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2014 BRAT Birmingham Triathlon 7th June 2014
PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS RACE INFORMATION
Welcome to the BRAT Birmingham Triathlon brought to you by Birmingham Running, Athletics & Triathlon
club.
Please read ALL of this race information very carefully. We have supplied all the information we possibly can to
ensure that everyone has an enjoyable and just as important, safe event. Your help in following these
guidelines would be greatly appreciated and will help your experience of the event
Directions to West Midlands Water Sports Centre (Blue arrow and blue access road on inset)
NB: Please note this is NOT Kingsbury Water Park
South and North West – Take the M42 from either the M40 or M6 and head towards Tamworth, and
Nottingham. Exit at Jnc 9, take exit for A446 and then A4097/Kingsbury/Lichfield. At Kingsbury Road take 4 th
exit onto A4097/Kingsbury/Marston. Continue to follow A4097 and go through one roundabout. At A5 take 1st
Exit onto Coventry Road/A51 Continue for 1.5 miles and venue is on left hand side
North – M42 Jnc 10 take the A5 exit to Nuneaton/Tamworth/Lichfield. Take the Second exit at roundabout
onto Trinity Road heading to Kingsbury/Whateley/Freasley. Then turn right onto Whateley Lane, and turn right
to stay on Whateley Lane. Continue onto Rush Lane and then turn left onto Tamworth Road/A51
Parking – Parking at the venue is free. On entering the venue please bear right and you will be directed to the
off road car park. Please follow the advice of the marshals
What Do You Need?
For many people this will also be their first triathlon. There are certain items that you will need; a swimming
costume, a road worthy bike, an approved cycling helmet and a pair of shoes for the cycling and running
sections. We strongly recommend that a wetsuit is used. All other extras such as elastic laces, specific triathlon
clothing and tri-bars are not a necessity but may help you on the day.
Race Rules The event will be held under the rules of the British Triathlon Federation. Under these rules it is
mandatory that all competitors must wear an approved helmet, that all cycles must be in a road worthy
condition and that all competitors are 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. If you require further information about Race Rules, please visit
http://www.britishtriathlon.org/britain/documents/membership/2013_btf_rulebook_revisions.pdf or contact
the British Triathlon Federation on 01509 226161.
BTF Licences
All athletes will be required to show their 2014 British Triathlon Federation Race Licence otherwise you will be
charged an additional day licence fee. All non-BTF members need to show some form of photo id.
Age Restrictions
In line with British Triathlon rules, to be eligible to take part in this event competitors must be at least 15 years
old on or before the 31st December 2014. In addition, anyone under 18 years old must have parental
permission to take part in the event.
Race Registration Fri 17:00 – 19:00 & Sat 06:15 – 07:30
Having pre-entered for the event either online or by post, all competitors will need to register between the
times stated above.
Race Registration will take place in the Watersports’ Clubhouse – follow the signs.
Please ensure that before registering you know your race number. This can be found on the board by the
registration area. If you are not a BTF member you must first visit the ‘BTF Day Licence Desk’. If you have
applied for a BTF Day Licence when entering, this will be issued to you at this point. If you did not apply for a
BTF Day Licence, then you will be required to show your 2013 British Triathlon Federation Race Licence. If you
are unable to do this, for any reason, then you will be required to purchase one for £5 before being allowed to
register. There will be NO exceptions to this ruling. If you have a 2013 British Triathlon Federation Race
Licence, please bring it with you. This is to stop people exchanging entries & ensures that all competitors are
insured to compete in the event.
Continue forward and find the appropriate numbered table to collect your race envelope. This will contain 2 x
race numbers and 1 x bike frame sticker. Please keep these safe as they are required to allow entry into the
transition area. Next collect your event goodie bag. Finally, collect your Timing Chip. When you collect your
Timing Chip it will be checked to ensure your details are correctly stored. Do not lose your Timing Chip as you
will need it to race and will be charged £20 for all lost chips
Transition Area (Transition will open at 6.30 and close at 7.45)
The Transition Area will be situated on the Water Sports Complex opposite the Car Park and is a fully secured
area for competitors only. This is where you will keep your bike during both the swim and run sections. To get
into the Transition Area you must show your race number at ALL times.
You will also be asked to show both your race number & bike number when taking your bike out. This is for
your security. Please understand this may cause queues during peak times, but it is for your benefit.
The Transition Area will remain closed after race start, and will only open to remove bikes and equipment once
the last cyclist is back in. All boxes will be asked to be moved to the edge of transition, so they do not hinder
any other competitors. It is suggested that you use a bag or rucksack as this can be compressed under your
bike and will not impede others.
The Team Event
Only one person is required to register for the whole team, but will be required to show ALL of the 2013 BTF
Race Licences for those teams that have not paid for their Day Licence(s) when entering. All relay team tags
will take place by the team’s bike racking position, inside the transition area. The swimmer will finish their
swim, and then run to tag their team cyclist inside the transition area. The cyclist’s bike must stay racked until
the swimmer has tagged the cyclist. When the team cyclist finishes, he/she must re-rack their bike before
tagging the team runner. All tagging will take place by passing the Timing Chip to the next team member.
Race Briefing
There will be a race briefing taking place at 07:30, by the finish area close to the swim start. If you are unsure
about anything please attend the Race Briefing, as it will be the only means of informing 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
Race Start / Wave Times
Start Times (Saturday 7th June)
7.40am - Super Sprint - All competitors
7.50am Sprint – Male Up to 45
7.55am Sprint - Female and Male over 45
Electronic Timing
To ensure accurate times and results, every competitor will receive a timing chip to use whilst racing. Using
this cutting edge technology will mean that splits, category positions and results will be updated live as
competitors pass the finish line. The timing chip must be worn on your leg, around the ankle. Full details
regarding this will be issued at registration. When you have finished, please remember to return your timing
chip to our officials. If your timing chip is not returned after the race, you will be charged £20 for the chip.
Once you are wearing the timing chip, please ensure that you do not cross the timing mats at any time other
than when you are competing, otherwise you may get a misleading race time. To avoid this problem do not
climb over barriers as they are in place to prevent access from these areas prior to the event. Failure to comply
with this request will trigger your timing chip and will invalidate your result.
Race Numbers
Race Numbers must be displayed on your back during the bike & on your front during the run at all times.
Numbers must be pinned at all four corners, and remain visible throughout the event. Number belts are
allowed. NB. Please do not forget to bring safety pins.
The Course:
750m Swim – 21km Bike– 5km Run (Sprint) and
400m Swim-11km Bike-2.5km Run (Super Sprint)
Swim
The swim will take place in the main lake of West Midlands Water Ski Centre Park. The route for the 400 and
750 metre swim will be a single triangular lap, with 1 right hand turn. The swim course will start in line with the
jetty and be marked with 1.5 metre yellow buoys at each turn and the swim exit. The route will be marked
from Saturday evening. There will be numerous canoes in the lake to guide you and provide safety cover. If
you get into difficulty, lie on your back in the water and raise one arm; a canoe will then escort you to the
bank. Remember keep the buoys to your right. All competitors please note: United Kingdom inland waters are
not completely safe for swimming, although risks of disease and risks of serious infection are low, a swimmer
may be susceptible to infection through immune suppression, particularly if he or she is not in good health at
the time of swimming. You are advised not to drink the lake water. If you are unwell, please do not take part in
the event.
Transition One:
Your helmet must be fitted correctly prior to taking your bike off the rack. The transition area is a grass
surface. For your own comfort is it advised that you bring a towel or mat to put down in your transition area.
The riding of bikes in the transition area is not permitted.
Bike
The bike course will lead you out of the Water Park and turn right towards Kingsbury. Head through Kingsbury.
At the first roundabout turn right and head towards Marston. At the next roundabout turn left towards Nether
Whitacre. A mile down this road the super sprint will turn left up Halloughton Grange Road and join the Super
Sprint course at the left hand turn (*** on the description below). The Sprint continues straight until after the
Railway where you turn left on Watery lane, then left soon after onto Coleshill Road. Continue on this road up
the incline until you pass through Furnace End and turn left at the crossroads towards Kingsbury. (*** Super
Sprint meets here) You will then head straight along Coventry Road on a flat and potentially fast road until you
arrive at the roundabout just after the railway bridge overhead. Proceed straight over the roundabout and
head back into Kingsbury, where you will turn left back into the Water Ski Centre
You must stop at the traffic lights just after the second roundabout. You will awarded a time bonus for
stopping but will be disqualified if you don’t stop. Please for your own safety obey the highway code
Super Sprint Bike Course
Sprint Bike Course
Transition Two:
You must dismount your bike just before entry to the transition area, and there will be a clear line to show this
point. Crossing this line will result in a penalty, so please dismount before. Your helmet must stay on until you
have racked your bike. Failure to do this will also result in a penalty, which none of us want. You must rack
your bike in the same location as you took it from.
Run (1 lap for the Super Sprint , 2 x laps for the Sprint)
The Run Route will be along the perimeter of the water ski lake. This will be a traffic free run. The run will take
you out of transition to the edge of the lake. From here you will have a 600 metre run along a flat path. This
path will lead to a right hand turn through a large gate. When through the gate turn right along the side of the
lake. At the end of the lake you will turn left and head along the grassy path up onto Pikes ridge, which is a
gentle gradient climb of about 100 metres on grass. When at the top of this ridge the views of the surrounding
nature reserve, Tame River and the water ski centre are fantastic, but we don’t expect that you will have time
to admire them properly. From here there is a 300 metre flat run and then you will start you descent to the
lakes edge. Keep on the path to the clubhouse. Go around the clubhouse and the turnaround point (near
transition) and Super Sprint will make their way to the finish. The Sprint will proceed to the turnaround point
near transition and complete one more lap.
When you have finished, please remember to return your Timing Chip to our Marshals
Course Reconnaissance
The bike and run course will be set up from Friday afternoon.
Results
Times will be displayed on the plasma screen next to the finish. Provisional results will be available to
download on the following Monday
Medical Conditions
We request that all competitors write their next of kin & 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 accident.
Penalties & Appeals
ALL penalties issued by the British Triathlon Race Officials will be displayed on a Penalty Board at the entrance
to the Registration Room. Appeals against these penalties must be made in writing to the Race Official within
one hour of a penalty being notified or when the competitor has finished, whichever is the latest and be
accompanied by a fee of £15.00 refundable if the appeal is upheld. It is your responsibility to check this Penalty
Board.
Prize giving
Presentation will take place within 30 minutes of the last competitor finishing. You must be in attendance to
collect your prize. Prizes will not be sent out after the event. Prizes will be awarded to 1st 2nd and 3rd in the
Sprint (male and female open and veterans +40) and 1st for the Super Sprint male and female.
Refreshments
Refreshment units will be available on site throughout the weekend.
Withdrawals
If you wish to withdraw from the event, then please follow the guidelines contained within our ‘Terms &
Conditions Of Entry’. Please note that under no circumstances will any race credits be issued without following
these guidelines. Please note that you are not allowed to give your entry away or transfer it to another person.
If you are not going to take part, please follow the guidelines to withdraw from the event. Please note that you
are not allowed to give your entry away, if you are not going to take part, please follow the guidelines to
withdraw from the event.
Event Office Closure
The Event Office will be closed from Thursday 6th June at 5pm. Please do not send emails regarding this event
after this time, as we will be on site setting up and unable to answer your messages.
Race Volunteers – Please Help
No event like this can run smoothly without the help of many marshals. If you have friends or family that will
be supporting you at the event, why not ask them if they would be willing to give up a couple of hours to help
marshal. All marshals will receive an event shirt, food & drink.
Thanks
It takes a great amount of work to organise an event such as this. Special thanks go to the event organising
committee, our team of Officials that help to organise our events, the staff at West Midlands Water Ski Centre,
Birmingham Lifeguards, and The BRAT Club members and the local authorities for allowing the event to take
place, all of our sponsors & finally you the athlete.