BIG LIME SERIES

Big Lime Weekend 2022

Challenge yourself at the Big Lime Weekend, or start your Triathlon journey with just one event!

Located in the historic Hartlepool Marina, along the Seaton promenade taking in the expansive sandy beaches.

Event Schedule

Friday 12th August, 7pm - Predictor Swim 

​

 - 750m open water swim in enclosed Hartlepool Marina, submit your predicted swim time when entering and try and match it on the evening. The closest competitor to their predicted swim time will win a special prize.  

​

Saturday 13th August, 9am - Aquathlon 

​

 - 750m open water swim in enclosed Hartlepool Marina, followed by a 5km run on a flat linear course along the promenade. 

​

Sunday 14th August, 8:10am -Triathlon 

​

 - 750m open water swim in enclosed Hartlepool Marina, followed by a 20km cycle and 5km run on a flat linear course along the promenade. 

​

If you don't want to enter the Triathlon individually we also have the option of entering as a relay to split the disciplines. 

Select our Triple Lime Challenge option to enter all three races, receiving the Friday swim for free!

Course guide video click here

​

Why choose the Big Lime weekend?

• Closed road event
• Fast flat course along Seaton Promenade (perfect for beginners or smashing a PB)
• Open water swim within enclosed Hartlepool Marina
• Cheering crowds, spectators and marshals
• Free T-shirt for Triathlon competitors
• 96.15% of competitors from 2021 would participate in 2022
• 10 years of Triathlon events

Online entries are now open! 

​

​

Do you really want to challenge yourself at the 2022 Big Lime Weekend?

​

At the 2021 event, one of the competitors, Will, managed to beat the course record! He completed the Triathlon course in 00:57:59! The original course record was set in 2016. 

​

Do you think you could beat this record? Enter online now! 

​

"Was so relaxed and easy. Loved the fact the transition entry and exit were both chip matted. Nice goodie bag, swift results, great hospitality from the Mecca, you guys even organised the weather! I will be back next year."

​

"Great to see the event back! Thanks so much to all the organisers and volunteers, all of whom were excellent and cheerful despite the grim weather."

​

"Amazing event!"

​

"Well done to all the organisers and volunteers. It's great to have an event like this in Hartlepool."

​

"Brilliant race and well organised. The town is lucky to have such a great event."

​

"A very well organised weekend of events. Well done to all the team."

​

"This was my first open water aquathlon, was a bit apprehensive about the swim, but the support and encouragement was awesome. A big thank you to all the staff and marshals for making it such a great event."

​

"What a fantastic event - well organised and safe with everything in place. As well as great support from the locals."

We wanted to showcase some of the amazing athletes who have competed over the Big Lime Weekend - take a look at some of their profiles below. 

Name: Heather Gould

Age: 61

How did you get into triathlons?

Lifelong runner but realised at 50 I needed to cross train more. North Shields Poly had just launched their triathlon section, so I learnt to swim front crawl and with the support of my club was encouraged to have a go!

When was the first time you competed in a triathlon?

My first triathlon was the Spanish City triathlon in my home town, about 9-10 years ago, I just had to be there!

Which is your favourite element of a triathlon?

I like all the elements of triathlon. Each one offers something different to the athlete, even transition.

What does your training programme look like?

I train every day at something. The biggest element of my routine is stretching, around 5-6 hours per week, I run with NSP twice a week, plus my weekly parkrun and the bike, I go out three to four times a week. I do try to have an active rest day once or twice a week, where I may just stretch.

What do you like about the Big Lime Weekend?

The Big Lime Weekend offers something for everyone! A safe open water swim, a flat bike and run. It celebrates all age groups in the category winners, giving everyone a great sense of achievement. A great timing system allows participants to submit times to British Triathlon to be considered for selection as an age grouper in the European and World Champs. My result last year from the Big Lime has given me this chance this year!

What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is thinking about entering the world of triathlons?

It’s never too late to get into sport. Multisport offers people the chance to take part in Aquathlon, Aquabike and Triathlon. Everyone is so friendly, whether you do a go-tri event right through to long distance triathlon events. If you can swim, ride a bike and run you can do it, you don’t have to be fast, just smile and enjoy it.

Do you take part in any other sports outside of triathlons?
Pilates, cycling time trials, cold water swimming, swimrun events

Name: Sian Salter

Age: 41 years old

How did you get into triathlons?

Always wanted to do a tri as had watched my Dad do a few but couldn’t really swim, just a few lengths breaststroke. Then slipped a disc in my back and couldn’t do much else after the surgery so started going to the pool and doing aqua fit then added a few lengths, but breaststroke hurt my back so taught myself to front crawl from YouTube and did a bit extra each time and found I enjoyed being in the water. Next step was getting into the open water which took a long time to be comfortable with.

When was the first time you competed in a triathlon?

My first tri was Spanish City Sprint in Whitley Bay a mile from home in 2016. That was going to be my only event but it escalated! 

Which is your favourite element of a triathlon?

My favourite part of a triathlon is whatever is coming next. When I’m in the water I can’t wait to get out and get on the bike, when cycling can’t wait to ditch the bike and get running. Probably best at cycling and most comfortable at running and with running not much can go wrong, no mechanicals etc just me mentally motivating my body on.

What does your training programme look like?

My training plan is pretty much make it up as I go. In a week I always do a club run 5 miles, a 3 mile parkrun and an open water swim. I try and do a longer and a shorter/hilly ride once a week. When training for ironman it was run before work and cycle/swim after, long rides at the weekends and long brick runs, last year or so it’s been do what I enjoy doing and when I can fit it in and having fun. Next year will be focusing on sprints and getting faster so may need a more disciplined schedule but depends what you want to get out of each race.

What do you like about the Big Lime Weekend?

I did the Big Lime for the first time in 2021 and loved it. Spent the weekend in the area camping. Did the predictor swim Friday night which was great to get used to the water as it’s a unique swim course. The local parkrun Saturday but next time will do Aquathlon. The Tri on the Sunday was a fast and flat course, very friendly, all types there from GB athletes to those just for fun.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is thinking about entering the world of triathlons?

My advice to anyone thinking of entering is do it, best motivation is to commit to a place. You can use what equipment you have, don’t need the best of everything. When you’re in the water you are a swimmer, on the bike a cyclist, running you are a runner and when you cross the line you’re a triathlete. Don’t worry about the next stage just one step at a time.

Do you take part in any other sports outside of triathlons?

Other than run, bike and swim, I hike. Love being out on the fells with no one about and think the strength I get from that helps.

Name: Martin Pout

Age: 50 years old

How did you get into triathlons?

I saw a book in the library in the early 1980s that talked about a race called “Ironman” and so I started getting involved in triathlons from the mid-1980s when the sport was in its infancy.

When was the first time you competed in a triathlon?

I can't remember the year but it’s was around the mid-1980s. Back in those days, races were few and far between and were generally organised amongst friends. 

Which is your favourite element of a triathlon?

I used to be a useful runner back in the day so running used to be my favourite but now I really enjoy swimming. Wetsuits have come a long long way from the 1980s when we used to have to use windsurfing wetsuits, which were not designed for swimming. 

What does your training programme look like?

I currently have a long-term leg injury so I am all about the pool and open water at the moment.

What do you like about the Big Lime Weekend?

I like it that it is local, brilliantly organised and has a closed roads bike course! 
 

What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is thinking about entering the world of triathlons?

It’s not as physically hard as it’s looks like from the outside! 
 

Do you take part in any other sports outside of triathlons?

Mainly open water swim events nowadays. 

Name: Kathryn Dickinson 

Age: 26 years old

How did you get into triathlons?

After playing hockey at school and college for many years I decided I wanted a different challenge so joined my local triathlon club, West Country Triathletes down in Burnham on Sea.

When was the first time you competed in a triathlon?

I completed my first triathlon in 2013, it was a local sprint distance and I barely got to the finish after underestimating how hard it would be running off the bike!

Which is your favourite element of a triathlon?

This seems to vary depending on how well my winter training has been going and which discipline is going well, currently my favourite is running.

What does your training programme look like?

I train for on average 12/13 hours a week, this involves 3 bike sessions, 2 run sessions, 3/4 swims and then some strength work if I have time around working.

What do you like about the Big Lime Weekend?

I love the atmosphere around the race, everyone is really friendly and the course is great. There aren't many races with closed roads. This race also feels special as my grandad lives in Hartlepool and isn't able to travel to any of my races so this means he can see me racing in his Hometown.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is thinking about entering the world of triathlons?

 If you can, definitely join a triathlon club. They're great for all abilities and a way to meet people with a similar interest to you.

Do you take part in any other sports outside of triathlons?

Triathlon takes up most of my free time but outside of triathlon I love mountain biking, skiing and surfing when I can get to a beach with waves!

Name: Marty Smith

Age: 53 years old

How did you get into triathlons?

Diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2018 and needed something to take my mindset away from worrying. Met Kath from Cleveland Triathlon in my mates shop Godleys Cycles.

When was the first time you competed in a triathlon?

Fist triathlon was Cleveland Sprint Triathlon 20th May 2018

Which is your favourite element of a triathlon?

Favourite is cycling as that’s my strongest

What does your training programme look like?

Active all week with swimming 3 times a week, cycling 3 times week and running 3 times week. Gym strength trading 6 days a week for 30 - 60 mins doing a body part a day. Work schedule can change this depending if I am onshore or offshore.

What do you like about the Big Lime Weekend?

It’s local as live in Middlesbrough. Lots of members of my club which is Cleveland triathlon attend. Closed road event, fast and flat, people and atmosphere and support and beautiful location. Triple event. Medals from 2018 was awesome as they interlinked. 

What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is thinking about entering the world of triathlons?

Don’t think about it just do it. Once you do one you will be hooked and the new people you meet and places you will travel to compete are endless. Your challenge and goals get greater.

Do you take part in any other sports outside of triathlons?
Other sports are mainly now running events, duathlon, swim events and gym.