As my first ever Triathlon I have no benchmark but I have been involved in competitive sports and mass events for many years.

The application process was back in Jan and sells out very fast. I was recommended by a friend who has raced for 8 years in a row here as a great first Tri.

He was absolutely right, the Pool based swim (750m)offered a great introduction, the process was well organised and moved at the pace it could. Swimmers were set off at circa 15 second intervals, only problem I encountered is some traffic but that’s due to others over estimating their abilities not the organisers fault as you swim in estimated time order. Zig zag the pool until you exit the last lanes steps and into T1. 

T1 is well marshalled and you get a cheer of support along the route, bikes all racked on an astro hockey pitch. A quick (or slowish) transition and out on the bike course.

Bike course is 9 laps of the route around the park, you exit T1 and have 250m before you start the climb, it’s a wake up for the legs but lots of supports and marshals shouting encouragement along the way, up the hill it levels out and into a slight downhill run, few nice turns and you can get some good speed up down the bigger hill but not too fast as it was damp from the rain at the bottom of the hill, back to the start and repeat. You end the bike into T again and change into the running shoes and out the same route you did for the bike.

Run - you start the same route as you did on the bike but have a runners lane to the left, up the hill for a short while then you turn off and run through the park until you meet up with the bike again on the downhill, repeat again and then you get to finish with a lap and a half in the stadium and cross the line to your adoring fans.

The event was very well supported and there was a good number of Crystal Palace tri club members to marshal you around and offer help if needed. The Transition area was very secure with you being checked in and out, showers and changing facilities with lockers were available.

Defo one for next year !!