We are crestfallen to have to report that Anglian Water confirmed this afternoon that the most recent water quality tests from Tuesday at Alton Water have shown algae levels high enough to make it unsafe to allow swimming this weekend.
As per our briefings to you the triathlon will become a run-bike-run, with all triathlon competitors doing one lap of the super sprint course before heading out on your bike leg, when you return to transition off your bike, you will then head out and do the run course you have entered for.
Aquabike competitors will be asked to do a 1.5k run loop at your own preferred pace before doing your bike leg and returning to finish (this is to keep the multisport nature of the Aquabike event and maintain the BTF insurance in place for you). Relay teams, your swimmer will have to do the same 1.5k loop at their own preferred pace before handing over to the bike.
Registration and start timings remain as per your briefings. We will start the first run at 7:45, setting people off in groups of 6, 20 seconds apart.
Whilst we appreciate you will be as disappointed as we are that we are unable to swim, we look forward to seeing you all over the weekend and enjoying the fabulous weather forecast and having some fun together.
Bill, Mark & Ruth
The Alton Water Triathlon Team