Our most asked questions for supports at the Croyde Ocean Triathlon
The Stunning and Savage Olympic Tri is slightly different to a standard Olympic distance triathlon. Whilst the sea swim is 1.5km, the (new route for 2024) bike route is 37km and the off-road run is 12km, allowing the course to take in the stunning headlands of Down End and Baggy Point. It is worth the extra 2km of running! The Still Stunning but Less Savage Sprint Tri is a 750m sea swim, a 18.5km bike route and a 5.5km circular run taking in spectacular view of the ocean and beaches, farms and countryside. Please note that part of the sprint run route is on private land. The local farmers have kindly allowed us permission, but ONLY on race day, so please DO NOT TRESPASS if you practise.
The entry for 2024 for the Olympic Tri is £94 for individuals (£129 for relay teams) plus booking fee. For the Sprint, it costs £70 for individuals (£100 for relay teams) plus a booking fee.
To participate in this event, you are required to become a member of British Triathlon and hold a race licence. You must either become a Core or Ultimate annual member here or purchase a single use Race Pass for your race here. Go here for more information on the race pass. EVERYONE will have to show either their membership OR a day race pass on the day at registration..
If you are already a member of British Triathlon please ensure you bring your pass with you on the day. Everyone will be required to show a race pass or a membership of British Tri at registration.
We understand this is frustrating and we are working with British Triathlon to try and ensure you are able to to this in the future as part of your entry.
Relay teams can be made up of teams of two or three people. For either the Olympic and Sprint Tri. There are separate categories for women and open, and and mixed teams, as well as the “Family Cup” for those teams made up of members of the same family (see below). There will be medals for the first, second and third teams in each category.
The Family Cup competition was introduced in 2018. It is a fun way of encouraging relay teams, two or three people, to take part made entirely of people from the same family – whether siblings, husbands and wives, grandparents/children, parents etc. (not wider family, e.g. cousins, aunts, nephews etc.) – Just sign up using the “Family Cup” entry at registration to be entered. You could be the proud winners of your own replica trophy! (The fastest family will receive the cup irrespective of gender, however all teams will also automatically be entered into the main team competition categories as well.).
There are usually waves for different age categories and open/female – the number of waves is dependent on the number of entrants in each category. These are likely to be Females and Super Vet Open (50+), Relay Teams, Veteran Open (40+), Senior Open (20-39).
British Tri rules say: Only people who are the female sex at birth will be eligible to compete in the Female category. For competitive activity for individuals above the age of 12 that is run in accordance with the British Triathlon Competition Rules and events permitted by British Triathlon, fairness of competition is paramount and so the policy stipulates a female category (open to athletes who are the female sex at birth) and an Open category (open to all, including male, transgender and non-binary individuals who were the male sex at birth) be provided.
For both individual female and open have the following age-group categories in both the Olympic and Sprint. Ages are taken as age at 31 Dec 2024:
– Under 20
– Senior (20-39)
– Veteran (40-49)
– Super Veteran (50-59)
– Vintage (60-69)
– Super Vintage (70+)
The relay teams only have mixed, female and open categories – which will include those eligible for the Family Cup (see above).
The race starts at Putsborough Beach – EX33 1LB.
From 4.30pm – 7.00 pm on Saturday 13 July 2024 at Croyde Village Hall EX33 1LX.
If you are a British Tri member you MUST bring your membership. If you can’t make it to the Village Hall on Saturday. See us at race HQ on Sunday morning from 05:30. We close registration at 07:00 at Race HQ, Putsborough.
In 2024 we are really keen to keep the footprint we make on our planet to a minimum. We are offereing a FREE return transfer if you are arriving into Barnstaple by train on Saturday and heading back on Sunday afternoon. Alternatively you can contact Glen Preece here from Tor Moor and Sea who can also help.
Parking is at Putsborough Beach, it is a large independently run car park directly next to the transition area and currently charges £12 per car per day (please car share where possible). Free parking for season pass holders.
An online virtually hosted briefing takes place one week before the event. A recording will be made available. Every competitor who signs up is confirming they will confirm that they watch the race briefing and that they are fit enough to take on the 2024 event.
This is compulsory and must be confirmed no more than 7 days and at least 4 days before the race.
From the end of the swim you run from the high tide mark across the sand to the bottom of the “hill” back up this steep hill to the transition and your bike. If you prefer to wear shoes/beach shoes on the hill which is tarmac, you are welcome to do so. Leave them somewhere near the bottom of the hill. Some people opt to wear beach shoes or daps to protect your feet from any rogue stones. We do sweep the hill, so the choice is yours and the shoes/daps are left at your own risk.
The transition area will be open from 5.30am on Sunday 14 July 2024. Transition is NOT open on Saturday.
Races start at 7.30am for the first wave of the Olympic Tri and 7.55 for the first wave of the Sprint Tri
Please note: you have to start making your way to the start for the first start time of 07:30 – it is approximately a 25 minutes walk (allowing for acclimatisation on route). Olympic Tri will start first followed by Sprint Tri.
You will still start in wave order.
YES YES YES – we are going to do a great job of this for 2024 – we hear you! We have the world famous Thatch Pub from Croyde joining us serving hearty, good sized bacon or sausage or veggie sausage baps – simple and quick served in a napkin. Thisis will be on site serving up tasty sourdough slices piled with delicious and nutritious flavoured hummus, roasted veg, nuts and seeds, they will also have their loved hearty vegan bowls.
Nourish will be offering delicious smoothies to fuel, recharge or simply enjoy, the perfect blend of taste and nutrition. As well as sweet treats, including vegan and gluten-free, savoury snacks, protein bars and powder, electrolytes, muscle rub and plenty of positivity and encouragement!
As for coffee we have Justin from 51 Degrees North, serving filter coffee from beans he roasts and grinds himself. Best coffee in Braunton by miles! If you want to queue for a cappuccino or a latte our fave coffee truck Maggie’s are bringing a touch of Italian class with them. Both will have a range of cakes and cookies.
REMEMBER – WE ARE GOING CUPLESS SO PLEASE PACK YOUR REUSABLE COFFEE CUP YOU WILL NEED IT!
Olympic run: Yes, there will be 1 water and jelly baby station on the run route located near to the 7k mark. You will need to bring sufficient water and snacks for the bike section. If it is forecast to be very hot we will put in a second feed station on the run just past the 3k mark. Please bring additional supplies with you. The run route is tough, so please be prepared! Self-service water. We will have reusable cups at the water station. We have a jelly baby stop at around 2.7km on the Sprint route but for sprint runners, please bring your own water.
PLEASE TAKE ALL RUBBISH WITH YOU – we picked up 21 empty gel sachets on the run route after the event in 2023. Please do not drop your gel sachets:-(
Competitors for the Olympic Tri must be 17 or above by 31 December 2024
Competitors for the Sprint Tri must be 15 or above by 31 December 2024.
(Please note as the bike course is on public roads all those under 18 must complete the waiver when you enter. Parental or guardian consent is required for those under 18 taking part . Volunteers must be 16 or above.
Race packs with comprehensive information for competitors will be emailed to entrants 10 days prior to the event and put up on our website. This contains important safety information, so please ensure you read it thoroughly before arrival. Along with the online briefing, this constitutes your safety briefing for the day. Only essential additions/updates will be given if necessary on the day.
If you do not receive your Race Pack by this time, please check your Junk Email folders as unfortunately some email systems filter out our emails.
Please add info@croydeocean.co.uk to your “Safe Sender” list to minimise the likelihood of this happening.
No drafting.
You must wear a cycle helmet.
Wetsuits (cuff to ankle) are compulsory at our triathlon. Wetsuits are banned if the water temperature hits 22 degrees (this will not happen). Average water temperature in July is around 15.5 degrees. You must wear a wetsuit – no exceptions.
No MP3 players or similar.
No littering and you must mount and dismount at the designated points.
The latest British Triathlon rules will apply and are available to download here.
We have one no overtake zones on the very steep descents on both the Olympic and Sprint Tri. Time penalties will be added to those who are reckless or ignore our no overtake zones.
Swim: 9.am**
Bike: 11.30am
Total: 1.00pm
Swim: 08:40am**
Bike: 10:00am
Run: 11:00
*based on 07:30am start time for Olympic and 07:55 start time for Sprint (Race Director may change times depending on conditions).
** this is tide dependent. If by half way you are not making sufficient progress to meet the cut-off time, you may be asked to exit sooner. If you need to exit the swim before the cut-off time you will be allowed to continue but your time will not count overall.
Yes
We are driven by the tide as low tide conditions are normally favourable, low tide on 14 July 2024 is at 05:45. The power and size of the waves at Putsborough are less at low tide, so we need to start at a time early enough to take advantage of this.
Yes.
Everyone who finishes will receive a finishers medal. If you don’t want a medal, we will happily have it back! We will have goodies on the finish line for you too!
There are Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for the overall winners and in each age group category, and for the relay team categories – male, female and mixed. We are not doing cups as well as medals in 2024, we will have a range of fantastic prizes for winners of the Open and Female categories and the relays.
You will be able to receive your results on the day at the end of your race. We do not offer print outs of race results. They will be available via a link online and via the QR codes that we will pin up at Race HQ.
In the event of poor sea conditions the swim may be shortened or if it is deemed unsafe by the Water Safety Officer there will be a 2km beach run instead. We will leave this decision as late as we can so always come prepared for every eventuality.
Once you enter this event, if your entry is not claimed within the statutory 14 day cooling-off period. We do not offer refunds. Right from the launch of tickets way back in July 2023 costs are incurred, work is untaken on your behalf from web development, securing our medical team, ordering medals and cups a long way in advance so we can have them shipped not flown here, logistical organisation, risk assessments, project management time – this list goes on.
We understand the frustration of injuries and therefore if you become unable to take part in the event for any reason your entry fees may be credited for use on a future Croyde Ocean event. You may defer your ticket or transfer it to a fellow competitor.
DEFERRALS: You must defer your place by 60 days of the race date. After that deferrals or refunds will be not permitted under any circumstances. If no Croyde Ocean events are organised you will not receive a refund after deferral. You must use your deferred place within 180 days of the race date. Following the conclusion of the 180 days you will not be able to use your deferred place.
TRANSFERS: You may transfer your ticket to friend/fellow competitor up to 30 days before the event date.
Deferrals and transfers are done on line, within the timeframe above via Etchrock ticket system. Please do not email us and ask. Simply log onto Etchrock and follow the steps. Use the HELP button and type in the word defer ticket or transfer ticket. Depending on what you want to do.
Where an event is cancelled or curtailed at short notice because of adverse weather, pollution or other factors outside of our reasonable control, We shall not be liable to make any refund or pay any compensation.
We recommend you consider taking out appropriate travel insurance to protect yourself against such eventualities.
In the event of cancellation of any event prior to it’s taking place, for any other reason, the maximum possible refund will be made to ticket holders, less any unrecoverable expenses. We shall not be liable to pay any compensation.
These Terms and Conditions do not and shall not affect your statutory rights as a consumer. For further information about your statutory rights contact Citizens advice, Consumer direct (http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/) or the Department for Business Innovation and Skills.
Yes you can – assuming the event to want to swap to is not sold out. You can do this as long as entry is still open online via your Etchrock account. If you swap from Sprint to Olympic you will be asked to pay the different in ticket price online. If you swap from Olympic to Sprint you will not receive a refund for the difference. We do not offer refunds. Any swap must be done by the time we close ticket sales. This will depend on when we sell out.
With an increasing recognition of the environmental challenges that we are facing, we teamed up with Plastic Free North Devon (PFND.) 100% of our profit now goes to PFND and other local charities. We want to encourage greater consideration for the environment as an event, and for the competitors taking part. This approach has been adopted at all our events and a “plastic-free” toolkit has been shared with British Triathlon and other event organisers in the UK and beyond.
In addition to providing recycling and zero single-use plastic containers at the event, we will continue to minimise our impacts through supplier choice, snacks available and prizes.
In 2019 we raised awareness of climate change and the role our event – with us aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be carbon neutral as soon as possible. We continue our environmental focus with participants and partners – together we can all do our part!
Please remember to bring your reusable coffee cup and water bottle, we will not have any single use coffee cups or paper cups on site. We will have a coffee cup rental scheme just in case you forget. We recognise the challenge with coffee and food queues. So for 2024 Justin from 51 Degrees North is coming on board to help. Bring your own cup and we are charing just £1.50 for a fresh filtered coffee. If you want a fancy latte or cappuccino you will have to queue with Maggies, as making fancy coffee takes time.
We are determined to do better each year.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN BOTTLE AND REUSABLE COFFEE CUP WITH YOU – THANK YOU
This permitted triathlon event acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This permitted triathlon event is also committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and British Triathlon requirements.
If you want a FREE Croyde Ocean Triathlon ticket for individual or relay. You need to raise minimum of £350. We are keen to share the love and the ££ so we will split your funds raised with your favourite charity and Plastic Free North Devon. Please make sure you book a FREE fundraising ticket (any distance and either relay or individual) and let us know by email your chosen charity, registered charity number and bank account details and we will pay 50% of your funds raised to your favourite charity post event. info@plasticfreenorthdevon.org. Plastic Free North Devon
If you would like to raise money for one of our partner charities please contact them via the links below:
Family Compass – We help children and families to improve their mental health and wellbeing before they reach crisis point. hello@familycompass.co.uk
Children’s Hospice South West For more than 30 years Children’s Hospice South West has been caring for children and young people with life-threatening conditions by providing children’s hospice and professional family support services. Click here to fill out the contact form.
The Royal Devon Hospitals Charity – The Fern Centre The Fern Centre is a specially designed building to help bridge the gap in care supporting patients’ holistic needs to promote wellbeing during their cancer journey. Click here to fill out the contact form. The Fern Centre is part of Royal Devon Hospitals Charity.
In association with
Headline sponsors
Event sponsors
Charity partners
Our thanks go to
UI & UX Segmant Design©
You will be sent a confirmation email, please check your junk if you haven't received it.
