The challenge takes in the South Downs National Park, National Trust protected coastlines and an ‘area of outstanding beauty’. Those taking part will swim 600m in the sea, before a challenging 19km bike course on partially closed roads and a final 5km run that finishes on the glorious promenade.

Despite only being in its second year, the Eastbourne Triathlon has become somewhat of a classic event on the calendar, and was recognised as the ‘Race of the Year’ by Racecheck.com and awarded many further accolades by international magazines. This year is set to be bigger and better, by joining forces with the Eastbourne Cycling Festival, partially closed roads, and free admission with an event village and lots to see and do to encourage thousands of spectators to come down and watch – in support of the Eastbourne Voluntary Lifeguards and St Wilfred’s Hospice. The race starts at 7.30am.

Elites set to tackle the 2017 Eastbourne Triathlon

Whilst the event is all about those taking part to raise money for their charities or completing a personal challenge, the event has once again attracted an international professional race – creating a spectacle for those taking part alongside or those who have come to watch.

Headlining the race and bringing an international flavour, will be the 3x Arab Champion and Rio 2016 Olympian, Lawrence Fanous. Fanous is used to racing across the globe against the Brownlee brothers and the very best on the ITU circuit.

Lawrence Fanous said:

“From all reports, the race was a great success last year and it is really good to see an event that attracts professionals and first timers. We need more of these! It will be one of the very few races I will do in the UK and I am very excited to race against the best British triathletes. It’s sure to be a tough challenge.”

Fanous will be challenged by the former British champion Sam Wade, who is a specialist at the sprint distance. Meanwhile Team GB Junior and local lad Jamie Bedwell, who came 2^nd in 2016 and is hoping to go one better. Bedwell suffered a terrible collision with a car over Christmas, fracturing his spine and suffering internal injuries. His comeback is remarkable and he is hoping to make it a fairytale story. Also racing in the elite field is the former winner of the Hever Castle Triathlon and Outlaw half, Karl Alexander, the former-English XTERRA champion Matt Dewis and another ex-Team GB elite and now Ironman-pro, Craig Twigg.

In the women’s race, local hopes are pinned on the former Ironman UK champion Yvette Grice. Another international entry, Hana Kolarova from the Czech Republic is the main challenger. Kolarova comes into the race with fine form having won the Lough Cutra Triathlon this weekend and is a professional triathlete and cyclist for her country. Victoria Coe is the final elite entry to the race.

Introducing the ‘Legends’

A new addition to the race is the ‘Legends’ category, featuring Paralympian star Joe Townsend. Townsend lost both his legs following an explosion in Afghanistan during 2008. In 2012 he famously flew into the Olympic Stadium to light the flame and in 2016 he represented Team GB in Rio.

Joe will be racing the triathlon and will be taking on a newly created 3km run course. The organisers hope that Joe’s participation will encourage future entries to our ‘Legends’ category.

A race for everyone

Of course the Eastbourne Triathlon is not just about the elites, with hundreds taking part, either to raise money for charity or accomplish the challenge of a triathlon.

All participants will receive an event t-shirt, memento and goody bag. There is a prize fund of £500 and more prizes and trophies on offer. The event village will have live music, entertainment, commentary, retailers and catering.

With thanks to our supporters

The 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon is supported by 32Gi Sports Nutrition, Zone3, Cohub, Visit Eastbourne, The Grand Hotel, Brighton Bike Fit, GottoTri, Toni and Guy and The Event Team.

The 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon is supporting the Eastbourne Voluntary Lifeguards and St Wilfred’s Hospice.

• Ends –

The post Press Release: Countdown to the international Eastbourne Triathlon appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

I can confirm that the Eastbourne Triathlon will have a partially closed-road course for the bike section in our 2017 event. 

Behind the scenes we have been working with the organisers of the Eastbourne Cycling Festival on a collaboration that allows us to include a partially closed road cycle course. This is a really unique opportunity as not many events have closed roads and is not to be missed.

Closed road sections in triathlon are extremely rare due to the cost and investment required to include them. We will be borrowing the road closure infrastrcture from the cycling festival which has enabled this exciting development. There is no extra cost to those who have already entered. We will not be increasing our entry fee.

We will be running the triathlon during the Eastbourne Cycling Festival, so the closed roads do not impact on local residence any more than they would have anyway, because of the cycling festival.

Closed road cycle sections allow you to race like a pro, traffic free. 

This means that the cycle course will be changing from the one which has been advertised to accommodate the closed circuit.

The closed section includes a stretch along the promenade and a circuit that will take you around and into the transition zone. This means you will no longer be taken along King’s Road Esplanade to the Sovereign Roundabout. You will no longer have to worry about the pelican crossings which could interupt your race.

It does mean that the cycle course will now be 20km rather than 25km.

We will be updating the website shortly with the new cycle course but if you have any questions or concerns before then please do not hesitate to contact us.

The post Partially closed-roads confirmed for the bike leg appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

Wade is a sprint triathlon specialist and as such, becomes a huge shout for taking the title in what is shaping up to be a quality professional race that will take place alongside hundreds of other amateurs and first timers over the 600m sea swim, 20km road cycle and 5km run triathlon challenge.

At just 23, Sam Wade can boast the following achievements on his CV:

• 20-24 British Sprint Champion
• 3rd  Elite at the 2013 British Championships
• Represented Team GB at BUCS and European Cup level
• 2nd at the Hever Castle Triathlon 2015

Wade will have his work cut out as the stunning scenery offers a challenging course, and fellow professional Karl Alexander has also confirmed his place with more expected to come. The women’s race will also feature Alice Hector, Parys Edwards and Yvette Grice.

Entries are still available for the 2017 event at www.eastbournetriathlon.com

Enter the Eastbourne Triathlon today

The Eastbourne Triathlon is being and is being organised by local sports marketing, PR and events company, Beyond Sport Marketing. Already tipped to be one of the ‘Must do events in 2017’ (220 Triathlon Magazine), the Eastbourne Triathlon promises to be an unmissable event whether you are a first timer or seasoned professional. As well as the triathlon, there are also options for competitors to enter an Aquabike event or as a relay team. The event is supporting the Eastbourne Voluntary Lifeguards.

All competitors will receive an event t-shirt and memento, with prizes on offer for the top 3. The Eastbourne Triathlon will also offer a £1,000 prize purse should the event attract 300 or more entries.

You can find out more and enter the Eastbourne Triathlon online at www.eastbournetriathlon.com

The post Elite triathlete Sam Wade enters the 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon 2017 appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

The last two weeks the theme of these posts has been about taking yourself to the race rather than letting it come to you. And here it is now, just two days away. So what to do with just a few days to go?

There are a few things I think will help, now all the training is done. Some of these are really a recap on the earlier posts and one addresses the elephant in the room.

First, take control of your time. Its so easy to find the time slipping away and then get in a last minute panic, hunting for that bit of kit you know you left somewhere but can’t remember where. Make an appointment with yourself to get everything you need together. You could allot an hour, that in the previous days and weeks would have been spent out training, to make a list of what you need and quietly, calmly work through it. There’s a useful checklist here on the FAQs page – don’t forget to add what you’ll wear, eat and drink before and after.

In the same way, tell yourself that when you come to register and set up in transition, you’ll also be in control of your time. This doesn’t mean being so laid back you miss the start! It means not allowing yourself to get caught up in other people’s infectious nervousness and panic, instead being methodical and composed. I like to walk myself through each entry and exit point of the transition, fix in my mind a way of remembering where my bike is, rehearse putting on my race belt, flash glasses, helmet clipped… all in the right order so when it comes to the moment everything is in place and it all happens by instinct.

Are we ready for the elephant in the room? Yes, the sea is cold! You don’t need to know the exact temperature. Its cold. However, a bit of mental and physical preparation, can make a big difference. You can prepare yourself physically by doing some flexibility exercises beachside to loosen up and ensure you have full movement in the wet suit. I suggest then getting in the water around 10 minutes before the start, splashing water on your face and a little down the front of your suit (it’s the way the insulation works) and doing some strokes to loosen up. More on the mental preparation, tell yourself no matter what, you are going to control your breathing. As you mill around waiting for the start, get into a relaxed, controlled breathing. Then, when your wave starts, for at least the first quarter tell yourself all the way bubble-bubble-breathe, bubbling out as soon as your head is in the water and breathing to the side in a steady, controlled rhythm.

Finally, I really hope you enjoy the event. It’s been so well organised, with everything done in mind for you to have a memorable, safe and fun experience. There are more tips and ideas for preparation and general inspiration on my site at www.zigzagalive.com and I’d love to hear how you get on and whether these posts have helped. The very best of ZigZag Alive luck.

The post 48 hours to go – final preparation advice for the 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

This is subject to change and you may be notified of any changes at registration.

• Triathlon Start List
• Relay Start List
• Aquabike start list

The post 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon 2016 provisional wave starts appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

Many athletes put focus on increasing carbohydrate intake in this week in order to maximize their glycogen levels (natural carbohydrate stores in the body) however this isn’t something we completely agree with. It all depends on if it’s a genuine taper week or if you are still doing volume training through the week leading to the event. In the case of a proper taper volume training is reduced and by eating properly you will naturally top up your glycogen stores before the event. In the event of racing during volume training the focus should be ensuring proper recovery meals post exercise to make sure the body recover from the sessions and glycogen stores are topped up and the energy system stabilized. Ensure that you are focussing on more sleep in this week to ensure recovery is maximized.

Eating excessive carbs will only lead to weight gain, sugar dependency and digestive discomfort. Eat what the body will use no need to take in excess.

What to avoid the week leading up to your triathlon?

Processed foods such as instant microwave or quick meals such as take outs Deep fried foods completely Sugar and sugar laden foods, meaning sweets, chocolates, instant cereals, tinned fruits, honey very product states the amount of sugars contained in it on the label. Heavy milk products and bad fats such as yellow cheeses and your more problematic saturated fats like margarine’s etc. Excessively high fibre food which can cause bowel discomfort Excessive stimulants like numerous cups of coffee and tea limit to one a day if possible

One of the most important factors in leading up to the event is to focus on proper hydration. Ensure you take in at least 30-40ml’s per a kg of bodyweight daily. If you consume a cup of coffee or herbal teas which can have a diuretic effect on some people then up your water intake slightly. You want to arrive at your event properly hydrated, so ensure you drink consistently through the day.

32Gi are the official sports nutrition partners of the 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon. For more information please visit www.32gi.co.uk

The post Race week nutrition and recovery tips from 32Gi appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

How brilliant to go into a race feeling nothing but excitement about what lies ahead.  If next Sunday’s Eastbourne triathlon is your very first, you’re probably feeling a bit overwhelmed by a whole mix of very different emotions:  excitement for sure but also trepidation, fear of the unknown, self-doubts about how prepared you really are.  And even if you are a seasoned triathlete you’ll probably be feeling some of the same uneasy anticipation: have I trained enough? have I rested enough? and what’s that big hill really like?  As this is the very first Eastbourne Tri there’s an element of the unknown for everyone.

So here are a few brief tips and suggestions to help you in this last week, building on the idea from the last blog post about taking yourself to the event, rather than letting it happen to you.

First, remind yourself why we do this wonderful sport.  It’s so easy to get caught up in all the detail and pre-race nerves that we forget.  If you’re not enjoying it, then stop.  Hold back and readjust your settings to ‘enjoy’ mode.

As I suggested in the last post, spend a little time practising the fine art of purposive, positive imagination – how great its going to feel in whatever excites you most, such as just being part of a new event in a stunning location; running through to the finish line; or bragging to your friends in your new, well earned t-shirt.

If you are feeling really nervous and anxious, take out a little time to identify and start breaking down what it is that is making you feel that way.   Almost certainly there are ways of dealing with much of what gets to us and leaves us feeling overwhelmed.

So for example, it may be if this is your first race in the open water, rather than fearing the whole thing, is it the thought of being knocked around by others, knowing its going to be cold but not how cold or doubts about the distance?  So use this week to think through your strategy for whatever it is: maybe to position yourself toward the back where you won’t be jostled; prepare yourself for the cold by promising yourself to get in early, gradually getting used to the temperature and always ensuring your breath is under control; break the distance down into sections, such as from the start to the first buoy, then the next and so on; tell yourself you are just going to focus on getting your breathing under control for the first part of the swim and get into your rhythm.  Whatever your fear, break it down and have a plan to meet it.

In terms of training this week, as mentioned in the last post its all about keeping it light – lots of stretching and flexibility, shorter and lighter swims than you’ve been doing, focusing all on the feel in the water; easy spinning on the bike; and controlled, no-tension striding.

The next and final post will inevitably all be about the practical things to pack and have to hand.  Needless to say, this week is the last chance to try out those flash new goggles, test the wet suit and condition of the bike before the race.  We may include some tips for dealing with the cold water – or if you post a reply here and say what’s on your mind I’ll have a go at giving some last minute advice.

And above all, be a Brownlee and be excited.

(This post is dedicated to Grace, Fiona and Scott who are going to be awesome)

The post 7 day countdown with Zig Zag Alive appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

Well, first of all take a moment to let yourself be excited rather than panicked by the coming race.  You’ll be part of the very first Eastbourne Tri so are already well on the way to claiming your bragging rights.

Taking a few moments to think about what you’re most looking forward to about the coming event can be a great help.  If it’s your first triathlon maybe it’ll be just the thought of completing and being able to say “I did it”.  Or perhaps you can picture yourself swimming or paddle boarding against the extraordinary backdrop of the Seven Sisters; powering your way on your bike over the ups and downs and whooshing turns of the awesome cycle route; or striding along the seafront.  Whatever it is, just give yourself a few moments of positive daydreaming to imagine it.  This kind of so-called visualisation can really help get you in a frame of mind where you take yourself to the event, feeling excited and ready to enjoy it rather than having the event come to you and leaving you feeling overwhelmed by it.

In terms of training, there are about as many views on tapering as there are coaches.  My view, for what it’s worth alongside all the things you can read about fancy formulas and “the right way to…” is that there is no right way as it all depends on each person, what they’ve been doing, how important the race is and so on – but there are certainly some things that are unlikely to help.  Top of this list is going out and hammering yourself on a big training session as if to prove you can cover the distance or hit a particular target time.

If you’ve already done some racing and Eastbourne is part of a sequence of races you’ve got lined up, I’d start by making sure you have recovered from the last event.  Book in a sports massage or see your physio.  Be disciplined about stretching and using the foam roller that’s hidden at the back of a dark cupboard.  Once you’re feeling ready for it, I’d recommend no more than three ‘key’ training sessions in this coming penultimate week, with the others pretty much all light recovery rides and runs and technique focused swims.  For the key sessions I’d suggest high intensity mini-blocks with short rests within the mini-blocks and generous recoveries between so as to hone race sharpness.

If this is your first triathlon, you’re unlikely to add much to your fitness around ten days out from the event – and as above the big risk is to tire yourself out before just at the point where you want to be feeling fresh and confident.  More valuable in this penultimate week I suggest is trying out any equipment you may have recently acquired for your first time race: get used to the feel of the wetsuit and settle on the goggles you’ll wear; check the bike over and book in the service you’ve been telling yourself you really should have done a while back; try out those fancy race shoes you may have splashed out on.

You’ll find more about race preparation on the zigzagalive.com site as well as some inspirational stories.  Feel free to drop me a line if you’d like further advice.  And hope your preparations go well.

Mike

ZigZag Alive

The post Training countdown – 14 days to go! appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

An international field is set to assemble for the race, headlined by world-class Australian star of the sport Ben Allen, who tops the bill with ten other elite entries in the event.

Allen, who has 16x XTERRA World Cup wins, 2x top-3 world championship podiums and is the Australian national champion will face stiff opposition from a host of top British triathletes who will not want their Antipodean rival to come away with a domestic title on their turf.

His key rivals on the day will no doubt come from one of Richard Stannard (7x World Champion and 3x British Champion), Sam Wade (2^nd at Hever Castle triathlon and the 20-24 British Champion), Matt Dewis and Karl Alexander. Also racing and very motivated will be some local elites including the GB Junior duo from Eastbourne, Harrison Rolls-King and Luke Howard. Professional cyclist Euan Adams is in the field but he has admitted to suffering from a broken leg and whilst he will be competing, it is unlikely he will feature in the final mix-up.

The women’s race will be no less competitive, and is likely be headlined by a slim-margin favourite in Jacqui Slack, who is flying in from Australia especially for this race. Jacqui is the former 2012 British Champion before a switch to off-road racing saw her grow into a world-class athlete. She now has 9x XTERRA World Cup wins to her name and is the reigning Asia-Pacific regional champion.

Jacqui will be pushed all the way by some wonderfully talented women, including the reigning European Aquathlon champion Hannah Kitchen and Eastbourne’s own Yvette Grice, who is a former winner of Ironman UK and Challenge Henley. A strong age-group field should not be discounted from challenging the elites should they get complacent, with Beth Male and Jenny Wallace having recently come 1^st and 2^nd at Steyning Triathlon and both representing Team GBR

A race for everyone

Of course, the 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon is not just about the elites, with hundreds competing in the main event against their friends, to achieve a personal time or raise money for charity.

The triathletes will begin their day taking on a 600m sea swim, before embarking on what is set to be an iconic and challenging 25km road cycle through the hilly South Downs National Park, an area of outstanding beauty, and taking in National Trust protected coastlines and landmarks including Birling Gap and Beachy Head. A tough final 5.4km run will finish off the challenge which culminates with a glorious promenade finish.

All triathletes will receive an event t-shirt, memento, 32Gi sports gel and a free entry into the spot prize raffle. The event village will have a stage, music and commentary, 32Gi retailers and catering.

Still time to enter

There is still time for a last minute entry, with 10 places remaining and entries open till Midnight, Friday 4^th June. For more information please enter online here: www.eastbournetriathlon.com

With thanks to our supporters

The 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon is supported by 32Gi Sports Nutrition, Zone3 and The Grand Hotel.

The 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon is supporting Rockinghorse Children’s Charity, the Eastbourne Voluntary Lifeguards and the Event Team.

The post International field set to race the new 32Gi Eastbourne Triathlon appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.

You can access this email online here. 

We will re-send this email with any additional information on Monday 6th June.

The post Race weekend information email – sent to all entrants appeared first on Eastbourne Triathlon.