Here is the latest news regarding the 4Life Junior Triathlon this Sunday:

1. WARM WEATHER: Well, I can honestly say I have never had this scenerio - last year I was emailing everyone to ask them to consider cross tyres for the bikes and to warn all juniors about the potential for very wet riding. I hardly dare say it (shah), but the forecast is looking good, so here are some notes from the boss, Dan Salcedo to take into consideration for while you are with us on Sunday.

Supporting children racing on a hot day: "Given that the forecast looks warm for the weekend please think about the following. We are lucky that there is plenty of shade in the park which will help keep athletes cool both pre and post race as well as during".

1. Keep your child well hydrated on Saturday as well as Sunday

2. Ensure they have access to water through race morning and start the race as hydrated as they can be. Sipping in the last 90mins is best to avoid stomach issues or racing and needing a wee!

3. Pre- race. Stay in the shade, especially if racing later in the day. Children’s races are short and the best policy on a hot day is to ensure they start as cool as possible. Cold, wet towels are good here (over shoulders) if they are getting hot. Use a cool bag/box to keep some ice/cold water in to dip towel in.

4.During the race - it takes around 15-20mins for liquid to clear through the gut so drinking in a race for most kids is not worthwhile and can just cause stomach problems, again why starting well hydrated is so important. Having a water bottle in transition by your runs shoes can help to wet your whistle if you have a dry mouth. There will also be water stations at transition exit and near the finish of the run lap, again just look to swill your mouth out. Throwing water over you can help cool your skin though water at aid stations can get warm in the sun.

5.Pacing is very very important on a warm day - encourage your child to be sensible with their pace judgment and start both bike and especially the run at a steady tempo.

6.Encourage them to run in the shade where possible, we will do our best to keep the run course especially as shaded as we can.

7.Discuss with them what the symptoms might be (lightheaded, throbbing head, possibly a bit unsteady) and what they should do if they feel too hot during the race (slow down, speak to a marshal and/or look to run in the shade as much as possible)

8.Post race - look to help your child cool down quickly by using shade and/or a cold, wet towel (over their shoulders) and get them re-hydrated.

2.REGISTRATION: As already mentioned, registration will be open for all age categories from 8.45am. Please bear in mind that in the situation of backlog, we will prioritise those juniors that need tone registered early so that they are ready to race, so please do be patient and bear with us if this needs to happen. Racking and briefing is as per the info pack that was online when you entered, but for a re-cap here it is;

We will open the course early on Sunday for any juniors that wish to have a practice. Obviously this will need to be closed before the youth category start racing. Parents please note that the course will not be marshalled for the practise period - any juniors that we see not riding sensibly will be asked to leave the course. This is not an opportunity to race and should not be treated as such.

3: START TIMES: Start times have been adjusted for some juniors, so please do re-check the start list as it has been updated 22/06/2018. Please ensure that you are on poolside 15 minutes before your wave starts. Unfortuately due to time constraints we are unable to accommodate juniors that miss their race. It is the juniors responsibility to ensure they are at pool side on time and are ready to race.
If your name/your juniors name is missing from the start list please contact
4lifestartlist@gmail.com. Likewise if you are now unable to race and have not yet been in touch please email us.

The distances for swim, bike, run are all as per the info pack from when you entered the race, but they are duplicated here for ease of use!

4. THINGS TO REMEMBER: The bit where I sound bossy, but please do take the time to remind yourselves of the rules for not only the juniors racing, but the supporters!!

a) Please ensure your junior has their bike racked and their transition kit in place at the alloted time for their TS category. We will announce any changes on the day so please do listen out to the tannoy. Equipment only in transition NO BAGS/BOXES. Unfortunately there is not a bag storage area so please do swapsies with colleagues and look after each other's property!

b) Please ensure that your junior attends the race briefing for their TS category. It is your juniors responsibility to know the course so please help them to find the time to look at the course maps, attend the briefing and walk the course if possible. Outside assistance does result in a DQ for the junior, which is horrible for everyone involved and a situation we want to avoid. This includes - handing athletes anything during the race, taking things from athletes, counting laps for them. Laps and lengths are the juniors responsibility and if you junior is seen to have help in counting the laps or lengths they will receive a DQ. Being abusive and not listening to marshalls/volunteers or officials is unacceptable and will result in a DQ for your junior. There will be two TO’s at the event and one will be patrolling the bike/run course monitoring the situation.

c) Please do what you can to ensure everyone has a great day, especially the juniors. Everyone who is working on the day are volunteers so please do be kind and at the briefing engage with parents and athletes and ask them to thank the marshalls/officials! Remember many of us may not have had chance to eat or drink (or have a toilet break) from arriving in the early hours, so a smile will be massively welcome!

5. VOLUNTEER PLAN OF THE DAY: Thank you, thank you, thank you for offering to help - the event CANNOT run without all of you stepping forward to take on a role. It is a tough request when we know that you want to be supporting your own child in their event so please don't think your help is not appreciated. The Plan of The Day is attached, please bring a printed copy along so you have it for your reference.