Windsor Olympic Distance Triathlon 15th June 2014.
This triathlon has been running for many years now and is organised by Human Races. It is based in Windsor town itself and the facilities are good. Arrival by car from the M4 is a breeze and there is ample parking at a local school for only £10 for both days. It is best to park in the fields on the right side of the road on race day for easy access to leave. Signing on is the usual affair on the Saturday in the village and racking must be done that day for bikes up to 16:30. Security is very good overnight.
The swim was in the Thames and straight up for 750m to the road bridge and then back down. The depth is shallow by the banks so it is possible to walk, as some did, upstream although I am not sure why they bothered entering. The waves are set off every ten minutes so if you are a weak swimmer you are not left on your own as the next wave catches up soon. Once out of the river with plenty of assistance available if required, its onto the bike for a really nice, flat road stage heading out into the countryside. The roads are open which can be a nuisance if chasing a PB but the locals seemed to have got used to the inconvenience and give plenty of room. On returning to the town you then run three laps around Windsor, passing under the Castle and out towards Eton College. There are two water stops on each lap and sprinklers on hot days. The crowds were great and the plentiful in town. On finishing you get a medal, decent T shirt, water or coconut juice and an energy bar of your choice. After the finish you are in the middle of Windsor so there is plenty of choice.
I elected to stay Saturday night in a Travelodge in the centre of town which is only a five minute walk from the transition area thus avoiding a very long queue at 6:30 on Sunday morning for the car park. It also meant I could shower and change before heading home. If taking the family they can have use of the room until 14:00 with the extended room rate.
I highly recommend this race and have already entered for next year.