WHERE'S IT HAPPENING...

Registration;

Right outside the BBC at The Open Centre, 111 Broadway, MediaCityUK, Salford, Gtr Manchester, M50 2EQ

Transition; 

MediaCityUK Plaza - in front of registration

WHEN...

06:30hrs: Registration/Transition OPENS

08:00: First Swim Wave STARTS (Standard) 

10:00: Registration CLOSES

10:20: Last Swim Wave STARTS (Sprint)

Wave Times 

Start times are based on the swim times submitted on entry. 

Standard Waves (1500m)

One: 08:00 (Sub 30min) 

Two: 08:20 (30-40min) 

Three: 08:40 (30-40min) 

Four: 09:00 (40+min / Relays / Standard Aquabike)

STANDARD CUTOFF TIMES*

Swim - 1 hour after wave start

Bike - 3 hours, 15 mins after start

Run/finish - 4 hours, 30 mins after start

Sprint Waves (750m)

Five: 09:30 (Sub 16min)

Six: 09:50 (16-20min)

Seven: 10:10 (20-21min)

Eight: 10:20 (22+min / Sprint Aquabike)

SPRINT CUTOFF TIMES*

Swim - 30mins after wave start

Bike - 2 hours after start

Run/finish - 3 hours after start

*If these cutoff times are too challenging get in touch and we may be able to move you to an earlier wave.

Important

Arrive in good time to register, rack your bikes and make your way to the swim start. 

Car Parking 

Available in Quayside next to the swim venue. It can be pre-paid through Your Parking Space(Location ID: 12200). Rates: 0-2 hours £2.30, 2-4 hours £4.50, 4-6 hours £8.00, 6-12 hours £16.00.

Free - Try your luck on Ohio Avenue, Quays (W3W ///resort.detail.ranked) 

Large Vehicles / Cars with bike roof racks

Parking is available at the Greenhouse Car park, opposite the UTC College (M50 2EQ)

Pay for parking via the QR codes displayed or via the app.

Race Packs

These will be available on the day at Race Registration (Open Centre). 

 Packs will include your personalised race number, seatpost sticker, velcro timing chip and safety pins. *These are not posted out prior to the event and are only available on the day.

Personalised Race Number

Will be provided at registration and attached to competitor’s clothing, race belt or bib. Numbers must be clearly visible at all times. 

During the bike, the number must be visible on the back and during the run, the number must be visible on the front.

Age Group categories (Female / Male)* 

17-24, 25-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+

*Aquabikers do not have age groups

Relay Teams

All Team members, not just the swimmer, must be at the swim race briefing by 08:40. A team is made up of 2-3 competitors regardless of gender. The first team member swims (and runs, if desired), the second member bikes and the third member runs. The total time for the team starts with the swim and ends with the finish of the run. The time is continuous and does not stop between competitors.

The Relay Exchange

This is from one team member to the other and takes place inside the transition area. It is completed by the in-coming competitor using their hand to contact the out-going competitor. The timing chip is then exchanged. Competitors must not put their helmet on until they have been tagged by their team-mate. 

Aquabikers

Note that there is no feed station on the bike course so competitors will need to be self-sufficient by either having feeds in transition and/or on board their bikes. 

At the finish competitors will rack their bike in transition then follow the RUN OUT signs and progress to the finish line close by.

Use of headphones 

These are banned for safety and self-reliance reasons: Swimmers need to be aware of other participants and potential hazards, and cyclists need to hear approaching cars or fellow competitors. Self-Reliance:  Our event emphasizes self-reliance and pushing personal limits. Relying on external stimuli like music can be seen as counter to this principle. 

The Swim 

Takes place on a 750m anti-clockwise course within the water-quality tested Dock 9, home to Uswim.

Swim Waves 

Will be made up of mixed gender athletes of similar swim speeds i.e. sub 30mins, 30-40mins etc. The quickest swimmers in each of the standard and sprint races will start in the earlier waves. See wave times above. 

Swim Start

Arrive at the swim bund approximately 15minutes before your wave start time. You will need to be wearing your swim gear and ready to attend the pre-race safety briefing and warmup. It is your responsibility to be ready for the start of your swim wave. Snooze, you lose!

Swimwear 

Competitors need to wear an event swim cap and, if two caps are worn, the event swim cap must be worn on the outside. Competitors must also wear a trisuit, costume or wetsuit  depending on temperatures.

Wetsuits & Hire

Optional but recommended, especially for novices. Wetsuits, as a rule, offer buoyancy, heat and help people swim faster! Make sure you have practised in the wetsuit you will wear prior to the swim. 

Suits will be available for hire on the day, (£10 + £20 returnable cash deposit) ar race registration

Water temperature

This is expected to be 20c based on previous years. 

In-Water Warm Up

Competitors will have the option to acclimatise in the water for approximately 5mins prior to the start of their wave. 

Take your marks!

There will be a 'deep water mass start' within the pontoon area with swims then taking place on an anti-clockwise 750m course. 

Standard athletes will complete 2 x 750m laps with sprint athletes completing 1 x 750m lap.

Nervous or new? Position yourself wisely at the race start.

Exiting the water

Via a carpeted ramp with a 100m run to the transition located in the Lowry Piazza. 

Safety first

Our expert water safety team will be in place for emergencies only. 

Pre-race swim Practice (highly recommended)

Competitors should try swimming on the actual race day swim course prior to the event itself. There are regular Summer www.uswimopenwater.com open water swims (Weds/Sats). These will definitely enhance your race experience.

THE BIKE (Draft-legal)

The course is on flat, anti-clockwise laps on (quiet) open roads around MediaCityUK and the wider Salford and Trafford areas.

Standard - 6 laps = 40.74km (6.79km per lap)

Sprint - 3 laps = 20.37km

Open (public) Roads

Competitors will be sharing the bike course with other road users. It will be heavily signed and marshalled. Please observe the highway code, respect other road users and ensure your bike is road worthy for race day.  

Be Self Sufficient

Whilst there are mobile bike marshals out on the course to provide basic assistance competitors are encouraged to carry a basic repair kit including pump, spare inner tube. 

The Endurance Hub bike mechanics will be based in Transition for any last minute bike checks prior to the race start.

Pick ups out on the bike course will be available for emergencies only.