An early season middle distance race in a warmish part of Europe for April.  

Race organisers need to be better at communication to athletes on changes to the course.  2 key gripes for me were:

1) lack of nutrition on run course.  At the race briefing, we were told that the aid station(s) would be fully stocked with water, coke, gels etc(things that those who are accustomed to racing the Ironman branded 70.3 are used to). To arrive at the aid station on the run and to see only red bull & water, i was a a little shocked.  I usually rely on the aid station at the back end of a half mara for some coke to get me through.  We were told the organisers had delivery issues post race.  Surely they would have known this on the morning of the race and could’ve informed participants before we set off.

2) shortening of bike course.  The course is mainly a 3 loop  course where you ride an initial 7.5km to get to the looped section.  The roads on the 7.5km section were extremely rough - pot holes, cracks in the concrete and cobbles. The roads were so rough, i had a mechanical on the way out to the looped section.   Whilst this is unavoidable and a pre course reccie had me psychologically prepared, what really confused me was the shortening of the loops.  Again, post race we are told this had to be done due to unforseen circumstances - a simple message that each loop would be 20km rather than 25km should have been relayed to participants before we set off. It was very confusing and I wasn’t sure if I had even done enough laps!!  Post race chats with fellow participants - I wasn’t the only one in this state of confusion!!

All in, I do not think this is one I would return to despite the potential for a quick time here.