Date: 1^st and 2^nd August 2009

Location: ExCel Centre, London docklands

Format: team relays, super sprint, sprint and Olympic distance

Organiser: IMG

Website: www.thelondontriathlon.co.uk

To secure a place at the London Triathlon you need to apply shortly after Christmas. This year around 13,000 people took part in one (and sometimes more than one) of the various events over the weekend, despite the clash with Ironman UK. Competition ranges from complete beginners, through a fiercely contested sub 2 hours 30 minutes category to the frighteningly fast elites. London Triathlon is also well known for attracting a number of celebrity participants including this year Jenson Button, Rory Underwood and Alex Hyndman.

In some respects, the London Triathlon is a giant party, a festival of suffering followed by joyful celebration. For half the participants, London is their first and possibly only triathlon. The objective is simply to finish and to raise money for good causes.

Whatever your distance, the race starts with a dip in the Royal Victoria Dock. The water, officials assure, meets EU bathing standards, but is that still the case after 13,000 swimmers have warmed their wetsuits in the traditional way? The water is dark and silty, and the start line crowded.

On finishing you need to immediately remove your wetsuit before setting off on the long run into transition. With thousands of bikes to choose from, finding your own might take longer than planned, and then there’s the even longer run to the bike mount line. From then on the ride is fast and traffic free but, unless you’re on the Westminster route, not particularly scenic.

The run route leads around the dockside and for Olympic distance competitors consisted of two out and back loops with a compulsory shower on each leg. Cheering, yelling crowds really make the day and encourage that final vital effort to sprint for the finish.

You’d be hard pushed to fault the organisation at the London Triathlon. Herding that many people through registration and racing is an incredible logistical challenge but the event managers pulled it off without a hitch. Reassuring numbers of volunteers, marshals and medics minimised the risk of losing the route or coming to serious harm.

But…

-          While the crowds make a great atmosphere, moving around the venue, finding a toilet or somewhere to change all took a good deal of time

-          The organisers advised competitors to arrive by private transport. This seems out of line with the spirit of triathlon, and was surely part of the cause of the massive congestion getting to and from the venue.

-          The official car park cost an excessive £10, was covered in broken glass and was too far from the event, particularly for those arriving with young children.

So, some suggestions for the organisers for next year:

-          If you’ve got the clout to negotiate major London road closures, surely you could arrange special dispensation to carry bicycles on the Underground and Docklands Light Railway?

-          Could we have waves grouped according to age-group so that you know who you’re racing?

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