The A,B,C's
This is a general overview of what to do from signing up to collecting your award.
1. go to www.setupevents.com after January 1st 2010
At the bottom of the page where it says "jump to" select "other". You can then scroll down through all the events. you will see BIRKDALE ANIMAL HOSPITAL KIDS TRIATHLON RACE #1 with a date of April 10 ( or the appropriate race you are registering for). Once you select this page you can register for the event at the top of the page where it says "register". You must create a profile for your child. Do not use your own triathlon profile because when you try this it will reject your age as not appropriate. It will register your child for the points championshipans guarantee a T-shirt
2. Race Day
What you need:
Swim; you need a suit, goggles and a towel. There are specific triathlon suits that help with a pad for comfort while biking. Most children will where a swim team type suit. This suit is what the child will wear for the bike and run. Swim caps are provided and will be specific for the age group your child is in. You will be provided a lane number for the location your child will swim.
Transition #1; This transition from swim to bike starts as your child exits the pool. They will start on one side of the pool, complete the required distance and always exit the side of the pool where the double exit doors are. There will be cones showing them where to exit and flags that will lead them out. Your child should have their towel placed on the side of the pool they are exiting. On their towel will be their running shoes, shirt with number pinned to it or race belt with number on it, socks if used, and if in the 4-6 year old group a parent. The 4-6 year old group is the only group allowed in the swim transition area to help their child. Racers should put on their equipment and exit the building to finish the transition across Verhoff road. There are police to cross them and flags the entire way. The athletes will transition within flagged barriers till they reach their bikes. Once across the road the athlete will find their bike in the station it was left, put on their helmet and ride. volunteers will be there to help with bikes and helmets, parents are not allowed.
Bike; Riders age 10 and under place their bikes inside the track area across Verhoff road. The 11-12 and 13-14 age group will place their bikes on Verhoff road in the designated areas. You may use any type of bike the athlete is comfortable on. This can include training wheels for the young ones. If you are in age group 11-14 you will exit your bike where you got on it. You will remove your helmet and that is considered transition #2. Ages 4-10 will get off their bike in a location a few hundred feet from where they got on. Volunteers will be there to get them to the bike exit where they will drop their bikes and helmets and then start the run portion.
Transition #2; Is where the athletes drop their bikes. They will already have their appropriate clothing on and shoes on. If they prefer to wear shoes that clip into their bikes they will then change into running shoes at this point. Most riders do not do this because of the time lost in changing shoes.
Run; The run starts as they drop their bikes. The athletes will then run their appropriate distance and finish under the Black setupevents arch where the finish timing mat is. Here they will receive their certificate for participation and then can eat food and have fun.
Race day
You can pick up your race packet starting at 3:30 pm on race day. You enter the left side of the HFFA center and take your second right. In this room you will pick up your race packet that will include your race number, swim cap, heat time, and sponsor information. Once you have this packet you need to get your race chip. This chip will be the same as your race number and will be placed on the athletes ankle with a band. You can bring your own ankle race band if you would like. Once this chip is placed on the athlete it needs to stay their till the race is over. This is their race timing device and if not attached to them they will not have a time. There are mats placed in transition areas and the finish that will give the athlete their times. Once the chip is in place you will follow the signs to the pool deck for body marking. This is when the athlete will have their number r applied so we can identify the racers. After these portions are complete you can then check your bike in. Take your bike across Verhoff road to the appropriate transition location for your age group. Volunteers will be there to help the athletes set up their bikes and helmets. After your bike is set We would advise you walk through the race course. Locate your swim lane location and walk out the exit doors to your bike and then from the bike to the run and finish. Athletes are responsible for counting their own laps during the race. Volunteers will not be counting the laps for them. PArents are not allowed on the race course at all. there are plenty of volunteers to help and emergency personal available for any accidents. Race packet pick up closes at 5:15 pm without exception. Pre race meeting will occur at 5:45 with the first athletes going off at 5:45 pm. Athletes must have their chip removed once they cross the finish line. If chips ar lost there is a fee from the timing company that will be applied. Swim equipment that is left after the races come through will be placed in an area designated in the pool deck. Bikes and helmets will be moved by volunteers to a safe location until athletes pick them up. Be careful for other races that are finishing after you are done. Have respect for all racers. The Awards ceremony for all athletes will be at 8: pm in the infield unless weather is bad then we will move it into the pool area.
Participant Meeting
A participant orientation meeting will be held at 5:30 PM on each Saturday race day in the pool area. Please be registered with all equipment in place and sitting in the bleachers on the WEST side of the 50 meter pool (opposite of the water park side) We will cover as many details as possible about the race and questions will be encouraged. A representative from USA Triathlon will also be on hand to discuss USAT issues and concerns relative to rules and safety. This meeting should last about 10 minutes - we encourage everyone to attend.
FAQ’s
1. What do I do when I get to the race site?
Go to the registration tables inside Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatics FIRST. Make sure you fill out all of the registration forms, the $5.00 USAT membership form, get your race bag and number. From there you can get instructions on how to go set up your bike and further information about the race course.
2. What should my child wear to race?
We recommend a swim suit plus a shirt or race belt to pin your number to. Skip the socks and wear easy to put on Velcro running shoes or sneakers with elastic laces. Remember the goal is for the child to do the race under their own power with their own skill. They will only be empowered if they can do it themselves AND THEY WANT TO- EVEN if it takes a minute or to put on the shoes, or shirt or belt. Volunteers are on hand to help children if they need it but we try to let the child do it as much as possible.
3. Where do I buy a race belt and what is it?
We will have a limited amount of race belts on hand provided by Cool Breeze Cyclery for $10.00 you can go to the store to purchase see the website at coolbreezecyclery.com A race belt is a simple way to wear your race number without having to pin it to a shirt. It has a clip that snaps simply around the participant’s waist and makes it a breeze to move through transition.
4. Where do I set up my bike? And what do I leave with my bike?
The Huntersville Park across the street has marked chalked boxes for each age group. Please place your bike in one of the empty slots. Please only leave your helmet with your bike. Your shoes, race belt and/or shirt should be with you to be placed at the end of your swim lane.
5. What is the order of events?
Swim to bike to run. In our triathlon you complete the swim put on your shoes, shirt and /or race belt with number at the end of the lane then run in shoes to your bike. We do this to protect the kid’s feet then they ride the bike course and leave their bike and helmet off in the Transition 2 (T2) and go out on the run to the finish at their age group distance.
6. Where should I stand to watch my child race?
When the race starts please stay seated in the bleachers to watch your child. Upon completion of the swim you will exit the pool out the front of the building. At no time may you cross the course at random. There will be designated crossing points and viewing points clearly marked for your viewing. It is a safety concern for people to cross the course at random or be on the race course at any time. Please help us put on a safe race.
7. Why can’t I stay with my child and follow them the whole race?
This is by far the most difficult thing to enforce for you want to see your child throughout the whole race. We want you to be able to see them too, safely. Please listen when we say it is a huge safety concern and liability to have you in the race course at any time. Learning from experience when parents are in the course with their child they tend to neglect any other children that may be on the course. So:” You, you there with the 2 seater stroller, “ Please be mindful there are many kids on the course potentially careening around the corner not prepared for a large obstruction across the course. Please cross only at designated crossing spots and watch at designated viewing areas. If you must get closer please consider volunteering for ALL of the participants. Thank you.
8. Why not volunteer?
You would like to be closer to the race scene, why not help us out! We need many people to run this race smoothly. The more people involved the better. Please sign up for volunteering. E-mail kgoody@huntersville.org to sign up or see above.
9. My child can't swim that far?
All children can use kickboards or a flotation devise. We strongly encourage all swimmers to just try their best. There is no time limit for the races and we want this to be a positive event for all. If there is any question about how we can make your child's event better or safer we would encourage the feed back.
10. I am worried about my child doing the distance. Can I put them in a younger group?
The answer: Yes. You can have your child race in any age group that you feel is the correct distance. How you do this: you need to register them in the age they will be in 2010. once registered, you may have them race in the group you wish. What you need to know is, your child will not get a time for the race or be qualified to win any medals or race points. They can only win medals and points for racing in their correct age group. So if you wish to age your children down remember that you will not have a time for them! If your child was aged down and they did receive a time for that race they will not be given points for a top three finish for the points championship. They will receive 1 point for completion just as all other athletes.
12. My child was not in the championship points but he/she did all four events?
This is a common problem when children are not registered with the same name each race. The easiest was to avoid this is to register online with an account with set up events. If you do this it will make sure the name is the same every time; ie do not use samantha smith then sam smith. it will not be counted in the points series. You must register on-line for the last event to get your name on the trophy list. we can not wait till race day to know the number of trophies needed.
13. Is my child getting an award?
Every race each athlete will get a certificate when they cross the finish line. The top three times for each age group (boys and girls) will get a medal. All athletes that complete all four events will get an award and the top three in each age group will get a trophy for the points championship. One athlete, that did not place in the top three, will win the most improved. This is determined by the largest race time change over the course of the series.
14. Can my child age down and then age back and be qualified for the points championship?
Yes they can but the races they age down for will only give them one point. It is very helpful for you to e-mail set up events when this happens so they can pass it along to those that follow the points. This is a very difficult thing that is easily lost and there is no way we can be liable for missing this without your help.
Thank you and have a great race
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