ATHLETE GUIDE CONTENTS 2 Contents 3 Welcome Race Features Benefiting Massey Cancer Center 4 Race Weekend Timeline 5 Race Distances Race Amenities Awards Spectators VA Capital Trail 6 Packet Pickup Timing Chips Swim Waves 7 Body Marking & Race Numbers Transition Area 8 Swim Course 9 Bike Course Run Course 10 Course Maps 18 Parking Map 19 Directions to the race site Lost & Found Bike Support Results Photos About our Race Series 20 USAT Rules & Policies Age Policy Wetsuits Common Rules Violations 21 Sponsor Recognition RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 2
Welcome from Andy Moser, USAT Certified Race Director, and the Go To Eleven Racing Team We re very excited to celebrate the fifth running of the Richmond Rox Triathlons. We welcome all our endurance athletes, from those participating in their first sprint, to those stepping up to the Olympic and Half distances. I raced this event as my first half back in 2012, and also the Olympic when it was the Rocketts Tri in July. Our venue on the James River in Richmond, VA has great views of the downtown cityscape, and is also located right on the newly completed Virginia Capital Trail. Our bike and run courses share the same roads that were just used by the UCI World Road Cycling Championships in September of 2015. We are proud to show off the hard work of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. You ll see construction in the area continues to change the face of the Richmond riverfront; we look forward to seeing improvements over the next few years as the Intermediate Terminal evolves into a city park and home to Stone Brewing. Athlete Demographics: 18% chose Richmond Rox as their first triathlon ever Representing 14 different states 51% men and 49% women Race Features Post-race food including vegetarian options. Racer swag will include finisher medals, Boco visors, and long sleeve technical race shirts. The swim is in the James River, a 360-mile long waterway that starts in the Shenandoah Mountains and flows all the way to the Chesapeake Bay. Typically wetsuit legal around 77 degrees. The beautiful bike course heads east into rural rolling Henrico and Charles City Counties. The run heads west into historic downtown Richmond, along the canal walk, Brown's Island, across the two bridges over the river, loops back again on the VA Capital Trail, then finishes back at the party! Parts of the run course have amazing views of the city, no boredom here! We think you will be pleasantly surprised! Gatorade Endurance is our drink sponsor! There will be 2 bottle handoffs on the bike course and aid stations are every mile on the run. Post-race party will feature live music. Richmond Rox Benefits the VCU Massey Cancer Center Become our ally and a champion in the fight against cancer by joining the Massey Movement today! Signing up is simple. As a participant, you will receive your own custom web page to share your story and start recruiting your own team of supporters. Anyone who raises or donates $100 gets the official Massey Movement shirt so you can show your #teammassey pride every day of the year! RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 3
Race Weekend Timeline Friday, September 16, 2016 TIME Event Details 6:00pm Group pre-swim at Rocketts Landing. We swim from the Virginia Boat Club crew dock. Come early to sign in and attend the safety briefing. Park at the Intermediate Terminal and walk south down the Capital Trail. Saturday, September 17, 2016 : Packet Pickup 1pm-4pm Packet pickup at the race site. Racers must bring a photo ID. NO ID, NO RACE, NO EXCEPTIONS. USAT members must also bring their valid USAT card. Racers may only pick up their own packet. This includes relay teams. BYOB = bring your own bag for your #, shirt, swag. No overnight bike racking. Timing chips handed out on race day. See website timeline for more details on clinics during Packet Pickup! 4pm-5pm Pre-race briefing at the Race Venue, under the Event Tent. Sunday, September 18, 2016 : Race Day 5:30am 5:30am 6am 5:30am - 6:45am 6:30-6:45am 6:45am 6:45am 7:00am 7:05am ~7:28am 7:45am 8:00am 8:05am 8:10am 8:15am 8:20am 9:15am ~9:25am ~10:00am 10:15am 10:20am 10:25am 10:30am ~11:25am 12:30pm 12:30pm 2:00pm 3:05pm Transition Opens Race Day Packet Pickup. Racers must bring a photo ID. NO ID, NO RACE, NO EXCEPTIONS. USAT members must also bring their valid USAT card. Racers may only pick up their own packet. Chip Pickup @ tent near transition area Swim Warm-ups: not guaranteed to be supervised. Transition closes for Half athletes Swim wave start formation & National Anthem Half Start : Wave 1 : Men Green caps Wave 2 : Women, All Relays First swimmer out, heading onto bike course Transition Closes for Olympic Olympic Start: Wave 3: Men 39 & Under - Green caps Wave 4 : Men 40 & Over, Clydesdales, Male Aquabike White caps Wave 5 : Women 39 & Under - Pink caps Wave 6 : Women 40 & Over, Athena, Female Aquabike, All Relays Purple Caps Half swim cut off, last Half swimmer must be out Olympic swim cut off, last Olympic swimmer must be out First cyclist in & onto run course First Olympic finisher Sprint Start: Wave 7: Men 39 & Under Green caps Wave 8: Men 40 & Over, Clydedales, Male Aquabike White caps Wave 9: Women 39 & Under - Pink caps Wave 10: Women 40 & Over, Athena, All Relays, Female Aquabike Purple Caps First half Finisher Olympic & Sprint Awards Presentation Bike course cutoff: police and volunteers released Half Iron Awards Presentation in the Event Tent Run course closes 8 hours from last Half swim wave start: police and volunteers released RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 4
Race Distances Half Iron = Swim 1.2 miles Bike 56 miles Run 13.1 miles Olympic Distance = Swim 1500 meters Bike 40k Run 10k Sprint Distance = Swim 750 meters Bike 12 miles Run 5k (Aquabike division is swim and bike only; no run!) Race Amenities Technical shirt Large awesome finisher medals Visors by Boco Headwear Accurate swim, bike and run splits with live race day tracking Post-race food music, & party Race photos from Competition Imaging Race swim cap Awards Please note the race director reserves the right to add or delete the number of awards in age group categories prior to race day based on registrants in that category 2 weeks prior to race day. Awards will not be mailed out. Awards will be presented for the each race for: Top 3 overall Male and Female Age groups (3 deep) Male and Female: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over Top 3 Aquabike Male and Female Top 3 Relays ( Includes All relay divisions ) New this year : Athena and Clydesdale Spectators There are designated Spectator Hot Spots on the Run Course, including Legend Brewing Company on W 7 th St and Southern Railway Taphouse on 14 th and Dock St. There will be designated pedestrian crossing areas within the race venue for spectators to cross over athlete traffic; be sure to look both ways and yield to oncoming athletes! Please remember that triathlon is an individual sport and that you as a spectator may not assist your athlete during the event. For example, you may not pick up their wetsuit after the swim, drive out to fix a flat tire during the bike, or hand them an energy bar during the run ( outside assistance warrants USAT penalties ). If you wish you be involved with the race, we are glad to have your help as a volunteer. Please see the Volunteer Coordinator at the Volunteer tent to sign up and get an official Volunteer Crew t-shirt. Virginia Capital Trail The newly completed Virginia Capital Trail runs right through our race venue, and connects Richmond to Williamsburg with a continuous paved multi-use path. Looking to get in some exercise while your athlete races? Consider bringing your bike or taking a stroll down the trail. RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 5
Packet Pickup Come to the race site on Saturday, September 17th from 1pm 4pm to pick up your race numbers and visit the pre-race expo. We strongly suggest picking up your packet on Saturday to avoid long lines on race day. Race day packet pickup will be available from 5:30-6:30am in the big-top tent. We will re-open packet pickup for Sprint athletes from 8:45am- 9:45am. All athletes must bring a photo ID: No ID, No Race. You may only pick up your own packet. Timing Chips Timing chips will be handed out from a tent adjacent to the transition area on race morning. Bring your Run Bib to the chip pickup tent to receive your chip, and place the strap on your LEFT ankle. Body Marking & Race Numbers Body Marking Volunteers will be roaming transition on race morning to mark your biceps, thighs, and calf with your race number and Race Age or Category. You will be provided with three numbers at Packet Pickup: The large sticker must be displayed clearly from both sides of your bicycle: fold it over your top tube, down tube, or seat tube. The small sticker must be affixed to the front of your bike helmet. The race bib (holes in each corner) must be worn on the front during the run and as you cross the finish line. You may pin it to your shirt or wear it on a race belt. Transition Area The fenced area that contains the bike racks is called the Transition Area. According to USA Triathlon Rules, only athletes are permitted in this area. While your family may assist you in carrying your gear to and from Transition, they must stop at the gate and let you set up and remove your own gear. There are three separate corrals for each of the three race distances. Look for signage that designates the area for your race. The racks are numbered in groups of six, i.e. 1-6, 7-12, 13-18 and so on. Find the rack that corresponds to your bib number. If you are picking up your bib on race morning, we suggest you do so first before entering transition. Within your assigned rack, spots are first-come, first-serve. Hang your bike by the nose of the seat or by the handlebars if you have a drop-bar road bike. Lay out your gear underneath your bike, but remember that you must share the rack with five other athletes; you have about 20 of width. RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 6
There is no changing area within Transition, so while you will be able to put on a shirt or jersey once you get out of the river, you won t be able to change out of what you wore to swim. Plan your attire accordingly. During the race, remember that you cannot ride your bike inside the transition area. Walk your bike past the mount line (duct taped across the road), and then you may get on. Likewise, when you finish your ride, you must dismount before crossing the line, and walk your bike back to its rack. RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 7
Swim Course Swim waves are 5 minutes apart. The swim cutoff time for the Half is 70 minutes. Cap colors and wave assignments subject to change according to final registration numbers: Half: 7:00am Wave 1 : Men : Green Caps Wave 2 : Women & All Relays : White Caps Olympic: 8:00am Wave 3 : Men 39 & Under: Green Caps Wave 4: Men 40 & Over, Male Aquabike, Clydesdale : White Caps Wave 5 : Women 39 & Under: Pink Caps Wave 6 : Women 40 & Over, All Relays, Female Aquabike, Athena : Purple Caps Sprint: 10:15am Wave 7 : Men 39 & Under: Green Caps Wave 8: Men 40 & Over, Male Aquabike, Clydesdale : White Caps Wave 9 : Women 39 & Under: Pink Caps Wave 10 : Women 40 & Over, All Relays, Female Aquabike, Athena : Purple Caps Walk south from the transition area away from the city towards the marina docks. Leave plenty of time to get to the swim start, as it is a half-mile walk. Bring a spare pair of shoes to leave at the swim exit. You will want to put them on when you get out of the water to run back to transition. When your wave is called, come down the wooden ramp to the fuel dock. The Half Iron race starts at 7:00am, so Wave 1 should be in the water a few minutes early. Sighting buoys will be orange, and the turn buoys will be yellow. You may swim on either side of the sighting buoys, but you must leave the turn buoys on your right. Each course will swim upriver, across, and back down to exit at the Virginia Boat Club crew dock (Course Maps are at the end of this guide). Climb the concrete stairs and run up the Capital Trail towards Transition. RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 8
Bike Course The bike courses travel south out of the city limits into Henrico and Charles City Counties. Though police will be holding vehicular traffic at the intersections to allow cyclists to pass, cyclists should be aware that the roads are still open to traffic. Always ride on the right and look over your shoulder before attempting to pass, and only pass on the left. Our use of county roads is dependent on you adhering to these rules. There are two aid stations on the Half Iron bike course: one at approximately mile 20, and one at mile 45. There will be a water bottle handoff available. If you have never practiced a rolling bottle handoff before, please pull off and stop! Hand your empty bottle to a volunteer, and take a full one before continuing. If you re going to grab a bottle on the fly, pitch your empty first (hold it down by your knee and toss it off the road into the hockey goal so someone behind you doesn t run over it). These aid stations are the only places on the course you may discard trash or bottles. Dropping anything anywhere else is littering and will result in a penalty! Volunteer Marshals will be at certain turns to direct you along the course. All turns will be marked in spray paint on the pavement, and sandwich-board style signs with arrows will be at each turn. However, it is the athlete s responsibility to know the course. Review the course maps below. Read more on cycling conduct in the following USAT rules section. Run Course The run starts at Great Shiplock Park along the Canal. The Half Iron athletes will first head south towards a turnaround near the swim exit and then return towards Transition. The Sprint and Olympic Athletes will head north. You will head along the Cap Trail aside Dock St onto the historical Canal Walk, up the ramp onto 14th street, south across the bridge, right on West 7th Street, left on Semmes and an immediate right across Semmes into the Floodwall parking lot, follow the Floodwall sidewalk, continue on Railroad at Suntrust, right onto the Lee bridge (best views on the course - very wide shoulder here, 2nd street & Riverside Dr ramp will be closed), right on Byrd, right on 5th, across 5th street footbridge onto Brown's Island, left onto canal walk... don't forget to check out all the local artist murals! Bear right on path along the flood wall, left onto 14th st sidewalk, left down ramp beside Southern Railway Taphouse. Head back along the Canal Walk to VA Capital trail. The Half Iron athletes will turn around at a cone and start a second loop. You will run a two loop course before heading back to the Park for the finish. This course will be a great break for road race boredom and give you a sense of history and picturesque scenery. There will be aid stations with Gatorade every mile, some over lapping due to the 2 loop run course. Run course closes 3:15pm. This is 8 hrs from the last swim wave start. Runners must stay on sidewalks during the race where applicable. Aid stations will be located at every mile with water and Gatorade. The aid stations on the back side of the half course will have Powergels and salt tabs. Please dispose of your trash only within the aid stations; don t carry your cups past the trash cans! Littering on the course is cause for penalty. Course Maps RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 9
All Maps are available for download on the race website. RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 10
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PARKING MAP Athletes and spectators should park in the Manchester Industries lots on Orleans Street. Limited street parking will be available along Main St north of Nicholson St. PLEASE DO NOT park in the Rockett s Landing lots on Orleans St or along Old Main St; this parking is reserved for Rocketts residents and restaurant patrons. Volunteers may park in the old gas station parking lot just south of Nicholson St. Kayakers may drive down into the UofR lot to park and unload their boats. RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 18
Directions Race Site / Pre-Race Briefing Location Great Shiplock Park 2083 Dock St Richmond, VA 23223 Lost & Found Located at the Announcer s Tent Bike Support Provided by 3Sports, in the black tent adjacent to Transition. Results Preliminary race results are posted on http://gotoelevenracing.com/race-calendar/richmond-rox-triathlon/results.aspx Photos Official Race Photography by Competition Imaging. Visit http://www.competitionimaging.com/ to view and purchase your photos a few days after the events. About our Race Series Go To Eleven Racing was founded by a local athlete to support the greater Richmond triathlon community by continuing to produce a few of the favorite local events. We will strive to bring you a great experience at the same great venues athletes have enjoyed for years. Go To Eleven believes in lowering the barriers to entry for new athletes and those with challenges, while providing a logistically sound and professionally directed event for the experienced triathlete. Whether it s your first or fiftieth, we hope to send you home with a smile on your face! May 21: Children's Hospital of Richmond Powerkids Triathlon Presented by Allergy Partners of Richmond - benefiting the Greater Richmond YMCA & Kids Campership Program May 22: GroundForce IT Powersprint Triathlon Presented by Tri-Ad Chiropractic -benefiting Sportable June 5: Naylor's Beach Triathlons & Duathlon presented by Belfield Physical Therapy -benefiting the Naylor's Beach Tornado Relief Fund June 26: Robious Landing Triathlon presented by Active Chiropractic -benefiting the Cameron K Gallagher Foundation August 14: Pink Power Triathlon presented by the Cowart Mortgage Team of NFM Lending -benefiting United Athletics September 18: Richmond Rox Triathlons presented by VCU Health -benefiting the VCU Massey Cancer Center RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 19
USAT RULES & POLICIES The Richmond Rox Triathlons are USA Triathlon (USAT) sanctioned events and follow the USAT Competitive Rules. Age Policy Athletes compete in their age groups according to their age on Dec 31, 2016. Wetsuits Wetsuits will only be allowed for competition if the water temperature is below 78.0 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water temperature exceeds 78.0 degrees but is less than 84.0 degrees, an athlete MAY wear a wetsuit but WILL BE INELIGIBLE for awards and national ranking consideration. If the water temperature is 84.0 degrees or higher, the use of wetsuits is strictly prohibited. The USAT Official will take readings before the race and make a determination about wetsuits. Wetsuit eligibility will be announced prior to the race. James River water temperatures can range anywhere from 75.0 degrees to 80.0 degrees this time of year. Common Rule Violations USAT Officials will be on-course during the event enforcing the Competitive Rules. Stay safe and fair! Helmets: Only helmets approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may be used in USAT sanctioned events. Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. This means before, during, and after the event. Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you are off your bicycle. Transition Area: All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another participant s equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area. Drafting: Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds. Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing. Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempting to pass. Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again. Headphones: Headphones, headsets, Walkman s, ipods, mp3 players, or personal audio devices, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race. Race numbers: 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. Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way. DO NOT transfer your number to any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing. Abandonment: All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course. Empty bottles, gel wrappers, etc must be left at an aid station. RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 20
PRESENTING SPONSOR SPONSORS SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS PRODUCED BY RICHMOND ROX TRIATHLONS ATHLETE GUIDE 21