Safety

Our number-one priority is safety. The events of the day and layout of the course have been planned with the safety of your child in mind.

The Swim: There are plenty of lifeguards on hand so it’s perfectly safe even for kids who cannot swim.

The Bike: The entire bike course for 5-12 year old races will be closed to traffic and monitored by teams of volunteers. The course will be clearly marked and volunteers will be along the route to help athletes in need, and to help keep them on course. Each child must wear an approved bicycle helmet and have it snapped the entire time his/her bike is on the course. No racers are allowed to wear head phones or use I-Pods while on the race course.

The Run: There will be drinking water made available to athletes on the course and plenty of volunteers guiding kids along. All kids are encouraged to wear appropriate foot gear on the run. Please, no flip-flops

Heat Concerns: The best remedies for summer heat are to be in the best shape possible, so practice all three sports and stay as active as possible. Wear light and comfortable sportswear. Find shade and chill out until you race. If while racing you ever feel dizzy or light-headed, slow down, stop and ask for help. Volunteers are trained to assist any athlete who stops or raises his/her hand to ask for help. Just race smart and everything will be alright.

Lost Children: The course and event are fairly spread out and occasionally a child and parent cannot find each other. At packet pick-up, parents and kids will be given matching number wristbands. Should the need arise, we will be able to page parents by this number. Upon arriving on race morning, it is wise to pick a spot for the whole family to regroup after the race. Please inform your child that triathlon chairpersons and volunteers will be wearing uniformly colored shirts. Let your child know that anyone wearing these shirts will be happy to help reunite him/her with you should you become separated.

First Aid: The event will have a medical staff available in the event of an emergency. Parents/guardians should familiarize themselves with the location of the First Aid tent. Event volunteers will be familiar with the location of the First Aid facility.

Most Important: Come prepared to have a good time with your child. Stay positive, encourage him/her to do their best, relax and enjoy the race!

Any discourteous or unsportsmanlike actions by participants or parents toward other participants, parents, volunteers or race officials will be grounds for disqualification. Failure to comply with the above stated rules and/or any request of a race official may result in a disqualification.

Pre-Race

This section contains information that is important to parents/guardians and to their young athletes. Reading and following these instructions will help assure that race day will be a safe and enjoyable day for kids and adults alike.

Swimming: All athletes should be comfortable in the water. Swim goggles may be worn but are not mandatory.

Running: Parents/guardians should assure that the athlete has footwear that is suitable for running the designated distance. (Volunteers will be available in bike/run transition to assist younger athletes with tying their shoes). All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run. Numbers must face the front and be clearly visible at all times.

Sun Protection: Due to the wave start, many athletes will have to wait before beginning the event. Parents/guardians should provide appropriate sun protection in the form of sunscreen and clothing.

Athlete Health: Parents/guardians should assure that the athlete is in a physical condition that will permit him/her to participate in the event without jeopardizing his/her health or that of other participants.

Eyewear: Children who require prescription glasses should have a headband to hold the glasses in place during the event. If the glasses must be removed for the swim, there will be a volunteer available to hold the glasses. Athletes who choose to wear non-prescription sunglasses during the bike and run should consider a headband, but it is not mandatory.

Bike Preparation: Parents or guardians are encouraged to take athletes' bike to a qualified shop for inspection and adjustment prior to the kids triathlon. The bike inspection at the event is only for basic safety, and is no substitute for inspection by a qualified mechanic.

Attention should be paid to brakes, steering, wheels, inflation pressure, tire condition, chain and pedals. Pedals should be inspected for sharp edges and appropriate measures taken (such as duct-taping) to prevent cutting injuries should the pedals hit the athlete's legs.

The openings at the ends of the handle bars must be securely plugged. "Bar ends" (plastic caps) can be purchased at any bike shop. This is a safety item in the event of a fall. Bikes with unplugged handle bar ends will not be allowed in the triathlon. All bikes will be checked for safety compliance.

No Bike Pegs - They must be removed before a bike can be entered into transition.

Registration and Bike Check-In: Bike check-in and packet pick-up for the Kids Triathlon will be held on Friday, June 11, 2010, from 1:00-7:00 p.m. at Raccoon River Park.

If you are unable to pick up your child's race packet on Friday, you may pick it up race day and check in your child’s bike from 5:45 a.m to 6:45 a.m. at the Raccoon River Complex. Late registrants will also be accepted at this time. We strongly recommend that you pre-register your child and pick up your child's packet on Friday as we had over 500 kids signed up for this race last year. Athletes must be registered and all bikes must be in bike transition by 6:45 a.m., June 12, 2010. No registrations after 6:45 a.m. will be accepted from any age group.

Friday registration and bike check-in is encouraged and would also be a great time to walk through the course and familiarize your child with the transition area.

Minor Participants: A legal guardian must be present at packet pick-up with each participant in the Kids race in order to fill out waivers for the minor racer. See rules for race age.

Placing Race Numbers: You will have five numbered articles in your Race Packet: a large race bib and two smaller black-and-white adhesive tags and two wristbands. The larger bib is to be pinned on the front of the T-shirt or running shorts. Safety pins are available at check-in. Check the information on this tag to be sure it is correct. If there is an error, go to the Registration Table for a correction.

The small black-and-white tags are for the helmet and bike. Check to be sure that the two numbers match the number on the race bib. Put one tag on the front of the helmet. Put the other tag on the crossbar or handlebar of the bike. (Note to past race participants: Please remove any old helmet stickers and/or race number tags from past or previous races. There will be volunteers in the transition area to assist with proper race number placement.)

There will also be two wristbands included in the packet to be worn on race day. One will be worn by the athlete and the other worn by the parent or guardian who will remain at the race throughout the race, and who will then meet the athlete following the race. The number on your wristband will also be used to locate lost parents via the public address system.

After the bike has been checked over by a volunteer, the athlete will then proceed to take his/her bike into bike transition. A volunteer will escort the athlete to his/her assigned spot in transition. Only athletes and volunteers will be allowed in bike transition. Other items that will need to be placed in transition are: bike helmet, bike shoes, running shoes if different than bike shoes, shirt or running shorts with race number affixed. Optional items: water bottle and towel.

Race Briefing: A race briefing for the Youth and Junior Triathlon will be at 6:40 a.m. on Saturday, June 12, 2010, before the race starts. The Kid's race briefing will take place at 8:40 a.m. Both race briefings will be held at the Pepsi stage in the expo area of Raccoon River Park.

Course Instructions

Swim

Each age group will be called to the swim staging area where they will be body-marked with their numbers and be given a chip to place on their ankles. Swim caps will be included in each goody bag. Please be sure to bring the cap to the race. Swim caps are required for the swim portion of the race. Athletes will then line up on the beach and will be instructed to the start by the race director. After finishing the swim portion of the race, the athletes will exit the lake and run to the bike transition.

Transition #1

In the transition area, athletes will prepare for the bike portion of the event. Helmets must be worn and buckled. An unbuckled helmet will result in disqualification. Bikes must be walked to the exit (Bikes Out) of the transition area. There will be a bike mounting area outside the transition area. Volunteers will be in the transition area and bike-mounting area to assist athletes. Only athletes and volunteers are allowed in bike transition.

Bike

The bike segment will be clearly marked and a guide will lead the first athlete out of transition, and remain ahead of the athlete who is in first place throughout the bike course. Volunteers will also be available on the course to give direction or assist athletes if needed.

Transition #2

Riders will stop and dismount in the bike dismount area and walk to the transition area. Helmets may not be removed until the athlete is at his/her transition area location and has placed the bike in the rack. The athlete will then prepare for the run segment. There will be volunteers to assist the athletes. The athlete will run out of the run-out exit from the transition area and follow the cones and signs to the running course.

Run

Signs and volunteers will direct athletes on the run course. After the athlete crosses the finish line, the ankle chip will be removed and athletes will receive a participation medal and may proceed to the child pick-up area. The parent or guardian, wearing the matching wristband of the athlete, must meet his/her child following the race. Athletes will be kept in a secure, supervised location until you come to get them immediately following their race. Announcements will be made as races are finished and clear directions will be given as to where to pick up your child.

Bike Pick-Up

Bikes may be claimed following the last race transition at Approximately 12:30 p.m. Wristband numbers will also be used at bike check-out assuring that each athlete leaves with his/her own bike. The venue could be congested; please walk bikes out of the park.

Race Distances

See rules for race age.