Mazda London Triathlon

About the triathlon
Apply for a place
Join as a relay team
What you will receive as part of the WaterAid team
Important information
Come and cheer the team on
Past and present WaterAid triathletes spill the beans

Take part in the 2008 Mazda London Triathlon for WaterAid!

The 2008 triathlon will take place over the weekend of 9 - 10 August.

With over 8,000 expected to get involved, London is now home to the largest triathlon event in the world - an experience not to be missed!

Last August, WaterAid had a fantastic group of 41 people who took part in the event either as part of a team or as an individual taking on the whole challenge themselves, raising over £30,000 for our vital work.

See the 2007 triathlon slideshow

This year we aim to do even better but we need your help. It costs just £15 to provide a person in the developing world with a lasting supply of water, sanitation and hygiene education, so you can imagine how vital your support will be.

Don't worry if you have never done a triathlon before - around half the participants willl be newcomers to the sport, in addition to the world class sporting heroes who take part every year.

About the triathlon

A triathlon is a challenge event comprised of three parts - a swim, cycle and run. There are three categories that you can compete in, which consist of different distances:

• Super Sprint Distance - 400m swim / 10km bike / 2.5km run on Saturday 9 August 2008
• Sprint Distance - 750m / 20km / 5km on Saturday 9 August 2008
• Olympic Distance - 1500m / 40km / 10km on Sunday 10 August 2008
• Team Racing - will take place on Saturday 9 August 2008

The 2008 Mazda London Triathlon takes place at London's ExCel centre in Victoria Dock. Part of the course, for people taking part in the Olympic distance, weaves past some of the city's most famous landmarks, including Tower Bridge, the London Eye and Big Ben.

How to apply for a WaterAid place

To apply for one of our gold bond places we ask you to set a fundraising target of £600. In return, WaterAid will be there to support you every step of the way, providing a regular newsletter, updates, training advice, fundraising ideas and lots of cheering on the big day!

Join as a relay team

You can also enter the triathlon as a team by joining up with friends, colleagues or clients to compete against other teams from your industry for the fantastic industry trophies! We ask our teams to set a fundraising target of £1,200.

For more information about industry trophies, please visit the Mazda London Triathlon website.

Team Blackberry

Adrian Saunders, from Team BlackBerry, shares his 2007 triathlon experience:
 
"What happens when you do not attend a committee meeting as chairperson and a representative from WaterAid does? Yes, you get volunteered to enter into a triathlon! The good news for me was that it was the cycling leg of the team event but it was still the Olympic distance.

"Two weeks before the event our swimmer had to withdraw through injury so Jackie Harley saved the day and volunteered to step in. On the day it was extremely warm and very busy at the ExCel Centre but Team BlackBerry was keen and raring to go. Jackie started with the swim, followed by me in the bike with Alan Giles boldly doing the run. A deserved refreshment at the end went down very well, with us all saying we have set the benchmark for next year's entry. So watch this space for an even speedier Team BlackBerry next year!"

Own place participants

If you have secured your own place in this year's triathlon, we'd be delighted for you to join our team and raise as much sponsorship as you can for WaterAid.

In return, we will provide you with regular support, including training advice, fundraising ideas and lots of cheering on the day.

To find out more please contact us on events@wateraid.org or 0845 6000 433.

What you'll receive as part of the WaterAid team

In return for your dedication and commitment to the triathlon, WaterAid will be there to support you every step of the way.

WaterAid runners receive:

• An online sponsorship page
• A dedicated monthly WaterAid team newsletter including tips on training and nutrition, fundraising advice and stories from other triathletes
• A thorough fundraising information pack
• Access to our online fundraising resources, featuring an array of fundraising ideas and support materials
• Continuous advice and support from WaterAid's experienced events team
• A coveted WaterAid running vest
• Fantastic support on the day, with a WaterAid cheering point at a crucial stage along the course to give you a much-needed boost!  

Important information

Race Number
You should expect to receive your race pack at least two weeks before the race day. This will include the race number that you will require on the day and a race information booklet. Please contact the Mazda London Triathlon with any questions or if your race pack does not arrive.

Water
There will be numerous water stations at the swim out and on the run course. Make sure that you are well hydrated for the bike leg as there will be no water stations on this part of the course.

The Course
Download the London Triathlon course map (opens in a new window)

Come and cheer at the London Triathlon!

On 9-10 August, 50 brave WaterAid supporters are taking part in the 2008 London Triathlon. It's set to be the largest triathlon in the world with thousands of spectators seeing some of the world's finest triathletes raise over £1 million for charity.

A few friendly faces in the crowd help boost morale and give our competitors something to look out for on the way round. If you are competing get your friends and family to come down on the day and cheer for you.
Let us know if your supporters are coming down and we will provide them with their very own WaterAid t-shirt.

The WaterAid cheering point will be based outside the Fox pub (so there will plenty of opportunity for refreshment when you are hoarse from cheering!) at ExCel, Royal Victoria Dock, London. We will be there from 10.30am on Saturday 9 August and from 08.30am on Sunday 10 August.

Take a look at the WaterAid cheering point on this map ( PDF 798Kb)

If you are free on the Saturday or the Sunday even for a couple of hours, the WaterAid team would love your company. For more information please contact Charlotte Biddle on 020 77934506.

Past and present WaterAid triathletes spill the beans

Dan Cooper, who took part in the 2007 triathlon, has this advice for anyone thinking of taking part in the event:

"Accept the challenge, and worry about the consequences later. The training will give you a good reason to stay healthy through the early summer, and the good cause will mean you won't let yourself give up. The race had a great atmosphere, and will always be a fond memory (once my legs have stopped aching that is!)"

When asked about his most memorable moment of the triathlon, he answered:

"Refusing to be beaten by the WaterAid lunatic (in a nice way) wearing the penguin costume, meaning a rather painfully fast last 2km on the run!"

One person enjoyed the event so much, she did it twice!

She ditched the bike and finished the run anyway. But she felt she couldn't take her sponsors' money despite everyone knowing it was accidental, so she did the whole thing again at home four days later with her family timing and photographing. Katherine managed to complete it in 3hrs 11mins, without any mishaps except mashed feet.

She was pretty exhausted though, and wouldn't recommend anyone doing two Olympic distance triathlons within four days of each other!