East Bay Kids Triathlon

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.

Download Athlete Guide

 

Common questions and their answers:

• When should we arrive?

  • 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

  • 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. 

  • 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

• What if we are late?

  • 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

• What if our child's wave is later?

  • Feel free to cheer on the other athletes or amuse yourself in the Expo

  • Just make sure to be back at the pool 20-30 minutes before your wave starts

  • 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 

  • It's a built-in time penalty

• Can I switch from Non-competitive to Competitive or Vice Versa?

  • 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

• How is the age group designation made?

  • An athlete's age for any USAT-sanctioned race will be his/her age as of Dec. 31 of the current race year.

  • 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

• What should my child wear to race?

  • If your athlete has a tri suit, they will wear that. It's designed to dry quickly and has a small pad for cycling

  • Most other athletes start in their swimsuit and then put on shorts and a shirt when they get done swimming

  • 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

  • If the swimsuit is not covering the torso, they have to put on a shirt. Shorts are optional

• Where is the starting point?

  • Everybody has to come to the swim start/drop off to start the race.

  • Even for the Duathlon 

• How does my athlete change into dry clothes after swimming?

  • There is no changing area and nudity in Transition is not allowed.

  • Therefore, athletes get on the bike slightly damp.

  • It's part of triathlon!

• Does my child have to wear the free shirt they get at Packet Pickup

  • No, the shirt is yours to do with as you wish

• Does the athlete need to finish the full distance to proceed to the next leg?

  • They can cut the course short if needed, but it will result in a time penalty.

  • And they will not be eligible for awards

• Where can spectators be?

  • There is an area at the Pool for spectators; stay behind the barriers

  • Specators can hang outside the Transition fence

  • There is a sidewalk down the entire Bike course that can be used to spectate

  • There are bleachers to watch the Track and Finish

  • The Expo is open to everyone

• Swim questions

  • Are swim aids allowed?

• • • 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).

    • Be sure that your child can swim if they lose their grip on the kickboard.

    • If a swim aid is used, you have to bring it. The organizer is not providing swim aids.

  • Should kids wear flip flops to get from the pool to the transition area?

    • 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

  • Will the volunteers count laps in the pool?

    • Athletes are responsible for counting their own laps

    • Volunteers will try to help, but they are supervising many athletes and should not be counted on

  • Can they use a lap counter?

    • Yes. A sports watch or wearable lap counter is recommended.

    • The lap counter can't be a person

  • Do the kids need to wear a swim cap?

    • No you don’t have to

    • Same with googles

  • Are rash guards allowed?

    • Yes. It has to be technical material to perform properly during the swim.

    • Do not wear a cotton shirt. They get heavy when wet and can pull a swimmer down

  • How do they start the swim?

    • Everybody starts swimming in the pool, no diving.

  • Will there be anybody helping the kids exit the pool?

    • Yes, volunteers are there to help the kids exit the pool.

  • Can we swim with the bib number?

    • No, bib numbers fall apart once wet. So please keep them in the transition.

    • Put them on before going into the Bike course

• Bike questions

  • Can parents be on the Bike Course?

    • Spectators must stay off all courses

    • There is a sidewalk on both sides of the Bike course, so spectators will have plenty of space to watch their athletes

    • The only exception is the Non-Competitive event (see below)

  • How will you know if a cyclist has completed all their laps?  

    • If we have enough volunteers, they will put a Slap Bracelet on the athlete's arm as they go through the turnaround

      • They have to slow down or stop to enable the volunteers to put the bracelet on their arm.

      • This depends on the skills of the rider. The less skilled the rider, the greater the chance they have to stop

    • Even without Slap Bracelets, the Timing Company has a way to flag suspicious times for review

• Run Course

  • How will you know if an athlete has completed all their laps on the Track?

    • If there are enough volunteers, they will hand out a bracelet for every lap completed

    • There is also a lap counter timing mat on the course

• Non-competitive event

  • 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.

  • Can they be in Transition?

    • If the athlete is in Transition, the adult with the wristband can be in Transition

  • Can they swim with their athlete?

    • Only athletes and (possibly) lifeguards can be in the pool due to safety issues

    • There will be at least six lifeguards at the pool

  • Can they bike with their athlete?

    • No, the designated adult can be on the Bike course with their athlete, but they must be ON FOOT

  • Can they run on the track with their athlete?

    • Yes, the designated adult can run along with their athlete

  • Can they run through the Finish Line?

    • If their athlete wants to share the moment with them, they can

• 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