What's Included

• NEW FOR 2025 - Chip Timing (Race Timing Solutions)
• NEW FOR 2025 - Finish Line Photos (Mick Hall Photos)
• Junior and Sprint distances
• McA Series Medal
• Water & Sweets
• Friendly and welcoming event
• Ideal for all abilities
• 100% Traffic Free
• No added fees at checkout
• Pay Now or Spread the cost

Fancy a swim followed by a run? Then this event is for you.  It’s an excellent venue and the perfect opportunity to give something new a try.  

The Sprint Aquathlon aims to give beginners a chance to race in a friendly atmosphere whilst our Tri Star(t) waves are strictly for juniors and form part of the North West Series. (Age group is determined by the age on the last day of the year so please select the correct age when booking)

We have the capacity for 2 waves per age group. There are 32 spaces per wave, so once these are filled, the second wave will automatically be opened. 

Event Detail

Open to all ages and forms part of the Northwest Junior Series.  This Swim and Run event has something for everybody.  Open to ages 8 upwards with swim distances from 50 metres to 500 metres depending on age and run distances from 600 metres to 2500 metres.  

The Swim will take place in the pool at Palatine Leisure Centre followed by a closed circuit run around their amazing cycle track.

Timings will be confirmed in a final email on Friday before the event.

Event Briefing Details

Arrival

Please arrive 15 – 30 minutes before your wave start time. This should give you ample time to register and familiarise yourself with transition, warm up, discuss any queries you may have with the team and use the facilities if necessary. Waves start at 09:00 for the Blackpool Aquathlon.  The Start list is a live start list and can be found here.  It may be subject to change so be sure to check on it regularly. 

Car Parking

There is ample car parking onsite at Palatine Leisure Centre. Please ensure you park safely and within the lines of the parking bays. If the car park is full and you need to park elsewhere, please ensure you do so legally and with due care for residents and other road users.

Registration

Registration for each wave officially opens 30 minutes before your wave start time.  Upon arriving just ask one of the team and they will direct you to where we have pitched up to get you sorted.  Don’t be afraid to ask if you come early.  If we are ready, we will be only too happy to get you registered.

Transition Area

As this is an Aquathlon, there will be no specific transition area. Please bring your running shoes and a small towel to the poolside area where you will be shown an area to put them while you’re swimming. You can then put your shoes on before you run over to the track for the run.

We ask that only participants enter the transition. Should a child require any support, our marshals can help where needed.

Spectators Support

Spectators are more than welcome to our events.  We actively encourage them as there is nothing better than crossing the finishing line to the sound of a roaring crowd.  Where possible we do ask all spectators to be mindful of residents and try and keep pathways clear.  

Pre-Race Briefing

There will be a short pre-race briefing on poolside before each wave start time.   Here we will remind you of starting order, explain any amendments and answer any questions. 

The pre-race briefing is extremely important and we urge every participant to make sure they listen. It is important you read and understand the online briefing details also. 

Start

You will start on the poolside at your allocated lane. you will be invited in the water at which point you’ll be able to start. There will be a maximum of 4 swimmers in each lane and swimmers will start at 5-second intervals

We have capacity for 2 waves per age group. There are 32 spaces per wave, so once these are filled, the second wave will automatically be opened. Timings will be confirmed in a final email on Friday 22nd March.

Swim

It is the athlete's responsibility to ensure you count your own lengths.

TriStart – 50m (2 lengths)

TriStar 1 – 150m (6 lengths)

TriStar 2 – 250m (10 lengths)

TriStar 3/Youth – 400m (16 lengths)

Sprint – 500m (20 lengths)

Run

The run will be entirely on the cycle track, with no traffic, just other runners.

Please run on the left-hand side to allow for overtaking and returning runners.

Each wave will have a slightly different run distance.

TriStart – 600m (300m out, 300m back)

TriStar 1 – 1500m (1 1/2 times round the track using cut through to create half distance)

TriStar 2 – 2000m (Twice round the track)

TriStar 3 – 25000m (2 1/2 times round the track using cut through to create half distance)

Youth and Sprint – 2500m (2 1/2 times round the track using cut through to create half distance)

Finish

The finish line will be marked with flags near to the entry to the track. If this isn’t the case you will be notified during the pre-race briefing 15 minutes before the start time. 

Please make your way safely from the finish line away from other runners where you will be able to cool down and catch your breath.

Chip Timing

ALL events for 2025 will be professionally chip timed. you should wear your chip on your left ankle and ensure it is fastened tightly.

Rubbish

I know we don’t need to remind anybody, but we will anyway.  There are always bins provided at every event.  Can all participants please ensure that all rubbish is cleared before leaving.  Out on the course be mindful that these are residential areas so please refrain from throwing rubbish out on the course i.e. fitness gels.  Keep them with you and dispose of them at transition.  

If you cannot find a bin any of our marshals will be happy to dispose of your rubbish on your behalf.