Minehead Triathlon
Sunday 6th October 2024
Channel Events are super excited to be bringing you the 2024 Minehead Sprint Triathlon!
After events in 2014, 2015 and 2016 delivered by Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership sadly the Minehead Triathlon didn’t run in 2017 and the baton was then passed to us in 2018. Previously a sprint triathlon with a 400m pool swim, 20km bike route and a flat seafront 5km run, we at Channel Events grasped this opportunity to shake things up a little. We are very proud to keep this event going and with the amazing success of our first four events we’re striving to cement this as an amazing season finale in the British Triathlon calendar for 2022 and beyond.
From 2018 the event has utilised its coastal location by including a 750m open water sea swim in the shadows of North Hill but within the safety of the bay. The bike route is fast and undulating with an out and back route towards the village of Porlock on stunning roads flanked by the high moorland terrain of Exmoor National Park. The views are breathtaking! Finally, you’ll take on the 5km run route. A mix of flat paved seafront promenade and the off-road trails within the woods of Culver Cliff. A ‘Cheeky Climb’ Strava segment makes for a sting in the tail before returning along the sea front to finish arms aloft on the beach!
What’s included in your entry?
Accurate Timing
Timing Chips will be used to give accurate timing throughout the course.
Your total time and split times for each discipline will be available online for you shortly after the event ends.
Please place your timing chip in the buckets provided after you cross the finish line.
Secure Transition
Wave Starts
Wave 1: 10:00 – General classification wave for all those seasoned triathletes this wave will be a mass start.
Wave 2: 10:15 – This wave is for novices and those new to open water events and sea swim events. This wave will be an individual time trial style start.
The above start styles for each wave have been set following feedback from previous events.
Team Entries
Team entries are available for this event and the entry fee covers all team members (for non British Triathlon members day passes are purchased separately).
All members of the team must complete our personal details form and submit to the registration desk on event day. Team entry will require a timing chip swap during transition.
Please note, t-shirts & medals will need to be purchased separately at the point of booking for each team member should they be required.
Marshal Points
Marshals will be positioned along the route where the event organiser deems it is appropriate. UK road traffic laws must be obeyed and marshals will be checking this. Marshals will also closely observe the bike course turn around point for unsafe turnings into the junction and will report back to the technical official.
Event Safety
Safety across the event will come in the form of kayakers for the swim section and appropriately positioned marshalls for the bike and run courses. All entrants will be given details in the pre-race information pack of what to do in case of an incident.
Water Station
There will be a water station 50m after transition out which can be accessed from both the bike and run courses.
An Amazing Course
In the shadows of Exmoor National Park we bring you:
750 metre open water sea swim using our 2 lap ‘Aussie’ style exit course
20 kilometre fast undulating and scenic bike course
5 kilometre coastal run on mixed terrain with a ‘cheeky climb’ strata segment and a beach finish.
Fully Waymarked Course
Each section of the course will be appropriately way-marked and full details will be given in the pre-race information and pre-race briefing.
RED Buoys mark the swim course, black arrows on yellow background mark the bike course and orange arrows on a white background mark the run course.
Water Safety Crew
For the swim section of the route there will be water safety craft and crews on site. The swim section heads along the coast so entrants are never further than 100m from the shore. Marshals can help you exit the water should you wish.
Prize Giving
Back for 2023!!
Will take place in the event HQ area 30 minutes after the last athlete finishes
Will we see you on the sandy start line?
Everything you need to know…
DATE
Sunday 6th October 2024
LOCATION
The Adventure Centre, Minehead, Somerset, TA24 5BG
SPRINT TRIATHLON DISTANCE
750m sea swim20km bike route
5km run route
RULES
British Triathlon Federation competition rules apply for this event. A copy of these can be found by clicking here.
ENTRY
Sprint Single & Team – £49.00 TBC
This year, after listening to feedback across our events, we are giving people the option to complete the Minehead Triathlon without receiving a medal or t-shirt at the end of the event. You may however, purchase them at the additional price of £6.00 per person. As behind the scenes costs increase, this not only helps us to keep the entry price down but also allows us to be more environmentally sound for those who loved doing the event, but didn’t want a physical momento at the end. The last date you will be able to purchase medal and t-shirt packs will be 2 weeks prior to the event – Sunday 20th September 2024 at midnight.
Please note: if you are entering as a relay team, t-shirt and medal packs will need to be purchased for each team member.
A small booking fee will be applied to each transaction.
Entry terms and conditions can be found here. Entries close on Friday 27th September 2024 at midnight.
TIMINGS
Timings are subject to change taking the tides, weather and entry numbers into consideration.
Athlete Registration: 08:00 – 09:30
Bike Racking: 08:15 – 09.45
An updates briefing will be held next to the Adventure Centre or on the beach (to be advised on the day) at 09.45
Full Race Briefing: Virtual – Delivered via pre event email video/documentation.
Wave 1: 10:00 – Mass Start wave for all those seasoned triathletes.
Wave 2: 10:15 – This wave is for novices and those new to open water events and sea swim events. This wave will be an individual time trial style start.
High Water is at: 09:30
The above start styles for each wave have been set following feedback from previous events.
Prize Giving: 15 minutes after the last athlete finishes.
CAR PARKING
Please use the various public car parks along the seafront and around Minehead. In an effort to reduce the carbon footprint of the event we would appreciate car sharing where possible.
COURSE
The course is fully way-marked and chip timed for accuracy. Open water sprint triathlon distances in line with British Triathlon Federation guidelines. Route maps and GPX files can be found on our downloads page.
LOCAL ACCOMMODATION
We are in the process of working with local accommodation providers to provide discounted room rates for triathletes. Details to follow.
REGISTRATION
Registration to be confirmed nearer the time once wave start times have been finalised. This year we intend to register you all in your waves to minimise the queuing. Final details will be sent out in the race pack 2 days before the event.
KEYS AND BAGS
We will be providing a bag drop this year. Use the baggage tag attached to your race number to mark your bag and then hand into the team at bag drop!
BRIEFING
For 2024 the briefing will continue to be delivered in the form of the pre-event information pack. All athletes must fully read and digest the pre-event information pack and be ready to roll on arrival at the event.
SAFETY
Superbly marshalled on all three sections of the route with appropriate signage. During the swim section safety kayakers will be present to support you as you swim along the coast. The bike route will be well marshalled and all route specific safety will be covered as part of the pre-race brief. By following the ‘rules of the road’ and the Highway Code you will add to the safety of the event. While out on the run section the majority of the route is traffic free, there is a short section on both the outbound and inbound directions that is on the road past the harbour. This will be well marshalled and you must follow the marshals instructions. Following the swim and run sections you will pass through transition in the same direction keeping the process smooth and flowing.
TRAINING
We strongly recommend that you get some training done before event day. The managed acclimatisation swim the day before went really well in 2023 and if numbers permit then we’ll be doing the same again in 2024.
You can also join our ‘mid-week warriors’ community group to help with your training. See the dedicated page here.
EQUIPMENT
Please see our suggested kit list in the downloads section of our site. You can get to it easily by clicking here.
Need to update your kit before the event? Head over to to the website of our friends at Pro Swimwear and get yourself kitted out.
SPECTATORS.
This event is really spectator friendly. Crowds make the event so please do bring your entourage and help create a great atmosphere.
REFRESHMENTS
For the 2024 event there will be a water station with some sweet treats as you leave transition for the run leg. You may also find some sweet treats on the run course to keep you going!
Dana’s food takeaway is situated next to our sea front Adventure Centre (adjacent to the event village) if you feel the need for well deserved ‘Fish and Chips’ after the event. The burgers are pretty good too!
MERCHANDISE
You can purchase a finishers medal and t-shirt at the point of booking – thanks to our fantastic t-shirt sponsor, Workwear pro Direct we have been able to keep the price low at £6. Hoodies and caps are available to purchase from the online merchandise shop linked from our merchandise page.
Visual below is of the 2024 T-shirt.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Paul Rubery from Blowfish Photography will be taking photos and the best images will be posted on our Facebook shortly after the event. Please tag, share and comment away.
High resolution versions and prints will be available to buy with 100% of the profits going to Exmoor Search and Rescue Team to help them keep their vital equipment and resources stocked.
FIRST AID
Provided by Channel Staff and C G Safety Cover. Channel Staff will have first aid kits at various positions around the course and Safety Medical Group will have a first aid hub at the event village along with an ambulance vehicle.
COURSE MARKERS
The course will be well marked with appropriate signage markers. RED Buoys mark the swim course, black arrows on yellow background mark the bike course and orange arrows on a white background mark the run course.
TOILETS
Portable toilets will be available in the transition area and event HQ for athletes. There are public toilets on the promenade next to the transition area (20p may be required for these) for spectators.
WATER
Water is available from the drinking water tap at the rear of The Adventure Centre. There will also be drinking water containers in the transition area for you to fill up your water bottles if required. A water station will be located 100m after transition out for the run section.
WEATHER
Whatever the weather conditions, please make sure you are appropriately equipped to deal with the environment. The event will run in conditions deemed safe by the event organisers. Should the conditions not be appropriate the events team will contact you no fewer than 12 hours prior to the event registration. See terms and conditions for our cancellation policy.
Should the sea state be deemed not safe for swimming then the event will become a duathlon with the run course being completed twice. Run-Bike-Run. We hope to have a full 750m swim course but as per the previous two years this may become a 2 lap ‘Aussie‘ style exit if the conditions are not fit for the full course.
FINISH
Celebration is the key! As you sprint the last 150m to the finish line along the sandy shores of Minehead Bay we want to see your arms aloft! You’ve earned that medal, wear it with pride! You can then make your way over to the transition area to collect your equipment.
PRIZES
Prize giving will take place 15 minutes after the last athlete finishes. At Channel Events every athlete counts so we wait until everyone is back safe first. We don’t give out prizes to every age group category but give prizes to the following:
– Open Overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd
– Female Overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd
– Mixed Team 1st, 2nd and 3rd
We also give prizes for the ‘Cheeky Climb’ segment to the winning athlete in the Open and Female categories.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR ENTRY
- Race Pack
- Swim Cap
- Amazing route in a stunning setting
- Secure Transition
- Accurate Chip Timing
- Warm Atmosphere
GALLERY
The Course…
The course comprises of a 750m sea swim (2 lap ‘Aussie Style’ exit) off Minehead Beach from West to East, an undulating and scenic 20km out and back bike course before heading out on the 5km run course which is a mixture of tarmac promenade, road and off-road woodland trails with a ‘Cheeky Climb’ Strava segment!
POOR WEATHER SWIM OPTION: If the weather and/or sea state are deemed unsafe for swimming then the event will become a duathlon with the 5km run course being used to start the event and finish the event.
FAQs
I’m not sure, is this event for me?
If you can confidently swim 100m, ride 25km and run 5-7km, that’s great. We would love for our triathlon to be the event you work up too. We suggest that you get plenty of training in beforehand concentrating on covering the distances and would also suggest that you up your distances along with riding after a swim and running after a ride to get used to transitioning and using different muscle groups. Get involved with some Go Tri events and pool based novice and sprint triathlons over the summer. This will stand you in good stead for the Minehead Triathlon.
Is it possible to get lost?
The route will be fully way-marked with appropriate signage including distance markers. As long as you keep focused you’ll be fine. Marshals will be present at appropriate locations and sweepers will pick up behind the last entrants.
Do I have to wear a wetsuit?
We strongly advise that you do due to the extra buoyancy the wetsuit provides especially if you’ve recently turned to open water. If the water temperature is between 11 and 14 degrees a wetsuit will be compulsory, over 14 degrees you can opt to just wear your trisuit.
I’ve never swum in open water before, can I still enter?
The swim section of the course is in the sea so it would help to have experience in open water but this is not essential as the swim route is never more than 100m from the shore. If you cannot confidently swim at least 1000m, then this event isn’t for you. We do hold NOWCA 400m open water swims every other Saturday in the summer and will be running some Go Tri aquathlons leading up to the main event for you to train in the open water environment.
What if I want to enter with my mates?
Generally triathlons are about healthy competition so you may want to enter to race your mates. If you want to enter and take on the route with your mates to gain a sense of achievement then that’s awesome too. Our events are just as much about inclusion, accessibility and participation as they are about competing.
I can do one/two elements but not them all! Can I enter with other people?
YES! Enter as a relay team of 2 or 3 people and split each of the elements between you!
Please note: you will need to purchase t-shirts and medal packs for each member of your team separately.