Vital facts

Background

The Bedford Sprint Triathlon has been on the calendar since 1996 and has developed into a three race series. Many of the ideas behind the event came from organiser Steve Young doing pool-based events like Hampton and Spelthorne and to this day the focus is on ensuring that the athletes have a great experience rather than being an out-and-out commercial affair.

Originally based at Dame Alice Harpur School, the Bedford Traktors Tri outgrew the 20m 4 lane pool and has found bigger accommodation at the council run Robinson Pool with its extensive facilities and warm-up pool. The friendly organisation and excellent marshals attract hundreds every race. Many novices go on to take on the Jordans Bedford Classic, a river-based Standard distance race organised by the same team in August each year.

The swim

The swim takes place in the 33.3m indoor Robinson Pool. The diving pit becomes a warm-up pool for the day which helps alleviate any pre-race nerves. Competitors are set off individually at intervals of 15 seconds. Swimmers are seeded according to their 400m time to avoid too much congestion. Overtaking manoeuvres should be completed at the end of the length. Simply touch the person’s toes in front and they should wait for you at the end. Each person swims 2 lengths then ducks under the lane rope into the next lane, when you run out of lanes you’ve done 400m. No need to count! Swimmers are timed as they exit the pool.

The bike

The 24k bike route heads north out of Bedford and takes in some of the most picturesque villages in the county. One loop takes in Clapham, Milton Ernest, Radwell, Felmersham, Pavenham and Oakley. Although not hilly, the route is certainly testing and hardly ever flat. Once back at the pool it’s another short run into transition to get ready for the run leg.

The run

The 5k run consists of two large and one small laps in the beautiful Bedford Park. The whole route is on flat tarmac paths surrounded by lush Victorian parkland. Each lap takes runners past the old café and bowling green, the pond, the bandstand and through the heaving atmosphere around transition. The music and commentary spurs on aching legs all the way to the finish line.

Transitions

The large transition area is based on the grass right next to the pool. Vigilant marshals will be on hand throughout to look after security.

Other information

A massage service is available to competitors before and after each race and for those coming as a family, Bedford Borough Council now organise children’s aquathlons to run alongside the sprint races. More details at: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/SportsDevelopment

This year the three race sprint series is sponsored by Trisports of Letchworth. Fantastic prizes are on offer for the first three male and female triathletes but the prize presentation is always worth attending as many freebies are thrown indiscriminately into the crowd! There are even theatre breaks and expert swim analysis on offer to some unsuspecting competitors.

The races aren’t just about winners though – many, many first-timers take part every year at Bedford and enjoy every minute of the pain! Some even come back!

Last updated by John Levison (October 2008)