ROCK SPRINGS – Do you have what it takes to swim 1500 meters, bike 24.4 miles and run 6.4 miles at 6,300 feet? Well now you have the opportunity to find out.
This race is takes place in southwest Wyoming at approximately 6300 ft. This is a high altitude race and orginizers recommend participants arrive at least a day early to try to acclimate to the altitude, although if you are not used to extreme altitude one day is not going to get you completely comfortable.
The race will kick off early Sunday, September 7th 2014 at the Western Wyoming Community College Pool.
The swim will start in heats based on which race participants entered. Age and estimated swim time will also be taken into consideration. Organizers said they will have plenty of lifeguards to supervise you while in the pool. The transition area is right outside of the pool in the parking lot.
The bike and the run portions of the race will be on the city streets in, around, starting and ending at WWCC. We will have plenty of volunteers to watch and control traffic. Most of the race will be through residential neighborhood areas though where traffic generally won’t be a big concern. We will also have plenty of medical assistance along the route in the event the altitude causes you any problems. There are no large inclines along the race route but you can expect some rise in altitude along portions of the race.
Finally, participants will race along the base of White Mountain and through portions of this mining town.
If participants follow on the map, the starting point is at the WWCC on College Drive. Racers will exit the parking lot onto College heading north to Stagecoach turning West crossing over Foothill and continuing on the newly constructed Stagecoach. You will then turn South on Dewar Drive (new construction) East onto Reagan, North onto Foothill (the Reagan and Foothill sections are where you will find the largest incline) turning East onto Stagecoach and south on College returning to the College.
Two laps of this track will be the Sprint Race, Four laps of this track will be the Olympic Distance. There will be plenty of signs and volunteers to keep everyone on the right track. The run will follow the same path with a slight deviation for the Sprint race. The Olympic race will do one lap of the same path.
To get a look at the race map go to http://raceontherock.weebly.com/.
Post race awards ceremony and party with refreshments will be held at the college starting point, please be sure to stay for music and refreshments. We will have a specific trophy for first time racers.
The cost of the race is $75 for the olympic distance, $35 for sprint distance, $85 for Olympic team and $50 for sprint team.
Payment can be accept in the form of check, credit, debit or cash on the day of the race, the best way to make sure you can race is to register early by calling the number below, the Western Wyoming Community College Community Education Department will be taking all of the registrations. Following your registration you will receive additional information by email. We are limiting this race to approximately 70 total races in consideration of the space in the pool.
All participants in sanctioned events must have a valid USAT membership card to present on the day of the race or purchase a one day membership for $12 at the time of registration. If you do not have your valid membership card available participants will be required to pay the one day fee.
All participants will be required to sign a USAT waiver for participation, which will be provided to you at check in.
The Olympic Race will start first followed by the Sprint.
To register for the race call (307) 872-1323. You an also register at packet pick-up at Bike and Trike on Saturday, Sept. 6 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Racers can also regster the day of the race at WWCC fro 4:30 a.m. to 6 a.m.
There will be a pre-race meeting at 6 a.m. with the first swim heats starting at 6:30 a.m.
USAT Rules
A Message about USAT Rules to all age-group competitors
Welcome to this USA Triathlon sanctioned event. You are racing under the USAT Competitive Rules. In order to minimize misunderstandings on race day, I hope you will take the time to read the following summary of the Position Violations, which you know as the drafting rules.
I have reduced the Position Rules to the following concepts, which everyone can remember:
1. Ride on the right side of your lane.
2. Keep three bike lengths between yourself and the cyclist in front of you. Pass on the left of the cyclist in front, never on the right.
3. Complete your pass within 15 seconds.
4. If passed, you must drop completely out of the zone, to the rear, before attempting to re-pass.
Remember you are racing in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event and the USAT rules will be enforced on the course to ensure fairness in the competition. There will be no warnings if you commit a foul during competition. Triathlon is an individual event and you must take personal responsibility to understand the rules and avoid penalties. At the end of the race all citations by the marshals are reviewed then a decision is made if a penalty should be assessed. Marshals commonly cite the following violations:
Position – riding on the left side of the lane without passing.
Blocking – left side riding and impeding the forward progress of another competitor
Illegal Pass – passing on the right.
Overtaken – failing to drop back three bike lengths before re-passing
Drafting – following a leading cyclist closer than three bike lengths and failing to pass within 15 seconds.
Though Position Violations carry a time penalty for first offense, two citations will result in an additional penalty and if you are cited for three violations, you will be disqualified. Be sure to check the penalty sheet before you leave the race site.
Make sure your helmet is a CPSC approved model. All helmets legally sold in the US are CPSC approved but if you purchased your helmet in a different country it might be illegal for use in sanctioned events.
While on your bike, always have your chinstrap securely fastened – before, during and after the event. The chin strap rule is easy to follow, so don’t forget – that’s a DQ.
Wear your race numbers, don’t leave your trash on the course, and don’t carry or use any portable audio devices.
Remember to treat other athletes, volunteers, and officials with courtesy and consideration. Failure to do so is called Unsportsmanlike Conduct and you will be disqualified.
BIKE FAQs
1. Do I have to wear a helmet?
Absolutely. And it must have a CPSC sticker. Buckle your helmet anytime you are on your bike. You will be disqualified if you are on your bike without your helmet buckled anywhere on the course. If you are in transition, you will be assessed a variable time penalty.
2. Why do I need bar end plugs?
So you don’t give yourself or someone else a nasty biopsy. Not having openings on your bike solidly plugged is a DQ!
3. Do I need to wear my number?
Your bike number must not be altered and must be visibly displayed on your bike. You only need to wear your number when you are on the run.
4. How far to the right must I ride?
Stay as far to the right as possible, but generally about the width of a standard bike lane – about a meter. Pass on the left, then return to the right.
5. Can I pass on the right?
No, pass on the left. If someone is blocking you, ask (loudly!) this person to move to the right, so that you may pass.
6. What is the draft zone?
The draft zone is a rectangular area 7 meters long and 2 meters wide around each bike and 30 meters behind and 15 meters next to a moving motor vehicle. As a practical guide, keep 3 bike lengths between you and the biker ahead of you. You must complete your pass within 15 seconds, and once you enter the draft zone, you must exit from the front, so be confident of your pass.
7. If I’m passed, do I have to wait 15 seconds before I can re-pass?
No, but you must drop back completely out of the draft zone. Do not attempt to “catch up” by getting up out of the saddle, and pedaling fast. You will be called for an overtaken penalty.
8. Can I ride in transition?
If there is a mount/dismount line you must observe it.
9. Can I drop my water bottle or gel packs anywhere?
No. Toss trash in a receptacle, or in the drop zone within sight of an aid station, or you may be cited for abandoned equipment.
10. Can I accept help?
Only accept help from race organizers or official volunteers. Accepting it from others is considered unauthorized assistance, and you may be penalized.
11. Can I put my bike anywhere I want?
No. Rack your bike and put all of your gear in the space race management has designated for you. Rack with your “wheel down” on the side of your assigned space. If you hang it by the handlebars, then your rear wheel will be on the ground on the side of your number. If you hang it by the seat, the front wheel must be on the same side as the number.
12. What if I go off course?
You must re-enter the course at the same spot you left it.
RUN FAQs
1. May I wear my head set ?
No. Head sets, radios, head phones and personal audio devices are prohibited.
2. Can someone pace me?
No. Pacing is illegal. You may have someone provide you with split times.
3. Do I have to wear a number?
Yes, you must wear your number.
4. May I carry my own water bottle?
Yes, but it must not be a glass container.
For more information and for the complete set of USAT Age Group Rules, please visit: www.usatriathlon.org, click on Events, then Rules.
