counter clockwise laps of Pugneys lake (2.5km per lap)
The race briefing will have made it clear as to whether the run will go through the car park or around the outside of it.
I may have mentioned it, but Pugneys is a public park and you don’t have right of way over anyone else so please be respectful to everyone you pass and their adorable dogs. Watch out for the extending dog leads they can be difficult to spot at times and therefore somewhat dangerous.
As you approach the finish line, hit the turbo boost button but remember to save just enough energy and breath to allow you to SHOUR YOUR RACE NUMBER.
Littering
As with all triathlon events we do not accept littering on the course (bike or run). An empty gel is easier to carry than a full one so don’t discard any litter.
If you are seen littering you will be asked to pick it back up, if you refuse then you will be disqualified from the race
Summary
All WTC events are competitive but friendly and supportive events. They cater for all abilities so please don’t feel reluctant to take part, come along and get involved.
They are generally relaxed affairs and if you forget to clip your helmet up we will point it out and make sure you do it up but you aren’t going to get a penalty for it. However, safety is always our main consideration and so any actions / behaviour that threatens your own or anyone else’s safety will result in disqualification from the race.
Finally, and this really doesn’t need saying because it will never happen, but just for clarity, volunteers are just awesome people, they have given up their time to allow you to do something that you enjoy. Should any competitor be abusive in any way to a marshal they will be disqualified from the race and the series that the race is a part of.