bala is one of my favourites; it was my first std tri (3:04 on a mountain bike!) and i returned to it in 2006 (2:34 - better bike this time!). Parking is good, registration easy (first place i ever had a helmet actuallY inspected!) and the changing facilities adequate. register early if you want a shirt to fit you (but that's true of loads of events). Transition is secure but hard and gritty underfoot in places. Bike is fast and scenic but careful of the abrupt about turn at the far end of the out and back course. the run is just plain mean!-it starts off flat then climbs into the hills! It's an out and back course but the top of the course isn't halfway - there's a short loop through the back streets to get you round to the finish line. Summary- great atmos and a great course but dont forget to save a bit for the run if you've not done it before

Well organised event with good facilities for families. Transition is flat, grassy and has an 8 ft perimeter fence! Single acw swim lap suits my left drifting style! easy swim exit. Bike is reasonably flat with low traffic levels-be careful coming back into ellesmere and watch for the sunday drivers stopping to ask the marshalls "whats going on then"?! Run is between undulating and hilly. Last year they ran out of water (v hot) which is the kind of rookie mistake you dont expect from this kind of event. One big negative though; the price at £57 is extortionate for a council run event (when chester tri can run an event that's just as good for only £42)

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Have you done this event? If so, what did you think of it?

PLEASE NOTE........... The details for this event can be found on www.burntwoodtriclub.org.uk and not as detailed.

I am at the slow end of the field and provide this review from that perspective. A beginner-friendly event, although the deep-end exit from the 33m pool proved a challenge to some. The bike ride requires low gears! A long warm-up down dual carriageways is followed by a long 1.5 mile climb to the top of Romsley Hill, then down the Hunnington Road back into Halesowen. First-timers and weaker cyclists may find the sustained climb hard going. The run is pretty flat and offers no particular challenges. Very friendly event, with everyone grouping on the leisure centre steps for a grandstand view of the finish line. Big T-shirt and Mars Bar provided! My only problem was with the rather lax security around transition. I wasn't challenged when I went to retrieve my bike.

Super event. Clean (but cold!) water, well marshalled, quiet roads with great scenery, good support and great atmosphere. Highly recommended.

Very good event with great swim bike and run courses. The swim is a one lap affair in a nice lake, water looked OK. Bike is again a one lapper and although not all the roads are closed then the ones that are result in there being pretty low flows on the remaining roads. Undulating course with a few very short climbs. Definately one for the aero bars and deep section wheels. The run is a T shape, with 3 steep but short climbs. Nice atmosphere, and a late start (11-12) make it very family friendly, and this is even more so if you take up the offer of the free camping on the Saturday. One word of warning though, the standard is high! Not to say that newcomers wouldn't be welcomed, but I came 8th from last with a 2:28 out of a field of 90. Good course for a PB time, but you'll have competition for the places.

Have you done this event? If so, what did you think of it?