Frequently asked questions
1. Entries
Triathlon England (or Home nations) refunds
All seniors (age 17+) will receive a £4 refund on production of a valid home nations race license at Registration on race day. This applies to those taking part in the senior event. All juniors (age 8-16 and 17-19 Junior) will receive a £1 refund on production of a valid home nations race license at Registration on race day. This applies to those taking part in any of the junior/youth events.
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Entries for the 2023 Crystal Palace Triathlon will open on Sunday 22nd January. We stagger opening times to allow those with children in more than one age group a chance to enter. Have a look at the current race page for further details.
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.
No, it’s not possible to enter on race day. We do not take any entries on the day.
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!
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.
If you are being asked for a PIN, this means the race category you are trying to enter is full. Please do not ask us to issue you with a PIN, as these are only available for a small number of reserved entries, issued by invite or prior arrangement only.
2. Withdrawals
Yes, if you are unable to race you can transfer your place to someone else up to 2 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.
Refund policy
The withdrawal/refund policy is as follows:
- 4 months – 1 month – 50% refund of entry fee paid
- 1 month – 2 weeks – No refund but entry will be transferable if you provide full details of who you want to transfer your place to
- Less than 2 weeks – No refund and entry not transferable
- Entries cannot be deferred until next year
Contact us if you need to withdraw your entry.
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 below with details of our refund policy.
3. Race equipment
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!
No, you don’t. If you do want to wear one, you must provide your own.
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 you are wearing should cover 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 fully done up for the duration of the race.
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.
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.
The race is a non-drafting race and is run according to British Triathlon rules.
4. Timing
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 here:
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the edit icon next to your form entry.
You can do so up to three weeks before race day. This allows us time to slot you in with others of a similar speed when working out the start times.
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.
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.
Some of these may be quite large groups, as most competitors average between 15-18 minutes.
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.
The adult, full sprint distance, race starts at 08:30 with the last swimmers going off at approximately 11:15. We are unable to give you an idea of your start time until approximately one week before the race.
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 at approximately 11:15, with the youngest, TriStarts, at around 16:00.
All times are subject to change and confirmation nearer to race day.
5. The course
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.
Our race is now well established and we don’t foresee making any changes to the course. Any changes will be notified when we publish the current year’s race information. In the meantime, maps are available in the here.
Ages as at 31 December of the race year
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.
6. Junior races
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.
7. Prizes
Prizes are awarded for the following categories:
Adult Sprint: Male and Female prizes will be awarded in the following age groups: Seniors (17-39), Veterans (40-49), Super Vet (50+),Paratri.
Adult Super Sprint: Male and Female prizes will be awarded for the overall top finishers.
Juniors: Male 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.
