Race Day

General Rules and Reminders

Please help us make this day successful for everyone by keeping in mind the following:

  • Bibs must be visible from the front!
  • Get to know the course!  Check out the course maps on this website and participate in the course overview offered at the pre-race meeting

Check-In, Body Marking & Swim

  • Arrive early (8 am at the latest) ...check in and get body marked.  For safety reasons, all competitors will be marked with permanent ink with their race number.
  • Listen for the marshalling announcement for the pool.  All swimmers must be body marked and on the pool deck ready to swim by 9:00 am.  Swimmers please enter the pool area from Rec Centre lobby or through the change rooms.
  • Note: parents and spectators can only enter and exit the pool area by the west door (from parking lot adjacent to soccer fields).
  • Follow the direction of the swim marshal in the pool area.
  • Cheer on all competitors while you wait to race.
  • No flippers, fins, or wetsuits
  • ALWAYS WALK on the pool deck.
  • Smile...everybody is cheering for you!

Transition   (you can find a picture of the transition area here)

  • "Transition" means changing from one activity to another, or in triathlon, the area where the athletes change from swimming to biking and then again from biking to running.
  • Only athletes and race volunteers are allowed in the transition area.  We have a great bunch of volunteers that will help the littlest of athletes dry off, get their helmet on, do up shoes, and attend to all their race needs!  We encourage parents and friends to cheer on athletes from the transition perimeter and along the course routes.
  • Only athletes will be allowed to retrieve their belongings from transition.  Re-entry will be allowed upon completion of the race.  We want to ensure the safety of all athletes and the security of their bikes and gear.
  • Be aware of the entrance and exits from transition- called the “chutes”.  Before your race begins, make sure you familiarize yourself with the swim entrance chute (from pool to transition), the bike exit chute (from transition out onto the bike course), the bike entrance chute (coming back into transition from the bike course) and the run exit chute (leaving transition for the last time and heading out onto the run course).
  • Remember where your bike and gear are.  After setting up your equipment in transition and before leaving for the swim marshalling area, make a mental note of where your bike is.  Is it in the middle of transition?  Is it beside the big tree?    Perhaps you can place your favorite towel over your bike.  This will help you quickly find your way to your bike when you are running in to transition after your swim.
  • Relay teams -- swimmers come out of pool and tag bikers just outside the transition area.  Bikers will run to their bikes, put helmets on and WALK bikes to transition exit.  A marshall will show you where you can mount your bike.  When you return, dismount outside the transition area, walk your bike back to your original spot, remove your helmet, and run to tag your runner just outside the RUN EXIT from transition.
  • Relay team swimmers and bikers must meet their runner at the finish line so all team members can be given a medal.
  • A water station will be located just outside transition.  Make sure you drink lots!

Bike Course

Ideally you should be familiar with road rules and proficient at basic bike skills (e.g. signs, signaling, stopping, cornering, riding in a straight line, and riding with other people/passing).

  • Remember the courses that are on the roads are not closed to vehicle traffic.
  • Keep right, stay inside the traffic cones and obey all traffic marshals.
  • Slow down for corners, hazards (i.e. bumps, crossings) and turn-a-rounds.
  • There will be traffic marshals reminding you to slow down at the turn-a-rounds and at hazards...listen to them.
  • Slow down for lap marking if applicable (age 12+)
  • Keep your head up, eyes open and be safe!

Run Course & Finish Area

  • Follow route marshals directions at all times.
  • Familiarize yourself with your age specific route(s).
  • Slow down for lap marking if applicable (age 10+)
  • Wear your bibs in the front.
  • Clear the finish area after completing your race to help the timers do their job.
  • Water is provided outside transition as well as at the finish line.
  • Have fun and be sure to give the other participants lots of space.
  • Remember that EVERY finisher is a winner and everyone will get a medal.