Frequently Asked Questions


Do transition areas count in overall Race Time?

Transition times count in overall race time.  Both transition times are built into the bike split.

Is there any time/place to change attire - from run shoes to bike shoes,  from bike shorts to swim trunks? or should you try to wear clothes that will work for all 3 sections?

There is no place to change attire, specially as this is too short of a race to really require a change of attire.  Most people either wear running short, athletic shorts, swimming shorts, or biking shorts for the entire event.    Most people will either do the whole thing without a shirt or drop their shirt as their rack their bike at the Natatorium.

Some people do change shoes, but again for a race this short, you could loose more time during a switch than if you rode the bike portion with your running shoes.  In the run/bike transition area,  you will leave your biking shoes during the run.  When you come back for your bike, you switch your shoes and leave your running shoes for the bike portion.  After you finish, you can come back and collect your gear.  We'll have someone to keep  an eye on things and will collect gears left behind until the race is finished and bring it to the Natatorium.  On the entry form, we have marked the shortcut back to the run start if you like to ride back and get your gear.

I am a swimmer on a team.  When and where do I have to get body marked?

Team swimmers can get body marked either at the running park before 7:00 am or at the Natatorium.  There will be a team transition monitor at the Nat that will body mark team swimmers between 7 and 7:30 am of the race day.  Remember access to the Natatorium will be blocked as the first finishers will arrive around 7:30.  So plan accordingly.  Also as a team swimmer, there will a warm-up period between 7:00-7:10.  So take advantage of it.

Will there be bike racks at the transition areas or are we laying them on the ground like the picture on the web site shows?

At the run to bike transition area, there will be no racks.  You lay your bike in predesignated bike areas.  We have done away  with separating the bike placements by heats.  This way the bikes are more spread out throughout the transition area creating less congestion for each heat.

At the bike to swim transition area, there will be racks.  As you roll into the transition area, you are directed to a rack, asked to dismount your bike, place your bike on the rack and proceed to the transition area.  DO NOT LAY YOUR BIKE ON THE GROUND.  If you have a mountain bike, the bike can be placed on the rack by their seat.  Or use your kickstand.

Are we running the course backward?  In other words, do we do the loop first or last?

Yes.  We run the course backwards to allow for spreading out of the runners by the time we reach the single track area.  The extra loop gives us that time.  Once we are on the trail, we always stay to the right (the outer loop when heading out and the inner loop when coming back in).  This makes sure that the runners never cross each other, causing problems between faster and slower runners.  It is safer and creates less congestion.  There will be adequate markings on the trail to guide you through the entire run.

How are our otransitin bags moved from T1 to T2?  Do you all do this, or do we?

Our T1 transition monitor will stay in T1 until we break down the transition area and bring any left over items to the finish area.  However, this usually does not occur till much later in the morning.  So it is strongly recommended for the participants to retrieve their own equipment from T1 at their convenience (after rest and food) specially if they will not hang around for the awards.  Check the course map for the shortest path between finish and T1 to bike or drive.  If you parked in the morning at the start area (T1), then when you return to your car, you reclaim your equipment.  If you parked in the morning at the finish area (T2), then you can ride to/from the start area as a cooldown and reclaim your equipment. 

I am a beginner swimmer.  What are the rules in the pool if I get tired?

Our swim consists of 8 lengths of a 50 meter pool, so you are always either in the shallow area, near a rope, or near the edge of the pool.  At any time if you get tired, you can stand, hold on to the edge, or hold on to the rope, depending on where you are.  Only remember not to make any FORWARD motion.  So STOP and rest whenever you want.


On the registration form in the box for Team Entry it says "Team Entry Events".  Does that mean we relay?  Or do we both do all three?

A team can consist of 2 to 3 members and must meet the requirements of their category (e.g. family team or a youth team).  Each member does an event. For example, one runs, the other bikes, and a third swims.  Teams are allowed to have only 2 members, where one does two events and the other only one.  The  most common is where one team member runs and bikes and the other swims.  As one team member finishes one event, he/she must tag the next team member before he/she can continue.  There are special areas designated in the transition area for team members to tag each other.

I wear glasses to run and bike.  I will switch to my goggles before I get into the pool, but would it be all right for me to hand my glasses to my wife (not competing) before I jump in?  I don't want them to get stepped on.  I will make sure that she is standing outside of the 'transition area.'

 I plan on having a table right before you jump into the water, after the swim timing station.  However, if the table is not setup (please have your wife check for it), it is OK for her to pass it to you as you run into the pool.  Have her stand in the grassy area, near the entrance to the pool outside of the swimmer’s chute where they enter the pool.  That way she can see you and pass you your glasses, but stay out of the way of other racers.  Be considerate of others around you for the exchange.

Are aerobars permitted on bikes for the triathlon?
 
They are.  Just make sure you are proficient in using them since they are tricky through turns.

I have a question pertaining to the upcoming Sprint triathlon.  I am ok with the run and bike, however I am not a good free style swimmer.  Can I swim breast stroke, or is free style the only stroke acceptable?

There is no restriction on stroke choice, although most will do freestyle.  I used breast stroke the first time I did this race.  I have heard of others using side stroke or back stroke.  Just remember, that you might have others in the vicinity and need to be in control (i.e. not run into others, etc.).

Can you tell me what heat my boy and Youth team will be in?

We seed the database to assign the bib numbers to all runners, whether individual or part of a team.  This process takes into account the information we received from you about your 5K time and your preference on whom to run with.  Our goal is to seed the field by time so there is minimal congestion on the run course.  Safety is our prime concern.  Once the numbers are assigned, we update the Confirmed Entries list on the web with these numbers to the left of each individual or team entry.  We also include instructions about when a group of numbers start the run. This is our heat breakdown.

So before you go for the packet pickup (i.e. Thursday before the race), check the Confirmed Entries list on the website for this information and the associated bib number.  Look for the heat number associated with that bib number.

Note that starting in 2006, we changed our heat breakdown to improve our run congestion.  So do pay close attention to the heat information on top of the Confirmed Entries page.

Helmet Standards - what exactly is a SNELL or ANSI approved helmet-I got mine at the cycle store in Tuscaloosa.  Is that okay?

Any crash certified helmet is OK for the race, but they have to be designed and marketed for outdoor cycling. The crash certification standards may change and we will try to stay on top of these new standards.  So if your helmet was marketed for cycling and has been crash certified, then it will be OK.  Note that helmets also have a life span.  The hard shell deteriorate after many years of use under the sun.  So follow the recommendations of your helmet’s manufacturer when it comes to replacing your helmets.  It is for your own safety.

Body Marking - do we need to get numbers on our arms (marked) if we are competing as an individual?

Yes.  Body marking occurs for everyone whether teams or individuals.  The numbers on the arm and legs are mostly what we use to track partidipants through the swim and finish timing shutes.

Goggles  - Where do you put your goggles? Is it allright for my husband to hand them to us?

At the beginner's clinic, I suggested two ways to carry goggles. Tie it on the bike with an elastic band (that comes off easy), or stuff it in the back of your shorts.  Really, what ever works for you.  But whatever you do, practice it.  Please no hand-off as that is considered assistance.

Swim Caps - Are swim caps required? Are they provided?

Swim caps are not required and not provided.  You can wear your own if you would like.

I missed my heat.  What should I do?

In our timing system, we have a scratch file that keeps track of each participants starting position.  Although it is a manual process, we are able to update this information. But we must know about it to do so.


It is imperative that we know as soon as possible to make the necessary corrections.  If we are made aware of this violation, then you could be disqualified and your finish time discarded.  Finding such violations is a very time consuming effort and not one that we would like to embark on.  


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Page last modified 04/18/07