Although we are primarily a competitive Adult Sprint race, we are also family friendly. So we have expanded our race to include an opportunity for youth to be involved. Youth will launch immediately after all adult waves have departed. Youth will use the same Swim, Bike and Run course as the adults but each event will be shortened. Additionally, we will create a new Adult Fun Kayak /Bike /Run wave
opportunity for those that do not desire to swim but still wish to compete in the Bike and Run Adult Sprint length events. Location
Warsaw / Winona Lake is in north central Indiana, on US Highway 30, about 40 miles West of Ft. Winona Lake Park is located on in the southeast part of the greater Warsaw area on the North East side of Winona Lake at 1590 Park Ave., Winona Lake, In. Sponsorship
This triathlon is sponsored by the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club, a not for profit organization whose theme is “Friend of Youth”. All profits are committed to the many youth activities supported by the Optimist Club in this community. Race Course Characteristics- ADULT Sprint
ADULTS- Swim-1/4 mile, out and back, 12+ waves, 3 minutes stagger, USAT rules govern the use of wet suits. Bike-14.4 miles on an open course-a few small hills to Pierceton and back. Bike helmets must be strapped at all times. You must furnish your own water bottle on the bike course. Run-3.6 miles on an open course -some curves but only minor hills, scenic on recently completed Greenway Trail through a wooded area, along a creek. Runners must wear the race number in front. USAT Age Division Assignments- Youth and Adult
The age group of a participant will be determined by age on December 31 of the event year, NOT by age on race day. So, you will be assigned to an age division according to your age on December 31, 2015. YOUTH Race Information (Ages 11/12 and 13/14)
The final waves of this race will be exclusively for youth participants. This activity is designed to introduce young athletes to the multi-sport lifestyle. The two Youth groups will use two year age brackets- 11/12 and 13/14 year old. Both brackets will be Co-ed, and race only as solo individuals. The youth group race is to considered participatory, as all finishers will be awarded the same prize without regard as to placement in their age group. Depending upon the number of participants, we will launch the number of waves as appropriate for safety of the participants. Both youth age groups will participate on a shortened version of each of the Adult Swim, Bike and Run courses. Each YOUTH participant will be issued a highly visible color race T shirt which MUST BE WORN during the race. YOUTH – Will also participate in a triathlon. Both the 11/12 and 13/14 year old waves will compete on a shorter version of the adult course. Distances for the 13/14 group will be Swim- 110 yards, Bike- 2.97 miles and Run- 2.9 miles. The 11/12 group will depart in the last wave and use an even shorter version of the adult course. Distances for the 11/12 group will be Swim- 110 yards, Bike- 1.8 miles and Run- 1.46 miles. Special ADULT Solo – “Kayak / Bike / Run Wave”
The last ADULT Triathlon wave launched into the water will be a Kayak / Bike / Run event that will use a kayak to complete the water portion of the event. They will use a different portion of the lake, separate from the swimmers involved in the Triathlon Sprint event. They will launch and paddle, and be expected to return their own kayak to the designated grassy area along the beach before continuing to the Bike and Run events. They will then compete on the same Bike / Run course as the other participating adult triathletes. If you want to compete in this wave, you MUST select this option during the registration process and provide your own Kayak, paddle and personal lifejacket. This group will be limited to a maximum of 30 participants. We have applied to USAT for sanctioning of this event, but at this time, we are not certain of the outcome. It is certain that all participants in this wave will be disqualified from Triathlon Sprint prizes and the Timer will be instructed to NOT report participants times to USAT. We reserve the right to terminate acceptance of further DQ applicants when we reach approximately 30 participants. This wave is intended to be a fun wave to help introduce adult participants to the sport. Kayak option contestants MUST wear a personal floatation device and will wear a timing chip so that their times can be recorded. Participants must supply their own kayak, personal floatation devise and paddles. Top finishers in this group will be presented a race participation medallion. Special Adult Team Kayak/Bike/Run
Athletes may also elect to participate as a Team in the Kayak/Bike/Run. All of the comments and Rules mentioned above will apply to Team Kayak participants. The team captain must register all participants in the order of Biker/Runner and Kayaker last. Special note for Kayak participants
The Optimist Club recognizes that delivery of both bikes and kayaks on the morning of the event presents a logistics challenge. Therefore, kayak participants may opt to deliver to the designated area at Winona Lake Park beach, their kayak, personal floatation device and paddle on the evening before the race. All night security personal will be provided at the park on that evening. Kayaks may be delivered after 6:00 PM on Friday evening and must be removed by no later than 12:00 noon on Saturday. The Winona Lake Parks Department (574-267-2310) has a limited number of kayaks for rent and should be contacted early for rental fee and reservation information. About This Event – ADULT Age Restrictions
The MINIMUM age for entry in an ADULT age group is 15 years old before 12-31-2015. This applies to a solo triathlete or as a member of a team. USA Triathlon requires five year age group divisions for age 20 and older – Adult: 15-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+
A Chip Timed Race
All participants MUST wear an assigned timing chip. You will be responsible for returning your timing chip at the finish line or pay a $30 replacement fee. Teams are only assigned one timing chip (same as Bib Number) and must transfer that chip to succeeding members of the team while at the bike rack in the transition area. General Registration Policy -NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION. Registration will be closed when the limit of 720 entries is reached or on the Tuesday before the race, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. There will be NO SAME DAY registration. Registration entries are not transferable to other individuals nor can they be delayed to a subsequent year race date. Once registered, no refunds are permitted for either the Adult or Youth Race fee. Rankings/ Discount for Annual USAT Membership
If you are an ADULT USAT member, you will be ranked nationally and regionally in your age group if you complete a minimum of three races while racing in your age group. Your tri club will also receive valuable points towards the club series for the Mideast Region of USAT. You are eligible to receive a $12.00 discount if you are a current annual USAT member. You may purchase an annual USAT membership by calling 719-597-9090 or log on to http://www.usatriathlon.org/ for membership information. Be sure to purchase your annual membership early in your racing season. USAT may require up to 4 weeks to get your updated materials to you.
