The 2006 Aqualong has unfortunately been cancelled.

It is with huge disappointment that the Urbanrace team have had to cancel the 2006 Aqualong event.

It has been widely publicised that the water level at Bewl has been at very low levels recently. Unfortunately it appears that these unusual circumstances have adversely affected the race entries for this years event. Although the water situation is improving the advance planning and finance required to create a good quality event has been seriously affected by the situation. The Urbanrace management team have therefore decided to cancel the 2006 event and we hope to try again in 2007. All entrants have received a full refund as soon as possible.

This long distance 'Open Water Aquathlon' made its debut in 2005 and is based at the fantastic site and facilities at Bewl Water Reservoir, near Tunbridge Wells. The site is the largest stretch of open water in South East England and is a truly amazing setting for a multisport event.

In 2005 The Aqualong event featured the Richard Stannard Race Off.  The Aqualong competitors were chased down by top UK triathlete and twice world aquathlon champion, Richard Stannard. www.richardstannard.com Richard beat all the age group athletes with just seconds to spare in an exciting finish.

* British Triathlon members will receive a £3 refund on race day on production of a valid British Triathlon membership card. The event will be run under the rules of British Triathlon. The organisers have applied for a British Triathlon Race Sanction Certificate.

CLICK HERE to view images of our events.

Swim

The race is a wetsuit compulsory 'open water' swim which takes place in Bewl Water Reservoir. The Novice and Olympic races are one lap while the Aqualong is two laps.

There is NO SWIMMING allowed at Bewl Water other than as an entrant of this authorised and sanctioned event.

Run

The run is an out and back course which takes you along the west side of the reservoir path. The Novice and Olypmic Distance are pure out and back runs while The Aqualong is two laps.

There will be two drink stations on the run. They will be situated just after the run start and at  the farthest turn point.

Nutrition

Nutritional support at this event is provided by Fuel Triathlon

Venue

Bewl Water is one mile south of the village of Lamberhurst on the Kent/Sussex border (south east of Tunbridge Wells). Look for the brown tourist signs on the A21. Please note there is a £5 charge for entry to the site which will be waived for athletes on race day.

The nearest train station is Wadhurst which is approximately 5 miles from Bewl Water. This station provides easy access to the event from London and Hastings and gives good access for train routes via Tonbridge.

Food & Beverages

New for 2006 is a pre race pasta party on Friday 7th July which will be provided by the catering facilties at The Look Out Restaurant at Bewl Water.

The buffet includes:

Selection of Pastas
Selection of Sauces
Selection of Salads, Rolls and Relishes
Fresh Fruit & Yoghurt

Tickets cost £6.95 and are non-refundable. You can purchase pasta party tickets at the same time as you purchase your race entry.

Accommodation

Details of the official race accommodation are shown below. More will be added shortly.

Dale Hill Hotel & Golf Club

Dale Hill are supporting our event by providing a fantastic deal for athletes for race weekend. If you are a golfer as well you will be in sporting paradise given the hotel has two 18-hole courses, a gym, swimming pool, sauna and is close to the aquathlon run course itself. This newly refurbished hotel is offering a great deal for competitors for race weekend and when booking you must mention the Bewl Aquathlon to obtain the special weekend rate of Single £80, Std Double £110, Course View Double £130 or Executive Suite £150. Prices are B&B, include VAT and are per room, per night.

With only 35 rooms this hotel offer is likely to be available for a limited time only.

Click Here To Visit Dale Hill Website or Email Them or telephone on 01580 200112

Fir Tree Cottages B&B - Wadhurst

Firtree Cottage Bed and Breakfast is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the cusp of the Garden of England and the Sussex Weald. Easy access to Wadhurst railway station with direct trains to London Charing Cross and the Royal Spa Town of Tunbridge Wells. The award winning Old Vine public house is a 5 minute stroll up the road. Prices are from just £25 for a single room.

Click Here To Visit The Fir Tree Website or Email Them or telephone on 01892 782883

Cedar Gables Camp Site

This camp site is a small family run site located just off the A21 and within 2 miles of the Bewl Water site. You can even get access through to the reservoir path directly from the camp site. Facilities include Toilets, Heated Showers, Electric Hook Ups. If you mention the Bewl Aquathlon you will get 2005 rates which are £6 per pitch (tent or campervan) and 50 pence per person.

Click Here To Visit Cedar Gables Website or telephone them on 01892 890566

Entries

You can enter via the Urbanrace shop which is a secure online entry system or you can print a hard copy PDF of the entry form and send this into us with your payment. The closing date for entries is 17 June 2006 for postal entries and 24 June 2006 for online entries if the event is not sold out before these dates. To ensure safety and service we have a limited amount of entrants. The minimum age for entry is 18 years.

What happens once I have entered?

Race instructions will be emailed to competitors around 7 to 10 days prior to the event and will include details of your start time. A start list will also appear on our website prior to the event. Race numbers and goodies will be in the race packet found at registration.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded for male and females in the following BTA age group categories for all three distances; 18-19yrs, 20-24yrs, 25-29yrs, 30-34yrs, 35-39yrs, 40-44yrs, 45-49yrs, 50-54yrs, 55-59yrs, 60-64yrs, 65-69yrs. There will also be prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd overall in each race category.

Further Info

Enquiries and suggestions can also be made via the feedback page on our website or email us at info@urbanrace.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you on 8 July 2006 at Bewl Water.

Charity

We have chosen the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as the race charity for 2006.

Cystic Fibrosis is the UK's most common life threatening inherited disease. It affects more than 7500 babies, children and young adults.

Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects a number of organs in the body (especially the lungs and pancreas) by clogging them with thick, sticky mucus.

At present there is no cure for CF, but the faulty gene has been identified and doctors and scientists are working to find ways of repairing or replacing it. One of the main objectives of the CF Trust is to fund this work.

People with CF are living longer than ever before. Until the 1930s, the life expectancy of a baby with CF was only a few months. Today the average life expectancy for someone with CF is around 31 years. However many people with CF die while waiting for an organ transplant.

Athletes have the option to add £1 to their 2006 race entry fee which will go directly to the CF Trust. Click Here for more information about the CF Trust or Click Here for more information about organ donation.

Many thanks to all athletes who donated along with their 2005 Aqualong entry as we raised £106 for Cancer Research UK. Click Here to find out more about Cancer Research.

Urbanrace Shop

Dont forget to visit the Urbanrace shop for training tools, books, nutrition and lots of other goodies. Just click here.