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The Brutal Extreme Triathlon
The Brutal Extreme Triathlon
Caernarfon, Gwynedd
LL55 4SZ, Caernarfon, United KingdomSat 9th September 2023
Starting at 07:00
4 races
£175.00 - £555.00
Organiser's Description
The Brutal Extreme Triathlons start in the beautiful (and slightly chilly) Lake Padarn. The bike course goes through stunning scenery around the foothills of Snowdon climbing up and over the renowned Pen-y-Pass as well as over some other challenging hills. And finally, the run takes you on a undulating trail round the lake and then up and down Wales' highest mountain, Snowdon.
This is 'The World's Toughest Triathlon' (as voted for by 220 Triathlon in 2017) but it is renowned for it's low-key and friendly vibe. Every athlete, whether it's your first triathlon or 21st, will feel the massive support from not only the event crew but the other competitors too. The challenging terrain and breathtaking scenery create an awesome experience that will stay with you long after the aches and blisters have gone!
You can enter all of these events as a solo or in a team (2 - 4 members)
Races
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The Brutal Half Solo
£175.00
CLOSED -
The Brutal Full Solo
£325.00
CLOSED -
The Brutal Double Solo
£435.00
CLOSED -
The Brutal Triple Solo
£555.00
CLOSED
Book
-
The Brutal Half Solo
£175.00
CLOSED -
The Brutal Full Solo
£325.00
CLOSED -
The Brutal Double Solo
£435.00
CLOSED -
The Brutal Triple Solo
£555.00
CLOSED
Course Details
Swim
The swim is held in Llyn Padarn which is based in Parc Padarn in Llanberis. The lake is a short walk from race HQ and there is a place for you to leave your shoes.
The water temperature is likely to be between 16-18 degrees, but does vary due the different depths. You will complete laps, the amount depends on the event you have entered.
You will exit the lake every two laps and re-enter to complete the laps required. There is a basic aid station with cold and hot drinks available and Torq nutrition, bananas and other snack food. You can also leave personal items.
Bike
The 28 mile Brutal bike lap will certainly warm you up after the chilly swim with a steep, sharp hill. You can then enjoy the stunning views and undulating course until you reach the well known beast of a climb over Pen y Pass and super fast descent back to HQ.
The famous Snowdonia weather will test you with wind and rain on one side of the valley and sun on the other. You will need to be prepared for anything.
Run
The lap around the lake comes as a shock to first timers. Don’t be fooled by the description, there are plenty of hills, trails, rocks and even a waterfall to test you.
Snowdon is Wales’s highest mountain and for this event you follow the Llanberis Path, which is a clear, well defined path. And if you are very lucky, you may get to experience some amazing views from the summit.
If you have entered either the half or full event you will complete your lap/s around the lake and then take on Snowdon. If you are taking part in the Double, Triple or Quin, you will complete the mountain section before the Lake Laps (for safety reasons).
What's Included
Event t-shirt, buff and finisher medal
Parking
FAQs
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Will I be given transition bags?
No, but you will be given numbered tags to attach to your own bags
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Do I rack my bike on Friday?
There is NO bike racking available on Friday night. This is because of security / staffing issues
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What time is transition open on race day?
From 05:00
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What time/day does the race start?
All races start at 07:00 Saturday 10th September 2022
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Will there be food / drinks on site?
Yes, there is a catering van open from 05:00 until late on Saturday and from 09:00 on Sunday
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Can I wear gloves for the swim?
Yes, as long as they are not webbed!! You can also wear booties and extra hats.
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Do we get out on every lap of the swim?
You get out every second lap of the swim. There will be hot drinks available lakeside
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What will be available at the aid stations?
Torq Sports Nutrition, flapjack, cheese scones, bananas, biscuits, jellybabies, water, coke and CAKE!
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Where are the aid stations?
One on the bike (mile 14) One on the run (2.5 mile approx) and one at HQ. The aid station on the bike course is only open until the last full bike has gone through (aprox 1800 Saturday).
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What happens before I start the mountain section?
Before you head off to Snowdon, you will be required to check in with a medic to ensure that you are fit and well enough to climb up and back down a mountain. This check is essential but will not take more than a minute
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Where can I stay?
There are plenty of B&Bs, hotels, campsites and bunkhouses available near race HQ. It is advisory to book early as Llanberis is a small village and it gets full very quickly
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Are there showers in transition?
No, only portaloos
Distances
Take on the Half…
1.2 mile lake swim (2 laps) in Llyn Padarn. Followed by 56 miles (2 laps) on the bike. Finally, you run 1 Lake Lap (5 miles) and then take on Snowdon.
Step up to the Full…
2.4 miles lake swim (4 laps) in Llyn Padarn. Followed by 112 miles (4 laps) on the bike. Finally, you run 3 Lake Laps (15 miles) and then take on Snowdon.
Go Ultra…
4.8 mile lake swim (8 laps)
224 mile bike (8 laps)
Ascent and descent of Snowdon
8 Lake Laps (40 miles)
Registration/ Brieifing
What time is registration on Friday?
- Registration (which will include mountain bag kit check) is open from 16:00 till 20:00
What time is race briefing on Friday?
- Half / Full Brutal briefing is 19:00 - Double / Triple (plus crew) is 20:00
Where is registration/briefing on Friday?
- In the main marquee on the event field (please do NOT bring your transition bags until the morning of the race)
Does my support crew have to register?
- No, but they have to attend the race briefing (Double / Triple only)
Rules
Hi-viz vest to be worn on the bike AT ALL TIMES, failure to abide by this, and you will be withdrawn from the race (For all athletes on every distance). No drafting. You must wear a cycle helmet. No MP3 players or similar. No littering and you must mount and dismount at the designated points.
Trophies
There will be trophies awarded to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd male / female in all races. And 1st place in AG cats (m/f junior, m/f senior, m/f vet and m/f super vet).
Dinorwac Power Station works
We are aware of the planned works at Dinorwac Power Station over the next few years, but anticipate this will not impact on the race too much. Please be assured we will keep up to date with developments there.
Information Pack
Please use this as a reference guide, full details will be released closer to the time and all details in this guide are subject to change
2022 Race Packcut offs
Half cut offs
Swim - 1 hour / Bike - 6 hours
Total - 12 hours
Full cut offs
Swim - 2 hours / Bike - 12 hours
Total - 21 hours
Double cut offs
Swim - 4 hours / Bike - 26 hours
Total - 42 hours
Triple cut offs
Swim - 6 hours / Bike - 38 hours
Total - 64 hours
kit list
Athlete
(all athletes need these items)
Issued map (waterproof pouch / bag needed)
Compass
Whistle
Waterproof coat
Waterproof trousers
Extra warm clothes
Gloves
Hat
Nutrition
A fully charged working mobile phone (water proofed) with emergency number in
Glow sticks or red tail light (Full / double / Triple only)
Survival foil blanket
Head torch (Full / double / Triple only)
More than 400ml of water or other drink
Blister kit
Soft cup - NEW for 2023
support crew
(needed for Double / Triple and Quin races)
Waterproof coat
Waterproof trousers
Extra warm clothes
Gloves
Hat
Nutrition
Head torch (Full / double / Triple only)
More than 400ml of water or other drink
Soft cup - NEW for 2023
YOU DO NOT NEED SUPPORT FOR THE HALF AND FULL BRUTAL RACES. This is because we have increased the mountain medics on Snowdon, but if you want to take a support runner with you, you can.
YOU DO NEED SUPPORT FOR THE DOUBLE / TRIPLE BRUTAL This must be at least 1 person, but 2-3 is more suitable.
Your support crew MUST support you during the night section of the bike and also on the mountain section. For the bike section your support crew must NOT follow directly behind, but instead wait for you safely in lay-bys or car parks. For the mountain section, they must stay near you at all times.
There is no parking / camping on the field. The best place to camp to support a double athlete is here, as the bike route goes past this point before heading into Llanberis OR you can support them from the main marquee, which has cooking facilities and areas to set up a camp-bed etc. Please contact us to discuss this further if unclear.
Please do NOT park on the roads surrounding the event field. You and your crew will face penalties and a possible DQ if you are found to be parking on the roads
Team Info
You can enter any of the Brutal Triathlons as a relay team. This can be an ideal introduction into extreme Triathlons or a less 'brutal' way to complete the Double / Triple.
You can have between 2 - 4 members and you can break the event up any way you want to (share the swim, bike or run laps) The timing chip must be changed over in the main HQ marquee and the mountain runner must have support if you are taking part in the Double / Triple.
Gender Category
As a British Triathlon permitted event, we are required to follow their planned changes for gender categories in 2023. Please only select Female if you were Female gender at birth and wish to compete as Female. Otherwise, select open category
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Social Media Support
There are Facebook groups for the Double (search: Double & Triple Brutal 2023) which we advise you join for support and advice.