Outlaw Triathlon confirms improved bike course and Channel 4 coverage
Nottingham’s Outlaw Triathlon will be televised by Channel 4 this year as part of their broad and popular coverage of the sport. Over 1000 athletes will take on a 2.4mile swim, 112mile bike ride and 26.2mile run under the glare of television cameras on 1 July.
As a result of the coverage being confirmed, organisers have had the go ahead to slightly alter the bike course in order to use some wider roads with better surfaces. The changes are minor, and apply just to the new southern section of the course. The northern loop remains unchanged from last year.
The Outlaw bike course is noted for being fast. Former British long distance record holder, Tom Lowe, rocketed around the 112miles in 4hrs21mins last year as part of the winning GiTri Bridgtown relay team. However, athletes can easily over work it and pay the price on the marathon run. In a relatively flat part of the county, wind can play a major part in influencing how tough the course will be on race day.
The course features just one significant hill at Oxton Bank. Those that took part last year climbed it three times, where as this year’s competitors will climb it just once. Oxton Bank represents no more than two to three minutes of hard effort before the reward of a six mile descent into Southwell.
There are a few remaining slots for the Outlaw, and just over five weeks left to prepare. Visit www.onestepbeyond.org.uk for entries and an updated interactive bike course map.
Matt Baird
Editor of Cycling Plus magazine 
