Sandling Beach Formula 1 Sprint

Competitors will race the following distances in the following order:

*  Bike:  5 Miles
*  Run:  2K
*  Swim:  500 Meters
*  Bike:  5 Miles
*  Run:  2K
*  Swim:  500 Meters
*  Bike:  5 Miles
*  Run:  2K

Packet pick-up will be offered only on race day - Sunday, Oct. 6th:

Times:  7:00 am - 8:30 am

Location:  Race Site - Sandling Beach State Recreation Area - 14605 Creedmoor Rd. - Wake Forest, NC 27587

Mandatory Photo ID: All participants will be required to show photo ID at packet pick-up (including relay team members). You will not be given your race packet without photo ID! All participants must pick up their own race packet – individuals and relays. Please remember: you will not be able to pick up race packets for you friend/spouse/partner/etc. 

USAT Members: USA Triathlon requires that all USAT annual members must show their USAT membership card at packet pick-up. Any USAT annual member who does not present his/her valid membership card at packet pick-up will be required to pay the USAT one-day fee of $15. If you have not yet received your current USAT membership card, be sure to print out a temporary card to show at packet pick-up. We must see a current expiration date or you will have to pay the one-day fee. Please visit www.usatriathlon.org/membership to join, renew or print your temporary card. 

Race Packet: Your race packet will contain two race numbers and a swim cap. 

As part of Set Up’s GO GREEN initiative, we’ve reduced the amount of printed materials in your packet. Course maps and event details are available online. If you wish to have this info with you, please print it out before the race. 

You will be issued two numbers at packet pick-up: The square number is your run number and must be displayed on the front of your body during the run segment of the race only. Safety pins will be available at packet pick-up if you don’t have a race number belt. The rectangular number (with an adhesive backing and containing your number twice) is used during the bike segment of the race. Place this number over the top tube of your bike – toward the front if possible. 

NOTE:  Sandling Beach State Recreation Area closes for the year on Oct. 1st.
The NC State Park folks have allowed us to stage the race at Sandling Beach even though the park is closed.
It is for this reason that packet pick-up is only offered on race day. The park is closed on Saturday.

Important things to remember :

•   A photo ID is required for packet pick-up.
•   Cash, Check or Credit Card are accepted.
•   All participants must pick up their own race packet.
•   USA Triathlon requires that all USAT annual members must show their USAT membership card at packet pick-up.
•   Any USAT annual member who does not present his/her valid membership card at packet pick-up,
    will be required to pay the USAT one-day fee of $15. No exceptions.

PARTICIPANT MEETING: A participant orientation meeting will be held at 8:30 AM on race morning at the Start/Finish line.

Arrival: There is ample parking at the race site. Please follow parking signs and directions of the volunteers. 

PLEASE NOTE: Vehicles will not be allowed inside the parking area after 8:45 AM. Vehicles will not be allowed to leave until after the last biker is finished.

This means that anyone arriving at Sandling Beach after 8:45 am will not be allowed to enter the park - even walking. It would create a dangerous situation for spectators to be walking along the main park road where the bike race is taking place - dangerous for spectators and dangerous for participants.

We will reiterate this rule multiple times leading up to the race, so there will be no misunderstanding on race day. Wake County deputies will be stationed at the entrance and will be turning away anyone attempting to enter the park after 8:45 - NO EXCEPTIONS.

Champion Chip Timing: This race will be timed using the Champion Chip Timing method. Chip Pick-Up is 7:00-8:30AM at the race site on race morning. You will be required to show your run number to the folks handing out timing chips in order to get your timing chip. 

NOTE: All timing chips must be picked up by 8:30 AM. If you lose your timing chip, you will be charged a $30 replacement fee. 

Chip pick-up will begin at 7:00 AM on race morning. Make sure you receive the correct timing chip. Your chip number will match run number. You will wear this chip on your left ankle. Attach the chip to the disposable medical ankle strap given to you at chip pick up and attach the strap to your left ankle. Timing Chips are only issued on race morning.

Chip Fit Tips: We usually recommend 1-2 fingers width between the band and your ankle. Too Loose: It could fall off and you’ll be charged a replacement fee for the lost chip. Too Tight: It will become uncomfortable as your ankle will swell a little during the race. When you get it adjusted just right, make sure that the band snaps shut. You will hear the band snap into its closed position when it is secured properly. 

Volunteers will remove your strap and collect your timing chip as soon as you cross the finish line. 

What happens if I lose the timing chip? If this happens you will be charged a $30 replacement fee. We will send you an invoice within a week of the race. You will be required to pay that invoice before you race in any other Set Up Events races. Lost chips are a rarity. In 2015, we had less than ten lost chips for the entire year. If you attach the chip and chip strap to your ankle correctly, you should not lose the chip. 

Body Marking: All participants must be marked at the body marking area at the race site. Body marking is from 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM on race day. You MUST show your race run bib to the volunteer responsible for marking you. If you do not have your bib, you will not be marked. 

Transition Area: 

The transition area will have five entrances/exits -  These entrances and exits will be clearly identified through the use of large inflatable archways:

• TRANSITION ENTRANCE/EXIT
• BIKE START
• BIKE FINISH
• RUN START
• SWIM FINISH

Please use the designated TRANSITION AREA ENTRANCE/EXIT before the race (to rack your bike and setup your transition) and after you’ve finished racing (to remove your bike and gear). Crossing the timing mats when you shouldn’t could cause your times to be incorrect.

The race is time trial start with participants starting on their bikes.

Participants will start the race by lining up in the START/FINISH shoot. This is a self-seeded start. At the end of Bike 1 participants enter transition through the BIKE FINISH arch. 

Participants will start and finish Runs 1 & 2 using the RUN START arch. Run 3 ends at the START/FINISH line.

Participants will start and finish swims 1 & 2 using the SWIM FINISH arch. Once the race starts and you’re racing, make sure you come in and out of the transition area through the appropriate inflatable archway. If you’re finishing the swim and heading into the transition area to start the bike, make sure you run through the inflatable archway that reads SWIM FINISH. The inflatable archway next to that one will be for RUN START, so you don’t want to run through that one. At the other end of the transition area will be the BIKE START and BIKE FINISH archways.

All participants will have their own numbered bike slot. Find your numbered bike rack and then find your specific space on that rack. You’ll notice that half the numbers on the bike rack face one direction and the other half face the other direction. Place your bike on the rack centered on your number and facing the same direction as your number. Wheel is down on the same side as your number. This will allow for more space between bikes for placing your gear. Each rack accommodates six bikes - three bikes on one side and three bikes on the other side. 

Do not make a complete change of clothing in the transition area or other event area. There will be port-a-johns located in the transition are as well as the finish/start area. Please use these units if you plan to change clothing. 

After the race, you will be required to show your race number (body marking or run number) to check your bike out of transition. 

BIKE INFORMATION:

The bike is a 2.5 mile course that will be completed twice each bike segment. The bike course is inside the park and completely closed to vehicular traffic.

BIKE TRANSITION: Mount your bike at the designated mount/dismount line just outside transition area. You will also have to dismount at this location. 

DRAFTING: No drafting! Draft Marshals will be on the course and drafting rules will be enforced! Stay to the right to allow faster cyclists to pass on the left. 

HELMETS REQUIRED: Hard shell helmets must be worn and fastened before leaving the transition area. This includes pre and post-race travel to the race site. 

EQUIPMENT: No headphones, earphones or any radio-type devices will be allowed. 

COURSE INFO: There are plenty of volunteers for the race and turns will be clearly marked. Remember: it is ultimately your responsibility to know the course. Be careful and alert at all times as there are a few speed humps inside the park.

BIKE SUPPORT: Inside-Out Sports will offer bike tech support on race morning and will be set up in the transition area. 

RUN INFORMATION: 

The course is a 2k out and back and stays inside the park

Aid Stations: PLEASE make sure you deposit ALL trash in the trash containers that will be located at each aid station. If you’re caught throwing something out (and it’s not at an aid station) you will be disqualified per USAT rules. We ask for you cooperation with this. Any and all trash must be picked up after the race by our volunteers. Help these folks out – they will have been out there longer than you. 

HEADPHONES: Headphones, headsets, walkmans, ipods, mp3 players, or personal audio devices, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race. 

RACE NUMBERS: You must have your run number visible ON THE FRONT OF YOUR BODY as you cross the finish line. Failure to do so will result in a two minute penalty. 

FINISH LINE: When you approach the finish line you will cross over several timing mats – located approx. 50 yards before the finish line. These mats are used to pick up your race number so that the race announcer will be able to announce your name. Don’t stop at this point – keep running to the finish line – the finish line will be obvious. 

Do not cross the finish line more than one time. If you finish the race and then decide to run across the finish line with a friend/family member/race buddy/etc., you will be issued a five(5)-minute penalty. 

SWIM INFORMATION: 

The swim is 500m triangular-shaped course. 

Water Temps: Water temps will be posted on the website by 9:00 pm on Friday, October 4. USAT wetsuit rules will apply. If the water temperature is 79 – 83 degrees, participants may choose to wear a wet- suit, however, they will not be eligible for awards and they will not receive any AAA NCTS points or USAT ranking points and will show up in the results as DQ’d. 

SWIM CAPS are provided and must be worn. 

OPEN WATER SWIM TIPS: If you need assistance during the swim, roll over on your back and put your hand in the air. If you need to hang on to a watercraft during the swim, please make sure you are not hanging on to one of the motorized safety boats. You may hang on to a non-motorized vessel (kayaks, canoes, or surfboards) with- out penalty, however if you hang on to the side of one of the motorized watercraft you will be taken out of the water and disqualified.