ACTIVE LIFE
OYSTERMAN TRIATHLON
Sunday 14th July 2024
500m / 20k / 5k
EARLY BIRD
From £50
Triathlon England Race Pass and Team Entry fees may apply
Closed 28/02/2024
STANDARD ENTRY
LAST MINUTE
From £60
Race Pass and Team Entry fees may apply
SOLD OUT
RACE LOCATION
Car
Whitstable is easily accessible via the M2.
Train
There are regular direct trains from London to Whitstable, it is then approximately 1 mile to the race start. Taxis are available, or hop on your bike.
Taxi
Abacus Cars 01227 277745, Whitstable Taxis 01227 262120
Free parking is available all along Marine Parade and in the streets that lead to and from it. Alternative parking is available at Tankerton Road car park and also Gorrel Tank car park just outside the Harbour. If you have bikes on your car roof please make sure you remove them before entering the car parks as there are height barriers. Please do not park in restricted bays along Marine Parade as these relate to the transition exit for the start of the cycle route.
REGISTRATION
Participants need to register at the registration desk and rack their bikes in the transition area between 05:45 and 06:45 on the morning of the event. If you are local or staying over in the area, participants will be able to register between 18:00 and 19:30 the evening before. Individual entrants (see relay participants below) will receive a race pack at registration containing numbered stickers for their bike and helmet, a single race number for their clothing, a swim hat and timing chip.
relay ENTRIES
Relay team entries are very welcome. When entering on-line, one person will need to register and include the names of all participants, their emergency contact details and any medical information. Just one entry fee applies to the whole team but all non-BTF members of a relay team must purchase their own Race Pass. In our events, teams of 2 or 3 are equally acceptable. Teams will receive one race pack containing one race number and one timing chip and each participant can only do a maximum of 2 sections of the race.
Sea Swim training
If you want to enter but are worried by sea swimming, we are also offering sea swim courses for beginners and intermediates. There are courses starting from May through to September. The beginner courses are 2 pool and 3 sea swim session over 6 weeks, whilst the intermediate courses are 6hrs over one weekend. For more information visit:
The SWIM
The "200 years of the RNLI" sea swim course is a tidal 500m swim. The swim section will take place during slack water (the time when the water is not coming in or going out) but anyone in the water after 25 minutes is more likely to feel the effects of the sea more than those who complete the swim in a short time. For this reason we ask that all participants are prepared properly for the swim and would recommend that you prepare for a swim length of 750m. We reserve the right to direct people back to the shore after 25 minutes for their own safety. There will be 3 start times for the swim. Your swim start time will be provided in your pre race information sent out 10 days before the event. As in 2023 there will be a separate swim start and swim finish with both areas partially carpeted.
WETSUITS
A wet suit is compulsory if the water temperature is 14 degrees or below. The Triathlon England Race Official will decide whether a wet suit is optional and this may not be until event day. However, the sea temperature in mid July has been over 17 degrees for the last few years. We would recommend using a wet suit as this will assist with buoyancy, warmth and for your safety. If you don’t have your own wetsuit yet, consider whether you wish to hire for a season, just for the weekend or something in between by searching wetsuit hire online.
RACE Pass
If you don't have a British Triathlon Membership, the sports governing body have replaced the Day Membership with a "Race Pass" which you will need to purchase. This fee goes to Triathlon England.
The bike
The bike route is on quiet but open roads; a mix of coastal, suburban, green fields and sleepy villages. The single lap course is relatively flat with only 131m of ascent in total, over the 20km course, with a mix of straights and corners to contend with. This year we anticipate all roads to be open.
Fundraise for Charity
We are suporting Porchlight and Whitstable RNLI, both have major anniversaries in 2024.
Porchlight is Kent’s largest charity supporting people who are homeless and vulnerable. They support people who have nowhere to go and no one to turn to. Some are living on the streets, others need support because they are at risk of losing their home. Last year, they supported more than 8000 individuals and families.
Porchlight will be marking their 50th anniversary in 2024, a bitter-sweet milestone.
Anyone raising over £30 will be sent a Porchlight water bottle, and there will be a prize for the highest fundraiser.
Please visit www.porchlight.org.uk to find out more or email events@porchlight.org.uk
200 years is an amazing milestone for the RNLI, but everything they have achieved in that time has only been possible thanks to ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Since the RNLI was formed in 1824, people like you have formed crews and funded the kit and lifeboats to save lives at sea.
Please visit www.rnli.org for more information.
the run
The "Porchlight" run is along the lawns of Tankerton Slopes which roll gently towards the sea. With beautiful views out to sea the 5km run will lead you up to finish.
THE FINISH
Upon finishing all participants will receive a stunning 10cm medal, along with an immense sense of pride and satisfaction having completed the Active Life Oysterman Triathlon. There will be an award ceremony at approx. 09:30 by the finish area. Prizes will be awarded for the winners for each of the 7 age groups for both the Open and Female category as well as the winning relay team.
Tri training DAY
(now sold out)
Oysterman entrants are eligible to add the Tri Training Day on Saturday 22nd June 2024 from 10:00 -13:00 for £10 when booking onto the Oysterman. The training day is open to anyone still relatively new to the sport and takes place on the Oysterman course. The morning, led by two Level 2 Tri Coaches, will include skills, drills and tips on how to complete an open water triathlon as well as some of the more technical elements in each discipline.
TIMINGS
Advance Registration: Saturday 18:00-19:30
Sunday Registration Opens: 05:45
Registration Closes: 06:45
Swim Starts from: 07:00
High Tide: 06:52
Awards presented: 10:00 approx (or as soon as the last compeitor has finished)
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