EVENT INFORMATION

WHERE...


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

10:10: Last Swim Wave STARTS (Sprint)


Wave Times (These could be changed slightly closer to event). Start times are based on your estimated swim times. 


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 15min)

Six:   09:50  (15+min)

Seven:  10:10  (15+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. 


Parking

Quayside MediaCityUK Car Park, The Quays, Salford, M50 3TY. Opens 06:00 (Sunday 19th July)

The carpark is managed by 'Your parking Space'. Parking can be prepaid through the Your Parking Space Website or at the pay machines. 

Rates are as follows

0-2 hours £2.30

2-4 hours £4.50

4-6 hours £8.00

6-12 hours £16.00

12-24 hours £22.00


Large Vehicles / Cars with bike roof racks

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

  1. Enter MediaCityUK and follow the road to the Co-Op (M50 2BS)
  2. Park up in a Co-Op or Greggs parking bay
  3. Enter the MSCP lobby. Payment machines are ground level, use the intercom to call the office and they will facilitate payment by card
  4. Return to your vehicle and then head to the Greenhouse Car park (M50 2EQ)

Race Packs

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

 

Packs will include your race numbers, helmet stickers, timing chips and safety pins. *These are not posted out prior to the event and are only available on the day.


Race Numbers:

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

During the bike, a number must be on the back and during the run, a number must be 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 Relay 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:

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


AQUABIKERS

There is no feed station on the bike course so participants 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 run to the finish line (approx 100m away).

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. 


Start

Arrive at the swim assembly on the bund approx 15-20 minutes 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. You 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 18-20c based on the recent temperature and previous years. 


In-Water Warm Up

Competitors will have the option to acclimatise in the water for approx 5 mins 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 (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 closely observe the highway code and respect other road users.

Ensure your bike is road worthy and tried, tested on 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. 


A bike mechanic 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.

BIKE SET UP (IMPORTANT)

As the bike section is 'draft-legal' there are clear safety requirements that competitors MUST meet.

Competitors will be denied access to transition if their bikes do not meet the criteria below and are safe for use in our draft legal event. 

 

  • No Time Trial / Mountain bikes permitted
  • Only traditional drop handlebars are permitted and must be plugged; 
  • No aero-bars permitted
  • Clip-ons, including the bridge, must not exceed the foremost line of the brake levers. 
  • Water bottles / holders may not be mounted onto the handlebars or clip-on 


              FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION

THE RUN

This takes place on a spectator-friendly route that takes you around the sights of Salford Quays.  

  • Standard - 2 laps (10.4km)
  • Sprint - 1 lap (5.2km) 

Keep left on the route at all times and be aware of the general public. For safety reasons no headphones are permitted. 


Water station (run course)

Will be provided on the run course and at the finish. Consider carrying your own extra fluids if required. Please dispose of any litter in the provided bins.

THE TRANSITION

MediaCityUK Plaza (outside registration)

You will be able to access transition from 06:30-15:00hrs. You will need to display your athlete numbers for security purposes.


  • Only registered athletes will be allowed in the Transition Area.
  • No glass is allowed in the Transition Area.
  • Athletes must rack their bike and equipment at their assigned position.
  • Bikes must remain in Transition once racked.
  • Bikes must be racked by the front of seat on the Transition rack at the start of the race, facing toward the field of play/flow of traffic.
  • All equipment (shoes, helmet, etc.) must be contained directly on, under or behind the bike.
  • Only equipment to be used during the competition can be left in Transition
  • Bikes and kit will be required to be taken from transition as soon as possible after race finish


Within this area there will be a BAG STORE

Although not a British Triathlon event we will be referencing their DRAFT LEGAL COMPETITION RULES. Here's a summary:


General

  • Be nice! Practice good sportsmanship
  • Don't dispose of rubbish or discarded equipment around the course except at transition or litter bins. All items must be kept with the competitor and returned to their transition space;
  • Do not use any device that will distract you from paying full attention to your surroundings:
  • Do not use communication devices of any type, including but not limited to mobile phones, smart watches in any distractive manner; playing music, using social media, taking photos etc. This will result in disqualification.

EVENT SUMMARY


Registration: The Open Centre, 111 Broadway, Mediacityuk, Salford, Greater Manchester, M50 2E. Opens 06:30hrs, Closes 10:00

Toilets: Car Park, Registration, Portaloos by swim area and surrounding cafes/shopping centre

Transition: MediaCityUK Plaza (in front of registration) 

Parking: Quayside (Pay and Display) 

Large Vehicles - Greenhouse Car park, opposite the UTC College (M50 2EQ)

Bag Storage: Within transition area.


What you'll get 

  • Bespoke Medals 
  • Goody Bag / Event Swim Cap
  • Trophies / Prizes: Triathlon Overall Champ / Runner-Up (Female/Male)* 
  • Trophies: Triathlon Champ each Age Group (Female/Male)*
  • Trophies: Aquabike Overall Champ/Runner Up (Female/Male) 
  • Race Commentary / Tunes
  • Race Photography (Mick Hall Photos)
  • Live Timing, SMS, Online Results (Race Timing Solutions)
  • First Aid Support / Marshals

*Posted out once results confirmed