Distances
1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run
500m swim, 20k bike, 5krun
5k run, 20k bike, 5krun
Date/location
Sunday June 10, 7:45 am Big Fish State Park, Hadley Township, Mi.Big Fish state park is part of the Ortonville Recreation chain of parks. Remember there is a $6 park entry fee. Click here for park directions. Please remember athletes, the park will be closed at 8am so make sure friends and family members are inside the park by 8am.
Venue/Area Information
This event has sold out every year well in advance of the event so don't wait to register cap is 550.
MultiSport 101
We have been told by many athletes from across the country that our 101 is the best anywhere. 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:
Unless otherwise noted 2012 events will include a custom event shirt, custom finishers medal, custom latex swim cap, sponsor supplied samples, professional chip timing with results available online, awards to top three in each age group, a great sponsor supplied raffle and awards ceremony following the last finishers and the best post race snack table out there.
In order to be guaranteed a custom event shirt you absolutely MUST be pre-registered 14 days in advance. Please understand if you don’t know you are doing the event a week or two out how are we to know? If a shirt is important to you please pre-register. Due to increasing costs with shipping and shirts orders are kept tight.
Finish/Awards
Please CLICK HERE for awards mail form.
Keep in mind USAT sanctioned events have the USAT age up rule. Your age on race day is the same as how old you will be on December 31st of that year.
Top 3 Men and Top 3 Women Overall in each event, excluded from their agegroup
Top 3 Men and Top 3 Women within each of the following agegroups 19 and under, 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+
Top 3 Clydesdales in Olympic and Sprint Triathlons 39 and under and 40+ categories (Clydesdale = Male 200lbs or more)
Top 3 Athenas in Olympic and Sprint Triathlons 39 and under and 40+ categories (Athena = Females 150lbs or more)
Masters are awarded to the 1st place Male and 1st Place Female who is 40+ within the Olympic/Long Course and Half distance Triathlons and excluded from agegroup
Awards will in NO circumstances be given out early, or individually before the awards ceremony. If you must depart for the awards ceremony you may opt to pay the $10 shipping and processing fee and have the award mailed to you. Please see the link above and under the forms page. You MUST send this form in within 2 weeks following the event with a check or money order for $10 per award in order to receive your award. Please understand we have NO control over the US postal service.
Course Info
This event has become so popular after it closed in 2009 we had over 100 calls and emails asking to open more spots. Unfortunately our number one goal is keep athletes as safe as possible not getting as many entries as possible. We have determined to host a safe race this event must be capped at 500 athletes. So register early. The swim is in he small confines of Big Fish lake, which being small means a two loop swim course for Olympic athletes. Typically there are a few weeds right at the swim start, but being a deeper lake that it is. The bike course and run course is what everyone loves. It is a very fast but challenging rolling course. Flat in the middle and back rolling in first and last 5k. Same for the run but reverse, flat in the beginning and rolling in the back side.It is on a dirt road with farm and horse land on either side.
Run | Bike
Swim: 500m & 1.5k
Olympic distance athletes start at 7:45 am. You will begin in the water. We will be shooting for a traditional triangle swim course Olympic distance athletes will swim a 2 loop course.You will exit the water under the swim structure up the carpet to the transition area about 50m away. Sprint athletes you will start about 30 minutes later.
Bike: 20k or 40k
Exiting the transition area you will follow the bike chute lined with cones out of the park exit to a Right turn on Hadley rd. You will stay on Hadley rd. through Hadley township following the winding road to a Left at Stewert, Right at Stewert, and Right at Lipponcott to the turnaround before Baldwin rd. There are few homes out here, most being farms. Terrain is predominantly rolling country roads, this course will challenge you. Intersections will be patrolled by course officials. After the turnaround you will simply head back to the park, making a Left into the park. We will have police here but please use caution when making a left. Back to the transition area use caution when inside the park as runners will be exiting. Sprint turnaround is just at the S turns at Stewert.
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 through.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 3D event for the rest of the year.
Run: 5k & 10k
Exiting the transition area you will follow the run chute out of the park to a left turn on Hadley rd. to a Right turn on the dirt Sawmill lake road to a Right on Honert to the turnaround (5k). Olympic distance athletes you will continueto the 5kturnaround. ALL ATHLETES STAY ONTHERIGHTSHOULDER on Hadley rd, to a Left back at the park, then back in the park for the 150m finish next to the transition area. You will have water andelectrolyte replacementat every mile. The entire run course is well shaded and rolling to hilly.
Duathlete Run 1: Exiting down the chute you will simply head to the5k Turnaroundsignand return meshing in with the swimmers heading into the transition area.
Relays
At registration you will receive ONE bib number and ONE chip/strap. The runner must wear the bib number 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)
Transition Area
Open at 6:00am. 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.
You must rack according to your race number based on sequence placed at end of row. 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 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 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.
Race Tips
Same race tip for the swim as Seahorse, when you have a small lake navigation is key to a good swim. Getting away from athletes but staying on course, this lake lends itself for easy shoreline markers, get out there on Saturday and get them picked before the race. The bike is a hammer fest on the way out, the ones that do well are the ones that can power up the hills the last 5k. You don't want to be caught with nothing left in the tank the last 5k, it can make for a very long final 5k. The run is mostly shaded and you see a ton of athletes out there so just pick them off one by one, start strong right out of the transition area.
Packet Pickup/Registration
Day Before: 2-5pm Saturday.
Day of Registration: 6:00am - 7:15 ONLY do not arrive late.
Remember there is a $6 park entry fee that will be charged. Please have this ready to avoid backups entering the park. Please try to make it Saturday to avoid long lines at packet pickup Sunday morning. There is very limited parking that is a reason for the cap so please plan to arrive early.
Day of Registration will close promptly 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each event unless otherwise noted.
Will be located in most cases under the white tents, please follow the registration signs and look for the purple “Registration” flags.
ITEMS YOU MUST BRING: USA Triathlon member card and drivers license (or any picture ID). You will not be permitted to race without a picture ID. NON USA Triathlon members will be required to proceed to the USA Triathlon registration table to fill out a one day member license and pay the USA Triathlon $12 fee. This entire fee is sent directly to USA Triathlon following the event along with the event results. If you are not familiar with the multi-sport governing body please see their website at: www.usatriathlon.org
Upon completing the initial registration process you will be issued a race bib number, it is YOUR responsibility to check your personal information for correct spellings, age changes, etc. please do so at this point. Wrong information can cause issues with your race timing and scoring. If you registered by the 14 day pre-registration cut-off date you will receive your T shirt, then proceed to the partner supplied sample area where you may pick one sample of each product.
Note: Participants 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to sign event waivers.
USAT
A $12 one day USAT license fee is required for all NON - USAT members. Relays are required to pay $12 per relay member. Youth 17 and under is a $15 fee for the year.
Pre registered athletes your fee was collected online this fee goes directly to USA Triathlon NOT 3D.
Remember the USAT age up rule, meaning you will race at the age you will be at the end of the year.
Timing/Scoring
We provide all the timing and scoring services for each and every event we host. This will be with ChampionChip or Chrono Track timing systems.
Proceed to the “Chip Pick Up” flag typically near the transition area entrance. You will be issued a neoprene strap with a plastic chip. This must be securely fastened to your ankle for the entire event. It is recommended you put this around your ankle immediately.
You will NOT be issued a chip and strap without your race bib number. There are no exceptions so do not forget this when picking up your chip and strap.
Throughout the event there will be sets of timing mats or gators, typically under structures indicating finish, bike in, run out, swim finish etc. You must cross over these areas. Do not avoid them or attempt to jump over them. Finally every effort will be made to supply you with a swim, bike, run, transition 1, transition 2 and finish times. However it is explicitly expressed the electronic timing systems are not fool proof. They are electronics and computers outside in the elements and they are not perfect systems. We along with any other timer out there can only score what is captured in a system.
PRELIMINARY results will be posted on and in results kiosks typically located in and around the post event areas. Results are rarely 100% final at the time of the awards ceremony, due to post race corrections.
Your results will be posted on the event website under the “Results” tab located on the home page as well as event page. Every effort is made to post these by the following morning or within 24 hrs. of the event.
You are responsible for that chip and strap once it is handed to you. If you lose this at any point, meaning you do not turn it in at the finish line you will be responsible for the $40 replacement cost. There are no exceptions to this.
Body Marking
All athletes and all relay members will be body marked with their race number. After picking up your chip and strap the “Body Marking” flag is typically located near this area. Please proceed to the body marking area. Event support crew will be marking race numbers on your swim caps, biceps, tops of hands, and quadriceps. You will also have your event code marked on one calf. T= long course, S= sprint, D= duathlon, R = relay, H = half. On the opposite calf will be your "USAT" Age (please see USAT Age up Rule)
Accomodations
Host Hotel for this year's event will be the Crowne Plaza in Auburn Hills. Please support the host hotel and a very special Big Fish Triathlon rate of: $89
call the front desk at 248 373 4550 and make the reservation under “Big Fish Triathlon” or they can book online at www.cpauburnhills.com with the online code of “BFT”
Friends, Family and Spectators
All rules are designed for the safety of the athletes and our spectators, please follow all rules to ensure everyones safety.
- The transition is absolutely OFF LIMITS to all spectators. All fenced areas are fenced for a reason, it is not to see where you can get around or crawl over or under. These are athlete only areas and are fenced for their safety and yours. Fenced areas will be taken down before raffle and award ceremonies.
- Athlete post race snack tent areas are OFF LIMITS to all spectators. These snacks are for ATHLETES ONLY. Unfortunately we do not have enough to feed everyone, if you are eating the athlete food there will not be enough for the athletes following their finish.
- “Hot Spots” which are the swim exit, bike in/out and finish chutes are high priority areas in terms of safety and caution. At our events these areas are always fenced and flagged and typically patrolled by crew. Please do not lean on, or over in order to get a picture.
- Please make sure you have all pets on short leashes.
- Please make sure you have all your kids close by your side, a small child running across a chute in front of athletes running full speed is not a good thing.
- Finally if you would like to help out the support crew on the course please feel free to ask them or please see the race director before the event. We are ALWAYS looking for additional assistance on the course and you will receive access to the post race snack tent with your athlete as well as receive a support crew shirt.
Support Volunteers
If you would like to be a part of the event and receive a support crew shirt and access to the post race snack tent we will never turn down help. The more help on the course just means it is that much better for the athletes. We can ALWAYS use your assistance, you can never have too many volunteers.
If interested in volunteering and it is the Thursday prior to the event or before, please fill out the form _____ prior to the event. If it is the day before the event or race day, please find one of the 3 D CREW or head to the VOLUNTEER Flag at the venue.
