Packet Pick Up 

Pre-race packet pick-up is on Friday, August 18, at Montana Tap House in Whitefish from 3:00pm - 5:30pm. (845 Wisconsin Ave) You must present a photo ID. You may pick up your family member’s packet with their photo ID (or a picture of their ID). This is for insurance and liability purposes.

We highly recommend getting your packet Friday to minimize the rush on Saturday.  (Plus it’ll give us more time to meet you and say hi!) Race-day packet pick up at the race site is from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. Same policies as above apply. Remember to arrive early! City Beach is located at 70 Lakeside Blvd.

Super Sprint Triathlon participants will also be able to pick up their packet at the timing table while the Sprint race is happening, from 8:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Body marking will be available during this time as well.

Athletes doing the Black Diamond Challenge will have one race number to use for both races.

If you have any questions about which stickers go where, please ask at packet pickup. We are here to help!

 

Parking 

The parking lot at city beach will be our transition area, so best parking will be at the upper parking lot (off Woodland Pl) or street parking close by. You can then walk/ride your gear down to the beach. If you ride your bike anywhere on the course race morning (even just from your car), you MUST have your helmet on with chin strap fastened. Remember to arrive early as we are expecting 200 athletes + support squad!

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Swim Start and Safety 

There will be one mass start for the sprint triathlon, starting right at the edge of the water. Your time will not start until you cross the start line. Do not feel pressured to be at the front of the pack. If you are new to open water swimming, please consider speaking with triathlon coaches Carrie Jacobs or Price Richardson when you pick up your packet. Carrie and Price will be happy to go over safety tips for open water. The key is to start out slowly, and pace yourself – no need to rush the start of a swim at an event like this. Place yourself at the back of the pack or to the sides to stay out of the way of faster swimmers. We will have plenty of lifeguards and water safety volunteers on hand.  All racers will need to cross the start line by 8:10am.

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Road Conditions

Please be just as cautious on the roads as you would be on a regular ride. You may find some potholes and ridges at certain places. We will do our best to mark them with chalk before the race. Being “rock chip season” in Montana, there will be loose gravel on the course. The city has agreed to sweep the streets the week before the event, but be on the lookout for gravel.

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Race Day Schedule 

Saturday, August 19, 2023

6:00AM-7:30AM – Packet pick-up, body markings and timing chip pick-up at City Beach(near swim-start). Remember to bring your picture ID if you didn’t get your packet Saturday. Timing chip should be secured around your ankle and exposed (meaning not covered by a wetsuit or other item). Arrive early!

7:40AM – Transition area closes. All bikes must be checked into the transition area by this time and you should be back at the swim staging area. Bike race numbers should be attached to the top tube — clearly visible. Helmets must meet current safety standards and should be properly fitted (see bottom for details). Team bike members should remain in the transition area for the start of the race.

7:00AM – 7:40AM – Swim warm up. Be advised there may be boats in the canal positioning themselves for the event. You will also have a couple minutes to warm up right before the mass start.

7:45AM — Mandatory athlete meeting in the area near the swim start (close to where you got your chip).

8:00AM – Start of Race

8:15AM -- Packet Pickup/Body Marking reopens for Super Sprint Athletes

Approx. 10:00AM — Awards Ceremony (Sprint)

10:30AM -- Packet Pickup/Body Marking closes

10:40AM -- Transition Area closes again to start the Super Sprint Triathlon race

10:45AM -- Mandatory athlete meeting in the area near the swim start (close to where you got your chip).

11:00AM -- Start of Race

Approx. 12:30PM -- Awards Ceremony (Super Sprint)

Restrooms

The facilities at City Beach will be open. The city will have someone there to restock items starting at 7:00AM. There will also be 3 porta-potties available all day.

No Dogs Allowed On The Beach

The City is much more strict about this during special events. Having dogs on the beach will risk the future of permitting for our event, so we ask that both you and your cheer squads follow the City’s request.

Please use trash cans for all rubbish so the city will continue to allow us to grow the local Whitefish Triathlon Community.

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Race Rules 

While we will have police and marshals on the bike course, the course is open to vehicles. Please follow regular road riding rules: bike on the right of the road, look ahead and behind before crossing over, call out to the athlete ahead of you when you’re going to pass. ONLY pass on the left. No headphones on during the race. No drafting. Please be considerate of your fellow athletes, volunteers, race officials and the community. You must have your helmet on and chin strap fastened any time your bike is off the bike rack, even while running your bike to and from the mount line. You can read the full USAT Competitive Rules here: http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/about-events/rules.

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Weather 

The race will take place rain or shine. Lightning or an extreme weather system could affect the start time, or delay or possibly cancel the event. The race committee will assess the weather prior to the race and announce any possible changes then.  Any emergency announcements regarding race changes will be communicated via e-mail.

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Sponsors & Supporters

We’re grateful to all of our event sponsors and supporters: Whitefish.com, Black Diamond Mortgage, Drive Wellness, Jeremy Oury Architects, Stockman Bank, Montana Taphouse, Safeway,  Sportsman Skihaus, Shanti Yoga, Powderhound Shirt Co. 

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Awards

Age groups are as follows:

Males
Under 15 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 34-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75+ 

Females
Under 15 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 34-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75+ 

Top three in each age group will get verbal recognition at the awards ceremony, and the top finisher in each age group will receive a trophy.  (Between the two races, yes, there are 56 trophies to be awarded!)

RELAY:  Top 3 overall teams will receive verbal recognition at the awards ceremony and the winning team will receive a trophy for each of it’s team members.

BLACK DIAMOND CHALLENGE: You will receive your medal at the finish of the Sprint Triathlon (first race). At the end of the Super Sprint, you will receive your bonus swag.   Please do not accept a duplicate finisher’s medal at the end of the Super Sprint.

Please note:  Black Diamond Challenge finishers are eligible for age group awards in each individual race.

VIRTUAL ATHLETES:  No awards are provided.  Race shirts and finisher medals will be mailed out on race day.

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Volunteers 

The overwhelming success of any race is in the strength of its volunteers.  If you have friends or family coming with you who would like to help out, please have them fill out our form here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/MT/Whitefish/WhitefishLakeTriathlon2022

Super sprint triathletes who want to arrive early and volunteer for the sprint, we can accommodate and will offer 15% off next year’s registration for anyone who helps us out!  Same deal for any sprint athletes who want to stick around and volunteer for our amazing super sprinters/black diamond challengers.

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RACE NUMBERS

1. The adhesive bicycle frame number must be attached to your bike with the race number clearly visible from both sides of the bike. Lost bike numbers cannot be replaced.

2. The small adhesive helmet number must be worn on the front of your bike helmet.

3. The run number must be displayed during the run segment on the front of your body. Pin your run number to your shirt, swimsuit or race belt with safety pins or attach to your race belt.
 

TRANSITION AREA ACCESS

The transition area will be open on race day from 6:30am to 7:40am only.  The transition area closes for all athletes PROMPTLY at 7:40am. Any athletes, including Relay team members, arriving after those respective times won't have access to the transition area. Only registered athletes will be allowed access during that time period. You won't be allowed access to the transition area to reclaim your bicycle and gear until after the last athlete has started the run (approximately 10:00am). Transition will then remain open again until 10:40am, when it will need to be closed again for the duration of the super sprint race. 

 

TIMING CHIPS

You’re required to pick up your timing chip with packet pickup. Don’t lose your chip. Each chip is encoded with your specific registration data, so don’t trade your chip with another athlete. The chip must be affixed to either ankle prior to the swim start and must be worn during the entire event. Athletes are responsible for crossing the timing mats at the beginning and end of each segment (swim start through run finish). Each relay team will have one timing chip. The chip will serve as your baton. Make sure it is properly affixed to the next athlete in transition.

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SWIM CAP

The swim cap is picked up during Athlete Check-In and must be worn during the swim. 

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WETSUITS

 The use of wetsuits during the swim will be allowed if the water temperature on race morning is 78.0 degrees or less. 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 USAT national ranking points.  A final water temperature measurement will be conducted on Saturday morning at approximately 6:30am to determine whether wetsuits will be allowed.

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SWIM

The swim will be at the south end of the swimming area at City Beach. Participants should proceed to City Beach for the start no later than 7:45am. The Race Committee will make a few final announcements at 7:45am prior to the race start. Athletes will be able to enter the water to warm-up prior to the race starting. Failure to wear the official swim cap other than the one you've been assigned will result in your disqualification. Participants who are less confident in the water are encouraged to start towards the back for safety reasons. All participants must start the race before 8:10am.

Athletes will have 45 minutes for completion of the swim portion. Note that the swim takes place in open water and conditions can vary from calm to rough. You should be prepared and able to independently complete the distance in the allotted time, as you won't be allowed to continue the race if you do not make the cut off. Follow the orange buoys during the entire swim course. Orange buoys mark the two turns. Keep all buoys on your left by swimming to the right of each buoy. Athletes cutting any portion of the swim course will be disqualified. For your safety, certified water safety personnel will be monitoring the swim course with kayaks and rescue craft. USAT official rules allow for athletes to rest or take breaks on kayaks or watercrafts, however, no forward motion can be gained. Simply rest, then restart on your own.

SWIM SPECIAL NEEDS TABLE: There will be a table set up at the swim finish for the collection of your eyeglasses, medications or other special needs items. Be sure to clearly mark all items left on the special needs table with your name and race number.

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TRANSITION AREA CONDUCT

 For safety reasons, you won't be permitted to 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 the transition area and follow the instructions of race officials and volunteers.

 

BIKE

Each athlete is required to wear an approved helmet during the bike segment. You must have your helmet securely fastened on your head before you mount and dismount your bike. Drafting and blocking (impeding the progress of passing cyclists) is not permitted during the race, per USAT official rules. Athletes will have 75 minutes to complete the Sprint Distance Bike Course. Please note, there are no aid stations on the bike course. Please have any hydration and/or nutrition with you. Also, carry your own flat kits. 

 

RUN

Water stations are located at the run start and approximately each mile on the run course. Each station will be stocked with water and electrolyte drink. You must complete the entire course and circle the traffic cones at the run turnaround. A timing mat will be placed at the turnaround to ensure each athlete completes the entire run course.

 

FINISH

The run course for the Sprint Distance officially closes at 11:00am. The run course for the Super Sprint Distance officially closes at 1:00pm. All participants still on the course at this time will be asked to move to the sidewalk. Participants continuing on their own will assume all risks and must adhere to local traffic laws. Official individual finishers will receive a finisher's medal.

 

DROPPING OUT

Please notify a race official and return your timing chip at the finish line if you drop out of the race.

 

UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

 Unsportsmanlike conduct or the verbal abuse of any race official or volunteer during the race or at any time during event weekend will result in your immediate disqualification.

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TIMING AND RESULTS

 Official race results will be available prior to the awards presentation. Report any discrepancy to a race official prior to the start of the awards presentation. Athletes who don't wear the timing chip during the entire event will not be scored. 

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MEDICAL CARE

 Whitefish Fire Department will provide comprehensive medical care for all participants during the event. The biggest risk to athletes during the race is the potential of heat-related injuries associated with inadequate hydration prior to and during the event. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout race weekend.

 

COURSE SAFETY

 Because Whitefish Triathlon is conducted within an urban environment, it's 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.

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RESULTS and ATHLETE TRACKER

 Race results will be posted online immediately following the race. 

As event athletes, we strive to provide the ideal race experience that we'd desire to have and we look forward to hosting you all next weekend.