The Outlaw Triathlon returns to Nottingham this Sunday (27 July), with near-perfect weather conditions expected for the 1,100 athletes taking on the long-distance race.
It will start at the National Water Sports Centre at 6am with a 3.8km swim that should see the sun rise spectacularly over the lake, say the organisers. After weeks of very warm and sunny conditions across the UK, this weekend is expected by the Met Office to be a bit cooler, with BBC Weather predicting a dry weekend in Nottingham and highs of 21ºC on race day.
The relatively flat and fast bike ride is focused around a cheering point at the Royal Oak Pub in Car Colston, but also does a loop around Southwell. All cyclists must be back at the National Water Sports Centre by 4pm in order to start the marathon run along the river Trent.
The fastest competitors are expected to finish in front of the grand stand seating at the Water Sports Centre before 3pm. With several athletes already having broken nine hours at previous events, the competition for the men’s title will be tough. Key contenders seem to be Tom Vickery, Karl Alexander, Craig Twigg and Kyle Follett.
However, returning champion, Eugene Grant, demonstrated last year that patience and intelligent pacing can win the Outlaw, even if you’ve never won a big race previously. Last year’s female winner was Vicky Gill isn’t returning and the race looks to be wide open, though the 2012 winner Emma Rand will be there.
There’ll be a £1,500 prize pot available for individual course records, and the event will also be televised by Channel 4 next month. For more info head to www.onestepbeyond.org.uk.
Are you racing the Outlaw? How are you feeling, nervous? Let us know in the comments!