Race Briefing                                                                                    

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Click here for the race route and directions to complete the race.

The idea behind the Queen's Duathlon is to give anyone interested in multi-sport event sports such as a duathlon or a triathlon a simple and easy way to give one a go. The race is primarily about the enjoyment of the sport and it is this vision that has inspired the event organisers to put this event on.

Firstly, regarding results, finishing times and places. These will be recorded at the finish line, no split times will be taken for each of the three legs of the race. To have required split times, we would have required the hire of additional equipment which would have increased your entry fee today. However, hopefully a large digital clock will be hanging on the Finish Gantry and will show the running time each time you come past, or else you could use the lap function on your watch to record your on split times. It will take officials around 20 minutes after the last competitor crosses the line before all results will be published on the side of the van. We would ask you not to ask the officials in the van for the results before they are published as it is a pretty difficult job trying to match up 150 numbers with times.

You will notice that we have paper numbers this year which have to be pinned to your clothing using the safety pins provided.

You should all be familiar with the course. the race starts to my left out on the road in front of the Old Drawing Office where the Titanic was designed. The first lap 1 lap/2 mile run goes up the whole of the Queen's Road, takes a right at the roundabout and does a standing turn 2/3rds of the way along the Wolff road, before returning back along the Queen's Road. On both the first and second run legs, all competitors must stay to the left hand side of the road, and run preferably inside the designated cycle path. Please avoid running on the footpath as there are a few hazards in a number of places.

You should have all your bikes carefully racked up in the transition area now, if not please go quickily now and do so. You are only permitted to have your bike, helmet, glasses, a single towel in front of your bike, a drinks bottle behind your bike and any inhalers or other medical equipment you require. Anything else must be removed from the transition area now.

When entering the transition area, take care on the cobbled stones as they can be slippy and we have had ba few spills on them in the past. You will enter the area on the left hand side of the entrance and then exit on the right hand side. Do not run with your bike back the way you have entered. Arrows on the ground will guide you through transition.

You must not touch your bike until your helmet is securely fastened. If you fail to do this, a marshal will stop you and make sure you carefully attach it. My advice is to do what the marshal says as the longer you argue, the longer they will hold you for.

Do not mount your bike until you are outside the transition area and past the mount line as shown on the ground. please move away from the mount line as quickly as possible as it can get busy.

The cycle leg of this race takes place over 5 laps of the same course. You should endeavor to stay to the left hand side of the road at all times, this is to allow faster cyclists to pass easier and safely when lapping other competitors. You must not stay inside the solid white line designated for the cycle path. If you do, you will be awarded a TWO MINUTE time penatly to your finishing time. The cycle path is the area designated for the runners.

This race is a draft illegal race. This means that you are not allowed to sit in behind someone and benefit from their windbreak.
You must be at least 5m behind and 2m beside another competitor. You have 30 seconds to move into and out of what is referred to as the 'drafting box'. The second exception is the 100m before and 50m afetr each turning point. All marshals are instructed to act as draft busters. If a marshal spots someone drafting, they will shout out your number and issue you with a warning. They will then radio through to the chief marshal who wil record the numbers of all those caught drafting.
If the chief marshal gets TWO reports about the same competitor, that person will be given a TWO MINUTE time penatly added to their finishing time.
If THREE reports are received, then the competitor will be disqualified.
If a group of cyclists forms, all of the cyclists in the group will be given a warning.

If you feel aggrieved by a marshal's warning, my advice is to do nothing about it because you will only disrupt your own race. Take the warning on board and simply stay as far away from other competitors as possible.

There are no appeals for time penalties and disqualification. The marshal, chief marshal and the race referee's decisions are final.
There is no way for us to validate anyone's defence so we take the word of the officials. We ask that you do not attempt to dispute any penalty decisions as this will serve no purpose.

Warnings and penalties will be issued on the same principle as drafting, if a competitors is seen to be cycling dangerously. This includes cycling on the right sude of the road, cycling on the wrong side of the road, taking corners too fast, impacting another competitor or shouting at or verbally abusing another competitor.

It is the competitors responsibility to count up the number of laps they have done.
At the end of the 5 laps you should steer towards the dismount line. You must have dismounted your bike before the dismount line. A penalty will be awarded if you fail to do so.
You must rack your bike up before you can undo your helmet buckle. Marshals are allowed to make you go back to the start of the transition, secure your helmet and hold you until satisified if you undo your helmet before racking your bike.

The second run is the same as the first. Please make sure and stay well inside the cycle path to avoid impact with a cyclist. At the turning points, runners should go to the outside and the cyclists to the inside. Failure to do this correctly will mean either a marshal will make you go back and go through the turning point or issue you with a straight penalty, the choice is yours.

The Finish is positioned beside me here. when completing the race, make sure and turn into this road. It is easy to forget.

If a competitor blatantly ignores the instructions of a marshal they will be instantly disqualified. They will be allowed to complete the race but will receive no result.

A competitor is not allowed to receive any assistance from a spectator or a marshal during the race that would unfairly aid them.
If you drop any equipment such as a bike shoe or drinks bottle, you must return and pick it up yourself.
No spectators should interfer with the race or pick up any dropped equipment.
Competitors are not permitted to eject unneeded drink bottles during the cycle leg. This is a serious safety offence and will carry an instant TWO MINUTE penalty.

During the race, could all spectators please stay well back from the course. I would advise all spectators to view the race from the far side of the road in front of the Old Drawing Office. When there are cyclists on the course, no spectators must cross the road. When competitors are finishing, no specators are allowed to stand over the far kerb as this would obstruct the view from the marshals recording results.

After the race, please do not forget to reclaim your bike and helmet from the transition area. No cars will be allowed to leave the car park until at least 5 minutes after the last competitor crosses the line and the finish area is cleared. prize giving will be about 20-30 minutes after the last competitor finishes. Please stay behind as you may have won one of our spot prizes. We will also be handing out an Endeavor prize to the person we feel has really tried their hardest during the race. 

Race numbers will be checked at the start line before the race begins.