Triathlon Course Rundown
SWIM / WALK
Before you enter the pool area for your swim/walk, be sure to put your shoes, socks, shorts, shirt, and a towel if you want, on one of the lounge chairs outside the indoor pool or in the outside pool area. You’ll want your shoes and socks on when walking from the pool to the transition area.
The swim/walk portion of the event will be 400 yards (8 laps/16 segments) and will take place in the indoor and outdoor pools. You will receive a copy of the swim/walk schedule and there will be schedules at the pool as well as volunteers available to help you. On race day, you may practice/warm-up in the recreation area of the outdoor pool, not in the swim lanes.
Each lane will have two (2) swimmers/walkers per lane. Swimmers/walkers will start at the same end of the pool and will swim/walk back and forth on their side of the lane until they have completed the 400 yards (8 laps/16 segments). You can enter the pool by sitting on the edge of the lane and easing yourself into the pool or use the stairs to get into the pool and work your way to your lane. ABSOLUTELY NO DIVING.
The first 16 swimmers (8 inside and 8 outside) will need to be at their appropriate pool and in their lane by 8:55 am. You will be noted with a 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, etc. on the pool schedule. There will be signage on the pool deck noting which lane is which.
If you are not one of the first 16 swimmers, please line up on the appropriate pool deck in numerical order, based on your race numbers. The even race numbers will swim in the indoor pool and the odd race numbers will swim in the outside pool. Please be on the appropriate swim deck when the first 16 swimmers start. We will have timing representative for each pool. The timing representatives and volunteers will signal when it’s time for you to get in the water and which lane. We anticipate the swim to go pretty fast so please be ready on the poolside. The timing representative will confirm with you that you are ready and will then start your swim time. There will be 2 lane volunteers per lane to help you keep track of your laps by holding the lap number either on the pool deck, or in the water, so you can see the number as you approach the edge of the pool. The lap number showing will represent which lap you are currently completing. Be sure to touch each end of the pool as you complete your laps – you can do this with your hand or foot - just as long as you touch each end.
When you have completed all 400 yards/8 laps, please exit the pool either where you entered, or by the ladder closest to your lane. If using the ladder, PLEASE be careful when crossing active swim lanes and wait for other swimmers to pass before exiting.
Transition from Swim to Bike (Transition 1)
After exiting the pool, you can use the restrooms to change your clothes or head to the lounge chair where you initially set up your clothes in preparation for the bike and run. You do not have to change your clothes, this is completely up to you. If you are using bike shoes and running shoes, running or walking briskly in bike shoes is risky, be sure you are very careful if you choose to wear bike shoes from the pool area to transition and be sure you have your running shoes in transition for when you complete the bike. For relay team members, be sure to leave a pair of socks and shoes on one of the outside lounge chairs so you will have something to wear to transition to find your bike team member. You will then transfer your timing chip to your bike team member and they will start the bike portion of the event. Transferring the timing chip in the pool area is NOT allowed.
After you leave the pool area, look for the “Transition” sign pointing you towards the transition area. Exit through the outside gate of the outdoor pool area and WALK DOWN THE PATH JUST OUTSIDE THE GATE – THIS SURFACE WILL BE SLIPPERY. We may have some outdoor carpets along this path, but it can still be slippery in between the carpets. Look for volunteers who will direct you to the transition area.
Are You Anxious About the Swim? Read On
If you find yourself feeling anxious during the swim, slow down or use an easier swim stroke! Bringing down your heart rate will also calm your anxiety. Take deep, slow breaths. Tell yourself you're having fun and focus on your stroke and breathing. If you need to stop and take a rest, then please do so, and be sure to stay to your side of the swim lane. We want you/your team to cross the finish line…no matter what! If you find you can’t complete the swim, not a problem, just let one of the volunteers know and we’ll make a note of it and you are welcome to still do the bike and run portion of the event, just unfortunately you will not be eligible for awards. If for any reason you need assistance, please wave your hands and a volunteer will assist you.
BIKE
As you enter the transition area from the swim to get on your bike, be aware of other racers around you. If you are part of a relay team, find your biker and have your runner transfer the timing chip from you to the biker so they can head out on the bike route. You will WALK your bike from transition to the “Mount/Dismount” line at the end of the parking lot by Clubhouse Loop. Your helmet must be on and the chin strap must be fastened before you can get on your bike. Please do not get on your bike until you are out of the transition area and at the Mount Line. The Mount and Dismount line will be clearly marked and volunteers will be available to guide you. For safety reasons, there will be no riding your bike in the transition area.
The bike course is 7.4 miles and will consist of TWO LOOPS in the development. You are required to wear a helmet at all times while on the bike course – no helmet, no ride. Please note, there will not be a water station on the bike course so please be sure to bring your own water for the bike portion of the event or grab a drink in transition. There will be a water station in the transition area and we recommend you grab a drink before you head out on the bike and again before you head out on the run.
A map of the bike course can be found under the "Course Info" tab of this website. The bike course is OPEN to traffic on race day, and you are held to the same standards as you would be if you were on a regular bike ride. Stay in the bike lane or right shoulder if there is no bike lane. Do not ride in the lane of traffic unless an obstacle in the bike lane/right shoulder requires you to do so. Riders are required to be alert and obey all rules of the road to avoid any preventable mishaps on the course. Watch for volunteers and listen to their instructions especially when approaching intersections and stop signs. If they see it is safe, they may wave you through the stop signs without stopping. No drafting will be allowed on the bike course. Drafting is where one rider rides close enough to the back wheel of the rider in front of them to benefit from a “draft.” This draft allows the rider in the back to use less energy to maintain their speed. Please leave at least two full bike lengths between you and the rider in front. If you have to pass, always pass on the left and let the rider in front of you know you are passing by saying “on your left” or “passing.” If you hear this from a rider behind you, move closer to the right and allow them to pass.
Once you are on your bike, you will ride out on Clubhouse Loop (by Elevate Studios) and take a left on Robson Blvd. BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL when crossing Robson Blvd. We will have volunteers there to help with traffic control, but it is your responsibility to be aware of traffic and only cross when it is safe. You will then turn right on Cherry Oaks, continue straight to Harris Hawk, and follow this until you reach Robson Blvd. If this is your first loop, you will turn right on Robson Blvd. and repeat this route for a second time. If this is your second loop, when you get close to Clubhouse Loop (by Elevate Studios), get in the left lane, again being extremely careful when crossing traffic, and take a left on Clubhouse Loop and return to the bike Mount/Dismount line. Volunteers will be stationed at each intersection along the bike course to assist with traffic control and to ensure you are going in the right direction. Robson Ranch patrol trucks will be located at major intersections where vehicles may need to be slowed or stopped for rider safety. When you reach the mount/dismount line, dismount your bike and walk it back to the transition area before heading out on the run. If you are doing a relay, return your bike to the transition area and have your swimmer transfer the timing chip to your runner.
We will have a volunteer who will drive the bike course in case you get a flat or your bike needs minor repair. It is your responsibility to ensure your bike is in good working condition for the event and you will be responsible for carrying your own flat repair kit. If your flat cannot be repaired, or your bike breaks down, the volunteer driving the course will pick you and your bike up and drive you back to the transition area. You can continue with the run portion of the event however you will not be eligible for awards.
Transition from Bike to Run (Transition 2)
RUN/WALK
The run course is 2.0 miles and is an out-and-back course. A map of the run/walk course can be found under the "Course Info" tab of this website. After you have returned from the bike, you will start in the transition area and head out to Clubhouse Loop. Volunteers will show you the way. You will then take a right on Robson Blvd., staying to the right to avoid oncoming runners, and run on the sidewalk along Robson Blvd. to Globe Drive. You will turn right on Globe and head to the water station at the turnaround point on Globe Drive. We ask that you please throw your empty water cups in the garbage cans provided at this location. After the water station, you will proceed back to Robson Blvd. and take a left on Robson Blvd., again staying on the right side of the sidewalk to avoid oncoming athletes. Continue to Clubhouse Loop (by Elevate Studios) where you will take a left.
When you take a left on Clubhouse Loop, you will be on the home stretch. Yahoo – you are almost there! Volunteers will direct you onto the softball field and you will run down the third base line towards home plate where you will see a finish line arch, flag, and millions, ok maybe not millions, but lots of fans in the bleachers, cheering you on. Please stay on the dirt section of the field and do not run on the grass. There will be a photographer there to take your picture so smile big as you cross the finish line and think about what you just accomplished!
If you are on a relay team, only the runner can run across the finish line. Other teammates can be in the designated area on the field, by first base, when their runner crosses the finish line, but just the runner can cross the finish line. The reason for this is the timer will be at the finish line and they will need to be sure they are recording the correct person coming through the finish arch. Once across the line, all team members can collect their medals and pose for a photo at the finish line.
