4km Run – 13km Mountain Bike – 2km Run.

Maximum of 150 entries. Open to persons aged 15 years and over (as of 31/12/10)

The venue: Abbotts Wood is situated off of the A27 (East Sussex), Lewes to Eastbourne road heading to Drusillas roundabout turn left towards Berwick, first right before Berwick under the railway bridge follow the road about 3km you see sign saying Abbotts wood turn right toward the car park. There are toilets blocks that are open but no shower facilities. It is also possible to make your way there if travelling from the A22 by following the signs for the Arlington Stadium and Adventure Park.

Car parking: The car park we are using is owned and run by the Forestry Commission and will be signed at the entrance for the event. Please do not use any other car park in the forest, of which there are several. Parking is not free for this event, so please use the pay & display machines.

Registration and race briefing: Registration / Transition will be open from 07.35am until 08.20 near the toilet block at the top of the parking area. Race briefing starts at 08.20 near to the transition. 08.30 race start. We will start the race in three waves in 3 minute intervals, depending upon numbers. Waves go in this order: 1-40, 41-80, 81-120, 121-150. Numbers are allocated so that those competing in the championship go in the earlier waves. Other waves will be based on age and sex.

Bike racking: There is more racking than we actually need, so not numbered in 2010. Please have your numbered sticker on your bike before entering transition for security reasons. Helmets and bikes need to meet BTA standards. Visit www.britishtriathlon.org for the rules. Please keep your area tidy.

1st Run route: http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-kingdom/polegate/103158475060 The first run is a 4km; following the yellow and black arrows which the terrain will be flat but very muddy footpaths, bridleways and some grassy forest paths. The start of the race is at the back of the car park on the right hand side. The first two thirds of the run are wide and will be muddy, which will spread out the competitors. The remainder of the run is narrower and steadly going up a shallow hill leading through the trees back to the car park and transition area. Please see map for more information.

T1: Put on your cycle hat and fasten it before removing your bike (see BTF rules). Ensure your race number is on your back so we can record your time when you start the cycle section. The bike out exit point will be identified during the briefing and signed. The mounting point will be marked.

Bike route: http://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-kingdom/polegate/734541897358 The cycle route is predominantly anti clockwise and over two laps of 6.5km. The terrain will be flat with slight hills but will be very muddy. The route is marked with yellow/black arrows and black/yellow hazard tape. Each kilometre will be roughly marked with KM signs. Leaving T1, head in the same direction as the run until you get to the 1km marker where the run route turns left you will go straight on. For another 1km you turn left still following black/yellow arrows passing the 2km sign. After passing the 3km marker you will go past a pond on your left hand side, then 1/2km down the track you should turn right steadily going up hill through a single track (be careful of walkers) following the signs you should pass the car park and the transition area on your right hand side and you should start your 2nd lap still following the black/yellow signs. After lap 2, head back into transition. Please see map for more information. (Be careful at this point as you may be sharing some of the bike course with people starting their second run.)
Other people will be using the forest and surrounding areas so please be courteous at all times, giving way on the single-tracks to walkers and slowing down for horses, dog walkers and so on the wider sections.

T2: Dismount in the allocated area and run your bike into transition. DO NOT REMOVE YOUR HELMET UNTIL YOU HAVE SAFELY RACKED YOUR BIKE. Exit the same way you entered after the first run. Please wear your race number on your front so we can record your race time.

2nd Run route: Follow the 2.5km run along the Abbots Amble path in a clockwise direction. The Abbots Amble is a partially surfaced route leading to the lake. Follow the white/red arrows. Take care once past the lake as you maybe sharing some of the route with those on the cycle section. Once back to the car park and the transition area head across to the finish line.

Important notice. NO SLICK TYRES ALLOWED! We reserve the right to refuse you from taking part in the name of safety and no refund will be issued.

Miscellaneous: There are no showers on site. Please do not discard empty gel wrappers etc within the woods. Use the bins near transition or give your rubbish to a marshal.

Results and Prizes: Once we have collated all the results (which is time consuming, but we will endeavour to get them ready ASAP) the prizes will be given to the following categories at or near to transition: -
1st, 2nd, 3rd for fastest open class males and females
1st fastest veteran male and female (over 50s.)
1st fastest youth male and female.