Junior Race Briefing

Thank you for entering the London Fields Aquathlon on the 18th of June! This is the first event back after events were cancelled due to Covid-19 and we are excited to be back racing with you.

Please read ALL of the following race information carefully. We have done all that we possibly can to ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and safe event. Your help in following these guidelines would be greatly appreciated.

Please note the times indicated below may be subject to change.

Provisional Start List

See here for the provisional start times. We are unable to accept changes to swim start times on the day.

Directions to London Fields Lido

London Fields Lido is situated in the North East corner of London Fields and can be accessed either through London Fields or from London Fields West Side off Richmond Road. The address is London Fields Lido, London Fields, E8 3EU. For more information and public transport options for getting to the lido please visit www.tfl.gov.uk.

Race Registration – from 7.10am

Registration will be open from 7.10am in front of London Fields lido and there will be a full race briefing at approximately 7:40am for those in the Junior, Youth and TriStar3 categories and a second for those in TriStar2, TriStar1 and TriStart categories at approximately 07:50am which you must attend. The Junior and Youth entrants must be ready to go straight to poolside from the race briefing. All non BTF members will race under a day licence. Please give yourself plenty of time to register and set up your transition area in order to make the cut off time of 7.55am at which point transition must be clear. We suggest allowing 45 minutes before your race start time to set up in transition, attend a race briefing and be ready on poolside.

At registration you will be issued with your race number. This MUST BE shown on your front during the run section of the event. You can wear a race belt. If not the number can be safety pinned to the front of a t-shirt or vest that can be put on in transition. Pins will be supplied on the day if necessary. Your race number will also be written on your left arm for the swim section of the race. Please advise at registration if you are allergic to the pen. Please note that swim hats will not be provided but you are free to wear your own.

Changing facilities will be available at the Lido and lockers are available for valuables. The lido has two communal changing rooms (one male and one female) and individual cubicles around the edge of the pool. We will be allocated a bank of outside changing rooms for participants to use. The lockers take £1 coins (which are returned).

We will be maintaining the registration desk throughout the event and there will be marshals throughout the site on hand to assist participants.

Race Briefing – from 7.40am – 8.00am

There will be a race briefing taking place in front of the registration area. Attendance is compulsory. The Race Briefing will inform you of any last minute route changes and safety points. If you have any questions or queries on race day, please ask them after the Race Briefing.

Participants in the Tristar 2, Tristar1 and Tristars Start should attend the 7.40am briefing.

Participants in the Junior, Youth and Tristar3 events should attend the 7.50am briefing.

Race Start 8:00am

The swim start will be staggered with swimmers going off in timed intervals based on estimated start times submitted by entrants before the race. Entrants should queue at the side of the pool in number order at least 10 minutes before their start time so that they are ready to enter the pool at their given time (to be provided at registration). A marshal will be on hand for assistance. The first swimmers will proceed straight from the race briefing to poolside so please attend ready for this.

Race Format

The junior event distances depend on the participant’s age category (age determined as on 31st December):

TriStars Start (8 years old) — 50m swim (1 length), 500m run (1 small lap)
TriStars 1 (9–10 years) — 150m swim (3 lengths), 1.5km run (3 small laps)
TriStars 2 (11–12 years) — 200m swim (4 lengths), 1.5km run (3 small laps)
TriStars 3 (13–14 years) — 300m swim (6 lengths), 3km run (3 big laps)
Youths (15–16 years) — 400m swim (8 lengths), 4km run (4 big laps)
Juniors (17–19 years) — 400m swim (8 lengths), 4km run (4 big laps)

The Swim

The swim length will depend on the age of the participant. See above.

There are four lanes and the pool is 50m long. Swimmers will start in lane one (as indicated by the marshal on the day) and swim up one side of the lane and back down the other. They will then dip under the lane rope into lane two, and so on until they have completed the required length of swim. After the participant has completed their swim they will leave the pool and head into transition. Tumble turns are permitted, however care must be exercised at all times.

Swim start times are based on the estimated times submitted by competitors. Occasionally people under or overestimate their time and therefore overtaking is required. If you wish to overtake the person in front please tap their feet (once only) and overtake at the end of the length. If you are tapped on the feet by a faster swimmer please let them through at the end of your length.

There is NO RUNNING IN THE POOL AREA OR TRANSITION — once out of the pool competitors must walk to the transition area. Anyone who runs in the pool area may be given a time penalty.

Transition Area

You will be required to set up your transition area prior to the event starting with only the items you require for the race and bags left to the side of transition (against the lido wall). The transition area will be open from 7:10am and will close at 7.55am. The transition area will be situated on the grass area adjacent to the exit of the Lido. You are not allowed to run in the transition area. The beginning of transition is marked with a “Transition In” sign and you can run once you have exited transition by crossing the timing mat.

Parents of the Tristart participants can help set up transition but will not be allowed in transition during the race. We expect other participants to set up their own transition area.

Transition will reopen for collection of belongings after the last participant has completed the swim and started the run.

The Run

The run length will depend on the age of the participant. Please refer see the race format section below.

The run course is around London Fields as shown on the plan to the right. There will be a short course of approximately 500m (red and blue lines) and a longer course of 1,000m (red line). You will be informed of how many laps and on which course you are expected to do at registration.

It is your responsibility to ensure you do the correct number of laps and the correct type of lap (big and small laps).

There will be a timing mat to record the time of each lap undertaken.

Please ensure you stay alert to pedestrians, cyclists and dogs that may be in the park during the event. Please inform a marshal if you fail to complete the run section of the event. We want to ensure all competitors return safely. The run route has a mixture of pavement and grass sections. Please wear appropriate footwear to match weather conditions on the day.

Race Numbers

Race Numbers must be worn on the front during the run at all times. Numbers must be pinned at all four corners or attached securely with a race belt. If for any reason your race number becomes detached and or lost during the race, then please notify a marshal after crossing the finish line.

What You Need

For some people this may be your first aquathlon. There are certain items that you will need; a swimming costume or Tri Suit, swim goggles, shoes (and clothes if not wearing a tri suit to put over your swimming costume) for the running section, a race belt or t-shirt or vest with your race number attached to the front. Safety pins will be available on the day. All other extras such as elastic laces, specific triathlon clothing, are not a necessity but will help. A wetsuit is not needed as the pool is heated.

Race day may be cool early in the morning. The ground surface of the lido area may also be cold, so you may wish to bring an old pair of shoes or flip flops/sandals with you to wear while you wait as your running shoes will be in transition. You may also want to have an extra layer to put over your swimsuit/trisuit while you’re waiting for your start. You can collect any items left on poolside or in lockers after you have finished.

Race Rules

The event will be held under the rules of the British Triathlon Federation. All competitors are required to be insured by third party civil liability insurance — BTF Members are insured as part of their membership package, and all other competitors will be required to purchase a Day Licence from the BTF (included in race entry fee). If you require further information about Race Rules, please visit www.britishtriathlon.org.

Spectators

Parents, spectators and coaches will be allowed on poolside at the discretion of the Lido but will not be permitted in transition, to count laps, pace or run beside a participant however cheering is encouraged! The marshals will be on hand to direct parents and spectators where they may watch the participants. Spectators must comply with the Lido’s requirements and once the participant is changed and ready for the swim we suggest you take you take your positions on the run course/at transition exit to cheer. There will be marshals at poolside to supervise the swim starts.

Age Restrictions

All competitors are required to be between 8 and 19.

Medical Cover

The safety of our competitors is paramount. On the day there will be a team of medics. If before, during or after the event you feel that you require any type of medical care, please do not hesitate to contact an event marshal or one of the medic teams directly.

In the event of serious injury or accident please contact the nearest marshal immediately. In the event of the race having to be stopped to deal with such an incident please would all competitors gather at the registration area for further instruction.

Medical Conditions

We request that all competitors write their next of kin and contact details on the back of their race numbers using a waterproof pen. If you have any type of medical condition or are taking any type of medication please write a large “MC” on the bottom left of your race number. Please write your medical condition fully on the back of your number also. This will only be used in the event of you being involved in an medical incident.

Presentation

After the event has finished, there will be a race presentation will be held by the finish line. Medals/prizes will be presented to the male and female winners of each TriStar category.

Race Results

Race results will be published on the London Fields Aquathlon website following the event. We are using StuWeb for our chip timing and you will be able to download a certificate from the website should you wish to when the results have been posted.

Race Photography

Please note that there may be an event photographer taking photos on the event (subject to availability). We have the right to use images, photographs and video taken by our contracted photographers without informing the participant. These images will only be used for the purposes of promoting, reporting and broadcasting the event, and any other promotion related to the activities of the club.

Any individual who does not wish to have their image used for these purposes must inform us via email no later than 48 hours prior to the event. Notification closer to, or after the event can be made and we will use our best endeavours to prevent images of that individual being used but cannot guarantee it.

British Triathlon Federation (BTF) require any person taking pictures at a junior event to have given their name and address at registration. Once your parents/friends have given their details they will be given a sticker to show they have complied with the BTF requirements. This also goes for cameraphones as well. Anyone who is taking photos at the event without this tag will be asked to register their details.

If the marshals see anyone taking pictures who are not displaying a sticker, they will be asked to register as above. This is something we are required to do by the BTF.

Please complete and bring the attached photo consent form with you on the day of the race.

Cancellation by us

London Fields Lido is open all year round no matter the weather, however in the unlikely scenaro that we are required to cancel, amend or postpone the event at short notice due to reasons beyond our control, dependent on the costs incurred and the time of the cancellation we may not be able to issue refunds. We therefore reserve the right to retain your entry fee.