What is the Clitheroe Triathlon?

The Clitheroe Triathlon is the opening event in the NW Epic Triathlon Series 2014. It takes place in Sunday April 2014 from Ribblesdale Swimming Pool and the route is both scenic and challenging! This is a great race if you enjoy rolling country lanes with a few challenging climbs. Competitors can sign up as a solo entrant or enter as a relay team of three and choose a discipline each. The event distances are 400m pool swim, 30k road cycle and 7k trail run.

What do I need to enter the event?

1. A bicycle in roadworthy condition (mountainbike, roadracing bike or hybrid). Your bikes will be subjected to a brief check before entering transition, if they are unsafe to ride you will not be allowed to start. Please check headsets, wheels, tyres, brakes, bars etc or get it serviced by your local dealer.
2. A helmet of ANSI standard designed specifically for cycling which fits you well. You will be asked to fasten your helmet upon entering transition and if it is ill fitting you will be asked to adjust or exchange it.
3. You must be medically fit and healthy, epicevents advise that all participants consult their GP before completing any of our events.
4. You must be 16 years of age or above on the date of the event to participate (If you enter a relay team your swimmer can be younger than 16).
5. You must be capable of swimming the 400m distance required for the event.

The swim:

Swimmers start from 8:00am through to 12:00pm based upon ability level and will complete 16 lengths of a 25m pool. There will be 3 people in each lane at any given time and you will either swim clockwise or anti-clockwise. When you enter, your estimated swim time will be used to calculate your swim start time, faster swimmers will start later in the morning and slower swimmers will start earlier. You will be provided with a swim cap and lane counters will ensure that you complete the distance and inform you how many lengths you have completed should you lose count. You should arrive on poolside 15 minutes before your start time for a compulsory competitor briefing

The bike:

The 18 mile bike course is a single loop which follows a challenging route through Bashall Eaves before returning to climb Jeffrey hill. Your bicycle should be roadworthy and it is compulsory to wear a recognised cycle helmet, this event is non-drafting (you cannot ride directly behind another competitor to shelter from the wind) and you must not ride 2 abreast on the road.

The course is not closed to traffic and you should follow the highway code at all times, riding responsibly. There will be adequate signs throughout the cycle course to guide you and there will also be marshals at critical locations. The marshals cannot stop traffic and will not tell you whether it is 'clear to go', it is your repsonsibility to check for traffic.

The run:

The 4.2 miles run is largely off road and starts by heading out through local housing estates before joining the Ribble Valley Way. Much of the run is on paths and trails and you will complete 2 loops of a 2 mile circuit. At the end of the run you will finish close to the transition area.

The transition:

You climb out of the pool, exit through the fire door at the rear of the building and follow the marked route to the  transition. You may leave an old pair of trainers at the exit from the pool (do not obstruct the door) but all other clothing should be in transition, leaving cycle helmets and other clothing on poolside is against the rules - you change in the transition area.  Collect your bike and walk to the mount line, do not mount your bike until you have reached this point and take care on the road.

At the end of the cycle ride, dismount at or before the dismount line which will be clearly marked on the day and wheel your bike into transition, do not unfasten your helmet until the bike is safely racked. Change into your run clothing and exit transition, following the marshals instructions.

What to do on the day:

On the day you should register an hour before your start time, you will be given an electronic chip which wraps around your ankle, 2 race numbers for rear of your cycle top and front of your run top (number belts allowed) and 1 numbered sticker for your bike.

You must show your numbers before racking your bike in the transition area, the racking will be numbered and you should place your bike in the correct position. Once you have placed your cycle and run clothing with your bicycle, all other equipment must be removed from transition area to minimise disruption for other competitors.

There will be a briefing 10 minutes before your swim start on the poolside. Please do not be late for this briefing as it may contain important changes to the event which may affect you.

What happens following the event?

Following the race you should remove your cycle from the transition area but be careful not to impede any other competitors who may still be competing. You will need to show your number to retrieve your bicycle, friends and family members will not be allowed to retrieve bicycles. Refreshments are available at Ribblesdale Leisure Centre following the event. Full results will be available on this website on the same evening of the event.

How will my entry be confirmed?

Entry for the Clitheroe Triathlon is £40 and is only available online by following the link below. You will be sent a confirmation via email coupled with appearance of your name on the entry list. If you are able to enter online then places are still available, the ability to enter will be removed when the event is full.

ENTRY WILL OPEN SEPTEMBER 1ST 2013

Location and route details: