Congratulations to Donald Smith of Bangor, County Down, who has won our competition for a race place at this year’s Ironman Lanzarote on May 19.Thanks to our friends at Sports Tours International – and, in his words, “an understanding wife” – Donald

you run into trouble during the race, move to one side if you can so you can receive help without causing a pile-up.By remembering these few simple rules and ways of conducting yourself, you'll be helping to make the world of triathlon a happier place

Winter brings icy roads and even icier open waters to the UK, which means triathlon is really only suited to our self-styled summer. But that doesn't mean your competitive juices have to dry up when the cold settles in - the UK hosts a growing

Winter brings icy roads and even icier open waters to the UK, which means triathlon is really only suited to our self-styled summer. But that doesn't mean your competitive juices have to dry up when the cold settles in - the UK hosts a growing

made by newcomers to triathlon.Don't forget your helmetRead your race pack when you receive it. If you are taking your bike to the transition area the night before the race, remember to take your helmet. The rules in your race pack will state that you

of the smaller competitions before the main event so that you feel confident you'll be taking in the right stuff on race day. The buildup to these smaller races would also be a good time to practise carbohydrate loading. You do not want to be experimenting too

if you do get kicked in the face at least your goggles won’t come off your head.Ralph Hydes is a running, duathlon and triathlon coach. He has helped numerous athletes reach international level competition, including Sir Rocco Forte, who has become one

Once upon a time long-distance triathlon was seen as something of a grail, holy or unholy, depending on how you felt about a 140-mile race. It was the preserve of the experienced, the specialists and, maybe, the slightly unhinged. Not any more

. It's a great course, always has a competitive field, and gives me a great buzz to be racing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd." Tim Don, the World Triathlon Champion in 2006The VitruvianWHEN September WHERE Rutland, LeicestershireDISTANCE 1900m

against your skin on race day - and it should not be a new sensation."You wouldn't use a mountain bike to train for a road race and the same rule applies to your triathlon preparations," says Dan Halksworth, a former Commonwealth Games swimmer who is now a