Date/location: Saturday September 11, 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 Click here forarea information
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. The clean crisp pine filled air makes this perfect for racing. Perfect for the season ending half iron distance event with all the amenities your last big event of the year should have, including a beach side party with volleyball, bonfire, food, drinks, smores, movies and live band.
Course: 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 folks: Tim has the computrainer file as well: Please click here to read Tim's professional opinion on the incredible Tawas Course.
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: Friday 4pm - 8pm ONLY.at the city park on the corner of Newman and 23 between the city campground and Tawas bay beach resort under the tent. NO Packet Pickup/Registration on Saturday! 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.
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)
| January 31, 2010 | $65 Half $150 |
| April 30, 2010 | $75 Half $170 |
| After May 1, 2010 | $85 Half $190 after 9.3 $200 |
 |
Printable Entry |
| On site registration add $10 | |
| Non USAT members must pay $10 onsite at registration. $10 goes directly to USAT! | |
| ***You must be pre registered 14 days in advance to guarantee a shirt. 21 days for gear bag, we will not order extra gear bags! | |
| Online registration closes Thursday 12:00am | |
Accomodations: Athletes we greatly encourage you to book ASAP, Days Inn and the many private motel/hotel/resortson Lake Huron from Augres to Oscoda. Please click herefor additional lodging opportunities.
Aaron’s Wooded Acres 989-362-5188
Bambi Motel Thurs.. 9-9 only 362-4582
Cabana Cove 362 -2750
Captain’s Quarters 362-3600 only 2 or 3 open still.
The Crow’s Nest Th and Sat. 362-4455
Danny’s Lakeview Resort 362-2622
Day’s
East Tawas Junction Bed and Breakfast ( 2 night min.) 362-8006
Harbor View Motel 362-9000 only 1 room left as of 8/16/10
Lulu’s Sunnyside Cabins 362-1000 Cabins sleep 4 – 7, if people share. Two night minimum. She is offering 10% off to Triathlon folk.
Riptide
Tawas Inn Resort 362-2581
Timberland Resort 248-647-9634 has houses, a 3 bedroom and a 2 bedroom available.
Sandy Beach Cottages near Oscoda 941-855-077 has 4 rooms/cabins available.
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.
MultiSport 101: 4:00pm day before event. 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 recommended you attend this class. 4:00pm in the transition area the day before the race. 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!!
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 7:40am. 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 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.
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 at8:55am. 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.
water temp as of:
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 Right 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 decent 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. ***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: 13.1mi., 5k. 10k -Brand new 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.
COURSE MAPS: Swim Run Bike Transition Area
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: Upon finishing you will receive a finishers momento, after you have returned your chip and strap you will proceed to the post race snack tent for refreshments. Raffle and Awards will be at the beach side party along with athletes food Saturday evening which will be hosted this year by us starting at 4pm. If you chose to leave event management will not be responsible in any way for mailing your award. Friends, family and spectators can join us at the party for a fee of $20 and this includes entry into the huge raffle. This can be pre purchased at Packet pickup and registration and is GREATLY encouraged. Saturday the food ticket goes to $25. Again athletes all post race festivities will be hosted entirely by us this year all under the white tents on the lawn across from the finish line. **You may click here to 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: Shirts and water bottles to all athletes pre registered by 14 days ONLY. Gear Bags to all athletes registered 21 days out. Finishers medal, great raffle with over $4500.00 in merchandise from our partners, post race party on the lawn following the event beginning at 4pm Free to all athletes. ChampionChip timing with all splits provided. Post race party in the evening will be Free to all athletes YOU MUST use your race bib tag to get in and that will be used for the raffle. Friends, family, spectators entry will be $20 Pre Paid. Kids under 10 - $15 and includes entry into the raffle. On site dinner tickets will be $25 and $15. Raffle will ONLY be open to those who raced or paid for dinner. Awards Ceremony will begin after the raffle, old school Ironman Movies on the big screen,Live music provided by Route 66, inflatable play area for the kids, Special registration for next year. Dinner menu provided by the highly recommended Barnett family catering: Fruit Palm - Chips and Salsa - Grilled Chicken - Jamaican Jerk Chicken - Lime Cilantro Black Bean rice - Roasted Veggies - Baguette - Lemonade, Iced Tea, H2O
Tawas Triathlon Festival Schedule:
| Wednesday |
9:00am |
swim course being set (weather permitting) 40k easy spinning ride with 3D staff |
| Thursday | 6:00pm | 4 mi. easy jog with 3D staff |
| Friday |
4-8:00pm |
Packet Pickup/Registration at city park Multi-Sport 101 course talk |
| Saturday | 7:45am 8:15am 8:40am 12:45pm 3:30pm 4:00pm |
Half athletes in the water/Du start Olympic athletes in the water Sprint athletes in the water Bike course Closed Last finisher, Course Closed Party begins featuring Route 66 band, great food, fun, volleyball, bonfire, smores, movies, music, Raffle and Awards Ceremony will begin at 6:30pm. |
Special Thanks:
 |
||
 |
||
 |
 |
Rules: Event management reserves the right to post pone, change format, or cancel the event at any time if the safety of athletes, staff, support crew, and officials is or could be in jeopardy. THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR ANY REASON!!! Event management is NOT responsible for late arrivals, athletes not finding a venue, etc. Late arrivals will NOT be issued a chip and strap and you will not be allowed in the transition area once it is closed. Again, there will be no refunds for any reason. If an event has mandatory bike check in you must check in your bike during the alotted check in times. Failure to do so will mean you are not going to race and again no refunds will be given. These rules are in place for a reason and deviation of them is not fair to the hundreds of athletes that follow the rules. Profanities on the course, directed at support crew, staff, or fellow athletes will not be tolerated and will result in an Automatic Disqualification and could result in further suspension. If you are caught throwing trash on the course you will receive a 5 minute penalty for the first offense and the second will be a disqualfication. There are garbage bins everywhere, use them. Kids 17 and under may not compete in half ironman distance events. Kids must be 10 yrs. of age to compete in adult sprint events. The race director will have final say for anyone racing at any event. Athletes experience will be considered in a personal interview with the race director on site if a question of ability to safely finish is at stake. Failure to comply will result in a change of event or disqualification if there is an un-willingness on an athletes part. Safety will NOT be compromised under any circumstances. A lost chip will be billed directly to the athlete for a $40 fee and may result in no times for event.
