IAPS National Prep School Triathlon

Monkton - Sunday 17th May

Thank you for entering the 2026 IAPS National Triathlon at Monkton, Bath. This is the fifth time the event has been held here and we are honoured to have again been asked to host such a popular and exciting competition. The event is organised under British Triathlon rules; the Race Director is Mr Benjamin Sim, Head of Prep Sport, Monkton Combe School; the Technical Official is Mrs Sarah Jeffries from British Triathlon.

We hope you have an enjoyable and successful day. Set out below is some information that we hope you find useful. If you have any questions on the day, hopefully these will be answered at registration, in the pre-race briefing, or by any marshal, who will always be happy to help.

Key Information

Directions and Parking
The event takes place at Monkton Prep School, Combe Down, Bath; you should have received the map overleaf from your school’s triathlon coordinator.

*Please use BA2 5DL as the postcodes for Sat Navs.

Parking will be available on the school’s top playing fields; should overflow parking be required, you will be directed to this by the marshals.

Food and Drink
There will be a free snack provided for all competitors after their event. However, these will not constitute a full meal. Hot catering will be provided, available to athletes, staff, parents and everyone attending. For this, payment will be via CARD ONLY, so please could all visitors plan accordingly.

Changing Rooms and Toilets
Adults, siblings and other spectators must use only the temporary toilets located outside the buildings; the changing rooms and indoor toilets are strictly reserved for boys and girls taking part in the triathlon. Athletes are recommended to use the school changing rooms, as indicated on the maps. All toilets and changing rooms will be clearly signposted. Monkton cannot be held responsible for any lost items or valuables.

Parents/Supporters
We hope that all athletes will be well supported, but we must insist that all spectators obey directions from the marshals and stay off the course at all times. No one, aside from officials and athletes, may enter the pool building. Only athletes and officials should enter the transition area before, during and after the race. Spectators must not help competitors, as this may result in penalties or, at worst, disqualification of the athlete.

Clearly defined spectating areas have been created, giving an excellent view of the cycle and run legs; please stay in these areas. This year, walking the course has been made possible, but based on previous years, this is not essential, so do not worry if you cannot make this single time slot.

First Aid
This is being provided by specialist first aiders and will be located both south of the main building of the school and on the cycle leg. If you need assistance, please alert the nearest marshal and they will be happy to help you get to the first aid station or get help to you.

Competitor Information

Registration will take place in the school gymnasium and will operate as a one-way system; please rack bikes outside, as directed by the marshals and helpers.

You will receive a race pack, numbers, timing chip (which must be worn around the LEFT ankle) and a hard copy map of the course, should you require one. You will be told your start time, the time you can access transition and what time presentations are (see also timings sheet).

Pre-race briefings will take place in the school auditorium (known as the Law building), next to the gymnasium. Please ensure that you are on time for briefings, as we will start them exactly on time.

When it is your time to enter transition to set up, ensure that all of your numbers are in the correct place and that your helmet is on and clipped up. You can only take race equipment into transition, in a small, soft-sided bag, or in a small box, no bigger than a washing up bowl. Parents and staff are strongly encouraged not to enter transition to support athletes, as this is well marshalled and a good chance to practise independence. It will be free-racking in transition.

Timings

8.30am - SCHOOL OPENS - ARRIVAL FROM THIS TIME ONWARDS

9.15am to 10.30am - cycle course (not run course) can be walked by ATHLETES and COACHING/TEACHING STAFF only (this is the only slot in the day for this, but Y6-8 athletes may find watching is informative enough; for those who have been to Monkton before, the course has not changed significantly);

Year 5 (U10s)
9.15am – registration opens for U10s;

9.15am to 10.30am – transition open for U10s;

10.15am – registration closes for U10s;

10.30am – briefing for U10s;

11.00am – First U10s start;

c. 12.30pm – end for U10s; clear transition between 12.30pm and 1.00pm;

1.15pm – Presentations for U10s.

Year 6 (U11s)
11.15am – registration opens for U11s;

12.15pm – registration closes for U11s;

12.15pm – briefing for U11s;

12.30pm to 1.00pm – transition open for U11 (U10s clear out at this time);

1.00pm – First U11s start;

c. 2.45pm – end for U11s; clear transition between 2.45pm and 3.15pm;

3.30pm – Presentations for U11s.

Year 7 (U12s) and Year 8 (U13s)
1.15pm – registration open for U12s and U13s;

2.15pm – registration closes for U12s and U13s;

2.15pm – briefing for U12s and U13s;

2.45pm – 3.15pm - transition open for U12s and U13s (U11s clear out at this time);

3.15pm – First U12s start (end by c. 4.15pm);

3.55pm – First U13s start (end by c. 5.00pm);

5.15pm – Presentations for Y7 and Y8;

5.30pm – final athletes depart.

5.45pm - SCHOOL CLOSED

The Race

Swim section
The pool is 25m long, has four lanes and is indoors. There will be lane ropes. You should ensure that you arrive poolside, changed and ready, at least 10 minutes before your start time. You will be asked to sit down in start order, as per the race list. No spectators, parents or staff are allowed in the pool area.

The marshals in the pool will check your name and your race number. You may then ask final questions about the swim and anything else, before you enter the water. Diving will NOT be permitted, and tumble turns are not allowed. Make sure you touch the wall at the end of each length.

The swim will be a SNAKE SWIM. You will cross under the lane ropes after completing the required number of lengths in each lane. You may overtake in the swim but you must give way to oncoming swimmers if you choose to do this. At the end of your required distance, you will exit the pool, walk out of the building, then turn left and run to transition.

Year Group	Swim Distance	Swim Laps/Lengths
Year 5	150m (50m in each lane)	6 (enter lane 2; exit lane 4)
Year 6	200m (50m in each lane)	8 (enter lane 1; exit lane 4)
Year 7	200m (50m in each lane)	8 (enter lane 1; exit lane 4)
Year 8	300m (100m in each lane)	12 (enter lane 2; exit lane 4)

Bike Section
Arrive in transition, cross the level crossing, then turn right. No competitor may touch their bike before they have securely fastened their helmet. Run out with your bike, staying on the left side of the road and following the arrows for the normal traffic flow. The run with your bike may be up to 100m. Take care through the gate. Do not start riding your bike until you have crossed the mount line, which is on the grass field. It will be clearly marked on the ground and by flags on either side. Look right as you merge with athletes already on the bike course.

The bike course is on grass, on a field with a slight hill on it. The surface is largely smooth and the grass is cut short. If it is likely to be wet or damp, please consider the type of tyres you use. Competitors are solely responsible for ensuring their bike is roadworthy. Tri- and Aero- bars are not allowed.

The bike course is made up of a series of 1000m laps, with some good straights, tight corners, uphill and downhill and technical sections. It is sometimes difficult to remember how many laps you have completed when racing, but it is solely the athlete’s responsibility. Failure to complete the correct number of laps will result in disqualification. Athletes will pass over a lap counting pad and a LAP LINE which will count whether they do the correct number. Look left as you complete a lap to watch for athletes merging from the mount line. BE CAREFUL ON THE DOWNHILL SECTION - staying on your bike is more important than gaining a couple of seconds. At the end, dismount before the dismount line, again clearly marked on the ground and with signs. Run your bike back into transition on the left hand side. Do not unclip or take off your helmet until you have racked your bike.

Year Group	Cycle Distance	Cycle Laps
Year 5	2000m	2
Year 6	4000m	4
Year 7	4000m	4
Year 8	4000m	6

Run Section
Exit transition, run down the gravel path and turn left onto the run course, which is on grass, around the school astroturf and then across the side of a hill to the south of the school. The course is largely smooth and the grass is cut short. However, it is a semi-rural setting and rabbits and badgers live nearby. Every effort will be made to fill or mark all holes in the ground, but athletes should be aware of where they are running and keep an eye out for potential hazards. There will be a drinks station on the course, near the lap point, with fluids also available at the finish.

The run course is made up of a series of 600m laps. Again, it is the competitor’s sole responsibility to count the number of laps they have completed. Failure to complete the correct number of laps will result in disqualification. Athletes will pass over a lap counting pad to ensure they do the correct number.

Year Group	Run Distance	Run Laps
Year 5	1200m	2
Year 6	1800m	3
Year 7	1800m	3
Year 8	2400m	4

Finish Line
The finish line will be clearly marked under the finish banner. Congratulations on completing the course!

Results and Presentations

The presentations will take place in front of the main building, overlooking the south side and valley; please refer to the timings sheet.

Results from the event can be seen here.

Want to visit?

We hope you had an amazing time at the IAPS 2026 National Triathlon! If you would like to learn more about Monkton or to come and have a look at our Senior School offering, please click on the admissions tab below.