Bedford Sprint Tri Series

Location

The Bedford Sprint Triathlon has been on the calendar since 1996 and has developed into a 3 race series with an extra race on the same course thrown in since autumn last year.

Originally at Dame Alice Harpur School, The Bedford Traktors Tri outgrew the 20m 4 lane pool and has found bigger accommodation at the council run Robinson Pool with its extensive facilities and warm-up pool. The friendly organisation and excellent marshals attract hundreds every race. Many novices go on to take on the Jordans Bedford Classic – the river-based Olympic distance race in August.

The swim takes place in the 33.3m indoor Robinson Pool. The diving pit becomes a warm-up pool for the day which helps alleviate any pre-race nerves. Competitors are set off individually at intervals of 15 seconds. Swimmers are seeded according to their 400m time to avoid too much congestion. Overtaking manoeuvres should be completed at the end of the length. Simply touch the person’s toes in front and they should wait for you at the end. Each person swims 2 lengths then ducks under the lane rope into the next lane. When you run out of lanes you’ve done 400m. No need to count! Swimmers are timed as they exit the pool.

The 24k bike route heads north out of Bedford and takes in some of the most picturesque villages in the county. One loop takes in Clapham, Milton Ernest, Radwell, Felmersham, Pavenham and Oakley.  Although not hilly, the route is certainly testing and hardly ever flat. Once back at the pool it’s another short run into transition to get ready for the run.

The 5k run consists of 2 large laps and 1 small lap in the beautiful Bedford Park. The whole route is on flat tarmac path secluded surrounded by lush Victorian parkland. Each lap takes runners past the old café and bowling green, the pond, the bandstand and through the heaving atmosphere around transition. The music and commentary spurs on aching legs all the way to the finish line.

Our friendly race photographer, Paul Chilton will pop out and snap you in full flow – just when you’re least expecting it! His photos can be found at: www.primephotography.co.uk 

Our massage service I available to competitors before and after each race.

The Bedford Borough Council now organise children’s aquathlons to run alongside the sprint races. More details at: http://www.bedford.gov.uk/Default.aspx/Web/SportsDevelopment