As a first timer at a UK tri event, I was impressed with set up. Downside was having to pay for parking at Stratford leisure centre in which everyone was scrambling around for change. Registration was nice and easy and only a minute walk from the car park so there was no rush to rack the bike in transition.

The swim was pool based in a larger 33m pool so just the 12 lengths. Quite a few people were set going together and got a bit overcrowded sometimes. Transition was just outside the pool exit.

The bike leg was relatively flat so you get get some speed up. There were undulating parts with one climb but it was a good course. I had a tussle with a guy in which we kept overtaking each other about 10 times, arriving at transition together.

Onto the run- it was 2 laps that consisted of grass mounds leading onto a tow path in which we turned around and headed back.

I managed a time of 1:05 for 43rd place out of 399 people. It was a very competitive race so pleased with the outcome. I would definitely return.