Skip to main content

East Bay Kids Triathlon

Sun July 13, 2025 Hayward, CA 94542 US Directions

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.

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 anybody be 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
      • In addition, 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 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 or the stadium
    • The only exception is water

If you continue to use this site, you consent to use all cookies. We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience. Read how we use cookies and how you can control them by visiting our Privacy Policy.

If you continue to use this site, you consent to use all cookies.