On the whole this was a good event, a great location, and lovely weather, although I did struggle with the heat during the run.

This was my first event of the Castle Triathlon series. As this is my second year racing, I've found I'm less nervous about race prep as you start to get the hang of the races, but I was surprised by a few points at this race.

There was a lot of detail in the competitor guide, but I struggled to find the information I really needed in amongst everything else. This could be presented differently in the future, with essential information together, and hints and tips in a different section. 

Until a couple of weeks before the race, the links for the course maps didn't work. I found them through a very indirect route through one of the other events, and wasn't sure if it was an up-to-date map. The guide stated that there would be a water point at the 10Km point of the 20Km cycle route, but on the map it doesn't specify that we are doing two laps of the route, or just one lap.

On Saturday evening we took a wrong turn on our way home & I spotted signs stating 39Km, 40km, and 41km, and we weren't even near the castle, so I wasn't sure if this was our bike course, but the guide says that Chantilly and Gauntlet competitors will ride the same course, so how are there markers for 41 km (and more) on a 40km course? This caused some unneeded worry in the evening.  During the I didn't have any problems with the cycle course, but on seeing the 37 and 38km markers I thought I was nearly done. However, I think we biked 45km. I don't have a problem with that, but it helps to know this in advance.

Being able to register on Saturday afternoon, definitely made Sunday morning easier. On our way to transition in the morning I was surprised to see a few people with their timing chips on their right ankle. The guide says left, and every other race it's been on the left to avoid getting caught in the chain. However, the referees told me that I needed to place it on the right ankle, apparently 'an English thing', which I know isn't true.

I've only been to one race where my bike was thoroughly checked before entering transition, but I was surprised that the referees didn't even look at my bike. They were more concerned that I needed a safety pin on my race belt to make sure the number was attached at 3 points. 

Transition was where I was disappointed. They had rows of racks according to wave times which made sense, but when I started looking for my number I was told there were none, just to find a space and place the bike. This had caused a bit of a mess, there weren't many spaces left. I'd spotted one space where the guy had placed his plastic box next to his bike, and I got a grumpy reaction when I tried to park my bike where his box was. Because there were no numbers, all the bikes were facing the same way, whereas you can get more bikes on the rack if they alternate directions. Queue more grumpy looks, but I managed to squeeze my bike in and set up. Unfortunately, the lack of designated spaces meant that when I returned from the bike section, there was no space for me to hang my bike. I had to spend precious time trying to move two bikes out of the way to make space for mine. Not something you want to spend time doing in a race.

The bike in/bike out was along the same stretch of road. which was not ideal. As I was heading out on the bike ride, the first competitor from one of the previous waves was being escorted by motorcycle back into transition, so we were ushered to the right of the path. This was just as I approached the bike mount line, and a few people right in front of just stopped. I couldn't go past them because I had to keep the space on the left clear. This probably wasn't long, but it felt like it.

During our briefing they had repeated several times that we were to stick to the right at all times, even when leaving the castle grounds. But I had to zigzag several times on this first stretch to avoid returning cyclists who were on the left. This path was also rather bumpy, and I not a smooth ride for the last stretch, when you just want to finish.

On my round T2 with the bike I twice had to ask people to get out of my way. These appear to be competitors from earlier waves who had already finished. Other races will not allow competitors back into transition until a specified time, usually to avoid this kind of problem.

Last point about transition was the complete lack of security when I went to pick up my bike. It was late but the event was still going and we leave a lot of expensive kit there, expecting it to be secure.

In previous races I've always been aware of all the kayaks out on the water. Here I didn't notice many. Quite early in the race I noticed a woman signalling with her arm for help, I was between her and the closest kayak. I don't know if they'd spotted her, but I had to signal for them to head over. Later on in the swim, I could not see any support anywhere near me. I don't know if they were further back, I didn't stop to look, but the thought did cross my mind that if I need anything I can't see anyone.

Otherwise, for the rest of the race, I thought the marshalls were great all along the bike course, and it was great having support from locals along the way. The drink station was very much needed with that heat, and the km markers were really helpful. I was disappointed that there wasn't a single km marker on the run though. I would definitely suggest this for next year.

Glad the run course was largely in the shade, and the water stations were a must. The volunteers were great.

On the whole a good race, but a few points that could make it even better