Chelmsford Off-Road Duathlon
Chelmsford Off-Road Duathlon, Saturday 18th September 2010.
The venue: Hylands Park is situated off of the A414 on the outskirts of the county town of Chelmsford, Essex. It is used for a variety of events, from the World Scout Jamboree to the annual “V” music festival.
Round 3 of the off-road duathlon championship (see about us for details).
4km Run – 13km Mountain Bike – 2.5km Run.
Maximum of 150 entries. Open to persons aged 15 years and over (as of 31/12/10)
Venue
Car-parking: There is plenty of car parking, however, do not use the car-park off of the A1016 as it is on the wrong side of the park. Follow the brown tourist road signs for “Hylands Park” (not Hylands House). Transition is located near the toilet block.
Registration and race briefing: Registration / Transition is open from 07.35am until 08.20 near the toilet block / parking area. Race briefing starts at 08.25 near to the transition. Race start is 8.45am. We will start the race in four waves over 3 minute intervals, depending upon numbers. Waves go in this order: 1-40, 41-80, 81-120, 121-150. Numbers are allocated so those taking part in the championship go in the first waves. The other waves will be Male under 40, Female, Male over 40 and finally a mixture. This is dependant upon numbers entering of course.
Bike racking: There is more bike racking provided than what is actually needed, so no numbered racking. Please place your numbered sticker on your bike before entering transition. Helmets and bikes need to meet BTA standards. Visit www.britishtriathlon.org for the rules. Please keep your area tidy.
Run
http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-kingdom/chelmsford/714780051
A 4km Clockwise circuit keeping to the left of natural and man-made borders that starts next to the car-park. Please ensure your race number is on your front.
The run starts on grass and then moves onto gravel footpaths, service roads and then back onto grass.
DO NOT cross any, or go under any bridges! Follow the contour of the land towards the car-park off of the A1016. Run around the outside of the car-park as directed by the signage, DO NOT RUN THROUGH THE CAR-PARK. Join the tarmac road heading uphill towards Hylands House. Stay on this route until directed by the sign near the Flint Cottage that directs you across the field into Transition 1 (T1). The route is marked in with black yellow signage and tape.
Run 1 records: M Jez Cox 13:06 (2009) F Louise Neville 16:37 (2008).
T1
Put on your cycle hat and fasten it before removing your bike (see BTF rules). Ensure your race number is on your back so we can record your time when you start the cycle section. The bike out exit point will be identified during the briefing and signed. The mounting point is before the exit by the metal fencing. This area will be marshalled.
Bike route
http://www.mapmyrun.com/ride/united-kingdom/chelmsford/1117273921
13km MTB. The cycle route is predominantly anti-clockwise and is a proper mountain biking course. Leave T1 and mount the bike in the car park. Cycle out of the car-park north along the track towards the A414. This track forms part of the Centenary Circle Bridleway (CCB) and recreational path. At the bottom of the track cyclist will be directed into the woods to start the technical section. This is a sharp left turn. You will have over-shot this turning if you either meet the junction with the A414 or have entered the underpass! Once into the woods, follow the same black and yellow directional arrows and tape, sticking to the natural trail. If a tree trunk or log blocks the path…..just get over it! Stay in the woods until directed left out onto grass land. Turn right and hug the tree line and following the signs / tape until you reach a gravel road that leads towards Hylands House. At the junction where the gravel road joins the tarmac road, TURN LEFT, do not go towards the house. This is the same road that was run upon earlier. Passing the Hylands Estate turn left onto another gravel track. Towards the end of the track the route will be taped off, a right turn into an avenue of shrubs and trees follows. This leads back to transition. At the end of the first lap, ride through transition and do it all again!
At the end of lap 2, dismount in the marker “Dismount” area.
Bike records: M Jez Cox 32:12. F Christine Mowle 37:36 (both 2009.)
T2
Dismount off of the racing line. DO NOT REMOVE YOUR HELMET UNTIL YOU HAVE SAFELY RACKED YOUR BIKE. Exit the same way you entered after the first run. Please wear your race number on your front so we can record your race time.
Run
http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-kingdom/chelmsford/502291671
2.5km run in an anti-clockwise direction. This route starts as a reverse of the first run. Follow the red tape and purple/pink directional arrows. Once past flint cottage and through the gate, stay on the approach to Hylands House (stay left on the narrower footpath). Run past the front of the house, beware that cars use this route too.
Head downhill, turning left onto the gravel footpath that leads towards the lake. The path ends at the lake, so follow the route straight across the grass, upwards towards the start/finish line.
Run 2 records: M Glyn Williams 10:04. F Louise Neville 11.02 (both 2008.)
Finish
Congratulations, you made it! Stretch, cool down and relax.
Course records: Jez Cox 53:39 & Christine Mowles 01:06:23 (both 2009)
Important notice! If you get chance, please go the park with an O/S map and walk/jog the whole route. The 2nd run section is very wide and easy to miss the signs and the bike route is tricky in the woodland section. NO SLICK TYRES ALLOWED! We reserve the right to stop you from taking part and no refund will be issued.
Miscellaneous: There are no showers on site. Do not enter the Stables or Garden areas of the Hyland House estate, unless you are going for tea and cake after the race!
Results and Prizes
Once we have collated all the results (which is time consuming, but we will endeavour to get them ready ASAP) the prizes will be given to the following categories at or to transition:-
- 1st, 2nd, 3rd for fastest open class males and females
- 1st for fastest veteran male and female (over 50s).
- 1st fastest male & female youth.