Greetings Tri Participants!
The 2011 Benaroya Research Institute Seafair Triathlon will be off and swimming this Sunday, July 24 at 6:30 a.m. It’s time for the Northwest’s newest Olympic/Sprint distance race. Please take a minute to read the following letter, which contains important race day information.
Pre-Race Expo *Mandatory*
Date: Saturday, July 23, 2011
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: The Expo will take place at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Medical Center (corner of 9th and Seneca)
*If you can’t make it to the Expo you can have a fellow participant or family member pick up your race materials with a note from you.
*If a friend hasn’t registered and missed the cutoff they are more than welcome to register at the expo, bring them with!
PACKETS SHOULD INCLUDE:
Race Bib number (must be worn on your front during the run, and while crossing finish line)
Bike Helmet Number (wear on the front of your helmet)
Bike Number (place on your bike bar prior to entering the transition)
Swim Cap (color designates your wave start)
Timing Chip and Ankle Strap (wear on your ankle throughout the race)
While At The Expo
Bigger & Better in 2011! Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI) is hosting an open house at the 2011 Triathlon Expo on Saturday, July 23 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Triathlon participants, community members and neighbors are invited on a guided tour of the laboratory and to view demonstrations of the innovative research being conducted at BRI.
Racing in honor of a loved one – Supporting the cause
Support your family members and friends who are battling autoimmune diseases including Type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Wear a "Racing in Honor of" wristband for a suggested donation of $10, expressing your support for a loved one. Wristbands will be available at the Triathlon Expo and at the event. All money raised will support Autoimmune disease research at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason.
Race Day Answers
PARKING
When arriving at Seward Park, find parking on the streets around the park. There is no parking within Seward Park. Please abide by all traffic regulations when parking throughout the Seward Park Communities.
TRANSITION
The transition area will be open and supervised starting at 4:45 a.m. on Sunday, July 24. For the safety and security of all participants, only registered participants with a bib will be allowed in the transition area. Please rack your bike on your designated bike rack, which is determined by your race number, there is no overnight bike racking. ALL participants need to be out of the transition area and in the swim holding area by 6 a.m.. This is to allow all participants a smooth transition from swim to bike with no interruptions. All participants will need to exit the transition area before the first wave will be able to start. Unfortunately because there is only one transition zone for both races, Olympic, Sprint & Relay distance participants will need to clear the transition zone before the first wave starts.
BIKE TECH SUPPORT
Gerk’s Issaquah Cycle will be in the transition zone available to help all participants with last minute bike adjustments including tire inflation and other last minute changes. Also, don’t forget, it is mandatory that all participants wear a helmet on the bike course and ride with handlebar plugs, if you are missing either of these mandatory items please pick those up before arriving on race day
On Course
COURSE MAPS
Olympic Distance Race: http://www.seafair.com/AnEvent/Pics/P5/Triathlon%20Mapsv5%20(Olympic%20Route).pdf
Sprint Distance Race: http://www.seafair.com/AnEvent/Pics/P5/Triathlon%20Mapsv5%20(Sprint%20Route).pdf
Swim
The Olympic Distance Race will be a double loop race within Seward Park’s Andrews Cove. The Sprint Distance Race waves will start at the conclusion of all Olympic Distance Race waves at 7:20 a.m. To find your start wave visit: http://www.seafair.com/AnEvent.aspx?ID=5&SecID=958
There will be two hydration stations on course serving NUUN Active Hydration and TalkingRain water for all athletes. These will be located at the transition from bike to run and at the top of the Seward Park hill on the run course. Both will also be available at the finish line. If you’d like to try NUUN out before the race it is sold by the tube or individual packet at all area running stores.
Day of Race Timeline:
4:45 a.m. Transition Area Opens (Participants only)
6 a.m. Transition Are Closes – All participants to be at swim area holding
6:30 a.m. Adult Race Starts
10 a.m. Overall Awards Ceremony – All Age Groups will be Awarded starting with Olympic
10:30 a.m. Splashers Kids Race Starts
11 a.m. Dashers Kids Race Starts
All athletes that complete the Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at Seafair will receive an official finishers medal! The awards ceremony will follow the race and awards will be given to the top three men and women overall in the Olympic Distance Race, top three athletes in each age group, and top two relay teams in each category.
Elites
Prize money will be awarded to the top three men and women overall in the elite wave only of the Olympic Distance. If you would like to be placed in the elite wave therefore becoming eligible for prize money please visit the solutions area at packet pickup on Saturday. Elites are NOT eligible for age group awards
After the race be sure to spend some time at the post-race festival. There will be many different exhibitors sampling a wide variety of products including Brooks, NUUN Active Hydration, Washington Athletic Club, Hyundai, TalkingRain, and many more!
Don’t forget…you can still raise funds to help The Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason and help unlock the mysteries of the immune system. Check Seafair.com for more information. Seafair is close to reaching its 2010 goal but every dollar helps! Pledge online at: http://www.active.com/donate/britriathlon2011
Thank you for your participation in the Benaroya Research Institute Triathlon at Seafair. If you have any questions before the race please visit Seafair.com for the answer or email at info@seafair.com
Benaroya Research Institute Kids Triathlon at Seafair Information
All kids triathlon participants are expected to go to the pre-race expo on Saturday to pick up their chips and bibs as well as goodies from BRI and other sponsors. After receiving your participant bag at the expo, don’t forget to bring the reusable bag to the triathlon on race day to collect your goodies and samples from all the sponsors.
Kids triathlon coral will open at 9am. Until the kids transition zone opens, kids can relax and hang out in front of the exhibitor area near the finish line. Please double check which category you will be participating in:
You know you are a splasher if... You have a child that just wants to get their feet wet and find out what it feels like to compete in a triathlon. This group will swim/paddle a 50-yard swim (water shallow enough to stand in), 1-mile bike and a .2-mile run. All kids ages 6-12 are welcome!
You know you are a dasher if... You have a child that wants to take on the challenge of a little longer distance with a real swim. This group will complete a 150-yard swim, 2-mile bike and .5-mile run.
Attention Parents:
1) Please note that only race officials and volunteers will be allowed in the transition area. If your child has a disability this will be an exception, however you must report this to the information tent in order to receive approval. Otherwise, there will be plenty of staff to assist the children as needed.
2) All children must have their parent or guardian sign the event waiver before they will be permitted to race. No exceptions!
3) Swim course is knee to waist deep so children can stand if necessary for the “splasher” category. Life jackets and/or water wings are allowed.
4) Children under the age of six may participate with approval/waiver signed by a parent or guardian
Have a Great Race!
The Seafair Staff