The Diamond Triathlon was founded in 2012 to commemorate one of the biggest years of the century for Great Britain, with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics descending on the capital. To commemorate, Human Race and British Olympic legend Daley Thompson launched a brand new multisport event designed to get everyone involved in the UK's fastest growing mass participation sport. With multiple distances on offer and plenty for spectators to do, there really is something for everyone!

The event is held at the Olympic rowing centre for the 2012 Olympics. Eton College Rowing Centre, Dorney Lake, Windsor.

Races and Distances

Triathlon:

• Olympic Triathlon: 1.5km swim, 42.4km bike, 10km run.
• Sprint Triathlon: 750m swim, 21.2km bike, 5km run.
• Novice Triathlon: 400m swim, 10.6km bike, 2.5km run.
• Taster: 200m swim, 5.3km bike, 2.5km run.
• Taster (11-14 years olds): 200m swim, 5.3km bike, 1.8km run.

Littlelife Scootathlon:

Kicking off the day is a children’s scootathlon which involves a 390m scoot, 390m bike ride and a 250m run with medals on offer for all finishers. The Littlelife Scootathlon is a mini fun triathlon for children between the ages of 4 and 8 where they scoot, bike and run. Boys will race with girls at the same time in various age categories. The race begins with a 390m 1 lap scoot (any scooter is suitable) then it’s into transition, put down the scooter and pick up the bike and cycle the 390m lap. Then it’s back into transition for the last time, leaving the bike next to the scooter and then out for the final 250m run to the finish gantry.

Scooting, cycling and running will always be in an anti-clockwise direction and all three disciplines must be done wearing a helmet.

Before the Off

Parking is available near the course, however there is a 20-minute walk from the car park site to the event registration. Registration needs to be completed 1 hour prior to the start of your race, so be sure to leave plenty of time. Car parking is along the side of the bike course, accessed via the main access road.

Registration is open from 7am where race packs and electronic chips can be collected ready for your race.

Bikes are racked outside the boathouse for an easy and clear transition.

Briefing

Before the event, Human Race (the event organisers) host an extended briefing and talk for first-time triathletes, which goes into extra detail of the health and safety details.

The Swim

The swim takes place in the rowing lake, taking its form in laps depending on your distance. Whilst there isn’t a battle with the current of the sea, there are plenty of reeds lining the lake causing drag and sometimes difficulty for competitors, so it’s worth having a practice of swimming with undergrowth prior to the race.

The swim follows British Triathlon rules and so whether you are required to wear a wetsuit or not is governed by the water temperature 1 hour before the race. If the water is below 14 degrees, wetsuits are compulsory. If it's between 14 and 22 degrees, that means wetsuits are optional, and a temperature of more than 22 degrees means wetsuits are banned, so be prepared for all weather conditions - despite the unlikelihood of the hot weather in the UK, better safe than sorry!

There are so many races taking place that there is less of a crowd in each wave, enabling swimmers to have slightly more freedom.

The Bike

The bike course is beautiful laps around the grounds on a mostly flat course, within view of the spectators for an extra morale boost. The looped course means that whilst the wind supports you in one direction, it may not as you make the turns, but there is still room for PBs and some speedy laps. The ride is well marshalled and drafting is strictly forbidden. The transition returns to the boathouse ready for the run.

The Run

Again, dependant upon which race you enter will depend on how many laps you complete of the final run which runs alongside one side of the lake you just swam your way through. The competitors are surrounded by spectators who have been very cheery and supportive in previous years. There are plenty of catering facilities post race and SIS (Science in Sport) will be fuelling the day's events with their gels and sprays.

Overall, this is a great day out and race for beginners and experienced athletes alike. It is a celebration of fitness which has continued since the 2012 Olympics and promises to continue for years to come.