Introducing the ITCH league [click here for 2007 final standings]

The league is relatively informal. There is no "prize". (Well, not at the moment anyway!)

The aims of the league:

• keep interest alive through the year...
• encourage a good, identifiable club turn out at selected events - if nothing else so you know there will be somebody else there you'll recognise...
• give some encouragement for people to move up from sprint to olympic & beyond...
• give me some key events to feature in ITCH...
• give Mrs dB some advance notice of the events where dB'll be shouting encouragement...
• give Nick something to do with his spreadsheet...

The league does not count toward the club championship, although the club championship can count toward the league.

The rules

Any member can be included in the league but please let me which races you've entered (so I can list names on the club website & in ITCH and find you in the results, especially for London).

For an event to count toward your score, you must compete in club kit. "Club kit" can be anything sourced from the club - a running vest, a gillet, a cycle jersey, a tee-shirt, etc - provided that at least the top is recognisably Ipswich triathlon club kit for the bike and run. (If you have just joined the club and have had to order an item which is currently out of stock, the club kit rule will be suspended in your case until your kit arrives but you should identify yourself to other members at events so they know who they are racing.)

You score league "points" for each event, based on your time compared to the "40th percentile" time, and the difficulty of the event.

You can only score league points at the events listed below. With the exception of the sprints which have only just opened, we know that at least two club members have already entered for each of the events chosen - and quite a few for one or two of them.

Your league position is based on your best FOUR performances from the league so you could, in theory, just stick to sprints - but why not enter the club championship at Norwich to make up your foursome?

The league has been endorsed by the committee on a trial basis but, if this works & we keep it going with the same format for 2008, then we can consider introducing a “best improvement” competition – where “improvement” could come by getting faster or by going longer, or both.

What's in a name?

Is "the ITCH league" the right name, especially if we do introduce "winners" in 2008 and beyond?
One suggestion already made is that perhaps we introduce a "Commitment Trophy" for the person who racks up the greatest number of appearances. Or was that the "Ought to be committed trophy"?  The only thing we want to avoid is anything which dilutes the club championships.
Anyway, perhaps this something to think about on your long training rides?

The Club championships 2007

For 2007, the Ipswich triathlon club championship will be decided on a one race basis. The race chosen is the Norwich Triathlon on July 1st, which is a standard ("Olympic") distance race. Entries are now open - visit www.entrycentral.net - and enter direct. We do NOT have any special entry route at this stage.

Please - when you are asked to enter your club name, do not enter simply as "Ipswich". Use "Ipswich Triathlon Club" -  it makes it a lot easier to see that you're not from JAFFA,  Harriers or any other Ipswich-based club.

From the club point of view, the "club kit" rule has been relaxed for the championship itself - "you should wear club kit" - but, remember, you must wear at least a club top if you want your performance reflected in the league.

I would like to list all club members who have entered these events so you know who else to look for.  I will pick up names from official sites where I can but please let me know about you if I've missed you.

I had hoped to include Hadleigh sprint but this has now been cancelled for 2006.

There is only one long event, which is the relatively expensive IMUK. I am more than willing to consider adding alternative, cheaper, UK-based “Long” events if club members enter them but I would need to know soon - let's say by end of February - so I can plead with Nick to extend his spreadsheet!
Suggestions include the “Big Woody” (see http://www.559active.com/news/17/%20The-Big-Woody-Triathlon ) and, if it goes ahead, “The Longest Day”