Event Name: Last Chance Tri

Location: Fort Parking area, Shelter #11 @ Fort De Soto Park. 

Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715 

Date of Event: Saturday, November 14th, 2027

 Start Time: 7:00 AM

Geo location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jhgLxjMWV35qy9cX8

Or J777+VW5 St. Petersburg, Florida

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION 

Parking Fee at Fort De Soto  

Park patrons/athletes/participants must now use Park Mobile to pay parking fees.

• Patrons can use their mobile phones to pay for parking conveniently.
• For more information, click HERE.
• This upgrade will replace cash transactions at the front entrance booth at Fort De Soto and alleviate traffic entering the park.

Getting to the Event/Race:

LOOK for the sign to turn onto the road leading to the Fort's parking area.

• Gates do not open until 5:30 am. Do not arrive before 5:30 am unless you want to be in a line of vehicles waiting to enter at 5:30 am.
• The roads close at 7:00 am sharp! If you are not in the park before then, you will NOT be permitted into the park. You are responsible for arriving before the race. The Sheriff will be the one who won't let you in; we can't control that.

We look forward to a successful and safe event weekend. Carefully read the following Participant Information to know what to expect before and on race day.

Anyone you see with a white Thunder Bolt Multi Sport shirt on can answer most of your questions. No question is a dumb question, so ask as many questions as you want. This event is your event, and we are here for you. Good luck to everyone, and have a great race! 

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

 

PARTICIPANT PACKET PICK-UP

 When? -  Friday, November 13th, 2026 

Time: 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm                     

Where: PLAYTRI ST. PETERSBURG

2132 Central Ave

St. Petersburg, FL 33712

 

RACE DAY - At the Fort - 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, FL 33715 

Saturday, November 14th, 2026

5:45 AM – 6:45 AM Packet Pick-Up / Transition Open 

**Remember to have your Bib that contains your timing chip on the back of the Bib! You must wear your bib and have your stickers on your bike and helmet to enter the bike corral. We do this so no one can walk off with your bike or equipment. 

6:45 AM - Transition Closes 

6:50 AM - Opening Ceremony 

7:00 AM - Race Starts

9:45 AM - Until Finished - Awards Ceremony

We encourage everyone to come on Friday to pick up their packets, which include a bib with a timing chip on the back, a shirt, and an envelope containing their race number, helmet sticker, and a bike sticker that goes around your seat post. This will allow you to avoid long lines on race morning. 

 RACE INFORMATION

 USA Triathlon - Escape from Ft. DeSoto is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. You must be a current USAT member to participate or purchase a one-day license for $15 at registration. To limit wait times at packet pick-up, you may purchase an annual license online at www.usatriathlon.org. All USAT rules will be in effect during the race. Protests of penalties assessed for rule infractions must be filed with the USAT Head Official immediately after the protesting individual finishes the race. 

Not Allowed: Headphones, headsets, Walkmans, iPods, MP3 players, or other personal audio devices are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race.  

Picture of what many Triathletes/Duathletes bring and set up in transition, where their bike is located: (Examples below)

  

 

Packet Pick-Up

All participants must furnish a photo ID and proof of current USAT membership. All relay team members must have an annual membership or purchase a one-day license at registration.

We cannot let you race if you arrive after 7:00 am. Please consider the driving time to the Fort area (Shelter #11) at Ft DeSoto Park. Transition will close at 6:45 am. No exceptions. 

Race Day Parking - Upon arrival at the Park, go to the flagpole and turn right. There will be a flashing light and sign pointing left towards Historic Fort. Race day parking will be in the Shelter #11 Parking area at Ft. De Soto Park. All vehicles must pay for parking – no exceptions. If you do not pay, you will be ticketed. This includes spectators. Please note you will not be allowed to leave the parking area during the event, as the roads will be closed until the last bike is off the course. If you have family or relatives coming to spectate, they must be in the park by 7:00 AM since all roads will be closed during the event. Roads will re-open @ 9:00 am once the last bike is off the race course.  

Transition Area Access - The Transition Area will be open on race day from 5:45 AM – 6:45 AM. Bike racking is open racking - first-come, first-served. Any athlete, including relay team members, who arrives after 6:45 AM, will not have access to the Transition Area. You will not be allowed access to the Transition Area to reclaim your bicycle and gear until after the last athlete has left the bike course and started the run. Announcements will be made once the transition is opened. 

Relay Team Transition Area Access - Each relay team member will have their own timing chip on their bib.

Timing Chips – The timing chip is affixed to the back of the bib. Do not bend or fold it, and remember to bring it on race morning. No chip, no time.

Transition Area Racing - For safety reasons, you may not ride your bike in or out of the Transition Area. You must walk or run while in the Transition Area. Please watch out for other athletes as you move through transition and follow the instructions of race officials and volunteers. You must mount and dismount at the mount and dismount lines. 

Bike Course - Each athlete must wear an approved helmet during the bike segment. You must have your helmet securely fastened before mounting or dismounting your bike. Drafting and blocking (impeding the progress of passing cyclists) is not permitted during the race. Please check your bike to make sure you have bar-end plugs before bringing it to the Transition Area on Sunday morning. 

Run Course - The race will start outside the transition area at the Fort. Both run #1 and run #2 will head north from the Transition Area to the turnaround, and then return south to the Finish Line. Water stations will be located along the run, which you will pass on the way out and again on the way back to the Finish Line. Each station will have water. 

Finish - The run course officially closes at 10:30 AM. A race vehicle will sweep the course and pick you up if you need a ride. The finish clock will remain on, and times will be recorded until the last runner crosses the Finish Line!  We will get a report from our water stations when the last runner arrives at the final water station. We will make every effort to allow you to finish the bike and run course. 

Super Important: Dropping Out - Please notify a race official located at the Finish Line if you drop out. 

Unsportsmanlike Conduct - Unsportsmanlike conduct, or verbal abuse of any race official or volunteer during the race or at any time during the event, will result in immediate disqualification. Let's all just have fun.

Timing & Results - Official race results will be posted prior to the awards presentation. Please report any discrepancy to a race official prior to the start of the awards presentation. Athletes who do not wear the timing chip during the entire event will not be scored. 

Medical Care - Pinellas County EMT will be on-site in case of emergency. Please contact a race official if you have any medical issues. 

Course Safety - Although the race course is closed, it is virtually impossible to keep the entire course closed to vehicular traffic. Be aware of your surroundings, obey the instructions of the traffic control officers and volunteers, and be considerate of others during the competition. 

USAT Rules - As a USAT-sanctioned event, the USAT rules will be enforced. You should familiarize yourself with those rules, which are available from USAT at: http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/rulebook.aspx 

Awards Party - The awards party begins as soon as you cross the Finish Line when you get your Escape from Ft. DeSoto Finishers Award! Be sure to stick around for the fruit, snacks, cookies, hot dogs & hot beans/rice!