FAQs

Entry questions

 

How do I enter the Eurostar Tri-City-Athlon?

The event is by invite only but we also have a total of 60 places available (20 each in the UK, France and Belgium) for the public to win. To win a place you'll need to upload a video (maximum size 10MB), or a picture (min 800 pixels x 800 pixels) plus an accompanying written message of no more than 200 words explaining why you deserve to represent your country in this special event. Please bear in mind we cannot accept any videos or pictures containing brand marks or logos. Nor can we accept anything which is not the sole property of the entrant, so please only post what you own. The public will vote for their favourite entries (1 vote per person) and the top 50 entries will go through to a judging panel in each country who will decide on the final 20. Click 'Enter to win a place' for more details.

 

All entrants must confirm that they will be over 18 on 14 September 2010 and that they will be able to complete the following distances in the required times:

 

Swim 1.5km in 00:45:00

Bike 40km in 01:40:00

Run 10km in 01:10:00

 

Who are the judging panel?

Each country has their own judging panel. Click on 'Judges' for further details.

 

I don't have a video camera, can I still enter?

We will accept videos made with any digital device, be it a mobile phone, digital camera, webcam or video camera. Although video is our preferred method of entry (it makes it easier for our judges) we will accept a profile picture with an accompanying written message of up to 200 words.

 

How long should my entry video be?

Each video should be no longer than one minute.

 

How/when will I know if I have won a place?

Entries close on 09 Jun.   All successful entrants from us will receive an email from us the week commencing 21 Jun and their profiles will be posted on www.eurostar.com/tricityathlon

 

What are the age restrictions for competing?

All participants must be over 18 years by the time of the event on 14 September 2010.

 

I've never done a Triathlon before, can I still enter?

Of course, although you must have a reasonable level of fitness and be able to meet the required cut off times by September. You'll need to be able to swim 1.5km in 00:45:00, bike 40km in 1:40:00 and run 10km in 01:10:00. The organisers reserve the right to ask any participant to curtail any leg of the event at their discretion to ensure competitor safety and so that the event can continue on schedule. Failure to meet the cut-off times will result in participants being assisted to the finish or the distance being reduced.

 

I don't have a passport. Can I still enter?

As the event involves international travel all participants will need to have a valid passport. If you don't currently have one you need to ensure you'll be able to obtain one in time for the event. Participants may also be required to provide a medical certificate from their doctor if requested by the organisers.

 

I live outside London/Paris/Brussels. Can I still enter?

We welcome all entries, regardless of where you live. Just bear in mind that you can start the event package from London, Paris or Brussels. However, this competition is only open to amateur athletes who (i) are legal residents of one of the Territories; and (ii) hold an up-to-date passport valid for travel throughout the Event and are able to comply (at their own cost) with all relevant visa requirements for travel to and from and between the Territories from the date of their entry until the end of the Event.

 

How much does it cost to enter?

Zilch, zero, nada, nothing! Eurostar is providing these places in support of their partnership with the London 2012 Olympic Games, promoting sport and friendly competition across all markets.

 

* Eurostar will provide travel to Paris for those based in Brussels and London. The package includes an evening meal and overnight accommodation in Paris on Monday 13 September, breakfast and lunch on Tuesday 14 September, transfers to the event venues, equipment as detailed below and snacks and water during the event.

 

For participants based in Paris and Brussels, accommodation in London will also be offered for the evening of Tuesday 14 September. Please see the event Terms & conditions for full details.

 

What costs will I need to cover?

Incidentals outside of what is detailed above will need to be covered by the participant. These would include additional food and drink required by the participant not supplied by event organisers, items from the minibar and telephone calls. For people based outside London, Paris or Brussels you will need to cover the cost of your travel to and from one of these hubs to meet the rest of the participants.

 

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Equipment questions

 

Are you providing accommodation before the start of the event?

Eurostar will provide all participants with accommodation in Paris on a bed and breakfast basis the night before the event. All participants will need to be at the hotel for an event briefing the night before the event.

 

Eurostar will also provide all Belgium and France-based competitors with hotel accommodation in London on a bed and breakfast basis on the night of Tuesday 14 September.

 

Can I bring my own bike and wetsuit etc?

Eurostar will be providing the majority of the equipment for the Eurostar Tri-City-Athlon, which all participants will be required to use. Therefore you won't need to bring, a wetsuit, a swimming cap or a top for cycling and running.

You will need to provide your own running and cycling shoes, bike helmet, shorts for cycling and running and swimming goggles, bike and bike helmet.

 

What will I wear during each stage?

Eurostar will provide the following:

Swim

- wetsuit

- swimming cap

 

Bike

- a top suitable for cycling and running

- a race number

 

You will need to bring:

- swimming goggles

- bike

- towel

- bike helmet

- shorts to wear during cycling and running

- SPDs/clip in shoes and pedal (if desired, not compulsory)

- running shoes

- kit bag

- warm top for post event

- specific personal nutrition if desired

 

Please note your bike helmet must not be cracked or damaged and must bear a CE or EU safety mark. The strap must also be in good working order.

 

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Event questions

 

What are the distances and cut off times for each leg of the race?

You must complete the following distances in the times specified:

 

1.5km swim in 00:45:00

40km bike in 01:40:00

10km run in 01:10:00

 

The organisers reserve the right to ask any participant to curtail any leg of the event at their discretion to ensure competitor safety and that the event continues on schedule. Failure to meet the cut-off time will result in participants being assisted to the finish or the distance being reduced.

 

Do I have to swim front crawl during the swim or can I swim another stroke?

You may swim front crawl or breaststroke but bear in mind you must reach the cut off time of 45mins for 1.5km. If you're unable to complete any leg of the event in the times specified, the organisers reserve the right to ask you to curtail said leg at their discretion to ensure competitor safety and that the event continues on schedule. Failure to meet the cut-off time will result in participants being assisted to the finish or the distance being reduced.

 

How long will I be away from home?

You'll need to travel to Paris in the afternoon of Monday 13 September, for a pre-event briefing on the evening of Monday 13 September.

The event will finish on the evening of Tuesday 14 September at St Pancras International after a prizegiving at The Champagne Bar. Competitors based in the UK will be free to make their own way home. Accommodation will be provided for France and Belgium based competitors in London. These competitors will then travel back to Paris and Brussels early on the morning of Wednesday 15 September. Full travel details will be sent out in the competitor pack approximately two weeks before the event.

 

Training

This event is an Olympic distance event so we would strongly advise you to undertake a proper training programme.

 

Are meals provided?

All meals during the triathlon event will be provided, including snacks. We will also provide refreshments and canapés after the Prize Giving. Should you wish to have a full evening meal on Tuesday 14 September, this will need to be at your own arrangementr. Please see the event Terms & conditions for full details.

 

Can I use my personal music player while competing?

Unfortunately not. Listening to music while competing would mean you would not be able to hear other competitors or the marshals, so you would be a danger to yourself and others. We therefore ask that you do not wear personal music players.

 

Is drinking water available during the race?

Yes, there will be plenty of water stations around the cycle and running routes.

 

Where will my luggage be during the race?

Your overnight luggage will be securely sent via Eurostar baggage service directly from Paris to London St Pancras International and will be available for collection at the end of the event. You will be able to bring a small kit bag with you to hold your gear during the day.

 

 

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Travel and accommodation questions

 

If I win a confirmed place in the Tri-City-Athlon, can I stay on in London after the event?

You are more than welcome to extend your stay in London although you will need to make your own travel arrangements to return home and this would be at your own expense.

 

Can I travel on different trains than those that have been specified in the event information?

Unfortunately not. Due to the nature of the event all competitors will need to travel together.

 

Where will competitors stay in Paris the night before the race?

Details of the accommodation will be provided in the Race Information Pack issued to successful entrants approximately two weeks before the event. Accommodation will be arranged for all competitors on a single room, bed and breakfast basis.

 

I have friends/family in Paris. Can I stay with them the night before the race?

We would strongly recommend that all competitors stay at the supplied accommodation to ensure they are on time for the briefings. If you do not wish to stay in the provided accommodation, you must ensure that you attend all necessary briefings. If you do not attend, you will not be eligible to take part in the event.

 

I live in Paris. Can I stay at home the night before the event rather than the event hotel?

We would strongly recommend that all competitors stay at the supplied accommodation in Paris. This prevents anyone being held up on the morning of the event as a result of public transport delays etc. If you do not wish to stay in the provided accommodation, you must ensure that you attend all necessary briefings. If you do not attend, you will not be eligible to take part in the event.

 

 

Can I bring a friend with me to Paris, Brussels or London?

You are more than welcome to invite spectators to watch you race, although they would have to make their own travel arrangements. Please note only competitors and support crew will be allowed to travel on the special charter train between Paris and Brussels.

 

 

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General questions

 

 

I would like to raise money for charity, is this ok?

 

The official charities of London 2012 are The British Olympic Foundation and The British Paralympic Association and we encourage competitors to donate all charity money raised as part of the Tri-City-Athlon to these very worthwhile causes.  You can create your own Just Giving page for these charities from the links below:

The British Olympic Foundation www.justgiving.com/bof

The British Olympic Foundation aims to create learning opportunities for young people through sport and education to encourage personal development, fair play and personal excellence. With a variety of initiatives including; sports camps, workshops, conferences, international exchanges to education packs the BOF aims to touch young people's lives with the Olympic dream from primary through to university level students.

The British Paralympic Association www.justgiving.com/bpa

The British Paralympic Association (ParalympicsGB) is the charitable organisation responsible for taking the best prepared team of athletes to compete at the Paralympic Games. With the home Games just around the corner they have a once in a lifetime opportunity, through the inspirational performances of British Paralympians and the power of the Games, to inspire lasting change in the way athletes with a disability are perceived. They need the support of fundraisers to ensure they can provide the best possible preparations to the British team and make sure the athletes gain the recognition they deserve.

All competitors may raise money for other charities if they choose to do so, but will not be able to promote them in any way to support their entry to the competition or during the event.  

My family would like to watch me compete. Where should they go to get the best view?

Spectator information will be included in the Race Information Pack issued to successful entrants approximately two weeks before the event.

 

My contact details have changed since I entered, how do I amend them?

Please log in to www.eurostar.com/tricityathlon and update your profile

 

I've injured myself training and will not be able to take part. What do I need to do?

Please email us at info@eurostartricityathlon.com to notify us as soon as possible.

 

Are there any prizes to win for this event?

You mean other than a warm, fuzzy sense of achievement and a spell in a bath full of ice? Why yes! Check out the Prize fund to see what you could win.

Prize fund

 

Can I apply to take part as a member of a team?

No, we can only accept applications from individuals.

 

 

How does the Eurostar Tri-City-Athlon reflect Eurostar's Tread Lightly commitments?

Eurostar and our supporting partners are subject to our sourcing policy so wherever possible we are working in a sustainable way. All waste from the event in each city will be recycled where possible.