This was my first ever duathlon.  I had signed up last year, which had cost a small fortune, and then been slightly freaked out by the subsequent emails with rules threatening disqualification for all manner of things.  Thankfully, these didn't seem to be hugely enforced as we made a few mistakes!  After a ridiculously early start to ensure we had plenty of time to register and sort our things in transition, we ended up stuck in a queue of traffic less than a mile from the grounds.  People were getting out of cars and assembling their bikes in the street, fearful of missing the start.  Twitter was busy with people tweeting about the chaos, but despite requests to @BritTri for updates and information, particularly about whether the start would be delayed, there were no updates or reassurance from the organisers.

Once in the grounds and parked, there was a LONG walk across muddy fields to the race village.  As I had already trotted there to find a loo (please note, organisers, stock up the portaloos with spare loo rolls next time), and got soaking wet feet (from the long wet grass, not the portaloos), I had changed into my old faithful hybrids instead of my planned road trainers.  This turned out to be a god-send, but more on that later...

There was a distinct lack of signage - we had to ask where to register as  the Expo tent did not advertise that this was where you also registered, and we had walked past and missed it.  'Expo' should also be taken in the loosest sense of the word as there was only one display stand.  Given the fact we barely had time to register, let along shop, this was not an issue.  Thankfully, the registration process was quick and friendly once in there.

Transition was a quagmire, even before the race started (consider boarding or chippings next year, organisers!). Due to the mad rush getting to the site, and parked, and registered, we didn't have enough time to sort our belongings at transition properly.  Pre-race info had advised that there would be a baggage drop here also - this turned out to be the strip of mud along the back fence where you literally dropped your bags - no marshalls checking it in, or keeping any eye on property.  Given that we'd been told pre-race day that we would need photo ID to register (we didn't), this meant our driving licences and money were left unsecure.  

There weren't many marshalls around, and unfortunately the ones that were tended to bark instructions in a rather unfriendly way - people were bawled at to get to the pre-race briefing which was impossible to get to given the mad rush trying to get sorted before the start.  Likewise, it was sheer chance that we passed one marshall on the way to the start line that was advising the sprint athletes to get to the start now as they were about to go - easier said than done as all the standard athletes were waiting and not really moving out the way to let people through.  It was another long walk to the start line - not necessarily a bad thing as we had no time to do any kind of warm up! There was no notice that the race was about to start, and suddently we were off.  

Now, I could have sworn I had read the course was all road - I certainly hadn't read anywhere that the majority of the first run would be off road.  Hence it was sheer luck that I had ended up in trainers that could cope with the mud.  It was also much longer than originally advertised - the website still says 5k - 20k - 2.5k; though the last email we recieved had upped the first distance to 6k, although it was still more than this.  Given the flagging runners dodging the muddy rutted field, and the cries of 'this is the longest 5k ever', not many people had spotted this.  In fact, the total distance clocked was over a mile and a half more than expected.  

The course itself was lovely - some more challenging 'undulations' on the bike, and I'd rather run through a muddy wood anyday than on a road - though it was tougher on the legs than expected because of this.  Also took your life into your hands turning right over the road, and across the path of oncoming speeding cyclists, to get back to transitions.  The route in and out of transitions was also bizarre, and the amount of mud really hammered tired legs.  Getting back after the race to collect bike and belongings also meant we had to cross the path of people stil  running, which was mad.  

There weren't many spectators other than right at the end, and the marshalls on route weren't shouting out any encouragement.  There were a couple of lovely ones though - one very smiley lady handing out the medals, and another friendly lady checking us out of transitions after the race.  GIven the lack of pretty much anything at the race village, it was just as well there weren't many spectators!  

We had thought there was no goody bag - though I have since read on here that these were available at the start.  Where they were and why they were given at the start, I have no idea.  For the cost of the entry fee, a goody bag should have been a must and it's mad not to give these out after the race.  

All in all, a lovely route, and the weather was kind - just a shame that it was badly organised.  The feeling of chaos at the start meant it lost what should have been a friendly pre-race feel.  Very chuffed to have done it - but too many niggles to warrant doing this one again in the future.