Ludington Lighthouse Triathlon
Race #6 in the Michigan Triathlon Series
One of the most popular Multi-sport Triathlons on Michigan’s west side, attracting athletes from 21 states regularly.
The event is right Downtown in the protected port with the coast guard just off to the left and a mile of white sandy beach to the right and the lighthouse directly in front. Ludington is known for its vast sand dunes further north just before the state park. Plenty of great shops and dining opportunities downtown and if you get lucky and book early enough there are three hotels directly across the street from the transition area and finish line.
You will swim along the break wall in crystal clear Lake Michigan, bike out to the state park and back, and run out to the city park and back with the first and last mile of the course closed to traffic and finish with a great party right on the water. This is why our original August event has become so popular with athletes all across the U.S.
GENERAL INFORMATION
TIME TRIAL START:
- Olympic Triathlon – 1000m swim, 40k bike, 10k run
- Sprint Triathlon – 500m swim, 20k bike, 5k run
- Sprint Duathlon – 2.5k run, 20k bike, 5k run
- Olympic Aquabike – 1000m swim, 40k bike
- Sprint Aquabike – 500m swim, 20k bike
- Sprint Kaya-Tri – 2 mile Kayak/Paddle Board/Canoe, 20k bike, 5k run
- Super Sprint – 200m swim, 10k bike, 1mi run
**2 and 3 person relays offered for both the Olympic and Sprint Distance Triathlon
| Entry Fees: | Ind. | Relays: | SuperSprint: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Until 2.28 | $110 | $150 | $65 |
| 3.1 – 4.30 | $125 | $150 | $65 |
| 5.1 to online closes | $135 | $150 | $65 |
Online Registration
Closes the Thursday before the event at midnight
Refund Policy: NO REFUNDS for any reason unless you have been double charged or accidentally signed up more than once, military transfer or death in the family.
Standard event industry policy: states that when emergency conditions such as weather, threats of terrorism, medical emergencies, or any potentially unsafe condition out of our control force cancellation of an event, refunds cannot and will not be provided since funds have been spent on race day already.
Athlete Amenities: Guaranteed to those pre-registered 14 days out!
- Custom event shirt
- Custom finishers medal
- Sponsor supplied samples
- Professional chip timing with results available online
- Awards to top three in each age group
- The best post race snack table out there
This event is in Downtown Ludington. Please follow all city parking ordinances.
Take an incredible cruise on the SS Badger from Ludington to Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Visit Manitowoc
Venue
City of Ludington: Police and EMS
Mason County Sheriff
Partners
Pepsi Co
Gatorade Endurance
Support Crews
Ludington High School Soccer.
Our exclusive TRI – One program was launched many years ago when athletes raced as part of their training, rewarded themselves for all the training they were doing and to gain all that important race day experience you cannot simulate. As the multi-sport community has evolved to the opposite now we are bringing back the program. It is really simple, you need more open water swim training? Great, cmon out and get it with our lifeguards and courses. Want to get a nice hard time trial on the bike in? Cmon out and race on our course. Need to get a run in and want to do so with aid stations? Cmon out and join other runners.
Each TRI – One will have a designated start time, you will simply head to the TRI – One start flag for the discipline you choose, line up, and when the clock strikes and the horn sounds you are off. With our events, time trial swim starts now you will line up accordingly. Or if you want to take the Kayak or SUP out for a nice paddle with others where offered.
The cost for these is a flat $30. For that, you get a finisher’s medal and access to the post-race food tent. You may purchase a shirt for $10.
You can register online or onsite. If onsite it is cash only!
COURSE INFORMATION
If you want to go fast at the end of the year this is the place to do that for sure. Athletes have reported PR’s every year here for some reason. Another course that lends itself to all the triathlete toys, a slight breeze off the lake can hit a deep dish wheel or disc just right and you find yourself spinning away at 35mph with not a bleep in your heart rate.
The swim is a beach start in the protected waters of the marina, with crystal clear water you can see right to the bottom of, along the break wall. It’s a fast swim on a rectangle course.
The bike is great, with very little traffic. The police close down Lakeshore Drive for about 2 miles heading out and back from the Transition Area. It is a mostly flat course with a few rollers along Lake Michigan and Hamlin Lake.
The run course heads straight down Lakeshore as well before jumping into and then around the campground. Flat as a pancake and mostly tree-lined right through Downtown.
Opens – 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 the starting area for mandatory course meeting and announcements. Once the transition area is closed, you will NOT be permitted back in before the race starts. Family/Friends will not be permitted in for any reason at any time throughout the event.
Re-Opens
When the last cyclist is off the course and has headed out for the run. This time is variable and we will make announcements at the event when the transition area is ready to re-open.
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! This pertains to all athletes of all distances. All athletes deserve a clear transition.
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.
Timing Chip
When you have completed the race, please do NOT enter the transition area wearing your timing chip. PLEASE remove your chip before re-entering the transition area and exiting again. This will cause a timing error.
Racking
You must rack according to your race number, based on the sequence numbers placed at the end of each row. Please remember racks will hold 7 bikes racked with the seat tip on support bar. Please be courteous to fellow athletes to ensure there is space for 7 bikes on a rack. If there is not enough room for your bike on your designated rack, please see a 3D Team member and we will help. Please do not move another athletes bike or gear.
Aid Station
Located at the run in/out chute with water and electrolyte replacement.
Directional
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 while racing in the transition area.
New for all events will be a Time Trial swim start. For safety reasons it is important we ensure we are doing all we can to alleviate stress at the start and turning at buoys. A time trial start ensures everyone has a clear, stress-free swim. You will SELF SEED according to your 500m swim time. (THIS IS YOUR ACTUAL swim time, not what you THINK you will swim, or want to swim) this is important to ensure you are not swam over or create congestion by seeding yourself faster than you can swim. Don’t be that athlete that creates a traffic jam. See yourself appropriately and everyone will have a great time in the water.
Each athlete will report their number to the timer before crossing the timing mats and entering the water. Again your responsibility to report that number to the timer.
Time trial starts: Long course athletes first, followed about 30 minutes later with Sprint, then 20 minutes later Super Sprint athletes.
You will be swimming in Lake Michigan in the protected waters of the Ludington Marina between both break walls. It’s a rectangle swim course that takes you along the north wall, but keeps you inside the protected waters. Although the walls make for relatively calm water, it is still susceptible to the lake temperatures.
Wetsuits will be allowed as temps can range from 62 to 75 – watch the website for updates.
Swim course will be patrolled with lifeguards, search and rescue, as well as coast guard personnel. It will be a beach start.
Wave starts will be posted at packet pickup/registration.
A great course! Flat with a few rolling hills. Exiting the beach Downtown with a LEFT, you head out north along Lake Michigan on Lakeshore Dr.
Olympic Distance athletes take a RIGHT ON JAGGER – This will be slightly rolling for the rest of the way.
to a LEFT on Lincoln, to a LEFT on Duneview, back to a LEFT on Lakeshore, as you fly past Lake Hamlin. Then you head back towards Lake Michigan for a hairpin RIGHT turn back along Lake Michigan on M116 to a RIGHT on Piney Ridge for about a mile and a half before turning around and heading back to a RIGHT on M116 out to the turnaround before the state park then straight back to the venue.
Sprint athletes continue straight on M116 following the road out to the state park to the 10k point which is your turnaround.
This will take you out to the sand dunes. This section of the road can be busy so use caution as you have sand dunes on both sides. The sand dunes tend to ‘reach’ into the shoulder. Turning around just before the state park, it is a super-fast, smooth, flat return to the city beach in Downtown Ludington.
Super Sprint athletes your turnaround point will be at the 3 mile mark at Piney Ridge Rd. Please use caution when making the turnaround. Your turnaround will be marked with an A-Frame sign and Support crew volunteers.
This will take you out to the sand dunes. This section of the road can be busy so use caution as you have sand dunes on both sides. Turning around just before the state park, it is a super-fast, smooth, flat return to the city beach in Downtown Ludington.
Flat and fast exiting the Transition Area, you follow the run chute along the bike chute to the inside north bound lane of Lake Shore Dr. and coned lane on the EAST side of Lakeshore Dr.
Super Sprint athletes will turnaround at the Super Sprint A-Frame Sign.
Following that past Stearns Park, along Lake Shore Dr., you follow this to the Cartier Park path and follow that into the subdivision before turning around. Most of the course is shaded.
Your courses will be marked with signs, cones, flour arrows and support crew volunteers.
Aid stations: Located at every mile with iced water, lemon-lime Gatorade Endurance Formula and energy gels.
You will start with your specific swim wave. Check the information cube at the event for wave start information.
You will complete the Swim and Bike disciplines of the event. Following your Bike discipline, you will dismount your bike, cross the Bike In timing mats and place your bike back at your spot on the rack in the Transition Area. You will then proceed across the Run Out timing mats and you are done! Your finish time will be when you cross the timing mats at that point.
DO NOT re-enter the transition area through Run In/Out or Bike In/Out. This will cause a timing error.
Finisher Memento
If the event offers a finisher’s memento, please proceed to the finish area to receive the item. Tell the support crew at the finish line you were in the aquabike race and they will hand you the finishers memento.
You will keep your timing chip & strap on until all the bikes are off the course. Once we announce the transition is open, you may turn your chip & strap in at the designated collection point and retrieve your gear at that point.
Kaya-Tri athletes will start in your designated wave, on the beach down from the swimmers start, heading out along the breakwall following neon green buoys.
Your turnaround point on the water course will be indicated by an orange and neon green buoy. From there, head back to the finish on the opposite side of the swim start, placing kayaks in the flagged area. From that point head into the Transition Area for your bike an run disciplines.
You are required to have a life jacket on board, per Michigan DNR Boating rules.
You will start at the Duathlon start flag just in front of the finish chute. About 5 minutes before your start you will be directed to this area where the run course coordinator will be awaiting for further instructions. He/She will lead out the first run, a 2.5k jaunt out and back. Your FIRST RUN Turnaround sign is a 4′ tall – A Frame with DU TURNAROUND on it. You will simply turnaround at that point and head back. You will run down the finish chute to a left turn meshing in with the swimmers entering the transition area. From that point you will head out on the same bike and 2nd run course as the rest of the athletes.
One of the first to launch the Super Sprint back in 2014, the goal with it was to provide an intro to Triathlon. No matter your age, 6 yrs to 80+ yrs. the final wave of the day to start gets you out of the chaos of the start, and keeps you with like-minded athletes. A perfect introductory distance that we try to keep non-competitive with no awards, but of course, everyone gets a finisher medal. Come on out and Try your first TRI. Questions, don’t hesitate, any question is a good question! info@3disciplines.com.
200m swim – your swim will always start following the final sprint athlete in every super sprint event. These will be an out to the first buoy, over and in.
10k bike – will be an out and back. Following all signs indicating SUPER
1 mile run – will be an out and back as well. Following all signs indicating SUPER
ATHLETE INFORMATION
ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY
Closes the Thursday before the event at 11:59 pm
DAY OF EVENT REGISTRATION & PACKET PICK-UP
6:00 am – 6:45 am ONLY (do not arrive late)!
Please follow the directions in your athlete emails sent the week leading up to the event.
Olympic, Sprint (Triathlon and Aquabike), Duathlon and Kaya-Tri
- $110 through 2/28/2022
- $125 March 1, 2022 – April 30, 2022
- $135 May 1, 2022 – online registration close (August 11, 2022)
Olympic and Sprint Relays
- $$150 through online registration close (August 11, 2022)
Super Sprint Triathlon
- $65 through online registration close (August 11, 2022)
Items to bring to check-in
- * Drivers license or picture ID
- * Helpful to bring a printout of your registration confirmation
You will not be permitted to race without a picture ID.
Items you will receive at check-in
- * Bib number
- * Swim Cap (required to wear during the swim)
- * Shirt (ONLY GUARANTEED IF REGISTERED WITHIN 14 DAYS OF EVENT)
- * Timing Strap
- *Partner supplied samples
Checking in another athlete:
Each athlete must pick up their own packet. You may not check-in for another athlete.
Exceptions: A parent or guardian may pick up for their child.
Note: Participants 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to sign event waivers.
Bib Number
At registration you will receive ONE bib number that the runner must wear on the front of their chest, since they will be crossing the finish line.
Body Marking
All relay members will get body marked with the bib number assigned to them, so they can all be identified on the course.
Timing Chip and Strap
The athlete competing in the first discipline should securely attach the timing chip to their left ankle. The chip and strap should be handed off to the next relay member inside the Transition Area ONLY at the designated RELAY area. Each athlete should only wear the chip on the left ankle, never on the wrist. Do not just grab it and go. You must make sure it is secure on your ankle before leaving the Transition Area. Exchanging outside of the Transition Area could result in a disqualification.
Transition Area
There will be a designated rack(s) for RELAYS only. This is typically near one of the exit/entry points. Please make sure all relay member’s gear is in this designated area. Even when the Transition Area is closed, relay members may still have access to the Transition Area to warm up and prepare for their discipline.
Each athlete will be assigned a timing chip and strap. These will be available race morning unless otherwise stipulated in your race confirmation. After check-in, proceed into transition and your bag will be at your spot on the rack. Please ensure your bib number and timing strap match.
You are responsible for this chip and strap. Failure to turn it in for ANY reason will result in a $40 charge.
You must wear your chip and strap on your left ankle for the entire event, start to finish.
Following your finish you will be directed down the finish chute where there will be a chair and two bins with disinfectant solution for your chip/strap. Please remove your chip/strap, RE-VELCRO it and toss into the bin.
We provide all the timing and scoring services for each and every event we host. This will be with ChampionChip or ChronoTrack timing systems.
Throughout the course, 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.
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 that the electronic timing systems are not foolproof. They are electronics and computers which are 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
This event will be scored live with ChronoTrack. You may track your finish via the Athlinks app or the ChronoTrack Live app. Search by event. There will be QR codes at the event for you to scan.
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 hours of the event.
ANY and ALL timing questions and inquiries must be sent to: results@3disciplines.com
Emailing or contacting event management in any other way will not guarantee an attempt to retrieve results.
All athletes and all relay members will be body marked with their race number. After picking up your chip and strap please proceed to the body marking area typically designated with a large BODY MARKING flag. You must have your bib number for this process.
BODY MARKING INSTRUCTIONS
Both your biceps will be marked with your bib number, going down, not across
Your RIGHT calf will be marked with your age (as of 12/31/2022)
Your LEFT calf will be marked with the event you are participating in
- T – Olympic Distance or Long Distance
- S – Sprint Distance
- SS – Super Sprint
- D – Duathlon
- K – Kaya-Tri
- * RELAYS – an R will be placed in front of the distance code you signed up for
- * AQUABIKE – an A will be placed in front of the distance code you signed up for
Due to an increasing amount of athletes entering events they may not be properly trained for, we are asking each athlete to be responsible and honest with his/her ability to complete the distance registering for. Due to safety concerns for everyone involved including you the athlete, but also the support crew volunteers and officials like police, sheriff, fire department, etc. we must instill course cut off times at 4 hrs. Raffle and awards start at 3 hrs and 30 minutes in Olympic distance events and 99% of all athletes are finished by that time. So you must register for the event you will finish under that 4 hour time limit. Being a responsible athlete means if you cannot complete the Olympic distance comfortably under that time we recommend you participate in the sprint event. We encourage you to train for the goal to reach that Olympic distance under the 4 hour time limit. If you do not have a clear idea as to how to achieve that goal we are here to help, please let us know.
An athlete will be informed he/she has reached the 4 hr. cut off, at which time the athlete will acknowledge he/she understands completely and he/she will be brought in off the course by the course coordinator. If the athlete refuses this he/she will be informed that there will not be any support left on the course from that point and he/she must acknowledge this and understand he/she is continuing under those circumstances at which time the athlete will remove the timing chip/strap and give to the course coordinator.
Again an athlete must take the responsibility on as an athlete understanding his/her ability at the time of the event. Knowing that support crew volunteers, as well as other personnel out on courses must be kept in safe conditions as well.
Age Up Rule
Your age on race day is the same as how old you will be on December 31 of that year.
OverallTop 3 Men and Top 3 Women Overall in each event and excluded from their age group.
Age GroupsTop 3 Men and Top 3 Women within each of the following age groups:
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+
*In the event there may not be at least 4 athletes within an age group, an age group may be combined, for example 2 in 20-24 and 2 and 25-29 = 20-29 age group combined.
- *Sprint Triathlon – Typically offers 15 and under and 16-19 in addition.
- *Clydesdales (Male 225 lbs or more) – 1st Overall in Olympic and Sprint Distance Triathlons.
- *Athenas (Female 165 lbs or more) – 1st Overall in Olympic and Sprint Distance Triathlons.
Aquabike: Top 3 Men and Top 3 Women in Olympic and Sprint Distance Aquabike.
Sprint Duathlon: Top 3 Men and Top 3 Women.
Super Sprint – All athletes will receive a finisher medal when crossing the finish line. This category is designed for those wanting to Try the Tri or to enjoy a fun, family-friendly race. In that spirit, no awards are presented. Everyone is a winner!
Awards will in NO circumstances be given out early, or individually before the awards ceremony. If you must depart before the awards ceremony, you may opt to pay a shipping and processing fee and have the award mailed to you. Please click on the link below to be taken to the Transition Bag Store where you can select the AWARD Item.
Wetsuits
Wetsuits are available for rent. Please rent by TUESDAY before the event. If you are interested in renting a wetsuit we have shortie, sleeveless, and full wetsuits. Please email info@3disciplines.com with your name, size, and type of wetsuit. It is $50 cash paid onsite. You will be responsible for any and all damage to the wetsuit, a credit card will be put on file for potential damages. You will pick up your wetsuit at the wetsuit check-in transition check-in race morning. You will drop your wetsuit off at the post-race food tent with a 3Disciplines TEAM member ONLY, NOT a volunteer. He/She will inspect the wetsuit and check you out by returning your credit card. Again please email info@3disciplines.com by Tuesday before the event to reserve your size and style.
Rules INFORMATION
In our efforts to keep every race safe and fair, there are specific rules we have adopted and in some cases modified to ensure you and your families safety, as well as making the events fair for everyone.
1. Yelling at or using profanities in any way shape or form towards 3D staff or support crew will not be tolerated and will result in automatic disqualification and could result in a suspension from events.
2. Wetsuits will not be allowed in water above 80 degrees.
3. The filming of an athlete on a course will result in a disqualification.
4. Pacing will not be questioned. You cannot follow or be followed by a fellow athlete, friend, or family member at any time on the course by any means. This will be deemed pacing and therefore will result in disqualification.
5. Changing swim/start waves or switching events without informing event management BEFORE an event begins will result in disqualification.
6. Adjusting or moving another athlete’s gear in the transition area when their gear was placed first will result in a 5:00 minute penalty.
7. Throwing trash on the course at any time before, during, or after will result in a 5:00 minute penalty for the first offense and disqualification on the second. Designated trash throwing areas are only at aid station spots and approximately 25m before and after.
8. Failure to comply with emergency vehicles and event management staff during an event will result in automatic disqualification. Emergency vehicles and personnel have the right away at all times and an athlete must give them that right away by doing everything possible to get out of the way.
The rules set forth by the governing body will be adhered to in most cases. However this event is owned and operated by 3 Disciplines, therefore we reserve the right as the owner, developer host of the event to add to, modify, or increase enforcement of a rules.
Specific to Multi-sport:
The center line violation rule will result in a disqualification! An athlete cannot cross the center line for any reason whatsoever. This is extremely dangerous and could result in serious injury or death therefore will not be tolerated.
FAQs
The swim is typically very calm inside the marina and is honestly like swimming in a pool because of the clarity. If you position yourself just right you can look out the right side of your eye and not have to look up as often as you swim parallel to the breakwall. This allows you to swim out very fast.
Hammer – and I mean HAMMER – the Lakeshore Drive sections! Windy or not, I have found these sections to be like Belle Isle with the Motor City race; it is just fast. When you get out to Hamlin Lake, it can get windy, so be prepared for that; just tuck in and spin through it. The run focus should be back in the park. This is a winding heavily treed section and you can really lose your competition back there. Put some distance between yourself and others in this area.
Once you turn back on Lakeshore out of the campground it is 1.5miles – a long way for some to sprint, so lengthen the stride and use your arms like you never have before. Push it all the way to the finish line. Get in the zone and focus on the hotel at the end of Lakeshore the entire time. Don’t look at the competition; don’t look at the sites; focus on the end of the street.
Event management reserves the right to postpone, change format, modify courses, or cancel the event at any time. The safety of athletes, staff, support crew, and officials is our top priority and will never be compromised.
Event management is not responsible for late arrivals, athletes not finding a venue, misdirected, or delayed for any reason. 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.
Inclement Weather:
Event management reserves the right to cancel an event due to inclement weather or the POTENTIAL of inclement weather. Every attempt will be made to host an event whether in it’s advertised form or altered form. Meaning a triathlon could be modified to a duathlon. A 1500m swim could be made a 500m swim, etc. A half marathon run could be made a 5k run, etc. Under any circumstance a refund or transfer will not be issued. Athletes safety will not be compromised.
If an event has mandatory bike check-in, you must check in your bike during the allotted check in times typically the day before. 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.
First time event, Athlete Experience:
Athletes participating in his/her first “long course” event will result in an interview with the onsite race director. His/her 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 with the race director’s decision will result in a disqualification if there is an un-willingness on an athlete’s part to change events. Safety will NOT be compromised under any circumstances.
Age participation rules:
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.
A lost chip will be billed directly to the athlete for a $40 fee and may result in no times for event. It is in no way event management’s responsibility to post a time for an athlete who has lost his/her chip during an event. It is his/her responsibility to ensure that chip is on at all times.
An un-paid bounced check will mean you will be put on the “banned” list. Not a great list to be on if you plan on racing in the future. If you made a mistake with your banking, we understand, but just be sure we are paid after corrections are made.
A t-shirt is only guaranteed if the athlete registered by the 14 day cut-off for pre-registration.
3D has a “lost and found” bin. If you have lost something during a race, please contact us at: info@3disciplines.com
RefundsAll race fees are non-refundable. No refunds are allowed.
Transfer to Another Race
Transfers to another 3 Disciplines owned event are allowed. All transfers must be completed two weeks prior to the event in which you are registered or the event you would like to transfer to whichever is sooner. The transfer fee is $15.00 plus any potential difference in race fee.
Events that do not fall under our transfer policy include: I Tri for Mac.
Transfers may be made within the current race season only.
Transfer to Another Distance
You may switch between the Olympic and Sprint distances at any event. Please contact us at info@3disciplines.com to change your distance or you may do so at registration at the event. No fee to change distance.
Course Map
Click here for the interactive SWIM course map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1027860?units=km
Click here for the interactive BIKE course map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1027886?units=km
Click here for the interactive RUN course map: https://www.plotaroute.com/route/1027920?units=km
