Vital facts

Race dates	26th August 2007
Future dates	TBC
Website	http://www.galeforce-events.com
Location	The Embankment, Bedford
Race distances (advertised):	1.5k open water swim, 40k bike, 10k run
Series / Qualification / Championship Status	None

Background

The Bedford Classic has been quietly growing ever since it started in 1998. It has a reputation for being a small friendly club race. Last year there were over 500 entries but it still keeps the friendly tag. A town centre river swim, a scintillating bike course and a three lap run along the Victorian riverside all make Bedford not only memorable but very quick!

Bedford is easily accessible from M1 and A1 and race HQ is situated within the town. Parking is ample and free at the nearby Aspects Leisure Park behind the cinema. A short walk brings you to the The Embankment. Camping is also available nearby and free.

Registration is preferably the day before ( Saturday 25th) from 2pm-6pm. If you can’t make it then Sunday morning registration is available from 6.15am-7.45am but you may have to queue.

Bike racking is on Sunday morning. It’s not numbered so first come, first served.

Check out the swim exit from the river and transition ins and outs. It’s a long thin transition area that takes up the road (which is closed to traffic). It’s a mixture of tarmac and grass surface.

Race briefing will be at 7.30am. Listen and your life will be simpler!

After your final visit to one of the ten portaloos on site (bring some paper just in case), squeeze into your wetsuit.

Top tip: If it’s a sunny morning then tinted goggles are a must for the downstream leg of the swim.

The swim

The swim starts in the river in front of the white Butterfly Bridge. Wave 1 goes at 8.00am followed by wave 2 at 8.15am and so on. You should know your wave number by now. It will also by marked on your right calf. The swim hat colour will also make it easier to spot others in your wave.

It’s a 30 second walk across the bridge to the holding pen. You’ll be allowed into the river about 5-10 minutes before your wave start. Use it wisely to warm up with some race pace efforts. You’ll be kept informed of time left from about three minutes to go. The waves are about 100 strong and the start is quite narrow so choose your spot. There are three buoys in midstream. Stay to the left of them at all times. When you reach the third buoy you’re over halfway and it’s time to head back downstream. The flow is pretty unimpressive through Bedford so you won’t be so tired. It’s worth getting your legs working for the final minute or so just to get the blood circulating again. As you reach the exit platform swim onto it and simply stand up. There are no slippery slopes – just a couple of steps.

The bike

Once on the bike it’s a short ride to the first open road. Although the Embankment road is closed to traffic just remember there could still be pedestrians - so keep your head up!

You’ll have to negotiate a few major roundabouts in the first couple of miles to get out of town – just when your glasses are still steaming up – so pay attention to the arrows, marshals and above all traffic.

The next part of the course is where you can really get going. A hill, a long smooth descent into Shefford, a couple of turns, then an unusual right turn at a T-junction in the middle of Ickwell village. Beware of traffic! More news on what to do here in the race briefing…

The course is one 40km loop. When you get back into Bedford traffic will be busy so you need to take great care. This is a good time to stand up and stretch the hamstrings and maybe spin a bit faster ready for the run.

The dismount line will be obvious – just keep it simple.

The run

You’ll run out of the top end of transition and have a 180 left turn. Make sure your number is on the front as this is where you’ll get timed. The course is pretty straight forward, very flat and so very fast. Each of the three laps takes you through a subway and along a short out and back section. This is a great place to check your progress against others. The main loop goes around the river. You’ll be able to see across the river and hear the commentary from virtually anywhere on the course. Pick up a band on each lap. As you reach the finish funnel you’ll be greeted by hundreds of supporters and the sound of the commentator so put on a good show and take those 'high fives'!

Transitions

Transition is a mere 20 metres away from the swim exit so goggles off and find your bike. If you’re at the swim-in end then it’s worth leaving your shoes on the bike as you could have a 200m run to the mount line. Just be sure you’re confident with this method…

Other information

Afterwards you can get showered and changed at Bedford International Athletics Stadium. This was Paula Radcliffe’s training track for many years.

Next stop - Nicholl’s Café, opposite transition. Sit back with some posh nosh and watch the world (and the rest of the race) go by…

The presentation is always good value so go along and support - you never know what you might win!

Entries stay open until Friday night so it’s not too late if you’re tempted. Check out the website: www.galeforce-events.com

There’s also a Mini Tri on the same day if you fancy a quick workout.

Last updated by Steve Young (August 2007)