Athlete Guide
The Athlete Guide is ready!
It's a big file (lots of pictures and maps). When you click on the link, you'll be asked to download it.
Common questions and their answers:
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When should we arrive?
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If you have not already gotten the bike & helmet check and/or picked up your packet, you should arrive first thing around 6:45 am
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Transition will be open for setup from 7:00 am to 8:30 am only. Please arrive with enough time to complete your setup by 8:30 am.
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If you are in the first few waves, plan to be done setting up Transition closer to 8:00 am so you have time to get to the Pool before the race starts
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What if we are late?
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Packet Pickup closes at 8:00 am and Transition closes at 8:30 am. If your athlete is not done setting up their transition spot by then, they will not be able to race
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What if our child's wave is later?
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Feel free to cheer on the other athletes or amuse yourself in the Expo
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Just make sure to be back at the pool 20-30 minutes before your wave starts
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Your child's race time starts when their wave starts. If they are late coming back to the pool, we will try to fit them into a wave, but their time will not be adjusted
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It's a built-in time penalty
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Can I switch from Non-competitive to Competitive or Vice Versa?
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You can, but you need to email us because the bib numbers and waves have been assigned. Therefore, doing it yourself is no longer possible
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How is the age group designation made?
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An athlete's age for any USAT-sanctioned race will be his/her age as of Dec. 31 of the current race year.
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If an athlete is due to "age-up" into the next group, it will happen at the beginning of the year, not after the athlete's birthday
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What should my child wear to race?
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If your athlete has a tri suit, they will wear that. It's designed to dry quickly and has a small pad for cycling
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Most other athletes start in their swimsuit and then put on shorts and a shirt when they get done swimming
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USAT has a rule that all torsos must be covered. So if the athlete is wearing a one-piece suit where the torso is covered, they can race in the swimsuit only. Most do not due to comfort, but it is allowed
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If the swimsuit is not covering the torso, they have to put on a shirt. Shorts are optional
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Where is the starting point?
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Everybody has to come to the swim start/drop off to start the race.
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Even for the Duathlon
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How does my athlete change into dry clothes after swimming?
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There is no changing area and nudity in Transition is not allowed.
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Therefore, athletes get on the bike slightly damp.
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It's part of triathlon!
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Does my child have to wear the free shirt they get at Packet Pickup
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No, the shirt is yours to do with as you wish
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Does the athlete need to finish the full distance to proceed to the next leg?
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They can cut the course short if needed, but it will result in a time penalty.
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And they will not be eligible for awards
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Where can spectators be?
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There is an area at the Pool for spectators; stay behind the barriers
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Specators can hang outside the Transition fence
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There is a sidewalk down the entire Bike course that can be used to spectate
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There are bleachers to watch the Track and Finish
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The Expo is open to everyone
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Swim questions
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Are swim aids allowed?
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As per the Athlete Guide, the only permitted swim aids are an approved safety device such as a personal flotation device (swim vest) or a kick board or other Coast Guard-approved kids swim vest (similar to floaties but with arms attached to a belt).
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Be sure that your child can swim if they lose their grip on the kickboard.
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If a swim aid is used, you have to bring it. The organizer is not providing swim aids.
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Should kids wear flip flops to get from the pool to the transition area?
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No, the kids leave their flip flops with their parents once dropped off at the swim seeding area. They go barefoot from the pool to their transition area
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Will the volunteers count laps in the pool?
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Athletes are responsible for counting their own laps
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Volunteers will try to help, but they are supervising many athletes and should not be counted on
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Can they use a lap counter?
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Yes. A sports watch or wearable lap counter is recommended.
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The lap counter can't be a person
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Do the kids need to wear a swim cap?
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No you don’t have to
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Same with googles
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Are rash guards allowed?
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Yes. It has to be technical material to perform properly during the swim.
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Do not wear a cotton shirt. They get heavy when wet and can pull a swimmer down
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How do they start the swim?
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Everybody starts swimming in the pool, no diving.
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Will there be anybody helping the kids exit the pool?
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Yes, volunteers are there to help the kids exit the pool.
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Can we swim with the bib number?
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No, bib numbers fall apart once wet. So please keep them in the transition.
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Put them on before going into the Bike course
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Bike questions
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Can parents be on the Bike Course?
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Spectators must stay off all courses
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There is a sidewalk on both sides of the Bike course, so spectators will have plenty of space to watch their athletes
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The only exception is the Non-Competitive event (see below)
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How will you know if a cyclist has completed all their laps?
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If we have enough volunteers, they will put a Slap Bracelet on the athlete's arm as they go through the turnaround
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They have to slow down or stop to enable the volunteers to put the bracelet on their arm.
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This depends on the skills of the rider. The less skilled the rider, the greater the chance they have to stop
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Even without Slap Bracelets, the Timing Company has a way to flag suspicious times for review
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Run Course
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How will you know if an athlete has completed all their laps on the Track?
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If there are enough volunteers, they will hand out a bracelet for every lap completed
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There is also a lap counter timing mat on the course
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Non-competitive event
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Each athlete in the non-competitive event has one trusted adult who accompanies them throughout the race. They will have a green wristband to show that they are the designated adult. This adult must remain ON FOOT for the entire race.
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Can they be in Transition?
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If the athlete is in Transition, the adult with the wristband can be in Transition
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Can they swim with their athlete?
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Only athletes and (possibly) lifeguards can be in the pool due to safety issues
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There will be at least six lifeguards at the pool
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Can they bike with their athlete?
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No, the designated adult can be on the Bike course with their athlete, but they must be ON FOOT
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Can they run on the track with their athlete?
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Yes, the designated adult can run along with their athlete
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Can they run through the Finish Line?
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If their athlete wants to share the moment with them, they can
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- Can I bring my dog?
- We are very sorry but dogs are not allowed on campus
- Is there a designated smoking area?
- The entire campus is smoke free
- Are there any other restrictions?
- No food or drink is allowed at the pool and the stadium
- Only water may be brought in