I settled on this event for my first Olympic Triathlon as I was told the course was straightforward, gave ample opportunity for supporters to see you and because I'd been desperate to swim in Dorney lake for a while. It didn't dissapoint.

Registration was easy enough and the cost not exorbitant as with many other races. Nothing was sent out in the post and all to be collected when registering at the site, which is preferable to prevent loss I think.

I drove to the event site and I don't see that you'd have terribly many other options for getting there. They had ample parking in a field around 15 minutes walk from the event site. The event site itself had a few obligatory eateries, shops and some free bits and bobs to collect including protein drinks and gels. Collecting race packs was easy and had all the neccesary things in them - numbers etc.

The transition area was well set up and had ample space; spaces on the racks were alloted by number which was nice - easier to find you bike in T1!

The atmosphere was great, lots of people doing a triathlon or an Olympic distance for the first time and chatting about transition and trading tips. A general sense of good humour and camaraderie made me really glad I chose this for a first crack at Olympic.

SWIM

The swim was thorougly enjoyable and with only a small wave (perhaps only 100 people) there was plenty of space. The briefing had been clear and the route was straightforward in any event. The water was beautifully clear and felt clean (as clean as a lake can be!). The swim exit was clear and route into transition well thought out.

BIKE

The bike course was 8 laps of the same route which although somewhat monotonous was in a genuinely pleasant area and gave the opportunity for the poor static photographer to take tonnes of photos - although you have to pay for these and mine were all terribly (more to do with me than the photographer!). My friend had been right and there was tonnes of opportunity for friends and family to see you doing the bike course and they offered a much needed pick up on the later laps. Getting back into transition was ok, although I found some of the signs a little confusing but was lucky enough to be able to follow someone in front of me.

RUN

The run was up and down the same strech 4 times next to the lake which was pleasant enough, although somewhat narrow and with many events going on at the same time did get quite busy although I never really felt held up. I wasn't quite sure why they didn't have a longer 5k course so it wasn't so repetetive, especially when they had done for the duathlon.

The finish line was great and I enjoyed being handed an alcohol free lager as I ended and the reasonably priced yummy BBQ on offer.

The changing facilties at the end were adequate although I didn't think places with only communal showers existed any more?! Toilet provision was also ample which is important for people trying to hydrate before an event.

I thoroughly enjoyed this event and thought it was a great way to have a go at an Olympic triathlon in a friendly supportive atmosphere. It was well organised and I would 100% do it again.