Search
shop

How to succeed at the Media and Advertising Triathlon

Take on the Media and Advertising Triathlon on FRIDAY 7th July and start your weekend early. Here are our tips on how to have your best race at Dorney Lake
Chief Correspondent
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

How to have your best race at Dorney Lake

Great advice to have your best race at the Media and Advertising Triathlon

We asked age-group triathlete Ben Wickham for some tips on how to race the Media and Advertising Triathlon (RACE DETAILS), taking place at Dorney Lake on Friday 7th July 2017. Remember, the race is open to all – so how about racing on a Friday and starting the weekend early?

Ben is a big fan of the race but is unable to race this year due to another race commitment in Germany (Rockin’ Roth!), but still wanted to pass on some of his advice to others racing. As well as swimming, biking and running a lot, Ben also works for Channel 5 News and won the relay race in 2015 with a work team, also featuring uber biker and presenter Matt Barbet…


Vital facts

  • Race date – Friday 7th July 2017
  • Website – http://humanrace.co.uk/event/media-advertising-triathlon/
  • Location – Dorney Lake, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 6QP
  • Race distances – Olympic Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon Relay, Sprint Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon Relay, SuperSprint Triathlon, Duathlon, Duathlon Relay.
  • Competitor numbers – 1,000 Media and Advertising professionals.

A lovely venue, a late start, (usually) a beautiful summer’s day and the chance to race with and against workmates, and the best Media and Advertising teams in the country. What’s not to like?

With options for Super Sprint, Sprint and Olympic, Duathlon and Relays, there’s something to suit everyone. And with the option to hire bikes, wetsuits and even breakfast available, there’s no excuse not to get involved.

Media and Advertising Triathlon - Media Trust

The Swim

The swim takes place in the same place Team GB rowed to glory in the 2012 Olympics, and makes a great place to do an open water swim, especially if it’s your first time. The lake is shallow and clear (not shallow enough to stand up in, but on a windless day, you can usually see the bottom). It’s 750m laps, with quite a short turnaround between the first couple of buoys, so whilst it can be a bit narrow around the first one, the size of the swim waves are small enough that you tend to have a pretty clear swim. The shallow water, and date means that you can expect the water temperature to be very swimmable. Wetsuits for sure, but comfortable. There’s a big inflatable swim exit, big turn buoys, and straight lines so you’ll have an easy to navigate and hopefully fast swim.

T1

With everything being based by the side of the lake, T1 is very short. Depending where you end up racking you’ll likely have a very short run to your bike, or to the mount line. The first lot of racking is about three metres at most from the swim exit, so you’ll struggle to get your goggles off by then, let alone your wetsuit! Transition is very busy with waves going off all day so keep your wits about you for people wandering with their bike, or racing in and out.

Bike

Laps of Dorney Lake are a mixed blessing. It’s very easy to navigate, you get to scope out the bike-in point on every lap, and you can get your head down and get on it. It’s a very open venue though, so you’ll likely have a head-wind somewhere, and it’s usually on the back half of the lap. Other than that, it’s a fast flyer of a lap, and you can swing past your mates each time round, glorying in how very fast you look. If you like to do lots of laps it’s brilliant. If not, sorry, you’re doing lots of laps. Watch out for the chicane just past transition though, there tend to be people cheering and you want to keep your wits about you, as everyone seems to have a different line getting through.

Media and Advertising Triathlon

T2

You’ll see T2 coming a mile off as you will have already passed it three times, or seven depending what race you’re doing. As with T1, it will be busy, and with many different waves you’ll need to make sure you remember where you were racked so you can find your running shoes. Once you’re there though, you’ve just got the small matter of some more laps…

Run

The run is up the side of Dorney Lake and, certainly near transition, most people gather to cheer here. You’ll see swim waves going off, and cyclists lapping around you, and no doubt feel like a superhero. But a word of warning, the prevailing wind tends to be a tail-wind on the way out of the run, and a head-wind on the way back. You’ll get to the turnaround, when there’s no support, and suddenly feel like the run home is a very, very long one. Dead straight out-and-back means there’s no way you’re going to get lost, but you’ll need to keep your mental game strong, especially for those of you on the Olympic course.

Post race

You’re done. Your bike and wetsuit are right there, as are all your workmates and industry friends. Enjoy the complimentary post-race ERDINGER (it’s alcohol free and good electrolyte replenishment), and grab something from the BBQ (you’ll need cash, don’t forget). Revel in the glory of your finish time, and cheer those still out there.

There’s loads of industry teams around you, which means this is technically work, right? What better way to end the working week.

Media and Advertising Triathlon

John Levison
Written by
John Levison
TRI247's Chief Correspondent, John has been involved in triathlon for well over 30 years, 15 of those writing on these pages, whilst he can also be found commentating for events across the UK.
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Georgia Taylor Brown T100 London 2025 bike
Olympic superstar GTB looking to learn from London at T100 French Riviera
Hayden Wilde wins T100 London 2025
T100 French Riviera 2025: Date, start time, who’s racing and how to watch live
Jeanne Lehair Georgia Taylor Brown Fanni Szalai Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 women’s results: Lehair holds off Olympic star Taylor-Brown
Alberto Gonzalez Garcia wins Supertri Chicago
Supertri Chicago 2025 men’s results: Speedy Gonzalez Garcia STUNS the big names
Jeanne Lehair Supertri Chicago 2025
WATCH AGAIN: Supertri Chicago 2025 as Lehair and Gonzalez Garcia take the wins
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...