General Stuff

Seriously consider arriving the day prior to the race.  First, you will be able to take care of the time-consuming check-in activities (below) absent long lines and anxiety.  Second, you will be able to tour the racecourses for familiarity.  Third, you will be able to grab an extra hour or two of sleep the night before the race.  And fourth, you will be able to go right to the bike/transition check-in on race morning.

Race Day
Minus One

You are at the race site.

If you have a USA Triathlon annual membership card, pull it out.  Otherwise, grab your checkbook or $10 to purchase a USA Triathlon single-event license.  You must either show a valid annual membership card or purchase the single-event license to race...no exceptions!  No credit cards for single-event.  Interested in learning more about USA Triathlon membership? 
Go to www.usatriathlon.org

Athletes who signed up prior to race weekend...go to the alphabetic listing table and find your name and assigned race number.

If you have a USA Triathlon annual membership card, go directly to the pre-registered check-in area. Otherwise, go to the forms table, fill out the USA Triathlon membership application, then bring your application and $10 single-event fee to the USA Triathlon table. 

Go to the pre-registered check-in tables (go to the line where the sign contains your assigned race number) where you will secure your waterproof paper (bib) number, double-sided cardboard (bike) number and swim cap (a number corresponding to your swim wave will be affixed with a marker).  Prior to receiving the numbers and cap, a volunteer will ask you what your assigned number is...verify the spelling of your name... and confirm your age and birth date.  You will be asked to show a photo ID with your date of birth.  You will also be issued the Chip Technology Timing device that will be velcro-strapped above your ankle throughout the race.

Go to the tables containing your souvenir tee shirt and race bag (containing a ton of sponsor goodies and a bike water bottle).

View the race courses.  Refer to the course maps found on our website.  The orange swim course buoys will be in the water.  The bike and run courses will carry distinct yellow directional signage and be pavement marked (directional arrows in  2" white duct tape).

Before going to bed:  pin your paper bib number to the front of your running shirt or shorts (or to an elastic waist belt).  Do not pin the tear-off tag located at the bottom of the bib.  Next, attach the bike number over the top tube of your bike (connecting the seat and handlebar) using the twist ties or safety pins provided, such that the number can be seen from both sides of the bike.  Pack the items listed under Race Gear within the Race Essentials section.  It may be smart to bring along two plastic bags to store your gear and wet (swim) clothing.  Be sure to write your assigned race number (and name) on the bags in magic marker.

IF YOU RECEIVED YOUR Chip Technology Timing DEVICE EARLIER IN THE DAY...PACK IT NOW!!!

Check-In  

Wake up in time to ensure arrival at the race registration/check-in site at least 1-1/2 to 2 hours prior to the start of the race (parking gets tricky as the race start approaches).  Fill your water bottles and inflate your bike tires before leaving.

About parking:  give yourself plenty of time...and park first.  Refer to the ‘PARKING’ section of each race description to follow.

We are assuming you picked up your race packet and numbers on race day minus one.  If not, repeat all of the steps in the 'Race Day Minus One' section above.  Otherwise...bring your bike to the entrance to bike transition.  You will be met by a race official, which will inspect your helmet (safety-approved…sticker inside lid).  You must show your bib-bike numbers and Chip.  Enter the transition area and go to the bike rack which carries a numbered sign showing the sequence containing your assigned number.  Eight bikes per rack.  Example:  if your number is 13, find the sign '9 - 16'.  Relay teams are usually the highest numbered.  No spectators will be allowed in transition.  NOTE: if your bike needs a quick adjustment, ask the race announcer for the location of the bike shop technician.

Set up your area.  Space is tight, so be compact.  Drape the handlebar of your bike (or brake levers) over the bar of the bike rack.  Clip your helmet to the bike's top tube or handlebar.  Make sure the bike number is attached to the top tube of the bike.  Put your biking shoes under the pedals.  Make sure your running bib number is attached on the front of your running shirt or shorts.  Some triathletes prefer to stuff their running clothes in a bag to keep them dry for the run.  Place these clothes under the bike.  Be considerate of fellow triathletes using the same rack.  Depending on when they signed up, athletes on your rack should be in your racing Division.

Body numbering.  Inside transition or near the swim area, for further identification we magic marker your assigned race number to your right biceps...and the number and a letter coded for your racing Division to the left calf.  To ensure that the markings will hold, please do not apply petroleum jelly or sunscreen until you have been marked.  Next...time to visit the restroom???

NOTE!!! Our race announcer will be making important, continuous announcements all morning.  Keep an ear out! The bike transition entrance will CLOSE 10 minutes before race start.  If you are late, you risk being turned away from the race!!!

The Swim

Feel free to warm up.  Practice getting out of your wetsuit.  Be considerate to all and be out of the water at least 10 minutes before the start of the first wave (or when the Race Director commands swimmers to exit).

Assemble in the wave corrals.  For safety and to control the flow of swimmers in the water, we will divide the race field into five or  more starting waves.  Three to five minutes (or more) between each wave start. The Elite-Pro Division starts first followed by the Age Divisions and Relay Teams.  The magic-markered number on your swim cap must correspond to your wave start.  However, mistakes can be made...so prior to the start of each wave, the Race Director will announce the wave number and the corresponding Division.  So listen up!  Wave #1 will be positioned at water’s edge for a shoreline start.  Subsequent waves will line up in layers (swim caps #2 behind wave #1 in the wave corral...swim caps #3 behind swim caps #2...and so forth.)  Please be in your corral at least five minutes prior to the start of wave #1.  Pre-swim announcements will be made prior to each wave.  If you are a weak swimmer, for comfort, it might be wise to line up in the rear of your wave.  Also, if you wish to have some special attention in the water, we will issue you a powder blue swim cap at the swim start.  Lifeguards will know that the blue cap indicates a novice swimmer.  BE SURE YOUR CHAMPIONCHIP TIMING DEVICE IS SECURELY AFFIXED VIA THE VELCRO STRAP ABOVE YOUR ANKLE (EITHER ANKLE IS FINE). IT IS OK TO PLACE THE CHIP UNDER YOUR WETSUIT MATERIAL..

The gun sounds...and you're off!  Swim smart...keep calm.  Swimming in open water with 50 to 150 other people is much different than swimming in the comfort of your own lane at your YMCA.  Lifeguards will be on boards along the line of the swim course.  If you need to rest, simply tread water to the nearest guard.  Get your bearings, and then swim on.  The guard cannot advance you.  If you need to remove yourself from the competition, try to get to a guard on a board.  Otherwise, tread water, remove your swim cap and wave it so that a guard on a board (or rescue boat staff) will see it.  Be patient...as guards may be attending to other swimmers in need.  Once on shore, go directly to the race announcer and inform him of your self-disqualification.  You may not re-enter the competition.  For those completing the swim, once on shore, be sure to run over the CHAMPIONCHIP TIMING MATS for an accurate recording of your swim split.   If you drop out of the race, report your number to the announcer immediately and return your chip to the volunteers in the end-of-run finish line chutes

Cut-Offs: We will impose swim time limits.  All swimmers must be out of the water 20 minutes after the start of the final wave enters the water at our Hyannis Sprint 1 and 2 Triathlons…and 25 minutes after that wave start at Falmouth.  Swimmers remaining in the water after this limit may be pulled from the competition and will not be allowed to continue in the race.

Swim-to-Bike

As you are running up the beach, strip your wetsuit off completely.  Water and Gatorade will be at the end of the swim exit chute. Run 'gingerly' to your bike (watch for stones).  Go to your bike.  Dry off.  Put on your bike gear.  PUT ON YOUR HELMET, FASTENING Transition THE STRAP UNDER THE CHIN.  Before leaving the area, be sure to stuff any belongings in one of your numbered plastic bags.  Race organizers are not responsible for loss of items!  Carefully lift your bike off the rack.  Walk your bike into the bike aisle next to your rack.  Unless told otherwise, you must walk your bike out of transition...and mount on the street.  Have at least one full water bottle?  RELAY TEAMS: the biker can be ready to ride (helmet securely fastened under the chin) but cannot remove the bike from the rack until hand-tagged by the swimmer.  Further note on relays:  the CHAMPIONCHIP unit  must be worn by those doing the swim and the run at all races.   Be sure to transfer the CHAMPIONCHIP to the proper team member or times will not be recorded!  Watch out for other riders in transition...and cars exiting onto the roadway.

The Bike

Ride single-file...and when you wish to pass, look around you to make sure other bikes or cars are not going to impede your passing. YOU DO NOT OWN THE ROAD.  ROADS ARE OPEN TO CAR TRAFFIC (except where instructed otherwise).  KEEP TO THE RIGHT AT ALL TIMES!  Pace yourself, warming into your ride after your swim leg.  Course turns are staffed with enthusiastic volunteers and are marked with yellow signage affixed to road signs (also, pavement- marked arrows in 2" wide white duct tape).

Police officers are posted at critical intersections.  Race officials on motorcycles will patrol the course to control cycling activity.  If the official informs you of a potential violation, please follow his instructions.  All we want is a safe and fair event for all.  Refer to the  'Common Rules Violations' section on page 4 for penalty rulings.  Water provided only on the longer Fairlee Great Triathlon bike course.  Like the swim, if you drop out of the race, report your number to the race announcer immediately upon returning to the transition area….and return your chip to the volunteers in the end-of-run finish chutes.  NOTE:  watch out for pavement deformities!

Bike-to-Run

A mile before transition, do some low-gear spinning to get your legs ready for the final phase of the race...the run.  Although it might impress your friends with a strong 30 mile-per-hour finish into transition, such a move is unsafe.  Once you see the entrance to transition, slow down and come to a rolling stop at the transition entrance.  Walk your bike to the rack.  REMOVE YOUR HELMET. Rack your bike.  Put on your running gear (paper number facing front!)  Put your biking gear in the other numbered plastic bag. Before running into the aisle, look both ways for oncoming bikes and fellow runners.  Exit transition for the run.  RELAY TEAMS:  the runner can be ready to run (fully dressed), but cannot start the run until the biker has draped the bike over the bike rack and has provided a hand-tag…and remember, the runner must wear the CHAMPIONCHIP unit!

The Run

Depending on your conditioning, your legs may feel light as a feather...or like lead.  Warm into your run.  The bike segment uses many of the muscles used in running.  Like the bike course, the run carries volunteer support at the turns...and signage.  Water stops about every 1-1/2 mile.  If you drop out of the run, return your chip to the volunteers in the end-of-run finish chutes (enter behind the chutes)

The Finish!

You can taste your personal victory.  You see the finish line banners.  Make sure your run number is facing front.  Put all you've got into it.  Once across the line (with a photo finish), keep your place in the finish chutes.  Follow the instructions of the timing staff. Remove the tear tag on the bottom of your bib number for the timers.  SURRENDER YOUR VELCRO STRAP STILL THREADED THROUGH THE CHAMPIONCHIP TO RACE STAFF.  Water and Gatorade will be available at the end of the chutes.

Head to the post-race food center.  To ensure that all athletes receive bagels, cookies, fruit, flavored sparkling water and more, we will provide each athlete with one serving of each.  Should items remain once all have passed through the food center, you may help yourself to seconds, if and as supplies permit.

Clean out your transition.  Again, only athletes are allowed in transition.  You must show your bib number before leaving with your personal belongings (matching the number affixed to your bike).  Trash cans will be provided in transition...please dispose of litter.

Race results...will be posted near the awards area.  The race announcer will reveal the location.  Posted results are unofficial results. Disqualification and time penalties for rules infractions will be posted with the results.  Report to the timing van if you notice a glaring discrepancy in your finish time (not your individual swim-bike-run splits).  Note:  finish times are considered final once the race organizers have left the site on race day.  Next:  stick around for great awards, bountiful raffles and posted race results.