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* OPEN to boys and girls in Years 3 - 10*
(boys and girls compete separately)
* Medals for all finishers*
*Medals 1st - 3rd and Trophies for overall category champions*
*Special medals awarded to competitors for outstanding effort and sportsmanship*
You do not need to qualify for this competition.
Entries are on a first come first served basis.
PLEASE NOTE ENTRIES WILL OPEN SEPTEMBER 1st 2023 and will CLOSE on February 1st 2024 or when entries are full.
ENTRY FORMS are for TEACHERS only - one parent may be assigned to be the group leader if, for example, your school has no transport or staff to go on the day. This parent is then responsible for the supervision of the team on the day.
ORDER OF THE EVENT
The competitors will swim first followed by the run. This event is a continuous race just like a triathlon but without the bike phase. Boys and girls compete separately.
Please note the run distance is an approximate distance but will be no longer than the maximum stated below. Children compete in their correct age group by birth. Teachers/team leaders please make sure that your competitors are entered in their correct age group on the entry form.
Supersprint: 50m swim (two lengths) followed by 500m run* available for pupils in Years 3 - 6.
Sprint: 100m swim (four lengths) followed by 1000m run* available for pupils in Years 5 - 10.
Olympic: 200m swim (8 lengths) followed by 2000m run* available for pupils in Years 7 - 10.
*Please note that the run phase may be slightly shorter dependent on the event venue.
The running order of competitors will be emailed to the teachers/group leaders three weeks before the event to double check anomalies. The race will be run continuously with no breaks between each year group. If you miss your start time you will not be allowed to race. Marshals will collect each year group from the changing rooms and direct the competitors to the poolside. Announcements will be made over the PA system to give each year group a ten minute warning before their race is due to start. Please note the schedule is subject to change on the day, please allow for this if you are a spectator. The provisional schedule can be viewed on this website. This will then be confirmed ASAP after entries have closed or when entries are full, whichever is soonest. Please note timings may change on the day due to unforeseen circumstances e.g weather etc. Please make sure if you are travelling from a long way to watch the event you keep in touch with your group leader or teacher to get the latest update on timings as the day progresses.
Results will be announced at prize giving after lunch break and will also be available online by 6pm on the day of the event. The Race Director's decision is final. All finishers will be awarded a medal after they have crossed the finish line. Individual gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to competitors in each age category and separately for boys and girls. Special medals will be awarded to competitors who show outstanding effort and sportsmanship. Trophies are awarded to the overall winner of the Supersprint, Sprint and Olympic categories. Please note medals and/or trophies cannot be posted after the event.
SWIM - TRANSITION - RUN
The indoor pool is 25m long. Children will be started at 10 second intervals into the pool. Swimming caps are mandatory. There will be marshals to help the competitors put on their swimming caps. Tumble turns are not allowed, competitors must touch the end of the pool when turning at the end of each length or they will be disqualified. Competitors must swim on their front, no backstroke due to safety reasons. Most children swim front-crawl as this is their fastest stroke. The transition between the swim and the run is timed. Make sure your competitors have practised changing quickly – medals can be won or lost during the transition.
Each competitor will wear an ankle chip band, which will electronically time them from entering the pool to finishing the run. There are no split times in this event. Please make sure your teams' chip bands are fully secured before the race. Parents and teachers are not allowed in the transition area after the race has started. The run is on grass and parts of it are over undulating terrain. It is fully marshalled. Please take care. The course is within the grounds of the school venue and is marked out with flags and tape. Trainers must be worn for the run. No studs or spikes are allowed.
CLOTHING
Girls must wear a full piece swimsuit or tri-suit or kneeskin; girls are allowed to wear lycra shorts under their swimsuit to create a kneeskin/tri-suit. We recommend this option if they do not own a tri-suit/kneeskin as they then do not waste time in transition putting on shorts over the top. Boys must wear proper skin hugging swimming trunks – baggy surfing style board shorts are not permitted. All competitors must wear a t-shirt/vest and shorts for the run, unless they are wearing a tri-suit/kneeskin. Marshals will check clothing at the start of the race, please avoid disqualification by adhering to the rules. No chests showing on the run. Boys are allowed to wear their long tight swimming shorts for the run as long as they exceed more than three inches down the inside leg measurement. Please make sure you go to the ‘Numbering’ table before the race briefing to get your numbers written on one arm on the side of the humorous and one leg on the quadricep below the shorts (it doesn't matter which side for the arm). Please note only race marshals or team leaders/teachers are allowed to do this, do not attempt to write on your numbers yourself as they must be in a specific place and the correct size for course marshals to read them from a distance.
RAIN OR SHINE? - BRING A SCHOOL GAZEBO
The event still goes ahead whatever the weather. Please make sure your school brings a temporary gazebo which you can put up on the playing field to keep all your belongings dry if it rains. It is also good to use for shade from the sun and for your pupils to have a school 'base'. Please make sure it is secured down and you are insured third party to use it in public.
RACE FEES
Due to the cost of putting on an event of this nature, it costs £19.30 per competitor to enter this event plus £2.70 contribution towards medical cover - (total £22). There will be a medic plus vehicle on site throughout the event. Please make sure you have read our race rules, terms and conditions before you enter. Refunds are not permitted under any circumstances, please make sure you have read our covid policy.
REFRESHMENTS
There is free coffee/tea/biscuits for adults at the Nelson Pavilion next to race registration.
KIT LISTS
COMPETITORS: Swimming costume/trunks, swimming goggles, swimming hat – mandatory to race shorts/t-shirt/trainers to put in transition, plastic bag for transition clothes in case of rain, towel to shower after event, talcum powder for trainers – easier to put them on with wet feet! Full water bottle, packed lunch, pocket money to spend at stalls £10 for limited edition race t-shirt, waterproof coat and warm tracksuit for after the race, underwear if you have travelled in swimming costume/trunks, suncream and cap if weather is hot.
TEACHERS: First aid kit, map to find venue, packed lunch, money for food tent, race map print outs for competitors.
HOW TO ENTER
Ask your PE teacher to email race@schoolsaquathlon.co.uk and we will send them an entry form to fill in. If your school does not have transport or staff to bring your competitor, please assign one parent as the group leader and you can email me stating that you have spoken with your school and have been given permission to be responsible for the school team on the day. Please do not contact the host school venue with questions. All race information can be found by reading these website pages.
If you have any further questions after reading this website please ask your PE teacher to help you.
The closing date for all entries is 1st February 2024 or when we reach full capacity, whichever is soonest. Due to the popularity of last year’s events there is a cap on the number of competitors in each age group so please enter early to avoid disappointment. We were full a month before the closing date last year.
FINDING THE EVENT
Please use the postcode RH5 6ST and access the school from Beech Avenue to find the competition venue and leave enough time to make sure you arrive on time, there is a lot to do before the race starts. Cars for spectators may access this event at 9.15am, there is parking onsite, please follow the marshal's instructions on arrival. Minibuses/buses please enter the school site from 9.20am onwards to avoid normal school day traffic. There will be medical support in attendance on the day.
CHANGING & TOILET FACILITIES
There are boys and girls changing facilities with hot showers at the swimming pool. Please see course map for locations. Please do not leave any valuables in them. The race director, staff and the host venue school do not accept any responsibility for lost or stolen belongings.
LOST PROPERTY
There will be a lost property area next to race registration. Any lost property left after the event will be recycled.
FOOD & DRINK
Please bring packed lunches. No food or drink is to be taken into the sports centre. Please eat inside your minibus or outside on the lawn and take all your litter home with you. Please note the venue is a NUT FREE ZONE so please do not bring any food with nuts in them. There will be refreshments on sale for teachers and parents.