Triathlon Tips and Details
Swim Safety and Wetsuits
Time-Trial Swim Start
The race will be a time trial swim start. What does that mean? This means that swimmers line up on the beach and, at the race starter’s signal, enter the water individually 3 seconds apart.
Epic Lifeguards
Members of the Epic Lifeguard Team have American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Certification in addition to basic American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification. This means that they have all taken and passed an additional course in which they received training in the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas. Our superbly trained lifeguards are yet another reason our races are so Epic!
If you or somebody you know is interested in joining our lifeguard team, CLICK HERE for an application.
USAT Rule 4.4 Wetsuits
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.
Click here for the list of USAT-approved skinsuits.
USA Triathlon & Rules you need to know
Click the icon below to download the attached PDF.
This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT) therefore all participants must have an annual membership or purchase a one-day membership. These options will be available during the registration process. The annual membership fee is $50 and the one-day fee is $15. To learn more about USAT visit https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon/.
Click here to see USAT’s competition rules.
Because our triathlons are sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT), we follow their wetsuit rules. Competitors may wear wetsuits if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower. USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is between 78.1 and 83.9 degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards.
Click here to see the USAT-approved skinsuits.
Triathlon 101
Time: 5 p.m. (during packet pickup)
Place: Transition Area at the race site
What: Meet the race director to learn what you need to have the best race ever! She will address course details, equipment, rules, and race hints. You will have the opportunity to have all of your questions answered!
While this talk is primarily for first-timers, the information could be helpful to all.
How to set up your transition area
Setting up a transition area can be a daunting experience! The transition area is the “hub” of the race and packed with participants.
Use the following as a guideline on how to set-up your transition area for all Epic Races’ triathlons, duathlons, and aquabikes. It is helpful to practice setting up and using your transition area.
Know exactly what items you will use for T1 and T2. Also, know the precise order in which you will use everything. Shoes, sunglasses, helmet, bike, hat, and anything else you may need or want. Remember to keep it as simple as possible!
Rack your bike: Find your number in the transition area. Standing behind your bike, lift the back part of your bike off the ground and place the front part of your bike seat over the bike rack.
Be sure to check your front and back brake pads to prevent rubbing on your wheel during the race.
Check tire pressure. (If you are unsure about this or the brake pads or anything else technical for your bike, head over to our bike support crew and ask for help!
Make sure your bike is in a comfortable gear. Small chain ring, as opposed to big chain ring, is a lot easier to pedal after getting out of transition area.
Use a bath towel or folded beach towel (preferably lightweight and small) and claim your territory beside your front wheel. This is your area to be used during the race. Remember, you have your spot but others need space as well. Your towel should hold only the belongings you plan on using during the race. Keep all other pre and post-race items outside of the transition area. Here is a general list:
Swim goggles
Swim cap
Bike helmet
Bike shoes
Run shoes/socks
Race number (and a way to wear that number, such as a race belt)
Nutrition and hydration (longer distance races)
Place your ankle strap (w/ timing tag attached) on your ankle.
Place your filled water bottles on your bike.
Set up your running shoes and bike shoes if you have them in a comfortable place to grab them quickly. Be sure to loosen laces and straps.
Place your helmet on the towel either next to or in front of your cycling shoes. Be sure the straps are unbuckled and the helmet will easily fit on your head. Your helmet should be upside down, with the front of the helmet (helmet number from race bag) closest to your feet.
Open your sunglasses and place the lenses inside the helmet with the sides of the glasses pointing up. Be sure your glasses are open so that you can grab the outside of the sunglasses and quickly put them on your face.
If you plan on wearing a hat/visor, place your visor on the very top of the towel, in front of your running shoes. Be sure the hat/visor is already adjusted to fit your head.
If you plan on using a race belt, unfasten your race belt (w/ race bib attached) and place the belt next to your running shoes. If you do not plan on using a race belt, safety pin your race bib to your running singlet.
If you have any additional nutrition items (gels, water) or miscellaneous items (inhaler, Vaseline, sunblock) keep those items on the back of the towel (away from your feet).
Here is a great photo from our friends at Feisty Triathlon:
Bike Support
Aberdeen Bike will be on-site to help you with any last-minute bicycle needs before the start of the race!
We also recommend visiting Aberdeen in Chelsea, MI before race day to make sure your bike is race-ready!
Meet Kevin, owner of Aberdeen bike! He has been working towards the dream of owning a shop since his first year working in a shop back in 2006. He started working in Ann Arbor at Great Lakes on the sales floor and quickly moved to wrenching at REI. Next he was hired at Two Wheel Tango, where he became a senior mechanic until the store closed in 2013. From there he moved to Sic Transit Cycles with an idea of building a machine of a service center. Over those eight years, Kevin learned about the bumps and curves of leadership, and observed how to run a store with compassion and intelligence. When Aberdeen reached out about the possibility of taking over, Kevin jumped (Although somewhat reluctantly) at the opportunity. He has been the head of service at Aberdeen since February 2023 and finally achieved his goal this fall.
He fell in love with bikes at the age of 5 when he learned how to ride. Fell in love again the first time he hit the trail. Fell in love again when he took a 10,000+ mile tour through four countries over the course of a year. All these experiences mixed with his passion for bikes has led him to settle in Chelsea and call it his forever home. He celebrates this with his Wife Jae and two sons Huemac and Kyrian. He is a dog lover (the dog on the new logo is Maddie, his heart dog that passed away a week before he purchased Aberdeen), a musician, and a crafty fella (He's been known to make knives and jewelry). Come say hi! He will likely be in his office filling out forms and making phone calls, but he will take a break for a good chat.
Bibs, Chips, Timing Straps
You will be given a bib sheet and an ankle strap.
Put your ankle strap on your left ankle following THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
Remove your bib number from the sheet. You will wear it on your front during the run. The simplest way to wear your bib number during a tri is with a race belt. If you don't have one, they are available in our store here.
Your helmet sticker will go on your helmet and the seatpost sticker will go on your bike. The other stickers are just for fun! :-)
Additionally, during registration, you were asked for your phone number to have your results texted to you after crossing the finish line. If you skipped this step, you can still add it to your registration.
Each participant will also get a colored, silicone Swim Cap designating their event distance. These caps must be worn by all participants.
