Distances

800m swim, 30k bike, 5k run

2mi run, 30k bike, 5k run

5k run

Date/location

Sunday July 25th, 8:00am @ Mackinaw Cities Waywatum park, Mackinaw City, MI. Located under the water tower down town next to Sheplers Ferry. Mackinaw City is located at the tip of the mit some say, where the lower peninsula meets the upper at the straights of Mackinaw right off of I-75.

Venue/Area Information

This is a very popular event for families. Kids can race the 5k, or even the entire event as it is short enough. But there is plenty to do before the event and after, I don't have to tell you about Mackinaw city and Mackinaw Island.

Area Amenities

MultiSport 101

 NO Multisport 101, we are unable to start setting up the transition area until that evening.

H20 Overdrive is our official Multi-Sport 101 partner. You want something that works without all the hype this is it folks. You are going to spend money on hydration drinks you should spend it on something that not only works but is great for the body!!

We have been told by many athletes from across the country that our 101 is the best anywhere. As far as we know we started it back in 2003. 2 years later a few others started popping up, and now most bigger, or shall we say more experienced race directors host them. What makes a great 101 is the experience a race director has not only with the race but most importantly in multi-sport. Kenny has been racing since 1987 along with an exercise science and coaching background he is one of the most qualified out there. Our goal with the 101 from day one has been to go through the entire event start to finish for the newbies, the beginners, the less experienced athletes. To try and calm down those butterflies as much as possible. Along with the information on the race the Race Director will give you dozens of racing and training tips along the way and answer any question you may have as well. Classes range from an hour to 2 hours depending on size and how many questions there are. If you are new to Multi-Sport it is Highly Recommended you attned this class.

Amenities:

2010 amenities include a custom sublimated Sweat Vac shirt, Custom Finishers Medal, Custom Awards for age group and overall winners, Post race massage at select events, Huge partner supplied post race raffle, Professional Chip Timing with all splits provided, Hammer Nutrition products, Custom Swim Cap, Partner supplied product samples, The best post race snack tent around.

Finish/Awards

After you have returned your chip and strap you will proceed to the post race snack 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 an 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.

Course Info

One of our favorite events to host, it is just one of those little events that is a must do. There is so much to do before and after it is a great escape race right in the middle of the season. It is not going to take a ton out of you so it will not ruin the August and September events you are focused on. The swim is just gorgeous as you can see down 30 feet easy to the bottom. The bike is great completely along both lakes out and back so you can see all your competition. The same for the run, all flat and all fast.

Swim: 800m

800m - Hard to find clearer water than this, when you have water this clear you typically do not have beach sand to stir things up. The negative is it is a rocky shoreline. The positive is it drops off very quick so after 4-5 stepsyou are in deep water. The rocks are all round as well and there have been no complaints about them. How can you complain swimming next to the Mighty Mackinaw bridge. Triangle swim down to Sheplers ferry entry, across with Mackinaw Island in the distance and back in. Wave starts will be posted on Sunday at Packet Pickup/registration.

Bike: 30k

30k Bike Map

30k - You will exit the transition area straight down under the mighty Mackinaw bridge, past the fort, a few quick turns through the neighborhood before making a Right on Central ave. right at the high school. Down to a Left on Park rd and out to the turnaround point right at the Wilderness state park entrance and back. It is a fast course, with one climb, not to steep, just a grinder.

 Remember this is an open course! You will be sharing the road with vehicular traffic. Use caution at all times. It will be your responsibility to print maps, and know the courses. It is the athlete's responsibility to know and understand the courses. Helmets are a must. No helmet - no race. MP3 players on the bike course are an automatic disqualification. Due to a few athletes actions in the past during an event we are making you aware not only in this event but ALL events whether hosted by us or any other event management company YOU MUST OBEY ALL OFFICIALS and EMERGENCY VEHICLES on the course AT ALL TIMES!! The bottom line here is your race is not more important than an EMERGENCY or OFFICIAL on the course.In the event of an emergency you MUST obey officials requests, and you MUST STOP and pull off the road for any and all EMERGENCY VEHICLES to get by.This is not only to ensure the emergency vehicles can proceed, it is for your safety as well. Any athlete that does not adhere to this rule will be disqualified and will not race in a 3 d event for the rest of the year. This to us is common sense and should not have ever came to this point.

Run: 5k

5k - a great little run down town Mackinaw taking you from the Lake Huron side to the Lake Michigan side of Mackinaw city. You will run past the lighthouse, underneath the mighty Mackinaw bridge, past historic fort Michilmac and into a nice neighborhood right on Lake Michigan before your turnaround. Athletes YOU WILL RUN BACK ON THE SAME NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD! .

Duathlon Run 1

Starting just in front of the finish chute you will head out to Mile 1 and return meshing in with the swimmers entering the transition area. Athletes YOU WILL RUN BACK ON THE SAME NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD!

5k Run

This has historically started right around 8:35 ish, we try to get as many bikes out of the transition area as possible before the run is started. You will line up in the same spot as the duathletes, just in front of the finish chute. Athletes YOU WILL RUN BACK ON THE SAME NORTH SIDE OF THE ROAD!

Transition Area

Open at 6:00am closes at 7:45am. This is a European style racking format, one long rack on either side of the road. First come, first serve for this event. No Friends or Family members allowed in the transition area for any reason.The race director and race officials will close the transition area 30-45 minutes before race start to ensure all athletes are at starting lines for mandatory course meetings and announcements. Once the transition area is closed you will not be permitted back in before the race starts. Family members will not be premitted in for any reason. In the event of inclement weather it is recommended you have warm, dry clothing outside the transition area to put on following your finish due to other athletes still being on the bike course. Thank you for your cooperation in following these rules.

 Please remember racks will hold 7 bikes racking with seat tip on support bar. Please be courteous to fellow athletes to ensure there is space for 7. Any 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 transitionarea is closed until all athletes are off the bike course. Sprint athletes this goes for you as well, you must wait until all the athletes are off the course and race officials open the transition area. All athletes deserve a clear transition. There will be an aid station at the run in/out chute with water and electrolyte replacement. Athletes wearing their own chips, PLEASE remove your chips before re-entering the transition area and exiting again. This can cause a timing error. Run in/out and Bike in/out chutes are clearly marked on the large structures at either end, it is your responsibility to go the right direction.

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)

Race Tips

This is a bikers race, with only a 800m swim and 5k run you don't have much time to catch folks, including past pr's. So as the instructions say take it easy when heading through downtown. A lot of folks are trying to get to the fort at this time. When you hit central it is an immediate hammer drop. You have a slight incline about 2 miles down the road, get out of the saddle here, then hammer to the left dead end turn. At the 10k mark you have another little incline, then you have another mile to a right turn, 100m left then you are along lake Michigan. This is a fast section and you need to push this out and back. You will see many athletes hit that hill you went down on the way out at the 10k mark now at the 25k have difficulty with this hill. You need to get out of the saddle here and push it, leave those behind. Then you are flying down central before heading back downtown. The 5k is flat and fast, out and back so you can once again pick folks off. Use the downtown area for some more motivation to pick it up.

Packet Pickup/Registration

Day of: Sunday 6-7:30am ONLY.
Do not arrive late. Registration will close.

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.

Accomodations

Mackinaw Beach and Bay Inn - Please support our host hotel, the newest on the strip, about 1 mile from the transition area. Brand new and a great spot. $109 for a suite, and $69 at their Waterfront Inn $79 for 2 queens. Please use code 3DR