2012 Supporters Guide >>

I have received this contribution from a good friend on www.tritalk.co.uk and I hope it helps.

Please be aware that these are the views of the people who have supported the race before many times and know what their day is all about.

The views they express are their own and in no way connected to the official information provided by the race itself, but are very useful when it comes to planning your supporters day out.

A beginner's guide to Supporting the Iron Man Race in Bolton

This guide will try to cover the two main types of IM supporter:

- Family and friends who are there predominately to follow one competitor.
- Those who are going to support a team of people, or the event

Most of the time the advice is the same and begins with the basics of IM racing.

The key phases of an IM race day are as follows:

- T0
- The Swim
- T1
- The Bike
- T2
- The Run
- The Finish Line

T0:
This covers all the time on race day before the race actually starts.
Whilst transition opens at 3.30am - 4.00am, it is for competitors only.
(Transition is the area where bikes and race kit are left for the racers )

Transition is usually surrounded by a wire fence so you can still see / speak through it.
This can be a time of high anxiety for competitors, so check if your support is wanted. They may just prefer to have some time to themselves to check their kit & prepare.
But, without doubt, it is handy to have someone to pick up something forgotten, or to take the car keys the competitor has just found putting their wet suit on!
Note:

It may be still be dark, so a torch will help you get to the floodlit areas.

The Swim – Start Time 6.00am:
The competitors will be called down towards the start area at around 5.30am to go into the water before the start to get into position. This is a short way from the entry point from transition, so check the course map.
OK, let’s face one big fact, most competitors will be wearing a black wetsuit! The chance of actually spotting anyone in the middle of the swim is slim.
However, the start itself is something else if you haven’t seen one before as calm water gets turned into a “washing machine” by the 1,500 competitors.

The best swimmers will be out of the water in less than an hour, the worst just over 2 hours.

T1:
This covers the exit from the swim, through the change tent & then the start of the bike.
Again the transition will be for competitors only, but you can still watch from the edges.

The Bike:
Unlike the swim, you have a much better chance of spotting people on the bike. You will be able to pick out kits and colours.
Road closures tend to cover the bike course, but only in the direction of the race although some roads are completely closed.
These closures usually start just before the race leader leaves T1 on their bike. 
When you spectate try to pick an uphill section as they will be going slower and easier to see.
Race numbers are usually fitted to the side of the bike, so are not easy to spot head on. This is only a problem when you are looking up race numbers to match rider names.
If you are supporting one person, hopefully you will recognise them from a few feet away. Just be aware that looking for one person out of 1,500 is not always as easy as it sounds.
The Bolton IM bike course is predominately a single lap of approx. 50km done 3 times. The athletes will ride about 22km to reach the "loop" first.
So if you stay in one place you will definitely see your competitor go past 3 times. But note there may be a gap of over 2 hours between a pass lasting a few minutes, or so.
( See note about “Supporting Strategy” below )

T2:
This covers the end of the bike, through the change area & then the start of the run. There are "split transitions" at Ironman UK and T2 takes place at Rivington School inside the building.
As before, transition will be for competitors only, but you can watch from the edges.

The Run:
This is usually the part of the race where support is most appreciated.
The racers/numbers are easier to spot and the pace is much slower than the bike. So there is more time for a bit of friendly banter with the racers if they want it.
Although don’t be too disheartened if your loved one goes straight past you without a word. As there may be a time when ignoring their body begging them to stop takes all their focus.
In this case, feel free to shout abuse at them, as they signed up for this in the first place…
So the least they can do is wave if you’ve been supporting them all day long!
( There may be an element of ‘tongue firmly in cheek’ in the above advice )
The Bolton IM run course is predominately a run from T2 into Bolton (which is about 8miles) and then the athletes complete 3 loops of an “out & back” route.
So like the bike but better, you can pick one spot & watch the racers go past many times. Big supporting areas are around Bolton School, Queens Park and the Town Centre turnaround in Le Mans Crescent.
But again, there may be a long gap between those few minutes in view.

The Finish Line:
For many, this is what an ironman is all about, crossing the line.
There is temporary ‘Grandstand’ seating available.
If that is full, then there are barriers either side of the run approach.
So you should be able to get pretty close to the runners as they finish.
Again some parts of the finish area are for competitors only, but they can get out easily.
After the initial contact with their supporters they will want to get changed.
Make sure you agree an obviously place to meet up again after they get ready.

Medical Tent:
Be aware that this may be near the finish line & thankfully it often looks worse than it is.
Whilst competitors on drips may look scary, they are usually just for re-hydration.
Racers are more likely to be treated for blisters after a long day than anything else.

The Last Finisher – (who must be home before the clock strikes 11pm):
Another ironman tradition is waiting/returning for the last person to finish.
Often the race winner will return to present the medal to the last people home.
So if you are able to hang on until the bitter end, then please do.

Getting from the finish back to transition:
The finish line at Bolton will not be back at transition like previous IMUKs. 
Athletes must be able to get back to T2 to collect their bags and bike. 
But clearly the supporter can give the racer a lift back if that is easier to do.

Delayed Start:
Factors outside the organiser’s control may delay the start time.
Previous problems include thick fog on the lake and water logged parking.
If the start is delayed, the cut off times shift to match the new start time.
So if the start is 7.15am, the final cut off will be 12.15am, etc.

Supporting Strategy - Planning your day:
Clearly watching from T0 to the last finisher home becomes a very long day with lots of movement around the course.
So you need to work out what time you have and how to make the most of it. Work out how you can get around and make sure you are where you need to be for your athlete(s)
E.g. If you want to see the swim, why not have your breakfast after they start? You don’t need to be up at the same ‘Silly O’Clock’ to eat that the racers do!
The other thing to consider is whether to be a stationary, or mobile supporter. Some try to be in different places on each lap, moving as their racer passes.
Road closures / restrictions make getting about harder, but not impossible.
You’ll need a good estimate of your racer’s pace & your travel times…
Or you risk missing them all together as you get lost on a small side road.
Just remember the racer’s actual pace be much faster/slower than they planned.
Personally I prefer to stay in the one spot and cheer everyone past.
Clearly you can reserve extra support for the ones you came to see.
Big crowds of people in one spot can have a great impact on the racers.
But a single supporter on a lonely stretch of road can lift the spirits too.

Supporter’s Kit:
A wide range of clothing, as it will be dark before the start and at the very end too. The fact the race is in the UK means in between that, any kind of weather is possible! Take sun cream for the very slim chance that you will be out in the sun all day!
An official race programme with competitors’ names and numbers in it will help. Noise is a big part of IM supporting, so do your worst, bells, whistles, drums, etc. Some supporters in fancy dress is a more recent development, so don’t feel shy.
If you don’t fancy standing around for hours on end, a folding camping type seat helps.
Throat sweets, or similar, to help prevent losing your voice from shouting for hours.
Banners should only be placed where you can keep an eye on them for safety reasons.
Something appropriate for the “facilities” you may find on the course (see below).
A cool box for your food & drink (or see alternative options below).
Detail maps of both the course and the surrounding area to help your navigation.
If meeting other supporters, a fully charged mobile with their numbers in will help.
A torch if you need to get around in the dark at the beginning / end.

Eating & drinking options:
You have various options for keeping your energy levels up on the day.
A big cool box shoved in the car and packed with everything you need is one.
Popping into local places mid lap is another if you can get your timing right.
As mentioned earlier, the gap on each bike lap could be around 2 hours.
Spending the day supporting from a good pub will need a ‘designated driver’!
Remember the start is very early on a Sunday morning & most places will be closed.
The main IM venue will have a number of “burger van” type options.
Just don’t be cruel waving your bacon butty in front the carbo loaded competitors!
Actually some of the energy bars/drinks used by the racers can help supporters too.

Motivational /supporting phrases to use / avoid:
Avoid “Looking good” especially if this really isn’t true & everyone knows it.
Can be used ironically if you know the racer and enjoy winding them up.
Similarly, avoid “Keep going” unless with a smile on the finishing chute.
“Dig In” – Seems a popular show of support for someone struggling a bit.
“You’ve already done 138 miles, the last 2 won’t kill you” works near the end.
A personal shout seems to be the most popular form of encouragement:
( If you are quick you can matching a race number to a real name on the run )
Failing that, lots of noise (see ideas in the supporter’s kit above)
Other options are:
“Good Job!” / “Way to go” - Can only be used with an American accent (real, or fake).
Similarly, “Hop! Hop! Hop!” / “Allez! Allez!” should only be used with a European accent.
“Go Lance!” – For anyone still wearing old Discovery channel kit.
Finally, if you see any grown men racing in skimpy Speedos…
Try “Struth! There’s a bloke over there with no strides on!” in a full Aussie accent.

Toilet Facilities:
There will be a large number of temporary facilities set up around the main race site.
But on remote parts of the course you will find nothing more than a tree, or behind a wall.
At certain points along the race course, port-a-loos will be installed mainly for the racers.
Obviously you can always travel to a pubs, café, etc. or pick these places to support from.

Children:
If you are supporting without children, then count yourself lucky & skip this bit.
Parents will know what their children are like and need to take this into account.
It is a long day as an adult and not all children will be able to last the distance.
But be prepared for the IM equivalent of “Are we there yet?”, which is…
“Is daddy/mummy coming past soon?”
Allowing them to make as much noise as possible might appeal to some.
Being allowed to play with their PSP, Nintento DS, etc. for hours to others.
If you have an in-car DVD option, don’t rule that out to pass the time either.
Children can work in “teams”, spotting numbers, looking them up, shouting out names.
Other points to note are the “facilities” available and the road safety notes (see below).

Outside Assistance:
Whilst a supporter can not be bound by the rules of a race they are merely watching…
It is worth mentioning one IM race rule that can cause spectators / racers problems.
Doing any of the following during the race, may lead to the racer getting disqualified:
- Supplying food or drink to the competitor during the race.
- Supplying spares or helping to fix their bike.
- Running / riding along side the competitor during either the bike or the run.
Whilst you might see many of the above during the race, they are still not allowed.
And the competitor will not be happy to be DQ’d for the actions of a supporter.

Road Painting:
The Tour De France has a long tradition of painting support for riders on the roads.
Unfortunately, the UK doesn’t, so one man’s art is another man’s graffiti/vandalism.
The IMUK race organisers have previously asked that the roads are not “painted”.
Causing a big clean up operation for the local council will not help the race continue.

Road Safety:
If you are planning to stand at the side of the road for the bike, please note the following:
It is very easy to get carried way supporting and simply forget where you are.
While the side of the road the competitors are using is usually closed, the other side isn’t.
So if you look down a hill, at racers coming up it, your back will be facing the traffic flow.
Normal traffic will not be expecting to see people standing in the road ringing cow bells!
Unfortunately, we all know that some road users travel too fast at times, so be safe.

I hope that some of the above has been a bit of help.

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 the Ironman UK swim course

 

 

 

 BIKE COURSE >>
 the Ironman UK bike course

 

 

 

 RUN COURSE >>
 the Ironman UK run course

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