My first event since being diagnosed with hip osteoarthritis & having to stop running. Kindly asked by a mate if I could do the bike leg of the relay for his lad who was just under the age limit for the ride & very pleased to oblige. As my young team mate's swim & run times were fantastic & my ride time was reasonable we came first! There were only 7 relay teams of varying abilities but very chuffed to have won something for the first & likely only time!

Despite much colder & breezier than ideal most participants seemed in good spirits. The organisation of a large pool sprint event (up to 500 entrants) with all the staggered starts seemed good given the complexity & comings/goings of competitors.

I'm always impressed by OSB events & today was no different. As my first time 'relay' I sought the guidance of a friendly marshal in transition to reinforce the handover process/rules & was reassured. I did my bit on a mostly flat, well signed & marshalled 14 mile cycle route, pleased with my time (as only been up to 10 miles a couple of times in preparation) but wondered afterwards if I could have pushed a little harder. I wasn't looking forward to a stretch near the end on a busy bypass but hadn't realised that a full lane was coned off for the event which was brilliant.  

The run was along a riverside tow path, mate's who did the race all ran good times & my teammate was fast along it, so I didn't hear any complaints! 

Parking a fair way (15-20 minute walk) away from the location wasn't ideal, especially as wet/muddy/cold, but had it been a lovely spring day I suspect I would not have minded at all.

Overall another really good @OSBevents race. 

Great hassle free registration.

Very busy in the pool.

The cycle was long and windy, with a cracking hill. 

A long flat 5k to finish with.

only fly in the ointment was people's lack of awareness to what someone tapping your toes meant in the pool and the idiot on the TT bike who thought undertaking was acceptable. Will be interesting to see if he is penalised as he did it in front of a motorcycle Marshall

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the organisers at one step beyond have pulled off a gem of an event. very novice friendly, good briefing and super friendly marshalling. good bike course in the countryside and the run is on deserted lanes.

couldnt ask for a better first event (apart from the freezing cold weather)

there is even a taster day for complete beginners which is brilliant and the t-shirt is pretty swish too!