Athlete Notes

Athlete Notes for LOCH loMAN Middle, Standard & Sprint Distance Triathlons

Sunday 17th June 2018

RACE HQ, START, TRANSITION & FINISH

Loch Lomond Shores, Overspill Car Park, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, G83 8QL

Car Parking.

You can park your car in the overspill car park next to transition. LAST ENTRY is 7am

Marshals will strictly control exit. You will not be allowed to exit cars until all cyclists have returned. Approx 1pm

First Aid

1 Ambulance will be based at Transition.

1 Ambulance will be based below AID STATION at top of Glen Fruin

1 Ambulance will roam the course.

Toilets and changing.

Transition will have toilets and change marquees. These will be accessible to athletes and event staff only.

Registration

PHOTO ID / RACE LICENSE REQUIRED

Main Saturday registration will take place at Race HQ

Middle Distance

Registration – Saturday afternoon 2pm – 6pm*

Transition set up – Sunday 5.30am – 6.30am

Standard Distance Registration

Main Registration – Saturday afternoon 2pm – 6pm*

Transition set up – Sunday 5.30am – 7am

*There will be facilities for a very small number of athletes travelling from far away and not staying overnight near the race venue to register in the morning of the race. You must have already arranged this in advance.

Sprint Distance Registration

Registration – Saturday afternoon 2pm – 6pm & Sunday 7am – 7.30am

Transition set up – Sunday 5.30am – 8am

PLEASE BRING PHOTO ID / RACE LICENSE WITH YOU

You will be given the following:

1-Colour coded swim hat

2-Numbered timing chip

3-Race Number (body / tribelt)

4-Race Number (seat post)

Please ensure your numbers match that on start list.

You will also have your number body marked on Sunday.

We will supply safety pins.

Transition

Access to Transition is for athletes only.

Helmets must be worn when walking through transition with cycle.

Only store race equipment at transition. Any other kit bags etc can be left in change marquee. You will have access to marquees during T1 & T2. The marquees will be heated.

Cycle security. Your race number and cycle number must match or no exit from transition.

Timing

Finishline are providing electronic timing. 

Athletes times will be noted at

-Start

-Swim exit

-T1 entrance & exit

-T2 entrance & exit

-Finish

Please ensure you have been body marked (marker pen) on your LEFT upper arm.

Please ensure you show your race number to the rear on cycle and to the front on the run.

If in doubt at timing areas please shout out your number to the marshal.

Marshal Briefing

Marshal Briefing will take place near transition at 6.20am

Race Briefings

Race Briefing will take place on the beach at the following times.

Middle – 6.40am

Standard 7.05am

Sprint – 7.50am.

Race Start – Middle 7.00am –  Standard 7.45am –  Sprint 8.30am

Race start will be in chest deep water immediately off beach opposite Jenners.

Drumkinnon beach is not a fine sandy beach. It has small pebbles and stones. Neoprene socks are advised – compulsory if water temp below 11c

Swim Course – 1.9km Middle, 1.5km Standard, 750m Sprint

Wetsuits are compulsory… 

The basic swim course will be an anticlockwise triangle first heading towards Cameron House pier, then back towards the wee beach and then towards Maid of The Loch, before returning into the lagoon via the Green and Red channel markers and onto Drumkinnon Beach.

If you get into difficulties please float on your back and raise 1 arm in the air. Our water safety team will come to assist you. Everyone is encouraged to complete the swim, however if you cannot / don’t want to then you will be escorted to the shore by kayak / powered craft.

Swim – Transition 1

  

Upon exiting the water you will run round the lagoon, past the children’s play area and cross the road at marshalled crossing. Turn right towards the r/about and follow the path into transition. It is approx 300m.

Marshals do not have the power to, nor will attempt to, stop traffic. You must adhere to any Marshals crossing instructions. Failure to do so may result in a DQ.

During transition set up you have have carefully and tidily placed your kit beside your bike. If the weather is wet we will allow you to store your clothing in a poly bag beside your cycle or a small kit bag in the change marquee. We strongly advise you pack a towel to help you dry off and cover your bits.

At transition athletes will be able to grab their kit bag and use the heated marquees to change / warm up.

NUDITY IS NOT ALLOWED IN TRANSITION – EVEN IN THE HEATED MARQUEES !!!

You must keep your kit tidy at all times.

You must not remove your cycle from the rack until you have correctly fastened your helmet to your head.

You must not mount your cycle before the mount / dismount line just past the gate.

Make sure you are fully aware of BTF race rules. Our race officials will be keeping a beady eye for transgressions.

Cycle 

EU approved cycle helmet is compulsory.

In case of emergency, mobile phone is strongly advised.

The bike course will be Marshalled by motorbikes, mobile cycle mechanic and static marshals at the main junctions.

If you see a fellow competitor in physical or medical trouble please assist and inform the next marshal.

Drafting – don’t do it. Following feedback from recent “draftfests” we have two motorcycle referees who will be on the look out for those breaking the BTF rules.

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Sprint bike loop updated

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/685228418

Standard bike loop updated

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/685247518

Middle bike loop updated

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/685238322

Turning left out of T1 you must not mount your bike until the Mount Line. Marshals will be on hand to show you exactly where it is.

The roads range in terrain from wide, flat, well tarmac’ed stretches with great sight lines along the A82 and Haul Rd, to lumpy, narrow, newly resurfaced tarmac with blind corners and blind summits on the Old Glen Fruin Road.

The A82 can be a very busy road. Police Scotland are once again providing us with four officers along its length. If they tell you to stop you MUST stop. Failure to comply with their instruction will not only result in a DQ but will probably lead to prosecution. That said they are there to help aid the traffic flow and your progress, particularly at the large Stoneymollen Roundabout.

Only the Police have the power to manage traffic. Our Marshal team can only advise you of dangers and point you the correct way.

The route will be well marked, but ultimately it is your responsibility to know the way

The A82 is frequently used by buses and lorries. Take care. 

PLEASE TAKE GREAT CAUTION THROUGHOUT but especially in all residential areas and narrow descents.

Be aware of other cyclists, pedestrians and animals on the road throughout the course.

The route will be signed with direction arrows and caution signs.

The use of earphones, ipods etc is strictly forbidden and will result in an immediate DQ.

Sprint, Standard & Middle Distance Cycle Route

Sprint Distance = 1 SMALL LOOP

Standard Distance = 1 LARGE LOOP

Middle Distance = 1 SMALL LOOP & 2 LARGE LOOPS

 Exit Transition to the left and head towards r/about.

As you set off take care for other athletes and road users.

0.1km

Exit R/About at 2nd Exit

0.3km

Exit R/About at 3rd Exit

0.5km Stoneymollen R/About ***EXTREME CAUTION*** – Marshal Point / Police Point

Exit R/About at 3rd Exit

A82 Trunk Road Fast flowing traffic. Keep Left. Do not draft. If overtaking a slower cyclist do so quickly. If you are overtaken allow the rider in front to gain minimum of 7m gap as quickly as possible.

DO NOT RIDE MORE THAN 2 DEEP WHEN OVERTAKING

4.6km Arden R/About

Exit R/About at 2nd Exit

7.68km – SMALL LOOP

Turn Left. Signposted Helensburgh B832

10.31km

Exit R/About at 1st Exit

12.52km ***EXTREME CAUTION*** – A82 

LARGE LOOP – Once for Standard – Twice for Middle.

Exit R/About at 1st Exit

Beware of cars and cyclists will right of way from right hand side

17.0km 

Turn Left onto A817 signposted Garelochhead

The A817 is a wide well tarmac’d road with long climbs and steep, fast decents, particularly towards its end.

28.1km

***STEEP FAST DESCENT***

29.88km ***EXTREME CAUTION***

STEEP FAST DESCENT with R/About at bottom. Riders must stay within National Speed Limit!!!

31km

Take 1st Exit at R/About signed Garelochhead

STEEP FAST DESCENT with R/About at bottom. Riders must stay within National Speed Limit!!!

32.5km

Take 1st Exit at R/About signed Helensburgh

32.7km

Turn Left Signed Glen Fruin

Unclassified narrow road  with cattle grids.

32.8km

***Cattle Grid***

33.3km

***Cattle Grid***

34.2km

Water / Feed / Aid Station

34.3km ***EXTREME CAUTION***

STEEP FAST DESCENT WITH CATTLE GRID

35.1km

Partial Cattle Grid. Pass to Right Hand Side

36.1km

Partial Cattle Grid. Pass to Right Hand Side

44.6km

Take 2nd Exit at R/about

46.7km Arden R/About

For 2nd LARGE LOOP take 1st Exit at R/about onto N/Bound A82 and complete as per 12.52km until 80.76km

12.47 / 39.26 / 80.76km At end of 2nd LARGE LOOP take 3rd Exit at R/about onto S/Bound A82

14.34 / 41.03 / 82.63km

TURN LEFT into 2nd Duck Bay / Cameron House junction

14.35/ 41.04 / 82.64km

At mini R/about for Cameron House entrance turn right ONTO FOOT / BIKE PATH.

Turning left from A82 go onto foot/bike path. Depending on traffic conditions Marshals shall advise on whether it is safe to go directly onto path or better to swoop around r/about then onto path. Ultimately you are responsible for whichever decision you take.

Be aware of small raised kerb

For slower Middle Distance Riders: be aware of other faster middle distance athletes on this  path running in the same direction as you for 50m.

RUNNERS KEEP LEFT / CYCLISTS KEEP RIGHT

83.15km

***CAUTION BOLLARDS***

85.25km

Take 1st Exit at R/About

85.35km  ***CAUTION RIGHT HAND TURN***

Turn Right into Transition

Dismount prior to Dismount line

85.36km

Transition 2

Listen carefully for instructions from Marshals.

Taking care to look out for pedestrians, other athletes, marshals and oncoming vehicles dismount bike before Dismount Line which will 5m after you turn right towards Transition entrance.

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR HELMET UNTIL YOUR BIKE IS RACKED.

Once your bike is racked proceed to T2 exit. Turning right begin run course.

Run

Following feedback from the past 2 years the run course will be be out and back loops down the River Leven.

SPRINT run course is same as last year, 2.5km out and back down River Leven.

STANDARD 1 loop down the river to turn point just past Vale of Leven Academy and return

MIDDLE 2 loops of Standard run course

AID

Beside transition there will be an aid station with water, gels and premixed powered drinks There will also be aid stations under Balloch Rd bridge at Sweeneys cruises and just before Middle / Standard turn point at 4.5km .

The run course is predominately on foot paths and bike paths.

Please keep to the path as much as possible.

Please be courteous to other pedestrians and cyclists.

Being a typical sunday in Balloch there will be dog walkers, prams, kids, old folk all wandering around in a carefree and unpredictable manner.

The use of earphones, ipods etc. is strictly forbidden and will result in an immediate DQ.

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/fullscreen/1079898626/

0km

Be aware of cyclists entering transition and other road users.

Exit transition and turn right, running up the tiny rise towards LOCH loMAN shores.

Follow path towards Duncan Mills Slipway

0.5km ***CAUTION ROAD CROSSING***

Listen carefully for Marshals instructions

Cross road and follow path

0.55km

Turn right and follow path into wooded area.

1.21km

AID STATION

1.22km

Go down steps, cross car park entrance and go under road bridge.

Follow river side path until turn point. Be aware of other athletes, pedestrians, recreational cyclists, prams and dog walkers

2.5km SPRINT TURN POINT AND RETRACE STEPS TO 5km SPRINT – Turn left into car park and FINISH

Standard & MIDDLE – Continue on RIVERSIDE FOOTPATH. 

4.5KM 

AID STATION

5KM MIDDLE & STANDARD TURN POINT AND RETRACE STEPS TO 10KM @ TRANSITION

10km STANDARD TURN LEFT AND FINISH – MIDDLE TURNPOINT COMPLETE A 2ND LAP

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Prizes

Prize giving for all distance is scheduled for 1pm at Transition.

There will be prizes for:

1st, 2nd & 3rd Male & Female overall for each race distance.

also spot prizes.