A few months ago I participated, for the second year in a row, in the Big East Triathlon in Essex. This event is fantastically organised and all the organisers/volunteers are so helpful and friendly. The course for the run is particularly beautiful along the sea front (if a little windy at times!) Overall, it is a brilliant event for both beginners and more experienced triathletes. I participated in this event in 2016 as my first ever triathlon and a year later I was placed 3^rd in my category. Unfortunately I was short on time and so couldn’t wait for the prize giving but they still went out of their way to both congratulate me and made the effort to post my trophy to me. Thank you to everyone involved in the organisation of this event.

Easy to find, register and set up, plenty of toilets and bar/cafe nearby.

Really enjoyed this triathlon, my first ever open water swim and I felt very safe and had a great swim.

Cycle took you through the dengie, very scenic and flat course.

Run was mostly off road, I have problems with my ankle, and the surface made it difficult for me to push on the run as I didnt want to risk twisting my ankle. Though very scenic run

Would definetly do this event again, though more information about the run would be good, also for someone who had only done one triathlon before, the rules werent fully explained, resulting in a helmet violation for myself, which was a rule I knew nothing about.

I completed the Middle Distance Big East Tri back in May as part of my IM France prep. I signed up two days before and the organisers were super helpful in finding me a spot despite entries being closed.

The Swim

The swim was in the exit of the harbour on a windy day which meant it was fairly choppy. A 800m loop X 2 which is actually bloody hard work as you are going against the current on the longest straight and add the wind didnt help the affair. 

Personally I really enjoyed and it was perfect training swim for an Ironman thanks to the difficulty of it.

The Bike

Once again two 40KM loops on local road. Fairly flat with a couple of short sharp hills but nothing major. Most definitely TT bike territory although I would warn about the wind exposure due to the coastal location (hint avoid disk wheels). A pretty ride and the two laps allow for a good gauge of effort.

The marshalls were generally good although some were too distracted to stop traffic for you at junctions which was a bit frustrating. As for the aid station well that was a little bit of a joke. Only unknown obscusre brands and frankly I didnt bother stopping because its congested and looked like a cheap picnic set up.

The Run

The run is the reason I will not go back to this event two loops which go through fields and old military grounds which was great but then it goes along the coast for 3-4KM of knee high shrubbs and uneven ground!!! A lot of ankle rolling, no marshall in sight to check if anyone did hurt themselves overall very poor course design.

Event top tip

• Be ready for a tough swim
• Bring your own nutrition for the whole event! 
• Be very careful on the last section of the run loop its asking for trouble

Overall good event for early season pre-IM prep however that run could also end your season with a nasty injury....