Wrekin College Spring Aquathlon 21st May 2017
Thank you for entering the Wrekin College Spring Aquathlon. We look forward to seeing you!
Below you should find all the details you need to compete in the race. See also the FAQ section at
the back. If you need any further information please email us at [email protected]
or ring Mel on 07704 801499.
EVENT
The Wrekin College Spring Aquathlon is organised and co-ordinated by Wrekin College Triathlon Club, and
is sanctioned by Triathlon England. As such, it is governed by their rules and regulations, details of which
are available http://www.britishtriathlon.org/britain/documents/about/competition_rules.pdf
There will be a copy at the registration desk.
The event is part of the West Midlands Triathlon Series 2017. Only those who have entered the event
are eligible to race. The event co-ordinator is Mel Humphreys, assisted by Phil Humphreys, who act on
behalf of Wrekin College Triathlon Club, for the duration of the race. Any complaint arising must be
forwarded to Mel Humphreys on the race day. However the decision of the race referee is final.
Group
 Tristar Start
 Tristar 1
 Tristar 2
 Tristar 3
Age(31/12/2017)
8 years
9/10 years
11/12 years
13/14 years
Race Distances
Swim
50m
150m
200m
300m
Run
600m
1200m
1800m
2400m
LOCATION & CAR PARKING
The location for registration and parking is Wrekin College, Stanley Road, Wellington, Telford Shropshire
TF1 3BH, there is plenty of free parking at Old Hall School and access to registration and the sports centre
is from this car park.
Please take care on the day when approaching this area and use the directions below, all other routes in
and around Wrekin College on the day will be being used as part of the bike course for the morning event
and therefore it is imperative for the athlete’s safety and the successful running of the event that these
routes are keep clear of traffic. Parking will be clearly sign posted and well marshalled.
Travel Directions
Leave the M54 at Junction 6, follow signs for Whitchurch. Pass over the 1st roundabout (Wrekin Retail
Park). At the next roundabout turn left onto B5061 (Watling Street) and pass through 2 sets of traffic lights.
At the 3rd set of lights turn right onto Mill Bank and then right onto King Street, continue along king street
taking the 2nd right and immediately turn right onto waterloo Road. Continue along Waterloo Road where
you find access to Old Hall Car Park, registration and transition.
CHANGING FACILITIES
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There are changing rooms and showers inside the sports centre. Changing for all competitors will be on
the ‘dry side’ (and not the swimming pool changing rooms) – these will be clearly marked within the centre.
There are toilets within the changing room area, within the swimming pool area and on the upper floor of
the sports centre.
REGISTRATION & TRANSITION
Registration will open from midday and will stay open until 12:45hrs.
Transition for TSS and TS3 only will remain open until 13.30hrs.
Transition will re-open when TS3 have finished their race for TS2 and TS1 athletes to layout their kit.
All competitors must register on arrival. Registration is located inside the sports centre – it will be signed
from the main entrance. Here your start time will be confirmed and you will be issued with your race
number. Body marking will be done at Registration; TE members will need to show their valid race licence
(or pay the additional £1). If you are currently taking any medication or suffer from a specific medical
condition (e.g. drug allergy) please inform us at registration and also write details clearly on the back of
your race number. The run course will also be open for warm up and familiarisation purposes during this
time.
RACE BRIEFING
Race briefing will occur at 13:00hrs in the same location as registration – the sports hall. All competitors
and parents / representatives must attend. The race will commence with the TSS/novice race, followed by
the TS3 category shortly afterwards.
TIMING
Your timing chip must be worn at all times, fastened securely around your left ankle using the Velcro strap,
in the event you lose your chip please call out your number out at the finish line. Please do not lose your
timing chip or you will be asked to pay for it at a cost of £35. You must hand it your timing chip before
leaving the finish line in exchange for your medal.
START TIMES
We hope to get the racing started as soon as possible after the race briefing. We will be setting off the
competitors in waves, based on submitted swim times. The race start times below are approximate and
may be changed, depending upon entries. More accurate start times will be available at registration.
WAVES
 Tristar start
 Tristar 3
8 years
13/14 years
From 13:30
From 14:00
[TS2/1 set up their transition after the TS3 wave]


Tristar 2
Tristar 1
11/12 years
9/10 years
From 14:30
From 14:50
These are not final - ENSURE YOU HAVE A FINAL CHECK OF START TIME, AT REGISTRATION.
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SWIM
Please be at the poolside at least 10 minutes before your start time for a final briefing and to collect your
run race bands, following which you will be directed to your allotted swim lane. All swimmers must wear a
swimming hat (you can wear your own). All competitors will start in waves – all races will start in the deep
end. The starter will tell you when to enter the water (no diving allowed), and then give you a countdown to
your start. You will start on the whistle. Tumble turns are allowed. The lane counter will keep count of
your progress and will put a float in the water when you have 2 lengths remaining. IMPORTANT: the lane
counter’s decision is final; any argument will result in a penalty! If you have any reason to dispute your lane
counter please speak with the race referee / organiser at the end of your race. Please note you may swim
using any stroke or combination of strokes.
TRANSITION
The transition area is located at the back of the pool building. Exit from the swim will take you along a short
corridor and then through a door, which will lead to a downward slope onto the (grass) transition area:
leave shoes, additional clothing and your numbered plastic bag (issued at registration) here. Access prior to
the race (for TSS/ TS3), can be gained through the rear (car park) exit out of the sports centre only.
Access for TS2 / TS1 will be after the last TS3 competitor has been through. There will be a one-way
system in operation within transition – please familiarise yourself with this prior to the race commencing.
Please note that only competitors will be allowed into the transition area to set up. If severe wet weather –
transition will be on poolside. In either circumstance all kit must be placed into the carrier bag
issued to you upon completion of transition – it will then be moved to a collection point. You are
strongly advised (if using a towel in transition) to keep it SMALL – it has to fit inside the carrier bag
you are issued with!
During the race, exit the pool through the door at the end of the building as directed by the marshal – be
careful as there is a slope-down – a marshal will be at this point to remind you! Be careful when moving
through the building - the floor will be wet and slippery.
NUMBERS
Please make sure your number is visible at all times; if your number can’t be seen (on your front when
running) by the timekeepers then you won’t get a time! Number belts and trisuits / skinsuits are allowed.
Please note that no-one is allowed to run ‘topless’ – put on a shirt if needed! T-shirt / number belts must be
on and shoes securely fastened before leaving the transition area.
RUN
The run is a fast and flat (besides a couple of very short slopes) multi-lap course around the field behind
the sports centre; each lap is approx. 600m long. Race distances are given below (and are approximate
maximums). The course for the run is highly visible and will be very clearly signposted and marshalled. The
course is entirely on grass, possibly a little muddy in places if the weather is wet; although normal running
shoes will be OK (spikes are not allowed!).
You will need to complete the required number of laps; after each completed lap, remove an elastic band
and hand it to the run marshal.
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Group
Tristar Start
Tristar 3
Tristar 2
Tristar 1
Age(31/12/2017)
8 years
13/14 years
11/12 years
9/10 years
How many laps?
Distance
Laps
600m
1
2400m
4
1800m
3
1200m
2
Bands at start
No elastic band
3 elastic bands
2 elastic bands
1 elastic band
SPECTATORS
There are seats in the pool area for spectators, and the run course is also spectator-friendly. Note that
spectators must keep off the race course at all times and must not obstruct competitors or race officials.
Any competitors receiving outside assistance (including pacing) may receive penalties.
PHOTOGRAPHY
In line with current guidelines for children’s races, anyone wishing to take photographs or video footage of
the event must register their details at the Registration desk before carrying out any such photography.
(This includes camera phones!) You will be issued with a sticker, which you must wear at all times.
Kidz in Sport Photography will be in attendance at the event – please take the time to look over the
photographs at the end of the event!
http://www.kidzinfocus.co.uk/sport/
PRESENTATION & RESULTS
Prize giving will take place after the last competitor has finished and will take place in the registration area.
There is a medal for each finisher and trophies for the first 3 in each gender category. Results will be
displayed on a live screen throughout the afternoon and prize giving; please report any queries as soon as
possible to the timing official.
The results will be displayed later on the club website www.wrekintri.co.uk and on
http://www.stuweb.co.uk/results.html who are responsible for timing the event.
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RACE KNOW-HOW!
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

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The clock starts running at the beginning of the swim and does not stop until the end of the run – a
quick transition is important!
Pace yourself across both disciplines, so that you make the finish.
Make sure your laces are undone in transition so they will be easy to get on with wet feet. Make
sure you tie them tightly before starting the run – elastic laces are useful – but make sure you
practice with them first!
Make sure your race number is securely fastened to the front of your T-shirt / number belt and laid
ready in transition.
Our aim is to provide a fun and welcoming aquathlon – there will be many competitors for whom this
is also their first try… you will not be alone!
KIT TO REMEMBER!
A general list of kit is shown below:
 Swimming suit / triathlon suit (skinsuits are fine too!) / trunks
 Goggles
 Swim hat
 Running shoes
 Talc (will make it easier to get your trainers on!)
 T-shirt for the run (if you’re not wearing a trisuit)
 4 x safety pins to secure race number (we will have spares)
 Small Towel (to stand on in transition)
 Number belt (not essential).
FAQs
Will I be too slow?
No one is too slow to compete in an aquathlon. We can’t all win and the idea is to take part and have fun. In
the swim you will be grouped with people of a similar speed. Slower swimmers start first. However slow you
are going, you won’t get in anyone’s way.
What should I wear?
Experienced racers may wear a one-piece racing suit throughout the race. However, if this is your first race,
there is no need to buy any special clothing. The simplest option is to wear your normal swimming costume
then pull on a T-shirt in transition to which you can attach your race number. No-one is allowed to run
‘topless’! Some may choose to fasten their race number to a tri-belt (see kit to remember above).
What do I do in transition?
Your time in transition is part of your race time so the idea is to get through as quickly as possible. However
you are free to take as much time as you want and put on as many clothes as you need to feel comfortable.
You may want to bring a small towel to stand on whilst in transition. It is useful to put talc in your trainers to
help your feet slip in when wet, especially if you’re not wearing socks (do this before the race starts!). If
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you’re looking to save a few more seconds you may want to invest in a pair of elastic laces for your trainers
– but always try out any new kit beforehand!
When will I get my start time?
Approximate start times are listed above; however, these will be subject to change – depending on entries.
Final timings will be given at registration.
How early do I need to register?
Arrange to arrive leaving sufficient time to register, put your things in transition and have a look around the
course before the race briefing. Registration and transition will open at 1.30pm. Everyone must attend
the race briefing in the sports hall at 2pm.
What stroke should I swim?
Experienced racers will do the whole swim using front-crawl as this is often the fastest stroke – but you can
swim any stroke that you are confident to do. You can also change your stroke if you need to. Tumble
turns are allowed, but dives are not. Everyone will start in the water, in the deep end of the pool. You can
rest if you need to during the swim.
What if I need to walk on the run section?
Running, jogging or walking is permitted on the run section – just do your best and try and keep moving
towards the finish.
Can I help my child in transition?
No-one is allowed help in transition during the race. Marshals will be on hand to offer assistance to any
child who may be struggling with their kit. Anyone receiving unauthorised help may receive penalties.
Can I take photos?
In line with current guidelines for children’s races, anyone wishing to take photographs or video footage of
the event must register their details at the Registration desk before carrying out any such photography.
(This includes phones!). You will be issued with a sticker, which you must wear at all times.
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LOCATION AND COURSE ROUTES
Finish
Transition
Sports
Centre
Pool
600m loop
Entrance
Parking
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