I've done a couple of swims and a sprint tri at Eton Dorney before, but this was my first step up to standard.  There is plenty of parking at the venue, and about a 20 minute walk to the race centre.  

Registration was very quick and easy, it was nice to have some free gels there.  The marshalling from the BTF officials in the transition zone was very strict, but fairly efficient.  and enough space (though it was trickier later, coming back off the bike leg when another wave had finished their swim was very busy).  

The swim briefing was good and thorough.  The start pen was a bit crowded, but that's how it is with I suppose.  Really like the water at Eton Dorney, one of my favourite swimming venues.  

The transition onto the bike is very smooth, with a good lane to join.  The course is fast and flat, and rather humbling if you're not great on the bike and keep being lapped.  It was good to go past the spectator area eight times though, there was good support.  

Transition onto the run was clear and easy, though busy with another wave coming out of the water.  It was nice having the much needed water station at the start and end of every lap.  The short, four out and back laps of the run were brutal, starting at about 1315, with no shade.  Great to have so much support near the turnaround, though.  

All in all, it's a good and well organised race, but a few points:

• The free food was excellent, bananas, cereal bars, juice and water (and other stuff) was really good, especially before.  There was a massive queue after, so we didn't bother.  Would be really nice if they did something veggie to go along with the sausages and burgers and not just salad.
• The non-alcoholic beer at the end was marvellous, and picked me right up.
• It might be better if the longer waves went earlier rather than 1030-1130 - doing the run in the heat of the day with no shade was hard.  

All in all, a very well organised event, would recommend, and the shorter waves would be great for anyone new to triathlon