Southport Marine Lake Triathlon – Sunday 21st June 2015

For the 2nd year in a row the event has been selected as a GB Age Group Team Qualifier ETU Sprint Distance Triathlon European Championships and is quickly becoming an iconic event which takes in many of the landmarks of this famous Seaside resort including an open water swim in the inland Marine Lake, a fast & flat bike course on fully closed roads along the coast, followed by a similarly flat and scenic run around the Lake, Kings Gardens and under the Pier – this is a quick course and ideal for PBs! (see link for info on how to register your intent to qualify for the GB Age Group Team – click here).

And for the 3rd consecutive year the Standard Distance will host the Triathlon England North West Championships as part of the Senior Series – for more info click here.

The event is open to all levels of triathlete from complete novices to seasoned age group competitors and is based at Waterside Lodge a modern, purpose built two-storey Activity Centre on the Marine Lake, it is also Southport District Scout Headquarters. The building has all modern services installed and is accessible to disabled users. It is easily reached on Southport Marine Drive, adjacent to the pier and beach, for details click here.

The swim course is 750m (400m for the Super Sprint) and will start in the bay in front of Waterside Lodge – the route loops around the first island before exiting via the slipway on the opposite side of the bay at West Lancs Yacht Club, Sprint Distance triathletes will exit the water after 1 lap whereas Standard Distance competitors will be required to complete a second lap.

Road closures will be in place for the 20km Bike course (10k for the Super Sprint) which takes a left out of transition along Marine Drive and travels South adjacent to the beach onto Coastal Road and out towards the roundabout at Pontins, before returning along the same route and past Waterside Lodge, through Fairway roundabout and turning before the Plough (A565) roundabout at the Northern end of the route. On return to the transition area on Marine Drive Car Park Sprint competitors will enter transition with Standard Distance requiring a second lap.

The 5km run loop (2.5k for the Super Sprint) is completely flat and largely takes place on the pathway around the Marine Lake. Runners exit transition in a Southerly direction then after Waterside Lodge turn immediately left into the access road which then leads onto the pathway alongside the Marine Lake. The route follows the path under the Pier and further along the Lake and miniature railway track before turning left at the Southern end of the Lake and heading North through Kings Gardens and along Lower Promenade then under the Pier for a second time and following Promenade along the eastern side of the Lake out towards Fairway where runners will take a left, with a further left at the next roundabout to pass transition return to Waterside Lodge where the Sprint Distance will finish and the Standard Distance will require a second lap.

Competitors will be started in waves dependant on Sprint or Standard Distance, age group and estimated swim time which will be required to be submitted on entry.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Male and Female overall.

Age group prizes will be awarded to the 1st Male and Female for each category.

All entrants will receive a custom designed technical T shirt – finishers will also receive a bespoke Southport Marine Lake Triathlon 2015 medal and goody bag.