John Levison reports from Bala on what, by all accounts, seems to have been a successful event.

Either I've just got lucky this year, or the state of triathlon events in the UK is quite possibly at an all-time high.

Being part of a triathlon club that organises a lot of smaller scale events, I'm always conscious of the effort that is required to make things happen, and the planning and stresses that involves. For that reason, I always keep an eye out for how things are working (or not), trying to pick up ideas and thoughts we could use ourselves.

Bala yesterday, after recent events at Rugby and the fabulous National Relays in Nottingham, was another example of just how great this sport can be. Julian Hunter and his crew at Wrecsam Tri put on a fantastic event which was also the final chance for those wishing to qualify for the 2008 World Age Group Champs in Vancouver.

A real bonus, and a rarity in this country, was closed roads for the bike course (PLEASE can we have this again next year!). On-site parking, a huge number (100+) of cheery marshals, a challenging and well-marked course, another great goody bag, a roller-coaster of a swim (the lake was more like a sea!), café, changing facilities, massage, registration on either Saturday or Sunday, full maps and profiles provided before the event - pretty much everything was considered and covered. I guess chip timing may have been one additional feature, though John Schofield's crew did a great job of the manual timing variety, and the prize presentation went ahead as scheduled with results were available on the web same day. Windsor and Crystal Palace this year both proved that chip timing is not fail-safe anyway.

Prior to the race starting, the first wave went off at a leisurely 9.30am, the organisers sent out a 'test swimmer' (in just Speedos...) and it was announced that, in conjunction with the race referee, the swim was being shortened to 1km. As a non-fish, I was quite happy with that, though to be honest it was still a challenging swim, and times would suggest that for most the course was worth considerably more than the quoted 1km in distance. I didn't hear too many dissenting voices either.

The bike course is a relatively simple out-and-back, with some rolling hills but nothing too steep. However, throw in a pretty strong head wind on the way out (and of course, the benefit of that on the return...), and there was something in it for everyone. Waves went 12-ish minutes apart, with around 100 per wave, and I personally saw little evidence of drafting packs. Draft-busters were in evidence, and just one DQ and ten penalties in a field approaching 900 would suggest that the wave structure, course and marshalling worked pretty well. Again, I never heard a single comment of "it was a draft fest out there" which can often be heard in post race analysis.

The run was also great, plenty of ups and downs, well marked and marshalled with a couple of drinks stations. A quick glance at the finish times would also suggest it was pretty accurate too, a perennial moan of athletes at other events.

Convincing winners on the day were World Cup athlete, and 2006 World University Champion Harry Wiltshire (www.driventotri.com), who finished three minutes clear of Stephen Harrison (FVS Tri). For the ladies, Carol Bridge (Rhondda Tri) took the honours, two minutes clear of Melissa Vandewater. Veteran winners were Laurence Harding (Serpentine) and Juliet Vickery (Cambridge), the Super Vet category went to Tim Heaysman and Sarah Greaves, while the Super (Duper?!) Vets were Ray Gray and Carol Click. On top of the organisation, prize winners benefited from a total prize pot of £7,000, of which £4,000 was awarded in cash, which ran ten-deep for men, and six-deep for ladies, plus further awards for the various vet categories.

Huge congratulations to Julian Hunter, his crew at Wrecasm Tri, the local police and authorities for assisting with road closures, sponsors and everyone else who put a truly memorable race. Put it in your diary for 2008.