Which race categories are available at the event?
The Blenheim Palace Triathlon consists of two race categories; super sprint and sprint.
The Super Sprint race consists of a 400m swim, 13.2km bike ride, and a 2.9km run.
The Sprint race consists of a 750m swim, 19.8km bike ride, and a 5.4km run.
If you are not comfortable completing a full triathlon you can compete in a sprint relay which consist of three people completing a single leg of the race to make up an entire triathlon; for example one person carries out the swim, another the cycle and finally the third person completes the run.
Is there a minimum age?
The minimum age for competitors is 16, as long as you are 17 on or before 31st December 2023.
What's the difference between a general and a premium sprint?
The premium sprint will allow you to compete in the first wave of the day.
Does any part of the entry fee go to charity?
Your entry fee covers the staging of the event and third-party insurance.
What is the British Triathlon Federation (BTF) day membership for?
The BTF day license is a licence for racing and covers your public liability insurance for the day.
If you’re not already a British Triathlon member you need a day membership to comply with British Triathlon Competition Rules which require all competitors be a member of the sport for the day. There will be an option during registration for you to input your BTF membership details or purchase a day licence.
Day Membership includes:
i) British Triathlon membership on race day
ii) Race license to compete in the sport on the day of the race
iii) Individual public liability insurance cover up to £15 million on the day of the race
For further information on race licenses please contact the BTF directly at: www.britishtriathlon.org.
Can I guarantee the same wave as a friend, family, or work colleague?
To ensure you race with friends, family, and work colleagues you need to choose the same race category. You will also need to request the same gender race (male, female or mixed) during the registration process. Closer to the event date you will be given the option to join the same Tri-Squad. We’ll try our best to ensure you and your Tri-Squad are in the same wave, but this is not guaranteed.
When will I find out my start time?
Start times and wave allocations can be found on our official website two weeks prior to the event.
Can I change my wave allocation and my start time?
Once wave allocations have been made it is not possible to change your start time .
How can I book accommodation for the events?
For event specific accommodation information please visit the Blenheim Palace website.
You cannot camp or park overnight in the Palace ground and will be asked to leave by security should you attempt to do so.
How do I get to Blenheim Palace?
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1UL
Blenheim Palace is situated in the Woodstock, 8 miles north west of Oxford on the A44 Evesham Road and approximately a one hour drive from the outskirts of both London and Birmingham.
By Car:
Approaching Oxford on the M40, exit at junction 9 and follow signs to Blenheim. From other directions take the A44 exit from the Oxford by-pass.
By Train:
The nearest British Rail main line station is New Oxford Parkway. The S3 bus runs from Oxford to Woodstock at approximately 30 minute intervals. There are car parking facilities for cars and coaches and car parking is free for competitors.
What time do I need to arrive?
In order to set up in transition and be ready for your race we recommend that you arrive 90 minutes before the start of your wave. You then need to be at Swim Assembly point 20 minutes before your wave is due to take place, this is to ensure you have partaken in our safety briefing and have received your swim cap
What do I need to do with the items in my race pack?
The bib number is used for the cycle and run elements of your challenge. The number goes on your back for the cycle and on the front for the run. This can be attached with safety pins, however, it is recommended to use a race belt. You simply attach your number to the race belt and then put the clip it around your midriff. It can then be moved to show the number on your back for the bike and on the front for the run.
The bike number stickers are placed on the front of the bike and the top of your helmet which serves two purposes.
- To ensure you are taking the correct bike out of transition
- You can be identified on our official photos which you may wish to purchase
Your wristband needs to worn to get you in and out of transition. Without this you cannot gain access to this area .
You will also be given a reusable timing chip that must be worn on your left ankle. These must be returned post event in the buckets at the finish line, there will be staff on hand to assist you in removing your timing chip. Any unreturned chips will be charged to the participant at £25 per chip. For team relay participants, the timing chip acts as a baton and must be passed between relay members throughout the race.
Do I need a wetsuit?
Wetsuits are compulsory for this triathlon for the safety of our participants. Your wetsuit will keep you warm and improve your swimming speed; a wetsuit provides you with extra buoyancy and the higher you are the faster you swim.
Your wetsuit must be a neoprene and we recommend a full body wetsuit, it can be a short or surf wetsuit, however these are less useful for open water swimming.
What do I wear underneath my wetsuit?
Nudity is not allowed in the transition area therefore, you should ensure you wear whatever you feel comfortable in for the run and the cycle. We recommend that you wear a tri-suit, but it is not compulsory. Regular sports kit is fine over a swimsuit.
Can I listen to music or wear headphones whilst racing?
Unfortunately, we do not allow participants to race with headphones in. The safety of our participants is paramount and through wearing headphones you will be less likely to hear other competitors or marshals, which could become a hazard on route. By not wearing headphones you will also be able to enjoy the experience more and soak up the encouragement from spectators. If you are seen to be wearing headphones on race day you will be kindly asked to remove them and if caught with them during the race you will be disqualified. Furthermore, no mobile phones or MP3 players are allowed to be used in transition or while you are racing.
How can I be sure that the water will be safe to swim in?
We conduct numerous tests right up to the race day itself to ensure that the water is safe to swim in.
Can I use any stroke on the swim?
Backstroke is not allowed, as this can be confused with our distress signal. We recommend that you try to swim front crawl but breaststroke is also permitted.
Can I use tri bars on my bike?
Tri bars (and handlebars) must be plugged and they must be secure. There is no requirement for them to be shorter than the brake levers unlike in the elite races.
Does my bike helmet meet safety standards?
Your helmet will pass the safety inspection as long as it has no cracks in it, has no damage to it and bears a CE & EU safety mark inside it. The strap must also be in good working order.
Is the race draft legal?
Drafting is against the rules for all but the Elite Competitors. You must not take shelter cycling behind or cycle beside another competitor during the race. You can be disqualified from the race for drafting. The draft zone is a rectangle measuring ten (10) metres long by two (2) metres wide. The centre of the leading 2 metre edge is measured from the back edge of the back wheel.
Where do I find more information on rules and regulations?
For more detailed triathlon rules and regulations please click here or contact the British Triathlon Federation www.britishtriathlon.org
Is water available during the races?
There will be no water stations offered on the route. Water will be available once you cross the finish line.
Do my friends and family need to buy a spectator ticket to attend the Blenheim Palace Triathlon event weekend?
Yes, all spectators will need to purchase spectator tickets through the Palace closer to event day!
How do I buy spectator tickets for event day?
All spectators coming to watch the Blenheim Palace Triathlon will need to purchase a spectator ticket through the Palace in advance of the event. These will be available on the Palace website here in the coming months and will be available for purchase on the event day.
LimeLight Sports Club events aim to be inclusive, offering people of all abilities the opportunity to take part.
Please read the information below about taking part if you have a disability and/or require assistance on event day.
Unfortunately, The Blenheim Palace Triathlon is not suitable for wheelchair athletes due to the narrow paths on the run route, steep terrain to access the water and small transition entrance/exits in the Palace courtyard. The Palace itself is wheelchair accessible and we welcome spectators out to support along the route.
Disabled participants who need assistance:
If you are a visually impaired triathlete or your disability and/or medical conditions means that you require a guide/assistant, then please contact us at hello@blenheimtriathlon.com detailing your request and reasons for it.
Please contact our Customer Service Team, hello@blenheimtriathlon.com with a description of your disability. We will assess this and establish if it is possible to compete and what we require to make this feasible.
We strongly advise that each participant and their guide should be appropriately identified and linked together in a safe way on event day. Guide dogs are permitted on the event site, however they are not permitted on the Blenhein Palace Triathlon race route.
Why am I being redirected to LET'S DO THIS when entering the London Triathlon?
LimeLight Sports Club has partnered with 'Let’s Do This' to take on the Blenheim Palace Triathlon entries for 2023.
When you enter the Blenheim Palace Triathlon, your entry information and payment is processed by 'Let’s Do This' and passed securely to LimeLight Sports Club. Your bank statement will show 'Let’s Do This' against your event entry, and you will receive a booking confirmation email from 'Let’s Do This'. Once you are entered, all event communication will come from LimeLight Sports Club and the Blenheim Palace Triathlon team.
How can I check if I’m registered?
You can check you've registered for any of our 7 Original events through our Limelight Sports Club website after being redirected to our booking partner Let's Do This. Our 7 Original events are; London Triathlon, Blenheim Palace Triathlon, London Duathlon, Etape Caledonia, Hackney Half, ASICS London 10K and Oxford Half.
When you completed your registration and purchased your entry you should have received a confirmation email from us containing all the details of your event booking including your booking reference.
How do I edit my registration details?
Editing your registration details, including predicted finish time, and address is easy, for now please just reach out to Let's Do This at support@letsdothis.com and they will be able to update your information.
My desired race category is not available, what can I do?
Each race category has a specific number of places and if this is full it will display ‘Sold Out’. Alternatively, if you cannot find the desired race category on the entry form please contact our customer service team who will be able to assist you; hello@blenheimtriathlon.com
I am entered into the 2023 event but would now like to change the distance I am competing in. Is this possible?
Yes, you are able to do this. Please email hello@blenheimtriathlon.com with your request and we will assist you further. Please note: you will only be able to transfer into challenges with available places.
Can I defer my entry or get a refund if I am no longer able to attend the event?
The entry fee to the Blenheim Palace Triathlon is non-refundable and cannot be deferred to a future year or transferred to another person.
If you are unable to participate in the event for any reason, you will not receive a refund of the event fee, any booking fee, and/or any other costs you have incurred in connection with your entry into the Event.
Low-cost insurance policies are available that protect event participants in the event that they have to withdraw from the event due to injury, illness or other reasons depending upon the insurance policy in question. Where possible we will provide a link to an insurance option of this type during the registration process, but we do not do so as any form of recommendation of the specific policy, other than to recommend that participants provide themselves with adequate insurance.
For further information on this please read the full entry Terms & Conditions here.
I am an LSC member who has signed up, but am now unable to make the date – what are my options?
If you can’t make the date, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team via members@limelightsports.club.
Please note you must let us know you are unable to attend you must let us know a minimum of 1 month before the event date if you would like a refund and 1 week before the event if you would like to defer your place or transfer it to another LSC Member.
I have a general entry palace, can I still participate charity?
Yes, you're free to raise funds for whichever charity you like. If you don't have a charity in mind, you can find our supporting charities on our Blenheim Palace Triathlon page here.
If you would like to have a charity place with our headline charity partner, Cancer Research UK, check out their website here.
How do I participate in the Blenheim Palace Triathlon for a charity?
Cancer Research UK is the headline charity partner for the Blenheim Palace Triathlon. If you are interested in participating at this event for Cancer Research, please reach out to them directly let them know you'd like to be part of their team!
We recommend setting up a JustGiving page to assist with marketing and securing your funds.
How do I volunteer?
If you’d like to volunteer and be #partofthecrew please contact: volunteers@limelightsports.com
We couldn’t do our events without our incredible volunteers. Working at the Blenheim Palace Triathlon is an incredible opportunity and an amazing weekend of sport.
What happens if I feel unwell whilst participating?
See your GP if you have a problem or worry that might make it a risk for you to take part in the event. If you have any known medical conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, allergy to penicillin, etc) inform us prior to the event by entering it in the box provided on the online application.
In addition, please write all medical details on the back of your event number. Whether you have a medical condition or not, if you feel unwell on the event day – don’t take part. If you have flu, a feverish cold or a tummy bug, do not train until you have fully recovered. Then start gently and build up gradually. Do not attempt to catch up on lost mileage after illness or injury – this may cause further damage or illness.
Who do I contact for lost property?
Please contact the event organisers via email, hello@blenheimtriathlon.com, with a full description of the missing item and we will do our best to reunite you with the item.
How do I buy a photograph of myself crossing the finishing line?
Marathon Photos are our official photographer for the event. Please go directly to their website to retrieve your photos and further information.
How can I find out my finish time?
Provisional results will be available via the tracking link on our website and if you have inputted a British mobile number, they will be texted to you. They will also be emailed to you post event.
I still have my timing chip, how do I return it?
This year, all timing chips are reusable and must be returned. Any unreturned chips will be charged to the participant at £25 per chip. If you have accidentally taken yours home, please email hello@blenheimtriathlon.com for details on how to return it.
You have got my age group wrong?
Your age group is based upon the date of birth that you entered. Note that your age group is determined by your age at 31 December of the race year and not your age on race day (in accordance with BTF rules).
Is there a cancellation/waiting list?
Please note that we don’t operate a reserve/cancellation list as we already take into account the usual drop-out rate prior to the event.
I am not receiving any email communication about my entry?
There may be several reasons for this. Firstly, please ensure that you are entered correctly into the event by following the instructions outlined above. Secondly, emails can often get directed straight into junk/spam folders or get rejected by email servers altogether. Please ensure that you check those filters and additionally add ‘hello@blenheimtriathlon.com’ to your safe senders list.
If you have unsubscribed from our mailing list and would like to resubscribe, please click here.