This section contains information that is important to parents/guardians and to their young athletes. Reading and following these instructions will help assure that race day will be a safe and enjoyable day for kids and adults alike.

 

  Racing Age determined by the participants age on December 31, 2010

USAT

ALL Racers must have USAT membership to race. No exceptions. Annual membership is $5.00. Memberships can be purchased online at www.usatriathlon.org OR you can purchase one at Packet Pick-up. If membership card has been lost, a replacement card can be printed from USAT website.

In compliance with USAT rules, a parent or legal guardian must show their ID AND child's membership card to pick up race packet. No exceptions. Children are not required to attend packet pick-up

IMPORTANT INFO:

Parents - For the safety of all our youth participants, only athletes, race officials and transition volunteers will be allowed in the transition area. There will be a lot of activity in these areas and the more bodies, the greater chance some one will get hurt. Experienced volunteers will be in the transition areas to assist the children. We appreciate your cooperation, and we take every precaution to conduct a safe race for your children.

Only helmets approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may be used in USAT sanctioned events. If unsure if child's helmet meets this requirement, please take to a bike shop to have it checked.

Children may not leave the transition area without their helmet on, and strap securely fastened. IF RACER DOES NOT HAVE AN APPROVED HELMET ON RACE DAY, PARTICIPATION IN RACE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED.

safety considerations

1. Please plan to be at race site early on race day to get body marked & transition area set up.  The transition area opens at 5:30am. There will be a mandatory pre-race meeting promptly at 6:45am, at which time transition area will be closed. Give yourself lots of time to get ready.

2. Parents or siblings on bikes are not allowed on the course. This helps keep the course clear for the participants. Only official event staff is allowed on course.

3. Check over your bike (tires, chain, brakes, seat height, etc.) prior to race day to make sure it’s safe.

6. Good sportsmanship is expected of all participants and their parents. The directions and guidance of the race officials must be followed for the safety of everyone.

7. The race directors reserve the right to judge the ability of any participant to safely continue the race; the decisions of the race directors are final.

8. Consider pre-race conditioning. The race distances are designed to be attainable for the average, healthy, active child. While a serious training regimen is not necessary, it is helpful to get a child used to the distances, and to build up some cardiovascular endurance.

9. Should event officials determine that an emergency event or unsafe race situations, including inclement weather, may affect the triathlon, the event director may a) reroute or shorten in length the race course b) stop participants from competing or not allow participants to begin competing or c) cancel the event and not restart race.

10. Have a great time. This should be above all, FUN.

more info......

Swim Starts
The parent/guardian is responsible for getting the athlete to the event with sufficient time to be ready for his/her swim wave. Individuals are started and timed by pre-assigned numbers. Missing the start time will mean missing the event. The organizers will try to accommodate any unusual circumstances but there is no guarantee that such can be done.

Swim Aids
Swim aids such as flotation devices will be allowed. Athletes must provide their own swim aids and be Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices. No performance enhancing devices such as fins will be allowed. For the safety of all participants, if a flotation device is used, that participant will be required to start after all other racers.

Training Wheels
Training wheels will be allowed.

Age Limits

The Youth Triathlon is for kids 7 to 14 yrs.

Check-In:

Check in will be in the morning of the event beginning at 5:30am, when transition opens.  All youth athletes must have their equipment set up by 6:45am, at which time transition will be closed and mandatory pre-race meeting will begin. Signs will direct you to the Transition Area where they will pick up timing chip & be body marked. There is no Registration on race day.

Placing Race Numbers:

You will have three numbered articles in your Race Packet: a large colored race bib and two smaller black and white twist ties. The colored bib is to be pinned on the front of the t-shirt or running shorts (safety pins are available at packet pick-up). Please fill out bottom of bib tag but do not remove it. This is for emergency purposes only. Check the information on this tag to be sure it is correct.  

The small black and white tags are for the helmet and bike. Check to be sure that the two numbers match the number on the race bib. Put one tag on the front of the helmet. Put the other tag on the cross bar or handle bar of the bike. This second tag is used to identify your child's bike when he/she removes it from the Transition Area after the race is over. A volunteer will match the bike tag to your child's bib number. (Note to past race participants: Please remove any old helmet stickers and/or race number tags from past or previous races. There will be volunteers in the Transition Area to assist with proper Race Number placement.)

Good luck to all the triathletes!