The 2011 Hy-Vee Triathlon
Frequently Asked Questions

Updated June 1, 2011

Q: I keep hearing about all these changes to the Hy-Vee Triathlon for 2011. What’s new this year?
A: Several things, actually. We have a new date, a new venue and a new association with World Triathlon Corporation, owner of the famous Ironman© brand. This year, the Hy-Vee Triathlon also hosts the U.S. Championship of WTC’s new 5150™ Series, making it the most competitive Age Group event in the sport today.

Q: What’s a 5150?
A: The number 5150 (pronounced “fifty-one fifty”) refers to the total kilometers in an international distance triathlon – a 1.5 kilometer swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run, for a total of 51.5 kilometers. This is the distance of the Olympic triathlon and many other races held in the United States and throughout the world.

Q: What is the 5150 Series?
A: WTC created the 5150 Triathlon Series as a complement to its Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events. The 5150 Series is the largest international distance triathlon series in the world and the first non-drafting international race series of its kind, offering a competitive platform for professional and age group athletes alike. There are 13 U.S. events and a handful of international races on the schedule for this year, with the Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship serving as the marquee event for the series.

Q: Does this mean the Hy-Vee Triathlon is an Ironman race?
A: No, the Hy-Vee Triathlon remains a USAT-sanctioned 5150 race – a 1.5k swim, 40k bike ride and 10k run. This distance hasn’t changed over the event’s five-year history. What’s new this year is Hy-Vee’s affiliation with WTC, which owns and organizes Ironman and Ironman 70.3 events throughout the world. Ironman, one of the most popular and most recognized brands in sports, consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run, for a total distance of 140.6 miles; an Ironman 70.3 race covers half that distance, or 70.3 miles. WTC has demonstrated its commitment to furthering the sport of triathlon at all levels by launching the 5150 Series catering to professional and amateur athletes who compete at the shorter international distance.

Q: I’ve never done a triathlon before. Can I still enter the Hy-Vee Triathlon?
A: Of course! The Hy-Vee Triathlon Age Group event is open to everyone, experienced triathletes and first-timers alike, just as it’s been for the last four years. You can register as an individual or as a member of a relay team. We’re also adding a new Corporate Challenge Team Relay division to the race this year. Go to www.hy-veetriathlon.com and click on the “Register” link on the homepage for details.

Q: How can the Hy-Vee Triathlon be a championship event if anyone can enter?
A: Think of the Hy-Vee Triathlon as three separate races that are part of one great event on Sunday, September 4:

• First, there’s the traditional Hy-Vee Triathlon Age Group Elite and Age Group race, open to all athletes regardless of experience or ability. If you’re like the average competitor, you’ll start as part of an age group wave with a goal or finishing or maybe setting a new personal record (PR). If you’re “in it to win it,” you might be competing in the Age Group Elite division with others who will be fighting it out to the finish line.
• Second, there’s the addition this year of the Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship Age Group Elite and U.S. Championship Age Group race. Athletes qualify to compete in these divisions by finishing in the Top 10 at another 5150 Series race, or by achieving certain time standards in previous triathlons. Top finishers in the age group championship categories will be eligible for a total prize purse in excess of $120,000, including new Mini Cooper automobiles to the winner of the men’s and women’s Age Group Elite division.
• Finally, the professionals take to the course on Sunday afternoon for the Hy-Vee 5150 U.S. Championship Elite Cup. Both the men’s and women’s races will feature 30 of the world’s best triathletes battling for a share of the richest purse in the history of the sport, with the winners taking home $151,500. We’ve also added a wrinkle this year to make the Elite Cup even more exciting: the 5150 Bonus Line, offering $5,150 in bonus money to the leader after each lap of the swim, bike and run.

Q: What does it cost to participate in the Hy-Vee Triathlon?
A: Through July 31, the entry fee is $150 for individuals and $225 for relay teams. The fees go up after July 31, so don’t delay – get your registration in today!

Q: What’s the course like? What’s this I hear about swimming in the Des Moines River?
A: Only the professional triathletes competing in Sunday afternoon’s Elite Cup race will do the swim portion of the race in the Des Moines River. For all the amateur racers, including those competing in the U.S. Championship Age Group and Age Group Elite races, the swim takes place at Gray’s Lake. From there, athletes bike west on a scenic course through Des Moines, historic Valley Junction and West Des Moines before returning to transition at Gray’s Lake for the run into downtown Des Moines and the finish line in front of the majestic Iowa State Capitol building. See all the course maps here.

Q: Where do the professionals race?
A: The Elite Cup course starts at the Simon Estes Amphitheatre on the east bank of the Des Moines River. The pros will swim two laps in the Des Moines River, transition on the Locust Street Bridge, bike four laps on the bike course and then run four laps on the run course. The leader after each of the race’s 10 laps will receive a bonus of $5,150, which increases the excitement level for athletes and spectators by making each lap a race-within-a-race. Go here to see the Elite Cup course map.

Q: Are you still having a Hy-Vee kids’ triathlon?
A: Not just one – this year, there are 14 Hy-Vee IronKids triathlons throughout the upper Midwest! Youths ages 6 through 15 will swim, bike and run age-appropriate distances. Top finishers in each age category at these races will qualify to compete in the Hy-Vee IronKids U.S. Championship, which will be held Saturday, September 17, 2011 at the City/School Campus in West Des Moines.

Q: Is there an IronKids race in Des Moines the same weekend as the Hy-Vee Triathlon?
A: Yes indeed! Kids can be part of the Hy-Vee Triathlon excitement by competing in the Hy-Vee IronKids West Des Moines race on Saturday, September 3. Complete information about all IronKids events can be found on the IronKids website.

Q: How many volunteers does it take to put on the Hy-Vee Triathlon?
A: We need an estimated 1,500 to 1,700 volunteers to stage a world-class event like the Hy-Vee Triathlon. Volunteers can sign up for shifts starting Wednesday, August 31 and running through the weekend. There are jobs for people of all ability levels – some involve physical work such as setting up barricades and fencing, others do not. Check out the Volunteer section of the website for job descriptions, and register early for the best selection of assignments and shifts.

Additional questions about the Hy-Vee Triathlon? Use the contact form to email us, and stay tuned for updates.

Labor Day weekend, the world will be watching. Where will you be?