| Trying out the Triathlon |  Print |
A first time triathlete's experience of the triathlon route for the forthcoming London Olympics
Text by John Lawrie, personal photographs by Susanne Larsson
On 6 August 2011 in Hyde Park, London, John Lawrie of Ramboll (a BCCD corporate Member) had the unique opportunity to try out part of the London Olympics triathlon route by joining over 4500 participants in the Dextro Energy Triathlon. As first time triathlete, John provides his personal impression on how preparations are going for the London Olympics.
My first glimpse of the Serpentine as I wandered through Hyde Park to 'check in' for the Dextro Energy Triathlon were the ducks and the swans which I had been unreliably informed would be moved from the swimming course. I was not to worry as during the actual event they kept their distance as waves of participants moved off from a specially constructed pontoon (only the elite participants get to dive) into the surprisingly clean water.
Picture of sign saying no swimming allowed, with the event in the background. Taken near the end of the event
The event took place smoothly and was unaffected by the riots that took place in parts of London over that weekend.
Routes and some facilities are being tested ready for the forthcoming Olympic triathlon, by giving both elite athletes and members of the public the opportunity to try out the course. The Dextro Energy Triathlon was one such event held over the weekend of the 6 -7 August in both Hyde Park and around Buckingham Palace Gardens with the swim in each case in the Serpentine. Participants could enter for the sprint distance or the longer Olympic distance. As I had tried neither and the event was part of the build up for the Olympics, out of ignorance I did the Olympic distance. Training in Copenhagen included circuits of the circular pool at DGI-Byen in preparation for the 1,500m swim, as well as by Amager Strand in the early summer.
A triathlon is as much a technical as a sporting event with organisers and participants having to deal with the transitions to and from the swim, to the bike ride and finally to the run. Because so much time can be lost completing the transitions, transitions are regarded as the ‘fourth discipline’ in a triathlon. A 38 page booklet of instructions was therefore helpfully provided for each participant in advance! An army of experienced volunteers was marshalled to ensure that the 22 waves of participants (particularly first timers such as me) were safely prepared for each part of the event and checked for compliance with safety standards. They also cheerfully offered moral support with calls such as 'come on you can do it!, smile!, not long to go!' as I completed the final 10km run.
The event gave the organisers the chance to try out not just the proposed route as well as related logistical aspects such as transport and diversionary routes for traffic on account of road closures.
As required for any large public sporting event, the public and participants were well provided for with changing room facilities, a place for depositing valuables and of greatest practical importance toilets. Queues which can be frustratingly time consuming were minimal.
There was a good and cheerful crowd who had ample access to see the participants. If you are in London in 2012, then the triathlon and the marathon may be one of the events you can see without a ticket.
John Lawrie completing the cycling stage
From conversations with friends who live in London, I think that Londoners are now embracing the Olympics more warmly. Last year the excitement seemed quite limited, but the smooth organising of events such as the Dextro Energy Triathlon have helped to showcase preparations for the Olympics and raise expectations among those who live there that this event is going to be as much a world class event as a local event for those who live in London.
John running near the end of the day in the penultimate wave. John's overall time was 2hrs 46.
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