5th Annual Racing for Recovery Half and Sprint Triathlon
Due to the exorbanent increase in the cost of jerseys, Racing for Recovery will be doing tech shirts this year. Thanks.
Distances: 1.2mi. Swim, 56mi. Bike, 13.1mi. Run OR 1000m swim, 12mi. bike, 3.6mi. run
Date/location: Sunday June 7, 8:00am Sterling State park, Monroe, Michigan
This is a 3 Disciplines Racing produced event exclusively for the Racing for Recovery foundation.
Venue/Area Information: Monroe Michigan located on Lake Erie, one of the great lakes is located about 45 minutes from Detroit and 30 minutes from Toledo, Ohio. THe transition area is 5k from I-75 just off the beach. Historic down town Monroe, home of General Custer has some great restaurants as well as other local amenities. Sterling State park was the recepiant of a government grant of 20 million dollars a few years ago. This has made the park perfect for an event of this type. Big sandy beach, great camping available steps from the transition area right on the beach. A beautiful lagoon which will serve as the run course and there is plenty of room to accomodate a few thousand athletes and spectators. The host hotel is less than 3 miles from the transition area.
Course: the swim we make along the beach most of the way so in most cases you will not be swimming in water deeper than 6 feet. The bike course is probably the flattest half ironman distance bike course you will ever race on. There is not even a overpass for a hill out there. This is the farm land of Monroe, not many trees and has a 3 loop course out at the back end of the course. The run is similar in that there is not even a hickup out there. The best part is the blacktopped path around the lagoons is totally shaded the entire way. that is a two loop affair for half athletes, but is a beautiful loop to get focused and fly on.
Race Tips: Just like Kona, this race has been plaqued by afternoon winds, so it is important to get out of the water and hammer that first loop before they start. When they do start it is important to stay tucked and keep aero. Usually it is not bad on the way back in, just out where you do your three loops. There is nothing to block the wind out there so take advantage when it is behind you and on the side. I would use a disc if you have it. You will fly if they pick up when the winds are in the right position. The run course will be a great spot to pr the 13.1 or 3.6mi. distance. I would recommend you get out there on Saturday and check it out. It will be tough to focus on athletes in front of you as the winding trail around the lagoon is heavily shaded. So get relaxed and comfortable on the first loop then drop the hammer on the second one. You can definitely negative split the two loops.
Packet Pickup/Registration: Day Before Saturday from 2-5pm. Day of Packet Pickup and Registration Sunday 6-7:15am ONLY. Do not arrive late. Registration will close. Plan to pickup your packet or register on Saturday to avoid long lines Sunday. Come out go for a swim and you will be ready to rock and roll Sunday.
USAT: A $10 one day license fee will be collected AT Registration for all NON USAT members. This was not included in your entry fee and must be paid to USAT, not event management. If pre registered please have a check or cash ready. (remember the USAT age up rule, meaning you will race at the age you will be at the end of the year)
Multi-Sport 101: 5:00pm in the transition area Saturday, weather permitting. Great racing and training tips as well as a step by step conversation going over the entire event. If you are a first timer, a newbie, the goal is to reduce those first race nerves and axiety. We will answer all your questions and make sure you are ready to rock and roll race day.
In order to guarantee a T-shirt you MUST register 14 days in advance. In order to guarantee a jersey you must be registered by April 1. If you register after that event management will not be responsible for athletes not receiving event shirts. No Transfers or Refunds for ANY reason.
Accomodations: Holiday Inn, Monroe, I-75 exit.
Transition Area: Open at 6:00am closes at 7:30am. The swim start is 600m down from the transition area. No Friends or Family members allowed in the transition area for any reason. You must rack according to your race number. Please remember racks will hold 7 bikes, please be courteous to fellow athletes to ensure there is space for 7. Any and All athletes removing gear from transition areas before the announcer or race director has officially opened the transition area will be DISQUALIFIED from the race. No questions asked, your race number will be taken down and you will be disqualified. The transition area is closed until all athletes are off the bike course. Sprint athletes this goes for you as well, you must wait until all the Olympic distance athletes are off the course to enter the transition area.
Swim: 1000m or 1.2mi. - Wave starts will be posted on Saturday at Packet Pickup/registration. This will be an on the beach start, sprint athletes will head out about 25m to a left turn following the shoreline all the way to the rock wall, turn around and head back . to the turn in point. The half athletes will head out about 400m, back in and then follow the shoreline. Lifeguards will be placed along the course, you will be able to touch in most spots. Water temps have historically been in the high 60-70 degree range.
Bike: 12mi. or 56mi. - This entire course has been repaved in the last 4 years, it is smooth, flat and fast with a shoulder almost the entire route. The sprint course will turnaround at the sheriff post just before Dixie hwy. The half course has a three loop section at its furthest point. The aid station will be out at this area with EMS, portajohn, Hammer Heed, Hammer gel, bananas and water, toss a bottle, get a bottle. You will also have a set of timing mats out here to count laps. It is YOUR responsibility to count your laps. Failure to do so will result in disqualification. After completing your 3rd lap you will head back to the park.
Use caution at all times as this is an OPEN course, you will be sharing the road with vehicular traffic. You must obey officials and emergency vehicles at all times. Failure to do so will result in a disqualification. It will be your responsibility to print maps, and know the courses. It is the athletes responsibility to know and understand the courses. Helmets are a must, no helmet, no race. MP3 players on the bike course are automatic disqualification.
Run: 4 mi. 13.1mi. - Sprint athletes will make on loop around the big lagoon and head back in on the 6-8 foot wide black topped path. This will be shaded 2.5miles, the first 3/4 and last 3/4 will be wide open heading back towards the beach for the finish. The half athletes will actually circle all the lagoons on he park twice. the first lagoon is not shaded the entire way but this will enable you to see the copetition ahead and accross the lagoon. There will be water, Hammer Heed, bananas, cola, ice, water, and Hammer gel at each spot which are strategically placed around the lagoon so you will hit them several times. They are actually less than a mile apart. Each mile will be marked. EMS on bicycles will be patrolling the course at all times.
Relays: At registration you will receive ONE bib number and ONE chip/strap. The bib number goes on the runner as that is who will be crossing the finish line. All relay members must be body marked with that number. The Chip/Strap will be securely fastened around the person competing in the first discipline. There will be a designated spot for All Relays at one of the entry/exit points in the transition area marked RELAYS. All staging and chip/strap exchanging is to be done at this point. Not on the course. The Chip/Strap must be securely fastened to each athletes ankle, do not grab it and go, do not put it on the wrist. Upon finishing it is the last athletes responsibility to return that chip/strap at the finish line. (one athlete may do more than one discipline)
Finish/Awards: After you have returned your chip and strap you will proceed to the post race food tent for refreshments. Raffle and Awards will begin AFTER the last person finishes. If you chose to leave event management will not be responsible in any way for mailing your award or raffle prize.
You may print awards form and mail in a check for $10 within 2 weeks after the event to get your award mailed to you. If your envelope is postmarked after 2 weeks or does not contain a check for $10 we will not send the award.
Amenities: Finishers Momento, Race T Shirt, ChampionChip timing with all splits provided, awards to top 3 overall, top 3 in each age group, Overall male and female receive Lifetime pass. Great post race food tent with great grilled food. Post race food tent area is OFF LIMITS to friends, family and spectators. Athletes please do not take food out of the post race food area to feed family members. There is not enough food to feed the crowd, please be respectful to other athletes still on the course.
