INTRODUCTION 

This exciting new addition to the Sussex triathlon calendar fulfils a longstanding ambition by Alex Clarke, the owner of The George Hotel in Rye, to stage a local triathlon. The George are one of the main sponsors of the 1066 Relay, a 33 mile running event over the 1066 Country Walk, which has raised £3000 for local charities in 2011 and 2012.  So I was delighted to be asked to look into the possibility of putting on a triathlon with a strong coastal theme.

The sea swim off Winchelsea Beach will certainly get both the Sprint and Standard distance events off to a flyer; followed by a very scenic but testing cycle route going out through Pett Level, Pett and Guestling, before returning via a nerve-tingling descent of Battery Hill and along the coast road to the finish! The Sprint cycle route is 20.43kms; the Standard cycle route is 31.30kms. Both the 5kms and 10kms runs will take place entirely within Rye Harbour Nature Reserve.

I am indebted to Rob Cass, Rother DC's coastal defence officer, for his expert advice on finding the most suitable venue for a sea swim. I would also like to thank Barry Yates, the manager of Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, for allowing us to stage the runs within the reserve. Many thanks also to Icklesham parish council who have kindly allowed us to use the Harbour Field recreation ground in Winchelsea Beach to stage the event; and to Rye Bay FC who are kindly allowing us to use their clubhouse as our HQ. And finally I would also like to thank Pett Level Rescue Association and Hastings & St. Leonards Voluntary Lifeguards who will be overseeing the safety aspects of the sea swim - without their combined efforts, this event simply wouldn't be taking place!

Nick Brown, event organiser

	Some pretty fancy bikes in the transition area!
Sprint competitors heading out along the tarmac road through Rye Harbour nature reserve
Competitors leaving transition to start the bike ride	Event sponsor Alex Clarke
Going out along Pett Level
Competitors start the descent of the famed Battery Hill!	Sprint runner up Mike Beaumont on home territory!
Competitors passing through Fairlight Village	Hastings Runners' Rosalie Uphill had a fine run in the Standard event team relay
	My partner Helen (aka HM The Queen!) and two Rye Sea Cadets doing a fine job at one of the water stations
London Fire Brigade Tri's Darren Bird finishing the Sprint event
	A perfect morning for a training run through Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, and an ideal opportunity for some of the local triathletes to get to know the 10kms course! The group included members of 1066 Triathletes, Hastings Runners, Hastings AC and Icklesham Casuals FC.