DATES

Friday 24 March 2023 (Riding Event)

Saturday 25 March 2023 (All Other Events)

VENUE

Hall Place Equestrian Centre (Riding Event)

Sulham Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5UB

Oxford University Sports Centre (All Other Events)

Iffley Road, Oxford, OX4 1EQ

The Oxford University Sports Centre has NO PARKING so please use the St Mary and St John School, Meadow Ln, Oxford OX4 1TJ, which is a 5-10 minute walk from the University Sports Centre.

For each institution that has entered 10 or more athletes, the name of a volunteer will need to be entered. The lack of a volunteer on the day will result in excess athletes being unable to compete.

Are you interested in volunteering at this event? If so, please click here for information on roles available

If you have any questions, please get in touch via your Athletic Union.

Registration will take place 18:00 - 18:20 for the Riding event on Friday 24th March. Competitors are able to arrive from 17:30 onwards.

On Saturday 25th March, at Oxford University Sports Centre, registration will be open from 07:15 - 07:30 for Tetrathletes, and between 12:00 - 12:30 for Biathletes. All competitors are welcome to come earlier and spectate other events, however you must register during the correct slot for your event.

Please note: The schedule below is subject to change, dependent upon any withdrawals/no-shows, so should be treated as provisional. Any changes will be communicated on the day.

Friday, 24 March 2023

Ride at Hall Place Equestrian Centre, Sulham Hill, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5UB

17:30 – 18:00   Arrive

18:00 – 18:20   Registration and Draw

18:15 – 18:30   Competitors Walk Course

18:30 – 18:45   Publish draw

18:45                First Rider warms up

19:00                First Rider enters arena

Approx 20:30    Finish

Saturday, 25 March 2023

07:15 – 07:30   Registration and bib number collection in Main Sports Hall for Tetrathletes

Swim heats will be published after biathlon registration has closed. All pentathlon events (including the fence) will be run as mixed heats due to entry numbers. 

Laser-Run - Sir Roger Bannister Track, Iffley Road Sports Centre

The laser shoot will be held outside on the corner of the track. Cover will be provided for targets if the weather is inclement. Spikes can be worn if desired.    

Heats will be populated on the day and published on the noticeboard as soon as they have been calculated.              

08:00 – 08:40   Briefing and Heat 1                                  

08:40 – 09:20   Briefing and Heat 2

09:20 – 10:00   Briefing and Heat 3
10:00 – 10:30   Briefing and Heat 4

10:30 – 11:00   Briefing and Heat 5

Fence in the Main Sports Hall at Iffley Road Sports Centre

11:15 – 11:45   Warm Up

11:45 – 14:30   Briefing, followed by Competition

12:00 – 12:30 Biathlon registration in main sports hall 

12:30 – 12:45 Biathlon volunteer registration and briefing

Run HEATS 

Heats will be populated on the day and published on the noticeboard as soon as they have been calculated. This is likely to be ~10 minutes after registration closes. 

Swim heats will not be published until after the biathlon registration has closed.

Biathlete’s Run – Sir Roger Bannister Track, Iffley Road Sports Centre

Track available for warm-up from 12:30

13:00 – 13:40   Women’s Heats (1 to 4)

Approximate heat start times: 

Heat 1 – 13:00

Heat 2 – 13:10

Heat 3 – 13:20

Heat 4 – 13:30

13:45 – 14:30   Men’s Heats (1 to 5)

Approximate heat start times: 

Heat 1 – 13:45

Heat 2 – 13:55

Heat 3 – 14:05

Heat 4 – 14:15
Heat 5 – 14:25

Pentathlon and Biathlon Swim – Rosenblatt Pool, Iffley Road Sports Centre

Swim heats will not be published until after the biathlon registration has closed.

Please note the swimming pool is open to the public until 15:00 so wait for organisers’ instruction to change. Swimmers in HEATS 1 - 6 ONLY should be changed ready for 15:15. All other swimmers please change after 15:15, but please be aware the second briefing and warm up may start earlier than timetabled if the first set of heats runs quicker than expected. Please change after your heat to reduce the time between the last heat and the start of the biathlon run.

Swimming warm ups 

Swimmers should be aware that, during the warm up, there will be a maximum of eight swimmers per lane. In specified lanes, diving will be permitted and these lanes will operate in ONE DIRECTION. It is potentially very serious if someone should dive on to another swimmer. Swimmers ignoring these instructions will risk a penalty of points removed from their score or, at worst, removal from the competition. This will be implemented at the organisers’ discretion, after discussion with the health and safety team at the Iffley Road Sports Centre. 

Change FROM 15:00  

15:15 – 15:20   Poolside briefing HEATS 1 – 7

15:20 – 15:30   Heats 1 – 7 Warm up MAX 8 SWIMMERS PER LANE

15:25 – 15:30   Dive warm up LANES 1 & 8 ONLY (one way)

15:30 – 16:00   Heats 1 – 7 

16:00 – 16:05   Poolside briefing HEATS 8 – 14

16:05 – 16:15   Heats 8 – 14 Warm up MAX 8 SWIMMERS PER LANE

16:10 – 16:15   Dive warm up LANES 1 & 8 ONLY (one way)

16:15 – 16:45   Heats 8 – 14 

17:00              Presentation of prizes, Main sports hall

Please find below specific information regarding each event of the Pentathlon, Tetrathlon & Biathlon:

RIDE

The ride will be a show jumping course up to a maximum of 90cm on an unfamiliar horse allocated by ballot. You will have 15 minutes on your horse in the collecting arena, during which time you may make no more than four practice jumps. You must make sure you jump in the correct direction. Competitors must wear riding hats which comply with the relevant requirements.

FENCE

The fencing format shall be announced at the brief prior to the start of each fencing session. Spot checks on weapon weights and gauges will be carried out during the competition by the organisers. All competitors must wear an 800N plastron and their kit must be in accordance with the Pentathlon GB rules.

LASER RUN

Five laser targets followed by a 600m loop repeated four times. 

Please arrive promptly ten minutes prior to your heat for the brief. There will be a five-minute warm up before each competition begins. Please note that there will be no opportunity to zero pistols. Competitors are advised to warm up for the run in advance and keep clear of competitors on the track.

BIATHLON RUN

1500m course on the running track at Iffley Road Sports Centre. Competitors are advised to warm up for the run in advance and keep clear of competitors on the track.

SWIM

200m freestyle swim for men and women (8 lengths)

BUCS Rules and regulations can be found here. If the rule can’t be found then the competition will be run in accordance with the Pentathlon GB Rule book.

In the event of an appeal, the jury of appeal shall consist of Dr Rosie de Laune and the director for that particular event (or a nominated substitute if required). The jury will hear reasonable argument and then shall reach a fair decision according to the rule book. The jury’s decision is final. 

Hot and cold food and drink will be available at both the ride venue, and the Iffley Road Sports Complex.