Distances
1.2mi. swim, 56mi. bike, 13.1mi. run
1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run
500m swim, 20k bike, 5k run
4mi. run, 56mi. bike, 13.1mi run
Date/location
Saturday September 10, 7:45am. Tawas Bay, E. Tawas, Michigan.about 30 minutes up US 23 at the I-75, US 23 split take US 23 North, exit 188 off of I 75
Click here for map
Venue/Area Information
The word has spread how great this venue and course we have designed is. The states best half course, one of the best anywhere in the country. Another one of those incredible triathlon venues we are so lucky to have in Michigan. A great little city on the sunrise side of the state. This typically means less lake flipping and calmer waters in the bay. We will watch the sun rise before the start of this event. Plenty of great family owned hotel and motels right on lake Huron for you and the family to stay. Click here for area information
MultiSport 101
5:00pm in transition area Friday
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:
Half Iron distance tri and du athletes in order to guarantee your finisher hoodie you must be registered by 8.18.
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
If you have not heard the race reviews from past years here are a few. "kenny the course lived up to all your hype, it was awesome as you said it was" "the best bike course in Michigan" "that section going down to the damn and back up is awesome" "this is going to be a big event in the future with this venue and once the word gets out about the course it will sell out, great job". "My husband and I have done over 70 halfs around the country combined, we travelled up from FLorida for this and we have to tell all our friends this is one of the top 3 half events in the country, well done and beautiful course, thanks" These are just a few of the comments and emails we received after past events. Crystal clear lake swim that paralells the beach. The bike course has one word, awesome. I chose that word because it was used the most from athletes emails. In a day and age when half courses are over sold for what they can actually accomodate this is a welcome change featuring everything from lightning fast flat sections to fast winding descents, to a heart pounding climb. It just never slows down like a fast pool or track. The new run course will take you through the residential streets of East Tawas flat, fast and out to the airport and back.
Compliments of Tim Josephs:Please click here to read Tim's professional opinion on the incredible Tawas Course. Computrainer file also with link
Swim | Run | Bike | Transition Area
Swim: 1.2mi & 1.5k & 500m
This will be a crystal clear Tawas Bay (lake huron) swim with water temperatures historically between 65 and 72 degrees in September. We will plan to have the swim course set for you on Thursday morning Weather permitting. Every effort will be made to put as much of the swim course in5-6 feet ofwater paralelling the beach as possible. Half Ironman distance athletes willstart us off at 8:00am, followed by Olympic distance athletes at 8:30am and finally sprint athletes at 8:55am. Life guards, Sheriff marine division and search and rescue will be on the water for your safety. Very simply this will be an out and back course, seperation will be about 20 feet so there will be two sets of buoys.
Bike: 56mi & 20k & 40k
This is one of our FAVORITE courses we have, if not the best one. If you count 20 cars past the 2 mile mark on the course it will be very rare. This is smooth sailing the entire route, nothing rough out there. Pine tree lined course just about the entire way. Exiting the transition area you will take Main street to a Left on State across Newman to a RIGHT on Bridge to an immediate RIGHT on Monument, RIght on Monument and then you are flying through the national forest. Sprint and Olympic athletes will turnaround at the 10k and 20k marks labeled with large orange signs. Half athletes continue up to a RIGHT on River rd. your turnaround point will be at the 40k mark, about 3 miles past the Dam Store. Returning you will have a .7 mile climb that enabled you to ride for 5 miles so fast you thought you were a pro. After the climb you will enjoy a flat section before the RIGHT turn on Cooke Dam rd. This is a 3 mile descent down to the Ausable River, where you will turnaround just before the dam. Remember the exhilleration you felt the last three miles now will become a nice long gradual climb. (we had to keep you honest out there) Then you simply return down Monument road. You will spend the majority of your biking on Monument road both out and back. This will take you all the way to River road, passing the Kiwanis statue. Athletes this will truly be a nice treat for you from most of the other half courses around with the minimal traffic on this course. September in Tawas is not high tourist season. Bike Cut Off 12:45pm.
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: 13.1mi & 5k & 10k
Out and back run course that will take you out to the airport and back. It is flat, fast, mostly tree lined and very wide. Exiting the transition area you will head out Bay st. to Grant, up to Schill winding you back onto Airport to N. Tawas to Green. Turnaround points along this route will be marked with large A frame signs. On your return when hitting Schill you will head to a LEFT on Lincoln to Tawas Beach rd. Right to a Right at Bay to the finish line right in front of Marions Ice Cream shop and G's Pizza.(please support them as theyhave given up their store fronts for the event finish line) It will be YOUR responsibilty to print maps, and know the courses, they will not be available at the events. Aid stations will be stocked with Hammer Nutrition products, Coke, Ice, Water, Bananas, vaseline/aquaphor, if extremely hot ice cold towels. Run Cut Off 3:30pm
Duathlon Run 1 - heading out starting at the finish line, to mile 2 and simply return to 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
downtown across from the lake in the main city parking lot behind Marions Ice Cream and G's Pizza. Open at 6:00am closes at 7:30am. 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
I wish I had better racing tips for you for the swim, but honestly in the 40 plus half distance events I have done I don't think I have ever had a strategy other than getting out as fast as I can. Pretty lame aey? One thing, it is easy to get comfortable at this distance behind someone, Don't, before you know it you could be off by 50m. Keep your stroke cadence the entire time. Bring the disc and aero helmet for this one on the bike, after you get out of the city drop the hammer. You ask why so early, because you can, pick a gear on the way out that you can maintain your cadence smoothly all the way to the aid station at mile 13 or so. Turn onto river road and keep it up. You can take a little break on the downhill when you see the campground along the Ausable river on your left. That will give you plenty of time to recover, turnaround and be able to grind out the climb. Again with the campground on your right now. When you get to the top hammer again to your right turn, it is a fast descent all the way to the damn. Use caution you can reach speeds over 40mph. and there is a lot of wild life down here. You can make up a lot of ground if you get into climbing mode,put your hands onthe top of your bars,move the hands close together, bend your elbows slightly, move your butt to the back of the seat, open your lungs, tighten your shoe strapsand repeat push, pull, push, pull, push all the way to the top. Do not look around, do not worry about anyone else, just repeat that all the way to the top. Once back on Monument road get aero and stay aero all the way home. I like to put the half course in sections of 5ks. Depending on how you feel, one on and one off, not totally off, but not as focused I guess you can say. If you feel good, two 10ks. If you feel great after the first 5k, all bets are off and run your fastest 10miler. You need to make a plan for all 4 scenerios in your head before the race or during the bike. The new run course should afford you plenty of cheering from residents in the downtown area as it will wind you on an out and back course, mostly tree lined but flat and fast.
Packet Pickup/Registration
Day Before: 4pm - 8pm Friday ONLY
NO Packet Pickup/Registration on Saturday!
Located at the city park on the corner of Newman and 23 between the city campground and Tawas bay beach resort under the tent. You must plan accordingly with travel to ensure you are on location Friday. Those coming from out of state that will not make that deadline must make arrangements with event management to pick up packets Saturday between 6 & 7AM ONLY!! Do not arrive late. Registration will close.
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)
Accommodations
Athletes we greatly encourage you to book ASAP, the many private motel/hotel/resorts on Lake Huron from Augres to Oscoda. Please click here for additional lodging opportunities
Camping - East Tawas City Park, basically a stones throw away fromthe transition area, right downtown or East Tawas State Park, 4 miles from the transition area and a beautiful park on Tawas Point.
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 Crew
if interested in receiving a shirt and food please email
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or report to the finish line at 7:00am.
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.
