Feedback from 2011

I would just like to say a big thank you to all of you for a great day,it was my 1st triathlon,if all are as well organised and friendly like yours,i will be doing alot more of them,thanks again Stuart 

Hi MSTC, Just would like to say what a wonderful experience i had as ths was my first Triathlon. From the Website to the Marshall's to all the helpers. Excellent . I was made to feel welcome and park of the triathlon family. Many thanks for the goodies etc.... I'm assuming as i live just around the corner from the Dolphin that if i was to join the MSTC id not be allowed to entry next year? Many thanks Tony

Thanks again for a very enjoyable event, I have seen many eMails pinging around from EG athletes and they have all been very positive. Simon

Hi Steve,Thank you so much for your ultra quick and efficient response to my email.  It was so kind of you to sort that out for us.  Sorry about the confusion with my husband!!  Hope the event goes really well and we will definitely be back next year. Thanks again Sophie

Fantastic race, was only my 2nd triathlon but thoroughly enjoyed it! Was very well organised, great help and direction from marshalls/ officials. Very impressed with the whole morning, will definitly do this event again next year! James

Dear Steve Just wanted to thank you for a fantastic race, only my second one but certainly the most enjoyable so far. Will definitely come again next year. Many thanks Richard

Hi steve , i allways enjoy this race, must be my 6th year now of competing . Two things i would really like to see included for future races , no.1 , chip timing , its unusual now to go to a race without it. The other bit is even easier, when giving out the trophies use the BTF 5-year age groups to select the winners, 40-49, 50-59 doesnt really work, we all deteriorate after 40 and 9 years is too much to bridge unless you are really an exceptional athlete. Most events dont include the top 3 in the category awards either so the spread of trophies goes even further. see you next year, Mike   Note: Considering the AG issue next year

Can you pass on a big thank you to all of the Mid Sussex Tri members marshalls for a great well run race. See you next year have a great race season all the best Steve

Thank you for organising such a fabulous event! It was my first ever tri, and I loved it! All the marshalls and event organisers were really friendly and helpful, and there was a great atmosphere. I've got 'The Bug' now... I'm looking for the next one to enter! Thank you! Laura

This was my 2nd tri and it was a really lovely day, even the weather could not spoil it for me. The course was beautiful and the marshals were fantastic and made the whole experience great. I have been to watch some Tri's run by other company's and the marshals were really rude so what a joy this was. I am still learning when it comes to the sport but know for sure that i will be back next year. Thank you all so much.   Lesley

FANTASTIC! great job! absolutely brilliant! all marshalls were encouraging, it was an easily followed course i had advise and encouragement from marshalls along the way & at transitions Thank you And i raised £720 for First touch charity so a double bonus :-) Jody

Thank-you once again MST, my 4th (i think) time at your event and I can only say I love this race. Nice crowd, easy registration, well marshalled, good course, excellent goody bag - 5* all day long! Downside - transition a bit hit and miss but hey you're doing a great job. See you in 2012.   Martin

I have just completed the tri today and have competed in triathlon for the last 18 years. I just wanted to say that the marshalls at the mid sussex tri are probably the best I have come across. They are always cheerful, helpful and responsive. I have done the mid sussex tri on many occasions and the quality of the marshalling never drops. Please pass this on to them. See you next year. Colin

Great, thanks for that. It was again a great event, very well run and enjoyable to do.  Will be back again next year.  A suggestion, for future - perhaps also post results in a csv format so can be opened in excel.  I'm the kind of geek that likes doing all sorts of sorting and filtering to compare myself with others...!  Barry    Note: We have now done this Steve

Thanks to everyone at Mid-Sussex for another great race. The Guides were brilliant, calling out our names and cheering us on. Although injured, I beat my husband but just missed beating my friend to 1st in my age-group! Swim worked better this year with more people giving way when getting their feet tapped. Changed bike route was OK, just one issue with a novice competitor undertaking me on the 2nd round-about, he apologised when I shouted at him. A few people drafting so hope the draft buster caught them! Love the medal, shame it says miles for the bike! Thanks again. Hope to see you again in 2012 injury free. Karen    Note: ooops

This was my 1st triathlon. It was a fabulous initiation into the world of yet another kind of challenge to me. Made me do some onward thinking as I puffed round the bike route! The courses were excellently signed and the marshals wonderfully cheery. Would certainly recommend this event to others. Now to go and work on my swim times. Jackie

Big thanks to all the marshalls who ga e up their time. Good job the weather kept off. I will be back next year.thanks. Martin

Just to say thank you for a great race this morning I had a fab time and all was so well organized. Louise

Thanks very much for a well organised and marshalled event. Gareth

Just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with organising and marshalling of last Sunday's event. I've been a runner for years but this was my first Tri and I'm pleased I chose this as my first: really well organised, very clear instructions and route markers, very friendly and supportive staff. It was a really great experience and an event I'd recommend without hesitation; please pass my thanks on to everyone involved. I'm very interested in joining the club as I'm local (Newick) - grateful if you could let me know how I go about that too. Thanks again. Duncan

I just want to say a big thank you to you and all your helpers as everything went very smoothly today. Your mashalls were all very friendly and encouraging which helped drag a reluctant smile from this struggling athlete! And you did well to keep the rain away until later... Thanks again, Gill

Great event. Well run by very friendly and encouraging people. Loved the previous night registration. Actually preferred this year's cycle route over last year's. Could have been body marked at registration to prevent the queue. Application form asked for 500m swim time not 400m, I found I was amongst slower swimmers and probably annoyed many by heel tapping as I put down my 500m swim time. But thanks for a great event. Gethyn

Steve, Another quality event (my 2nd year) and really impressed by your team of Marshals and organisation. Race didn't go to plan for me as I picked up a flat in T1 but once on the go I found the bike route enjoyable and if I'm honest prefer it to last years. Cheers again & the box of gels etc will come in useful for my next event. Alan

Thanks. Excellent race. Well organised and very well marshalled. Suggestions for improvements: 1) chip timing. I'd like to know my T1 & T2 times. 2) stricter control of swim timing and number order in the pool. 3) bike racks are too low for some bikes (mine). But generally really good and i'm looking forward to next year already.  John

I competed in the mid sussex tri today and I would like to thank everyone who helped to run it, its a tedious job being a marshal but your marshals were fantastic! encouraging, helpful, efficient and lots of them! impossible to go the wrong way! A fantastic venue with amazing facilities. I will definately be back next year!  Rachel

The zig / zag swim format is now very outdated and impacts swim times. I am not the greatest swimmer but found this an unnecessary additional complication. You have got to get chip timing I finished 17th and my training partner Noel second and neither of us had bike or run splits, recovering from 120th after my swim I was partcularly keen to see my run split which I was pleased with. Thanks, Simon (East Grinstead Tri Club). Otherwise a well organised and friendly race which I enjoyed. PS having cycled the old cycle route the switch to Hurstpierpoint should be considered as a permanent switch. Simon   Note: Simon now has his splits

Just to say big thanks for a great event and you must have 'the best' marshalls - I thought is was good that all the competitors applauded the marshalls at the briefing and rightly so!!!!. i.e no marshalls no event - All good even with a slight route change so look forward to next years event - I can now retire as I have finally won something ok it was a number prize but I will put the Hi5 race pack to good use :-) Cheers Graham

Steve, Great event very well organised. To improve: At the start of the swim people were not lined up in number order. I difrent numbers go in just before me. Consequently, I had to overtake at least 5 people in the lanes. Could someone supervise the swim line up? Could we start at 15 or 20 second intervals, it got quite crowded? Alternatively do a 500m swim in lanes, say 4 to a lane, one out one in? Don't get me wrong, I am not moaning just a couple of things to consider. Thank you for a great event. Keith

Great organized race, so congrats. Nice to have spot prizes and also age group etc (not tight in giving out prizes unlike other money making events...). Only a few "minor" comments; run : Would be better if the marshalls can stand on corner of section you need to run around. I.e when running you normally run towards marshall. (area around housing estate and main road after). Tranisition; Would prefer to have timing on transitions as it is nice to compare (dork out) these parts as well.. Seem to be a bit more hanging around. I.e for later starters in the pool. Too tired to think to what I can recomend, but "food for thought". Thanks again !!!  Gary

Hi Steve. Just to say thank you very much for a superbly organised triathlon today. For my part, it  was my first (and maybe last!!) and I  felt very welcome and  enthused by  the atmosphere, even at 6am this morning!If I  don't ever do another triathlon  again, at least I  will have fond memories and  a sense of  achievement from today. Ian

I would just like to congratulate you and thank you for a fantastic event, it was my first Triathlon and I thought it was organised brilliantly, and the atmosphere on the day was great. Well Done to all involved. Many Thanks Steve

Thanks Steve -  What a lovely friendly event you have! Mid-Sussex was my 2nd ever triathlon and I have to say that I'll definitely be back again next year. Yasmine

Having received your roundup e-mail this morning i would like to mention what a really well organised event this was and that I really enjoyed it. It was only my second sprint triathlon and this felt like an excellent test for my new road bike and resulted in me wanting to do more events like this. I thought the marshals did an excellent job of directing everyone around the course, and i enjoyed the zig-zag swim as it gives you a definitive start and end point and its more of a journey rather than just straight laps. many thanks Claire
Hi I would just like to say thanks for organising the event it was great as usual. I first did it in 2002 and make a point of trying to enter every year if I can. Mark

Steve Quick note to say what a great event Sunday's triathlon (my first) was, big thank you to all the organisers and marshals for making it so and I'm already looking forward to next year. Thanks and Regards Matt

This was my second triathlon of the season and first Mid Sussex Tri. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and was thrilled to be a part of such a well organised event. Thank you to the Mid Sussex Tri Club...which I'm about to join.....! and thank you to the Burgess Hill public who braved the weather to come and cheer us on!!  Pete

Thanks for a great day out. Only my second triathlon, so not many to compare it with, but I loved every minute. The marshals in and around the transition area before the start of the race were very friendly and helpful. Nice clear directions out on the course (a little worried about the bike course change before hand). I even bumped into a school friend that I had not seen for 25 years. See you next year. Andy

Feeback from 2010

"I want to thank you for putting on an excellent event once again this year - the organisation was brilliant and registration very smooth... The photos is an excellent idea. Much happier to get some pictures rather than a t shirt - well done and very innovative." Stuart Lotherington

"Many thanks to all involved with running the event it was well organised and marshaled. The swimming is well run and ducking under might be a bit of a nuisance but is much better then having to share a lane with some swimmers I have seen. Main thing is it keeps things to time so I think it works very well.
Liked the free photo option and of course the handsome paperweight. Only complaint is my performance but guess that is something I cannot blame anyone for except myself. Thanks again and see you next year."Michael Miller and Sue Brumwell

Hi Folks,
I just wanted to say what a good job you all did on Sunday. I really enjoyed the event, and that was mainly down to how well it was organised. The plaque has pride of place in my living room, and I did have to eventually admit to my girlfriend that in fact everyone received one and not just the winner..."Paul Williams

"Hi, firstly just wanted to thank you for putting on a great event - the marshalls were very helpful and encouraging, and the course was a blast - especially the bike route - really enjoyed that..."Rob

"Dear Mid Sussex Tri
Thanks for a great event today, thoroughly enjoyed it, especially as I improved form 1.36 2 years ago to around 1.17 - I will know exactly what when I see the results!
Cheers and thanks again to all your marshallsJenni

"I just wanted to thank you again for letting me into yesterday's tri as a late entrant. It's all still pretty new to me - yours was the 2nd one that I've competed in - and it was a really enjoyable day, really well organised, with a great support team, and a great course!! Best of luck to you and the club for the rest of the season. Btw: I hope that you enjoyed the Jaffa Cakes:-)"Matt

"HI,
This was the first year of competing and only my third race and absolutely loved it! The swim was 'different' with the zig-zagging and true to the rumours the bike course was very undulating! The run did feel like it went on and on, especially the last bend in to the Triangle as the marshall said 90 seconds to go - I think he was lying!! However to cross the line with so many of my fellow triathlon club members was great! A well planned and organised event with plenty of encouragement from all the marshalls - a BIG thanks to them. Also a bonus to get all our piccies from Ant Bliss FREE! Well done and look forward to seeing you next year!"Tiffany Orton - 156

Well organised/ marshalled as usual and the run course much better than last time I did the event in 2007. There were a lot of people with VERY inaccurate swim times who then aggressively overtook in the pool . Perhaps you could emphasize the importance of an accurate time to avoid this happening. Some of the poorer/ early swimmer looked very panicked at people swimming over them and kicking /pushing past. Perhaps some "pool etiquette" for overtaking could be sent out?Sue Hudson

Hi, thanks for putting on a great event, all of the marshalls were really helpful and friendly and the roads were immaculately swept. Your arrangements for the weather were also fantastic and I look forward to next years event. The only down side was that I finished second in may age group and never made it to the presentation as it really wasn't expected, this being a first for me.Haydn

"Had a great day - well done. Would it be possible to split out the T1 and T2 times?"Peter

"Hi all at mid sussex tri club, just to let you know the event was very well run i will be back next year .see you soon"Steven Ingham East grinstead tri club

"Overall I thought it was a well organised and fantastic event. Particular postives included:
1. Great supportive and cheery marshalls, it really does make a difference to have the marshals clap and cheer you on.
2. Well sign-posted and clear bike route.
3. Great deal with Ant Bliss on the photographs.
4. Simple and quick registration.
The only negatives I have are:
1. Lack of splits for all disciplines including transitions.
2. Slightly chaotic start to the swim with people swimming out of time sync. I got held up in the pool through traffic. Think it would be good to have someone poolside asking/checking predicted swim times and ensuring that they go off in the correct order/wave. I had someone start a few places ahead of me whose time was around 10 minutes yet I'm capable of sub 6 minutes.
Overall, a great event and I will be back next year so well done Mid Sussex Tri Club!"Damon Turner (Tuff Fitty Tri Club)

"Hi
Wow! Cool; thanks. I've not had a prize for sports since I was about 18! I had a really good morning. You were right; all the marshals and other competitors were really helpful and pointed me in the right direction. And, the set up seemed to run like clockwork. Very smooth and efficiently managed. Well done you. I learned a few lessons (like, bring a spare old t-shirt and a pair of flip flops.) and not to gun off on the bike as the run is tough! Thanks for looking after us all so well. You guys did a super job. Look forward to seeing you next year"Jenn

I loved the race. Agree that the swim was a bit of a traffic jam but I quite like the zig-zag swim. Must remember to bring a swim hat next time. I'm so used to being handed one at races and I've never noticed how difficult it is to swim with a face full of hair! The race was well organised and marshalled. Superb weather. Nice to touch to give all competitors a glass trophy - makes me feel like a winner! Great to have free photos - would be even better if they offered an airbrushing service to make me look more athletic!

I just wanted to say that I thought this event was fantastic. The organisation was really good and the marshals were excellent especially on the bike ride where they seemed to be everywhere! The venue was very good with lots of parking and excellent facilities. I sometimes think that triathlons are rather expensive but after your event I felt happy at the price because I could see that it must cost a lot to organise."Claire Brooks