CHAMP Racing
Timing & Producing since 2002
CHAMP Racing
The Great Western Reserve Triathlon
Presented by Steel Valley Triathlon Club
West Branch State Park Beach
Ravenna, OH 44266
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Half-Iron, Aquabike, Half Relay
Sunday, June 11, 2017
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Olympic, Sprint Distance
Saturday, June 10, 2017
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This event is USAT Sanctioned Event. NO ID...NO Race...NO Exceptions! USAT policy View USAT Most Common Rules Violated
The chAmp chUmps would like to introduce our new partner, SWORD PERFORMANCE
2017 Race Updates and the Latest News! updated 6/9/2017
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FINAL Race Prep Information:
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Athlete Tracking Links:
Half Iron Link https://register.chronotrack.com/event/tracking/eventID/30969
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Sprint & Olympic Link: https://register.chronotrack.com/event/tracking/eventID/30999
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Please be prepared for the heat. We have added an additional water only aid station runners will pass at the .75/5k/5.5/7.5/12 Mile mark.
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We have also added SWORD Performance Drink Formula throughout the courses!
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We have an adjustment to the swim course. It will still be a rectangular counter clockwise swim (buoys on left). The sprint will still do 1 lap, the Oly will still do 2 laps, but the HALF WILL NOW DO 3 LAPS of the rectangle. (Why? We will have a good breeze again as we did last year, and last year had swells and results in a swim course change. In anticipation of this once again, we will err on the side of caution.
Parking in Newton Falls is at the Cadle Company @ 100 N. Center Street, Newton Falls 44444
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Bus Pickup will be at the Healthy Treasures located at 40 W Broad Street, Newton Falls 44444
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Please review the below article related to heat related issues & prevention:
http://bicycletimesmag.com/how-to-keep-your-cool/
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The race field is growing quickly and OVER 300 for all divisions. We will have finishers medals, overall, and age group awards for the Half iron participants, and overall and age group awards for the Sprint & Olympic Distance. Sponsor donations, goodies, and some groovy raffle prizes will also be on hand for all participating athletes.
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Thank you so much for those supporting the local scene. Oh, almost forgot. Great news!...Those racing the Oly can also use GWRT and other 2017 USAT sanctioned Oly races to qualify for the 2018 USAT National Championships right here in the CLE!
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IT WILL BE HOT!
Saturday, Partly cloudy winds SW 10mph with high temps 80
Sunday, Partly cloudly winds SW 10-15 mph with highs temps 88
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REGISTRATION
Fee Schedule: Fees: *USAT One-day License add $15
There is no RACE-DAY Registration
2017 Half-Iron Individual Fees:
$119 from 11/1/16 - 12/31/16
$149 from 1/1/17 - 3/31/17
$169 from 4/1/17 - 6/8/17
$180 on 6/10/17
2017 Half-Iron AQUABIKE Fees:
$109 from 11/1/16 - 3/31/17
$129 from 4/1/17 - 6/8/17
$140 on 6/10/17
2017 Half-Iron Relay Fees:
$179 from 11/1/16 - 3/31/17
$199 from 4/1/17 - 6/8/17
$210 on 6/10/10
There is no RACE-DAY Registration
2017 Olympic Individual Fees:
$69 from 11/1/16 - 3/31/17
$75 from 4/1/17 - 6/8/17
2017 Olympic Relay Fees
$99 from 4/1/17 - 6/8/17
2017 Sprint Individual Fees:
$59 from 11/1/16 - 3/31/17
$65 from 4/1/17 - 6/8/17
The Jist!
The weekend of multisport activities will begin Saturday, June 10 with the SPRINT & OLYMPIC RACES, and then with late registration for the half-iron distance, course preview, race clinics, and a humble little expo with several vendors on site.
The Half-iron will take place Sunday, June 11 and will be featured as the only race on that day! The Half iron will begin at Transition #1/West Branch State Park Beach for 1.2 mile swim, and then take athletes through a 1 loop, 56 mile course which features a balance of smooth fast road and some rolling hills. Transition #2 will be located on Broad Street in the heart of Newton Falls Village. Athletes will then do 2 loops through the flat streets of surrounding village streets.
EVENT INFORMATION
The Timeline
WEDNESDAY, June 7
Online Registration Closes at 9:00 PM EST
Friday, June 9
The Race Director begins to get overwhelmed and stressed-out, thus encountering several episodes of panic...dashing around town to round-up some last minute volunteers and helping hands after everyone begins to bail on him!
Saturday, June 10
6:00am Beach/T1 Opens for bike drop
6:30am Packet-Pickup Opens and Body Marking in TA
7:50am Pre-race Meeting in TA
7:57am Last dash to the bathroom! and TA CLOSES
8:00am Olympic Distance Waves Start
8:30am Sprint Distance Waves Start
Half-iron Packet Pick-up
1:00pm-6:00pm Half Iron Late registration, Packet Pick-up and bike/T1 gear drop-off
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Sunday, June 11
5:15am-Beach T1 Opens/Race-day Packet Pick-up & Bike Drop
8:15am- Course Instructions, Pre-race Meeting and TA CLOSES
8:30am-GWRT Half-Iron MASS START
9:45am-Swim Cut-off
1:30pm-Bike Course Cut-off
4:00pm-Run Course Cut-off
The Bus will leave from Newton Falls City Hall (19 N. North Canal Street)
Bus 1 - 6:40am
Bus 2 - 7:25am
LOCATION & DIRECTIONS
Location:
West Branch State Park, Ravenna, OH
The event will take place at the West Branch State Park BEACH located in Ravenna, OH. Ravenna is located in Northeast Ohio between the cities Akron and Youngstown in the heart of the historic Western Reserve Territory.
Please note: The park's physical address directions (5570 Esworthy Road) will take you to the State Park's Camp Office, which is on the opposite side of the park of the beach/event venue. DO NOT GPS the park address on Esworthy Road. This is NOT the location of the race. The race venue is located at the BEACH/MARINA area. There is no physical address for the beach.
Click Here for Park's Website & Map.
BEACH
Getting Here!
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To access the beach from SR 5 (North):
Follow SR 5 (from East or West) to SR 225 South. Follow SR 225 South about 2 miles to Cable Line Road. Take a right (heading Westbound) for 3 miles. Cable Line will take you directly into the Park/Beach Drive. Follow the Park/Beach Drive until you run into TA!
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To access the beach from SR 18/Tallmadge Road (South):
Follow SR 18/Tallamadge Road (from East or West) to SR 255. Take SR 255 Northbound about 2 miles to Cable Line Road. Take a left (head Westbound) for 3 miles. Cable Line will take you directly into the Park/Beach Drive. Follow the Park/Beach Drive until you run into TA!
Lodging
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Holiday Inn Express, Lordstown/Newton Falls
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Holiday Inn Express, Youngstown, OH
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Econolodge, Newton Falls
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Other area with plenty of hotels approximately 30 minutes to race site: Search "Hotels in Streetsboro, OH 44241"
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Camping Options: West Branch State Park
Things to do while in the area...
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Sit under a tree and read a good novel.
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Wildwater Kingdom, Aurora, OH
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Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton, OH
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Aurora Premium Outlet Stores, Aurora, OH
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Clay's Park Resort, North Lawrence, OH
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Fall asleep on a pontoon boat and get sunburnt
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Blossom Music Center, Cuyahoga Falls, OH
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Arnie's Steak House, Ravenna, OH Great Food!
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Hartville Market Place & Flea Market, Hartville, OH
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Toilet paper the Genovese household, Streetsboro, OH
BROAD ST.
COURSE INFORMATION
The SWIM
Scroll below below for transition area information and details on point-to-point options
Swim: 1.2 Miles / .93 Miles / .5 Miles
The swim course is a 2 X .6 mile counter clockwise course (buoys on left)
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HALF - BIG GREEN PYRAMID buoys will be the turn buoys on left. It is a rectangular swim in a large state park open water venue. Average water temperature in June is around 70 degrees and should be wet-suit legal.
The half distance will be a mass start of all males, then all female five minutes after.
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SPRINT/OLYMPIC - ORANGE & GREEN Buoys will be the turn buoys on left.
The olympic and sprint distance events will be in waves based on participation numbers in each age group.
Half Iron 10:00am SWIM CUT-OFF
View SPRINT & OLY Swim Course Map
The BIKE
Scroll below below for transition area information and details on point-to-point options
Bike: 56 Miles / 26 Miles /13 Miles VIEW HALF BIKE COURSE PICS!
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The 2017 bike course is now a 56 mile, 1 lap POINT-to-POINT course. The GWRT will take athletes over some flat fresh pavement and some gentle to rolling hills across the Western Reserve counties with scenic views of Berlin Lake and across the West Branch Revervoir dam. It is a great mix of rolling hills and flat runs! The course will have a bike fluid station located approx. the 28 MILE MARK
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The roads are OPEN TO TRAFFIC on the bike course, and the main intersections will be marshaled by police officers and Sheriffs.
PLEASE NOTE: The bike course will begin at West Branch State Park and finish in the village of Newton Falls. This is a point-point course. Athletes will go through Newton Falls two times, once at approximately mile 12 and then again at the finish of the bike course. T2 is located in Newton Falls.
Half Iron 1:00pm BIKE CUT-OFF
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View 2017 Half-Iron Bike Course Map (Mapmyrun Version)
2017 Half Iron Turn-by-Turn Course Map
View 2017 Sprint/Olympic Bike Course Another Sprint & Oly Map (Olympic is 2 Laps!)
The RUN
Scroll below below for transition area information and details on point-to-point options
Run: 13.1 Miles / 6 Miles / 3 Miles
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The 2017 Half iron run course is through the village roads of Newton Falls. The super-spectator-friendly course is a 3-lap 4.38 mile loop, mega-flat with some shade, on the paved roads and paths around the village area and along the Mahoning River. Click on the below link to view the course.
View 2017 Half-Iron Run Course Map (Mapmyrun Version) Half-Iron Directional Run Course Map
View 2017 Sprint/Olympic Run Course Map (at the State Park Beach area and surrounding roads. Portions of run course will be closed to traffic.)
Half-Iron Cut-off Time: 4:00pm
(The out-n-back portion of the run course on 1st Street will have one lane closed and dedicated for the runners. This lane will re-open to traffic approx. 3pm, but the runners will permitted to continue their run until the 4pm cut-off. Course marshals and patrol will still be on-course as well until 4pm.)
POINT-TO-POINT PROCESS
For Half Distance only...
The 2016 GWRT Half Iron Distance will be a point-to-point race with the swim and transition #1 at West Branch State Park and Transition #2 on Broad Street in Newton Falls, OH. There are several options to consider when preparing for a point-to-point event.
First, we need to explain the packet-gear bag thingy. Your packet/gear bag you will have the following items:
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Timing chip and strap. Must be worn throughout the race.
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Race bib. Only needs to be worn on the run portion of the race through the finish.
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Bike frame number. Applied to the bike frame prior to the race.
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Event wrist band. Must be worn throughout the race. This band will be also be used to collect your belongings after the race.
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1 BLACK plastic bag and 1 WHITE plastic bag. These bags will be used to pack your gear in transition areas.
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Official race T-shirt. We hope you like! If not, please apply blame to the tall lenky race director lady!
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Goodies & sponsor items
Which category applies to you?
Category #1:
You are in Category #1 if you...
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...Choose to pick-up your packet/gear bag on Saturday, June 10 from 1-6pm at the West Branch Beach during the Expo AND...
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...Have your own transportation before and after the race.
Here what you will do...
Saturday: You pick up your packet/gear bag at the beach "concession" area. After that, you will rack your bike in the secured park building which will be locked and secured overnight. You can place your bike gear (shoes, helmet, etc) here as well overnight or you can drop this gear off in the morning upon arriving at the beach on race day. You can report directly to the beach as we will have a "T2 Bike Bag" drop off truck and will transport that bag to Newton Falls/T2 for you.
Sunday/Race-day: Your transportation drives you to West Branch where you pick up your bike and report to your transition #1 spot and fine-tune your area. You then get your game face on and get ready to go! After your swim, you will pack ALL of your swim gear in the BLACK T1 Bag provided and then away you go on the bike! Make sure all your swim gear and transition area is clean of your gear and IN YOUR BAG prior to leaving for the bike course. CHAMP will load this bag and get it back to you in Newton Falls. Upon your arrival in Newton Falls after your bike segment, you will then head through transition #2, drop off your bike, grab your WHITE T2 Run Bag (with your run gear in it) and change for the run. Then away you go!!! Then you will finish! (we hope!)
Category #2:
You are in Category #2 if you...
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...Choose to pick-up your packet/gear bag on Saturday, June 10 from 1-6pm at the West Branch Beach during the Expo AND...
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...are flying solo and need transportation from Newton Falls to West Branch.
Here what you will do...
Saturday: You pick up your packet/gear bag at the beach "concession" area. After that, you will rack your bike in the assigned transition #1 bike rack area. You can place your bike gear (shoes, helmet, etc) here at your spot overnight in your T1 Bike Bag.
Sunday/Race-day: You drive to Newton Falls/Race-day check-in area to prep and drop your T2 Run Bag. You will then hang out and catch the transportation bus to West Branch. Once you arrive at West Branch, you double check and prep your T1 area. You then get your game face on and get ready to go! After your swim segment, you will pack ALL of your swim gear in the BLACK T1 Bike Bag provided and then away you go on the bike! Make sure all your swim gear and transition area is clean of your gear and IN YOUR BAG prior to leaving for the bike course. CHAMP will load this bag and get it back to you in Newton Falls. Upon your arrival in Newton Falls after your bike segment, you will then head through transition #2, drop off your bike, grab your WHITE T2 Run Bag (with your run gear in it) and change for the run. Then away you go!!! Then you will finish! (we hope!)
Category #3:
You are in Category #3 if you...
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...Cannot pick-up your gear until Sunday (race-day) morning.
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...Have your own transportation before and after the race.
Here what you will do...
Saturday: Nothing! You are busy doing something important, like spending time with your family, or fishing at the campground, or maybe sewing a new quilt, or going to the dentist, or trying to score brownie points with the in-laws by building them a new deck or changing the oil in their cars, or perhaps playing the star role of Bilbo Baggins in a community theatre musical called, "The Hobbit on a Rampage."
Sunday/Race-day: Your transportation drives you to West Branch State Park early to pick-up your Packet/gear bag. You then rack you bike in the assigned transition #1 rack area and prep your spot. Once everything is prepped and ready to go, you will make sure your T2 Run Bag is packed and loaded on the CHAMP truck (at the beach). We will transport this bag to Newton Falls/T2 for you. You then get your game face on and get ready to go! After your swim segment, you will pack ALL of your swim gear in the BLACK T1 Bike Bag provided and then away you go on the bike! Make sure all your swim gear and transition area is clean of your gear and IN YOUR BAG prior to leaving for the bike course. CHAMP will load this bag and get it back to you in Newton Falls. Upon your arrival in Newton Falls after your bike segment, you will then head through transition #2, drop off your bike, grab your WHITE T2 Run Bag (with your run gear in it) and change for the run. Then away you go!!! Then you will finish! (we hope!)
Category #4: The most time-consuming option :( Be sure to leave plenty of time to prepare.
You are in Category #4 if you...
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...Cannot pick-up your gear until Sunday (race-day) morning.
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...are flying solo and need transportation from Newton Falls to West Branch.
Here what you will do...
Saturday: Nothing! Just be chillin' like a villain!
Sunday/Race-day: You drive to West Branch to pick-up your Packet/Gear-bag. You will then rack your bike in the assigned racking area in T1 and prep your spot. Once your T1 spot is ready to go, you will then drive to Newton Falls/Race-day check-in area to prep and drop your T2 Run Bag. You will then hang out and catch the transportation bus to West Branch. Once you arrive at West Branch, you can double check your T1 area. You then get your game face on and get ready to go! After your swim segment, you will pack ALL of your swim gear in the BLACK T1 Bike Bag provided and then away you go on the bike! Make sure all your swim gear and transition area is clean of your gear and IN YOUR BAG prior to leaving for the bike course. CHAMP will load this bag and get it back to you in Newton Falls. Upon your arrival in Newton Falls after your bike segment, you will then head through transition #2, drop off your bike, grab your WHITE T2 Run Bag (with your run gear in it) and change for the run. Then away you go!!! Then you will finish! (we hope!)
This option requires you to check-in first at West Branch to pick-up your packet, and then drive to Newton Falls to catch the transportation bus back to the state park. The CHaMP CHuMPS suggest the following time frame if you are in category #4: Arrive approx. 5:30am at the state park to pick-up your packet and prep your T1 transition spot. This will take approximately 30-40 minutes. You will then have to drive to Newton Falls which is about a 15 minute drive. This will get you to Newton Falls approx. 6:30am which will give you about 45 minutes to catch the bus.
Points to Consider-
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Remember, race time begins at 8:30am.
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Bus transportation will be limited and will make runs from Newton Falls to West Branch beginning around 6:40AM with the last bus leaving at 7:30am PLEASE!...OH PLEASE, OH PLEASE.!..do NOT procrastinate like me and wait until the last bus. Plan your time wisely to ensure you have space on a bus.
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You will have two transition bags: 1 black and 1 white. Your black bag is your T1 swim to bike bag and the white bag is your T2 bike to run bag. Make sure that following the swim, you pack all of your swim gear in the black bag in T1, and then following the bike, all of your bike gear gets in the white bag in T2. We will then collect these bags and you will use your wrist bands to claim this gear after the race at Newton Falls.
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The T2 process will be a linear process and will go like this: 1. Upon entering T2, rack your bike in T2 wherever you find an open spot along the racks, 2. Grab your white T2 bag lying on the ground in numerical order (we will have some volunteers to help locate your bags.) 3. Get you bag and change into your run gear, 4. Drop off your T2 bag as you exit the transition area in Newton Falls.
FAQS
"Hey CHAMP CHUMPS!...
"I am racing the HALF, What happens if we can't pick-up the packet on Saturday? Is Saturday pick-up mandatory?"
Nope...Saturday packet pick-up in NOT mandatory but recommended. You can pick-up your gear beginning around 5:00am on race-day or when the staff wakes up! Saturday pick-up is NOT required. We highly suggest packet pick-up and racking your gear Saturday as this will help alleviate some stress on race-day. CHAMP will have personnel securing transition #1 overnight.
For SPRINT & OLYMPIC Distances...Packet Pick-up is ONLY on Saturday before the race. There is NO Packet Pick-up on Friday
Will we receive a packet/athlete's guide?
Yes, the CHaMP CHuMPS will email an athlete guide with updated information, rack assignments, and general event information.
Can we track athletes?
Yes. We will be posting the link to athlete updates as we draw closer to the event. The race will be timed and scored using Chonotrack Timing Systems and CT Live interactive software. Once we post the link to the Athlete Update Portal, you can click on the link, search for the athlete, and then sign-up for updates via text, Facebook, or Twitter.
Chonotrack Timing Systems
Wetsuits?
Yup...a good idea as water temps are in the upper 60's. (In 2016, the water temp was 72) Do-able without a wetsuit but wetsuits are recommended.
Beach start or in-water start?
Beach start-ALL MALES then ALL FEMALES (+5:00) for the Half
Wave start by age groups for the Sprint & Olympic
Water Depth?
From the zero-depth beach start, the water depth drops quickly to 15-20 out and around the buoys. Touchable depth is only located at the start/finish area of the swim.
Is the Race Director Single?
Nope...He's taken by the "tall lenky lady" that runs around the races self-laughing and ovetalking...but she's cute!
How can I view who is racin'?
Click here to view participant list
Will there be support at the race site?
Yes, we will have several support services both on the course and at the site. We will have Trailside Bicycle Support Team on race day/pre-race to assist with gear check-up, and we will have a support cruiser SAG compliments of Trailside Bicycle rolling around the course.
The on-site medical team will be supplied by NEAS, NorthEast Ambulance Medical Team.
And of course, you will have the support of me...and our new puppy, CHAOS...a purty little Alaskan Malamute!
Can we swim the course on Saturday?
Yes...and no. We are permitted for Saturday's Sprint and Olympic Distance events, and then again for the swim clinic presented by Liquid Lifestyles. The clinic will go over siting and swim strategy and will swim portions of the course. Only portions of the swim course will be available for swimming. However, there is a very long swimmable area located along the beach for a last minute workout.
How will the Aquabikers finish?
After completing the swim and bike portions of the race, the aquabikers will head straight through T2 about 100 yards, loop around 180 degrees through the finish chute. We suggest leaving some shoes at your transition spot to make the short run to the finish...Just in case!
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SWORD Endurance Information
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What is SWORD® Endurance?
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"SWORD® Endurance is a drink mix that simplifies your running hydration and fuel into one on the go source. One scoop in 20 ounces of water provides enough carbohydrate fuel and sodium electrolytes to ditch the need for any gels, beans, salt tabs, or other sports drinks during your run. It's natural formula is made from 6 all natural ingredients and is certified gluten-free & vegan-friendly. Using real fruit for flavor, SWORD® Endurance is light, easy to drink, and specifically designed to avoid an upset stomach.
Founded and formulated by two doctors who are runners themselves, Sword Performance creates products and solutions to simplify training and racing nutrition. We are proud to partner with Sword Performance and exclusively use their products on our courses this season! Look for SWORD® Endurance at our longer races this season where it will be available at all aid stations and finish lines.