The Pop-Up City Triathlon is a triathlon like no other. It's a relay triathlon held on a stage in Canary Wharf, and is distance timed (i.e. participants swim/cycle/run as far as possible in a given time). The triathlon uses an endless pool for the swim, a static bike for the cycle and a treadmill for the run with the timings being a 3 min swim, 4 min cycle and 3 min run. 

Clearly this is very different from a usual Triathlon experience as the focus is on speed over a timed period rather than endurance (as is usually the case - for me at least!).  

The event is a charity event and teams are placed on a leaderboard, with the top teams at the end of the week competing in the final. Entrants are drawn from many of the local businesses in Canary Wharf alongside race review websites (I competed for Racecheck), charities and other tri partners. 

Dotted around the stage are tents offering cycle repairs, training gear and charity representation. 

The Castle Triathlon team organising the event were super friendly and made everyone feel really welcome. After changing for the event, we were given time to practise our relevant disciplines (swim for me) and the pre-race briefing was given very clearly. There was another treadmill and static bike for warming up too. I hadn't been in an endless pool prior to the event so it was helpful to have some time to practise and get used to the environment. 

Then we were off! The 3 min swim seemed to go very quickly and although it took a little while to adjust to the pool at first, I quickly settled in to a steady pace. After 2 mins, the signal was given that there was 1 min left - then the transition count 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and out of the pool and into transition.  I was then able to cheer on my fellow teammates and was provided with a Dryrobe to warm up (despite being mid-April, it felt more like winter!) so the robe was very much appreciated. 

After the three disciplines had been completed, the distance we'd travelled on the swim, cycle and run was totalled and recorded. We then posed for some photos with Racecheck and watched our fellow team (Racecheck 2) step up to the stage.

Very soon it was all over and after some final photos we were handed our finishers' bags (various drinks and coconut water, energy gels and powders, magazine). 

Afterwards, there was time to reflect on the event with Racecheck and Castle Triathlon over a much welcome coffee. Everyone agreed that it was an incredible event and we'd all try to come along again next year!  

Thanks to everyone at Racecheck and Castle Triathlon for a great experience.