2012 Weekend Reviews

Well done you guys! A fantastic event, and a great day out for people of all interests and abilities! Fun, sun, the Olympic Pontoon, even the Red Arrows came to watch! (I’ll not mention that off road hill in the run, evil) Will be back next year for more, Ta Muchly!

Excellent afternoon at my first cross tri. Bike course a bit more technical than I expected, partly cos of the mud, but I didn’t fall off though I will admit to a couple of tactical dismounts!
Took me almost as long to clean my bike when I got home as it did to ride the course!
Awesome event, thanks very much to everyone involved :-)

Really good event, thank you – hope you do it again next year :o)

Great Xtri Cross triathlon. Thanks for a great day. Really superb.

“I enjoyed the day having attempted my first X Tri. You’ll see from my results that my bike leg caught me out, having decided to leave on my road tyres plus not realising that some technical bits were indeed that! Thanks to all the team, and I look forward to joining another one of your events in the near future.”

Simply Brilliant! Best Triathlon of the season (apart from many facefuls of reeds in the swim!!) Organisation couldn’t be faulted and the bacon sarny afterwards was sublime! Many thanks for a great day….wished I could have camped over but after the rain last night kinda glad I didn’t. As soon as registration opens for 2013, I will be signing up! Many thanks to the race organisers and all the Marshals.

Superb morning! Absolutely beautiful setting, ample parking, well marshalled course and fabulous amenities. Thank you for such a wonderful race.

Good event today guys, thanks….impressed with the organisingbq. “My family and I would like to thank you and your team for organising such great event (including the weather) and also to Vachery Estate. My wife and children loved the venue and the whole friendly atmosphere. We had to drag our kids off the tree swing in the end. We are looking forward to attending next year to participate again in the open water swimming.”

“Just wanted to say thank you very much for putting on such an amazing event. This was to be my first venture into the wonderful world of Tri (Road Tri) The organisation and support provided by all was amazing. Looking forward to next year’s event.”

“ As a first time (sprint) triathlete, I just wanted to say that I had a wonderful race in a really beautiful setting and well planned and organised route. It was a very special day! Well done, and I hope to be back next year for the standard distance!”

“Just wanted to say a big thank you for organising such a great event. It was my first ever triathlon and I went for the full olympic distance and loved every minute. Course was great and the whole thing felt really well organised. Thanks very much and I look forward to next year!”

“Just wanted to feedback following his weekend’s race. Competed in the sprint tri. Awesome triathlon. Loved the swim, bike and run routes and the whole feel of the event. Fantastic, looking forward to next year already. “

“I wanted to say thank you for putting on such an awesome event. I put in a personal best and my family really enjoyed the day. I will definitely be back next year. One comment that was made was the lack of spectating area around the lake. I’m not sure how you can get around that one, but maybe larger pontoon with spectator space? Awesome event.”

“I would just like to say how much my son and I enjoyed your triathlon. We were most impressed with everything from the organisation to your very supportive, cheerful marshalls. We will definitely be back again next year! Many thanks to you all!”

“Absolutely excellent! My first triathlon and loved it. Even the disgusting weed in the lake and taking a tumble on the mtb cycle didn’t put me off!! Can’t wait to give it another go next year. As a complete novice to triathlons I was a bit worried about it all but I found your marshals were brilliant, really friendly and so helpful. Thank you very much for a fab day.”

“I am sure you are swamped with emails after the weekend, which is why I have waited a few days. I did pitch up and loved the event, more than a little nervous at the start & did have to recompose myself half way down the outward leg on the swim ( many thanks to you kayakers) but I managed to get through the swim almost slowest & as expected the cycle & run were OK. Finally finishing 73rd which all things considered was pretty good. A really nice day was had by me & the old lady, you can expect another entry next year & by then I might even have a few other club members to come along to. I might even be a Roth vet, who knows.”

“Just wanted to say that Sunday was my first triathlon with an open water swim and I thought it was a tremendous event. Congratulations to everyone involved in the organisation. In the heat of the post-race excitement I said I do the Standard Distance next year. Because you start the lake swim in waves it’s the perfect event for people who are new to open water, but similarly you have a good level of competition to suit the more experienced triathlete. If you run the events in the same way in future I think the wave starts are a tremendous selling point. The commentary and communication during the event were excellent. I hope is met the expectations of the organisers. Please pass on thanks to the marshals – without whom you couldn’t run the event.
My only slight grumble about the day was the delayed prize giving which meant I was unable to stay. I believe I won the women’s supervet? Best regards and thanks for such an enjoyable event.”

“My wife and i really enjoyed the weekend. I did the standard road tri and my wife did the 3k swim. I thought the organisation was great and both of our events seem to go very smoothly. We camped as well and that was great just wished we had stayed on Sunday night as well. Thanks for a great weekend and we will hopefully be back next year for more.”

“Just a quick note to say thanks for a great event at the weekend, what a fantastic venue which despite riding along that road on a regular basis I had absolutely no idea it was there (possibly as it’s on a personal TT route of mine so I’m always HDAU!) Well done to all the team & marshals involved throughout the weekend they helped immensely in creating a friendly atmosphere, looking forward to hearing about next year’s events when you’ve got dates sorted.”

“Great event and well organised! Good venue. Well done.
Few comments all very minor….
Kilo markers on the run would have been nice
It wasn’t too hot, but if it had been, a water point on the run may had been appreciated.
Any chance of clearing a little more space for spectators to see the swim?
Maybe look at having different lines to check in for the different events?
Will certainly recommend the event and look forward to coming next year”

“Just want to say that it was a pleasure being part of your first event, that was my first ever standard distance race, and no doubt I will be there next year to better my time :-) Thoroughly enjoyed it, amazing day, amazing venue, and amazing event!! Thanks”

“Just wanted to say to you all that it was nice to go somewhere different for a swim, all our lot enjoyed the day very much.
Poor old Steve was biking up and intending to do the 3k swim and bike back but he got lost on the way!!!!!!! Still had a good bike ride though and nice training for Hawaii. Thanks again for a good job on the event.”

“I had a great day Sunday so thank you. The lake was just gorgeous to swim in. My only comments would be the long grass/grass cuttings and having to get teh bikes over all of that during the race. Some people were saying that it blocked up their shoes or got caught up in their wheels so made it hard to get going on their bikes.”

“Thank-you, we did all have a great time.
Your organisation was excellent, route marking clear and marshals spot-on. Looking forward to next year!”

“Fantastic event. I nearly did not make it (late plane home, sickness, no sleep, no food etc), but glad I did, albeit no PB. I did find the MTB element quite technical and was (personally) hoping for a bit more endurance – but still very exciting. Fantastic venue. Have got you pegged under my favourites now, so I will keep an eye on other events.
Well done organising the Red Arrow’s to fly past during my Swim to Bike transition run – truly inspirational”

“I just wanted to say that it was a brilliant weekend, thank you. Great atmosphere, lots for the kids to do and a great course (I did the sprint road). Not sure what went wrong with my swim – I was expecting to be about 5 minutes quicker than I was – perhaps I was enjoying the scenery a bit too much! The whole family loved it and we will definitely try and be back next year. And the food – pasta party and breakfasts – was delicious. Just what was needed and good value too.
Can you put on a kids event? My son (8 next year) came away desperate to have a go. We will probably enter him in Hever next year but it would be brilliant if you could organise one too…”

“It was great event (helped by the weather!) with not much I’d say you could improve on. I did the standard road tri and nice to get an interesting, technical bike plus the offroad road was something different. The second half of the bike got a bit congested but it didn’t really hold anyone up.
A couple of suggestions for next year:

• go for a really hilly bike route (Leith Hill, Pitch Hill etc) – might be a logistical nightmare but its a feature of the area and would certainly make the race a bit different.
• add a run(s) to the races – the course was interesting and I’ve a few friends would be interested in that
• have something to keep spectating young children amused, e.g. a bouncy caste (there was plenty of space) even if it’s paid for
• somewhere to change after races – even if its just a big tent – as I’d then be more inclined to stay around longer
  Anyway, good luck with planning next years event, I’ll definitely be there.”

“Thanks for a organising such a brilliant race and weekend, both me and my family had a great time racing and camping.”

“Thanks for arranging a great series of races. I did my first Standard Distance whilst my partner did the Sprint Distance. Really enjoyed the course (even the steps and the uphill through the trees on the run and the nasty hill on the first cycle circuit) and I thought the event was really well organised. Camping area was good. Only bit of constructive feedback would be on the buoys in the lake. The swim was a bit of a dogleg and it would have been really helpful to have had some extra 2 or 3 buoys on the outward loop. I think I was swimming reasonably straight but there were people up to 50m wide to my left and right. That said the exit was great and the marshals really helped you out of the water and made sure you didn’t crash into the barriers on jelly legs. Will definitely do it next year if there is a standard distance. Don’t really fancy doing the half iron man as I fall into the 50+ group next year.”

“Thank you for organising a really good event over the weekend. I did the standard road triathlon and I thought overall it was excellent. The only things I would perhaps suggest could be added to the course are as follows:
1. When I went out on the bike route (which consisted of one big loop and one small loop) I was going around the first lap but was keeping an eye out of the turn off for the small lap so I knew where it was when I came around again. There were no signs up at that stage and myself and a few other participants I was with were a bit confused about when we were going to turn off. I think it might be a good idea to have a permanent sign up on the turn off so that everyone knows where they are going on the second lap.
2. For the turning point on the run so that you start lap 2 Iwould have a larger sign higher up to show where the turning point is and maybe a sign to say “100m until turning point” or something like that so people know exactly where they are going.
Hope that makes sense and they were just little things I thought might help.
Thanks again. I really enjoyed it.”

“1) Fantastic Event-
Great location – the place is made to measure!
Great organisation and pre-race communication
Friendly people/ staff
Best event I’ve done this year by a long way
2) Constructive criticism-
Event could have been much, much better sign posted!
Pasta party was good but perhaps a little expensive for the portion sizes.
The number of toilets in the camping area was OK, but it would have been a problem had there been any more people at all.
Overall – great job, keep it up. Thanks to all involved.”

“Brilliant event. Great venue, good course, excellent organisation, superb atmosphere on the day. Well done to all.” Possible improvements on next year:
- scheduling of presentations for road races
- include category position in post race split results (very efficient service but general position is not as relevant as category poistion – especially if there’s a long wait for presentations).
- better enforcement of number wearing (not always possible to identify category competitors on the course). Missed the marshalls at transition shouting a reminder to have numbers properly displayed.
- clearer delineation of run course where it becomes two way (lots of criss-crossing the paths to avoid oncoming runners – not so great when you’re knackered!).
Above points are nit-picking really. They didn’t detract from a great race, but may help to make it even better.”

“Best Triathlon I have done to date…..was a bit worried on Saturday when I registered but was proved wrong, happy to forego a medal with events this good..:)”

“Overall a great event, well done. My only minor comments are there was a queue at transition in the morning, to put the bikes in, another person helping might of relieved some of the stress for the earlier starters. Also we weren’t given a choice of tee-shirt sizes and unfortunately I am a long way from a medium – any chance of obtaining a larger size – I’m still at the level where tee-shirts are important??
Thanks and well done again.”

“Really well done, it was a great event, you should be very proud of yourself and your team.
If I were pushed for comment, a couple for very minor points:
1. Slightly clearer or more sign age on the part of the run course that ran down the side of the field adjacent to the cycle course. The marshal controlling the cut through from the road section to the field could have been a bit more vocal. It wasn’t clear running along that field where to go ??
2. Marshall’s not having children. Talking to Andy, I know its hard to get volunteers but I had to dodge one little girl as I came off the end of the tarmac section where the cycle / run track crossed as the marshal didn’t give clear instructions and I went the wrong way.
3. A map of the central part of the course where spectators could view the course from. Having said that, it could just be a reminder to competitors to print off a map to give to spectators rather than you printing off, distributing and the associated costs.
Very personal but there could have been a couple of drop offs or jumps, either natural or built. Some races I have done in the past have given a small diversion off the racing line if you wanted to do them, often near spectators.
Like I said, all very minor points that didn’t detract from it being a great event.
All the best.”

“Thanks Mark. A really enjoyable triathlon. Very well organised, friendly and I loved the swim. Well done to the team. I’ll definitely be back next year. “

“Mark – many thanks for putting on such a great event! I know how much hard work can go into that sort of event and overall I thought you guys did a great job.”

“Many thanks for this well organised event. really enjoyed it superbly laid out. the question is how to get more Tri Cross people?
THanks again”

“Thank you for putting on such a great event. All of us had a great time and it all seemed to run really smoothly from our perspective. The atmosphere was brilliant, as was the setting. I shall definitely be back next year to do the Olympic.
Having never done an open water Tri before the relatively small wave size was a huge help in keeping the bumping around to a minimum, and also really appreciated not being held in the water too long before the off. Just long enough I acclimatise but not long enough to get cold. My only request would be that a water station on the run (more for the 10k really), would have been great.
Thanks for all the hard work this must have been. Getting so many events running smoothly on the first year is a massive achievement.”

“Just wanted to thank you for a well organised day at an incredible setting. I thoroughly enjoyed the triathlon which was the first for me at this distance. I do hope you run one again next year! I was worried about the run being too loops rather than an out and back but it turned out to be good – passing by all the supporters in the middle was very motivational!
Best organised event I have attended.
Many Thanks”

What a great event!. Many thanks indeed to everyone who worked so hard on this, I really enjoyed it and it was obvious so did everyone else.
Organisation as always was fab. My only suggestion would be a sign at the bike mount/dismount line which would avoid confusion and make it easier for the marshals there who were trying to make it safe when athletes were going in and out with their brains not where they should have been (like me!).
Best wishes,

Well done on your first year at Vachery!
Firstly it was very enjoyable. I took part in the Big Swim.
I do have some feedback for you which I hope you will find useful for next year’s event.
There was some confusion as to whether swimmers could get into the water to acclimatise before the race. the paperwork we received said we could, however on the pontoon we were told by water safety staff, we couldn’t. In the end we got about 1 min to get used to the water. Not enough time.
The bouys were too scare on the course and very hard to sight. With the bend in the lake as well, it was very messy trying to stay on course and towards the yellow turning bouy. Maybe you could have more orange bouys running down the centre of the lake like a lane divider?
I know you can’t do much about the lillies and reeds, but at some stages I came to a bit of a halt as I couldn’t swim through all the pond life beneath me! Maybe advising swimmers where the water is shallow and potentially a big unsafe to swim in, would be a good idea.
Also and lastly, there could be some more merchandise on sale. You know how we love to buy kit!
Many thanks

Hi Mark,
Fantastic race, extremely well organised, beautiful setting, excellent atmosphere, and great goody bag.
A medal would be a nice tough for next year! Thanks again and well done, I think it will be big next year!

“Hi, thanks for the event at the weekend (I took part in the road sprint), I thought that it had a fantastic atmosphere and the organisation was excellent in terms of the information available prior to the event, the registration process, the transition area and the marshalling.
Two improvement points:
1)signage / directions to the event: The email said that we could follow a sat nav to a post code and pick up signs in Cranleigh. Unfortunately neither the left turn in Cranleigh nor the right turn into the field were signposted clearly to ‘The Vachery Triathlon’ so we spent 45mins driving around trying to find it and in the end saw some bikes going into the turning marked ‘car park’.
2) pricing: we thought that, including the camping etc the event ended up being quite expensive, although we appreciate that facilities and organisation cost money.
Other than that we both really enjoyed it and will look to take part in the event again next year and will look at your other events”

“Just a quick email of thanks after Sunday’s Cross Tri. It was a fantastic event with a great feel to it, and my wife Anna and I had a great time. I did the standard Cross Tri and, despite struggling with the very slippery conditions on the bike course, thought it was really good fun. You got a fantastic turnout of top competitors (I was mildly disappointed with my placing until I did some research on the pedigree of most of those above me!). Even the little details were covered well – there were one or two tricky interchanges on the course, but the marshalls were very much on the ball and all seemed to be enjoying themselves to boot – thanks to them as well. I’ve been going off-road to try and get the enjoyment back out of triathlons and this decision has been fantastically vindicated after the weekend.
From the spectators’ point of view, Anna enjoyed watching and supporting, and as a non-racer who can sometimes find triathlons a bit trying, she said it’s one of the best atmospheres she’s enjoyed at a race. We are expecting our first ‘new addition’ to the family in January, so next year there will hopefully be three of us there! Hopefully the little one will be one of the triathletes of the future..
Look forward to competing in another event soon, and many thanks again.”

“I hope you managed to get some rest yesterday. Thank you very much for a great weekend, great event and very well organised so big pat on back to your team…even the mud and red arrows what could we ask for more…I know everyone I spoke to really enjoyed themselves.”

“I would like to say many thanks for organising such an amazing event. This was my first Tri and I am happy that I decided to do this event.
The organisation put me at ease, and helped me to remain as calm as I could.
See you next year for sure!!!”

“WELL done for putting on a fantastic weekend.. It was really loads of fun and we will all be there next year..
Alistair really enjoyed himself.. the dog even had a ball!!! slept all the way home..
Thanks Again.”

“Thank you to both of you for a great race. Really enjoyed it – even the very muddy bike course.!!!”

“Once again thank you very much for allowing Cathy and myself late entry to the swims. We had a great time, the weather was lovely and the venue great. The idea of adding the swims to the Triathlon events is a really good one and I wish others would take note of it. I have been pushing for this kind of thing for some time up here in Rutland and also for more Aquathlons, perhaps you could consider that for next year too. There are just not enough of them in the UK.
Now concentrating on speed work trying to get ready for Auckland in October.
Best wishes and thanks to you and the team

Thank you for putting on such a great event over the weekend, it was a really fun & well organised event!
Unfortunately, in my pre-start panic I lost my Garmin 910 watch – I think somewhere in the transition area. Well, the last time I recall seeing it was when I was sorting out my kit in the transition just before the race briefing was due to start. I then gathered up my things and went to get something from my tent & when finally getting my wetsuit on just before the start, realised it was missing.
If anyone does, or has handed it in I would be so grateful if it could be returned to me! It was a present from my husband just a couple of weeks ago & so very upset that I have been so stupid and lost it already.
I did let the staff now around transition and at the registration tent with my details.
Keeping my fingers crossed,

You guys are amazing! Just had a phonecall to say my Garmin has been found! A HUUUUGGGGEEEEE THANK YOU to however found it/handed it in, you really have made by day!!!!

Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the event over the weekend. We’ll definitely be up for next year if it follows a similar (or better) format! Entertainment for kids a big plus point, the facilities were great (esp the camping) and the course was excellent if challenging! We particularly enjoyed the music and commentary – whoever did that aspect properly hit the mark and really made the atmosphere.
Points to improve? Had to queue quite a long time for a relatively small quantity of pasta but understand the company stood in at late notice. Hey, a small point!

Just to say many thanks to you and all your team for the organisation, smooth running and control of the event. This all contributed for a thoroughly enjoyable and very safe event. I thought that the course markings and in particular the marshalling were of the highest calibre. I also liked the fact that the safety services were prominent throughout the course, this together with the signage I believe assisted in not only serving to aid the competitors but also to have an effect upon the motorists, who with the exception of one or two were very good. The only issue with the cycle was the rather long run across relatively long although recently cut grass which tended to become entangled in the cleats making initial bike mounting somewhat harder. However, this is a minor point as the position of the transition area actually suited all three disciplines and made the finish area a nice feature for spectators and competitors.
The swim organisation was also of high quality, there were a satisfactory number of canoeists on hand and my only issues and suggestions here would be on the addition of a greater number of marker buoys as “siting” points. With the sun quite low it was difficult to swim in a straight line (I think I covered circa 2,000m rather than 1,500!). Also, and I am unsure as to what you can do on this one, there were a great deal of underwater reeds that became snared in hands and arms when swimming. However, having these present obviously aided the water clarity and quality which I thought was again good.
The run course was an interesting and varied mixture of terrain and inclinations and the layout kept it very interesting and pleasant, even after covering the distances beforehand on the swim and cycle!
The tented village was also well thought out, the massage area was a nice touch. Another suggestion would be on the food organisation, early morning breakfast was a good idea, my porridge was the perfect start. After the race the tea and toast were also a nice touch. I think that you could have had a greater trade if you had of offered/had cooking bacon, sausage and eggs in a sandwich or a bagel. The smell would have attracted more in for it of that I am sure. The signage didn’t make it very clear what was on offer and the cooking was not very prominent. That is one for the future perhaps?
Overall, an excellent event and made even more so by extending it to include open water swims and the mountain bike triathlon. These all complemented and added to the atmosphere on the day.
This is only my third Triathlon. After being diagnosed and successfully treated for cancer I set myself a target in September 2011, which was to complete an Olympic length Triathlon in the Olympic year. I completed a Sprint event at Dorney at the end of May, my Olympic length at Marlow in the middle of July just prior to the Olympics and have rounded it off with Vachery at the end of August. Even though Marlow was the target and was very enjoyable, fun and the culmination of my goal I was attracted to Vachery and am glad I did. Marlow has been operating for a number of years and this is Vachery’s first, but you wouldn’t have thought so given the manner it was organised and run. Of the two Olympics Vachery wins hands down and I do hope that you will be running it again next year or even a couple of times a year.
I will be back as I have discovered that Triathlons are contagious and I believe that there is no real cure and having now contracted the condition I guess I will just have to continue! I would like to make Vachery a fixture in the calendar so look forward to your holding future events.
Many thanks once again and I would be grateful if you would pass on my thanks to the team of marshals you had on the day.
Best regards

I just wanted to say well done on a great event. The organisation was excellent. Long may it continue.
I didn’t make it round sadly, the cross bike didn’t make it round the wet course! My brother did well in his first tri though and enjoyed it! Also, my wife did well on the road sprint this morning.
I’ve got one final question. Did anyone hand in a Nokia flip phone? My father in-law has left it there somewhere!
Thanks again,

What a great road tri this morning. The standard distance was perfect. Loved the lake and cycle and run routes and all distances were exactly right -some tri’s cut them short or add a bit!
Friendly atmosphere all round.
Thanks

Massive personal worst, but thoroughly enjoyed race, brilliant event. big thanks to organisers

Well done to all who partipicated and wanted to recognise a great job done by the organisers for what was a fun, challenging and upbeat event.

Thoroughly enjoyed the event weekend. Thanks for an expertly run festival. if I can make one small criticism – could the portion size of the pasta dishes be made bigger ? i came to the pasta party and i was a little disappointed and ended up having 3 dinners to satisfy my regular intake (cost £20.25). it was very nice and i have no gripes with the fabulous cooks and their smiles, just if the portions could be made a bit bigger next time. see you next time

Just wanted to say a massive thanks to all involved in making this weekend possible. It was my first triathlon, and being part of such a well organised event made the experience all the better.. loved it, see you next year.

Great event yesterday… but are the results available anywhere?

Great event – more of the same next year please!

Thanks guys, great day.