EVENT CANCELLED

We are not in normal times. Following government guidance, BTF has cancelled all events and advised that all club activity should be suspended until at least 30 April - which leaves me having to make a decision re. Alnwick Triathlon on Sunday 3rd May. Whilst I am very certain that attempting to make a decision based on what is appopriate in the face of the COVID-19 is far above my "pay grade", it is actually a very simple decision for me to make. As event organiser I have a duty of care to all participants - I am very certain that we will not have enough marshals available to be able to run the event with standard health and safety requirements so I am cancelling. I'll be sending an email to all entrants with more detail as soon as possible.

Robert Baddeley - Event Organiser, Alnwick Triathlon

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The Alnwick Sprint Triathlon will take place on Sunday 3rd May 2020. The race starts at 7:30am with registration open from 6:10am. The swim distance is 400m and there will be staggered wave starts from 7.30am onwards. The bike ride is an undulating single 21km circular loop, with a 5km run to finish. The run will be a multi-lap course as used the previous two years, largely on good quality smooth tarmac. There is a post-race buffet, a goodie bag with a commemorative T-shirt, and chip timing.

The event is based at the Willowburn Leisure Centre, Willowburn Lane, Alnwick NE66 2JH. Entries cost £43 for BTF members, £47 for non-BTF members (includes BTF £4 day race license fee charged at cost). An administration fee of 6% will be added to each order by our online entry system partner, Results Base so that the effective prices are £45.58 and £49.82 respectively.

ANYTHING ELSE?

The Alnwick Sprint Triathlon is a very popular and friendly event. It is organised entirely by volunteers from Alnwick Triathlon Club and the club is very proud to provide an enjoyable event that caters to the complete range of the performance spectrum, newbies & experienced athletes alike. And we very much want the event to continue – to this end please read carefully the following statement from the event organiser.

Following incidents during the 2017 edition of the race, and with the objective of ensuring athlete safety, specific guidance was introduced for the 2018 event as to what actions would lead to a DQ for participants guilty of 'breaking road traffic regulations' or 'dangerous conduct or riding'. The last two editions of the race have passed without any significant incidents and whilst this was largely down to the responsible behaviour of the athletes themselves, I have to believe that the DQ guidance helped to encourage this - so this will remain in place for the 2020 event.

The bike leg is on public non-closed roads and the Highway Code takes precedence. In accordance with BTF rules, we will DQ participants guilty of 'breaking road traffic regulations' or 'dangerous conduct or riding'. There will be local guidance clarifying examples of actions that will attract a DQ and this will include: (1) crossing central white lines on a single carriageway road; (2) not signalling when turning right at a roundabout; (3) not being ready to brake when navigating road junctions and roundabouts. Please remember that all participants have a responsibility both to all others, and all marshals involved on the day – enjoy the day and above all, be a safe example to less experienced athletes.

JUNIORS

To enter you must be 15 on 31/12/2020 which conforms to BTF rules re maximum distances allowed for different ages. Entrants aged 15-17 on 31/12/2020 additionally need parental/guardian consent which is automatically requested during the entry process. However this automatic sign-off does not explicity mention the key risk, namely that the bike leg is on open roads. Moreover it is a single 23km loop so takes entrants further away from the event venue and is a lonelier ride than say four 5k laps would be. Entrants in the range 15-17 will be contacted post-entry to obtain this explicit consent. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Please email alnwicksprinttri@blackdogsoftware.co.uk

• to be added to the reserve list (include 400m swim time and estimated 21km bike time as well as full contact details)
• if entered and can no longer make the event
• with any other queries

Please DO NOT contact Results Base about reserve places or refund requests as they are not able to help in either process.