Do I need a Race Pass / Do I receive a refund for being a Triathlon England member?

Triathlon England (or Home nations) changes with the introduction of the Race Pass.

As part of the British Triathlon Competition Rules, individuals are required to become a member of the sport when taking part in a British Triathlon permitted event and hold a race licence. A Race Pass is for individuals who are not annual members of British Triathlon. Existing BTF members won’t be required to purchase a race pass as part of their event registration, and so refunds are no longer issued on race day.

Join Triathlon England today to benefit from their exclusive membership package.

• Personal Accident Insurance
• Accident Legal Service
• Reduced race entry
• No day licence fees

When does entry open?

Entries for the 2024 Crystal Palace Triathlon will open on Saturday 20th January.

Do you have a waiting list?
Once entries are FULL:

We do not operate a waiting list for adult entries

From past experience, we know we don’t get many withdrawals from the junior races, so we keep the TriStar and Junior waiting lists relatively small so as not to disappoint people who are hoping they may get a place.

We are unable to enter into correspondence regarding positioning on the waiting list or the likelihood of getting a place.

Can I enter on race day?
No, it’s not possible to enter on race day. We do not take any entries on the day.

Do I have to belong to a club to enter?
You do not have to belong to a Club to enter, but if you live in the Crystal Palace area, why don’t you come along to one of our Club training sessions (see the Training Schedule) to see if it’s for you. Training with others is more motivating and we are a friendly bunch!

How old do I need to be to enter?
The junior Tristarts have to be 8 years old on 31 December of the year of the race. There’s no upper limit for adults, as long as you are fit enough to complete the course! We cater for all abilities from complete novices to seasoned age-group triathletes.

Is parking available on site at Crystal Palace Park?
For the 2025 race, the main car park (via the entrance on Terrace Straight) will be closed to all vehicles. If you are planning to arrive by car, the Sydenham Car Park and Penge/Thicket Road car park remain open or you’ll need to find on street parking in the surrounding roads to the park. Check for parking restrictions before arriving and give yourself plenty of time to park and walk over to the registration area.

Can I transfer my place to someone else?

Yes, if you are unable to race you can transfer your place to someone else up to 4 weeks before the race.

Please contact us providing the name and email address for the person you would like to transfer your place to. We will then send them instructions of how to register in your place.

Please note that if you have purchased a Race Pass from British Triathlon  this is non-transferable and non-refundable.

Do I get a refund if I have to withdraw?

Refund policy
The withdrawal/refund policy is as follows:

• 4 months – 8 weeks – 50% refund of entry fee paid
• 8 weeks – 4 weeks – No refund but entry will be transferable if you provide full details of who you want to transfer your place to
• Less than 4 weeks – No refund and entry not transferable
• Entries cannot be deferred until next year
• Please note that if you have purchased a Race Pass from British Triathlon this is non-transferable and non-refundable.

Contact us if you need to withdraw your entry.

Can I defer my entry to next year?

Unfortunately not. We open the race to a certain number of entrants and all costs are worked out on this basis. If we were to defer entries we would not be able to cover costs the following year.

We have a generous refund policy for withdrawals as well as an opportunity to transfer your entry after a certain date.

See question above with details of our refund policy.

Can I wear a wetsuit?

No, you can’t. It’s a pool swim and wetsuits are not allowed.

Also, calf guards, or any other items that would aid your swimming, are not allowed!

Do I have to wear a swim hat?

No, you don’t. If you do want to wear one, you must provide your own.

Do I have to wear a trisuit?

No, you don’t, although you must ensure you are adequately clothed at all times!

Once you’ve exited the swim, you must cover your torso and the top (or your trisuit) must be worn over both shoulders for the duration of the race.

You can wear a swimsuit/trunks for the swim and then put shorts and a top, which must overlap, over these in transition. You must not undress in transition
Front zip suits must remain done up (at least to the bottom of the breastbone) for the duration of the race.

Can you recommend somewhere I can get my bike serviced?

It is highly recommended your bike is serviced by a reputable bike shop before the event.

If you need your bike servicing before the event please contact Blue Door Bicycles on 020 8670 9767.

They will also be offering technical support on the day with free check-ups and on-site technical assistance throughout the day.
Do I need a road bike or can I race on my hybrid/mountain bike?

You can use any bike, except fixed wheel, as long as it’s in a safe and roadworthy condition with brakes in good working order. We would suggest you change your knobbly tyres for road tyres.

Is the race draft legal?

The race is a non-drafting race and is run according to British Triathlon rules. As the race is not draft legal, gear restriction is not required for the Youth race.

Can I change my estimated swim time?

If, after timing yourself over the distance, you find you are either faster or slower than the estimated time you originally gave us, you can update your swim time ahead of the event. We’ll send out a link one month before the race which allows you to re-submit your estimated swim time.

Can I change my start time?

We work out start times based on the estimated swim time you gave us when you entered. We put competitors into groups with others of a similar speed. It’s therefore not possible change swim start times once numbers and times have been allocated.

My friend’s a faster/slower swimmer than me but I’m starting before/after them – is this right?

We work out start times based on the estimated swim time you gave us when you entered. We put competitors into groups with others of a similar speed.

We also offer a few clubs the opportunity to host their club championships at our race and these entrants are given a separate wave. It could be that your friend is one of these.

It’s not possible to change swim start times once numbers and times have been allocated.

What time am I likely to be racing?

The adult races start at 08:30. We will provide you with an individual start time a few days before the race. In 2024, all adult start times were between 8:30 and 10:00am. In 2025, the order of adult races will be: Novice, then Open Distance and Relay, then Super Sprint.

It is important you give us an accurate estimated swim time so we can work out the order and give everyone the opportunity to swim with others of a similar speed.

The junior races start after the adult races and the time depends on the number of adult entries. In 2024, the junior races started at approximately 10:15, with the youngest, TriStarts, at around 14:15.

All times are subject to change and confirmation nearer to race day.

Can I look at the course maps?

Confirmation of course maps and number of laps for each discipline will be provided in advance of the race. Lap numbers provided below are indicative.

What are the course distances?

Ages as at 31 December of the race year

Swim Bike Run – Novice – age: 17+
50m swim – 2 lengths in the 25m pool
2.5km bike – 1 lap of a closed road circuit in the park
700m run –  Including a lap around the National Sports Centre Track!

Adult Open Distance – age 17+
300m swim – 12 lengths in the 25m pool
20km bike – 9 laps of a closed road circuit in the park
5km run – 2 laps in the park, 11/2 Lap of Track

Adult Open Super Sprint Distance – age 20+
300m swim – 12 lengths in the 25m pool
11.5 km bike – 5 laps of a closed road circuit in the park
2.4km run – 1 lap in the park, 11/2 Lap of Track

Adult Team Relay Distance – age 17+
300m swim – 12 lengths in the 25m pool
20km bike – 9 laps of a closed road circuit in the park
5km run – 2 laps in the park, 11/2 Lap of Track

Juniors – 17-19 years (born 2004 / 2006)
300m swim – 12 lengths in the 25m pool
11.5 km bike – 5 laps of a closed road circuit in the park
2.4km run – 1 lap in the park, 11/2 Lap of Track

Youths – 15-16 years (born 2007 / 2008)
300m swim – 12 lengths in the 25m pool
11.5 km bike – 5 laps of a closed road circuit in the park
2.4km run – 1 lap in the park, 11/2 Lap of Track

TriStar 3 – 13-14 years (born 2009 / 2010)
300m swim – 12 lengths in the 25m training pool*
6.7km bike – 3 laps of a closed road circuit in the park**
2.4km run – 1 lap in the park, 11/2 Lap of Track

TriStar 2 – 11-12 years (born 2011 / 2012)
150m swim – 6 lengths in the 25m training pool*
4.5km bike – 2 laps of a closed road circuit in the park**
2km run – 1 lap in the park, 1/2 Lap of Track

TriStar 1 – 9-10 years (born 2013 / 2014)
150m swim – 6 lengths in the 25m training pool*
2.2km bike – 1 lap of a closed road circuit in the park**
1.2km run – Out and back plus 1/2 Lap of Track

TriStart – 8 years (born 2015)
50m swim – 2 lengths in the 25m training pool*
1km bike – 1 lap of a closed circuit in the park
600m run – Up indoor track, towards registration, through transition onto track ¾ of track to finish

* Please ensure your child is confident of completing the swim distance

** The laps on the bike course are tough as it involves climbing the hill multiple times and descending at the other side of the park. Please ensure your child is confident and able to complete the course before entering them. 

The race is run in accordance with British Triathlon Competition Rules available here

Gender 
In line with British Triathlon Competition Rules, we provide the following categories of competition: Female category; Open category.  Only people who are the female sex at birth will be eligible to compete in the Female category. Transgender, and all other individuals, will be eligible to compete in the Open category. 

Can I listen to music while I am cycling/running?
No, you can’t. This is a British Triathlon rule and will result in disqualification.

No mobile phones, iPods, MP3 players etc are allowed in transition or while cycling/running.

Can my child race in another age category?

Unfortunately not. They can only compete in their qualifying age group, as listed on the race home page. This is a British Triathlon rule and we cannot make any exceptions.

The laps on the bike course are tough as it involves climbing the hill multiple times and descending at the other side of the park. Please ensure your child is confident and able to complete the course before entering them.

What prizes are awarded?

Prizes are awarded for the following categories:

Juniors: Open and Female prizes are awarded in the following categories: Junior (17-19 years old London League), Youth, Tristar 3, Tristar 2, Tristar 1 and Tristart.

1st, 2nd and 3rd in categories with >20 entries
1st and 2nd in categories with 10-20 entries
1st only in categories with >10 entries

Presentations will be made as soon as possible after each event. If you are not present to collect your trophy you will need to pay £5 P&P in order for us to mail it to you.