FAQs
1. Does the swim start on shore or in the water?
Swimmers are queued up in the water prior to start between the swim buoys. While swimming you should be positioned to the left of the red/orange buoys, swimming clockwise. This means the buoys should always be to your right. Most athletes like to start in the chest high water and usually will self seed to avoid being bumped by faster swimmers or held up by slower athletes.
2. Where and when can I drop my kayak?
Kayaks can be dropped off at Lower Bayside Park – East Lakeshore Drive which is right next to the beach. Drop off will take place between 6:00 – 7:30 a.m. No parking allowed in the drop area.
3. Where do the kayaks start?
On the water, at Bayside Beach, next to the swim course. This is an out-and-back course. After the kayak, our Race Volunteers will assist you in placing your kayak on the beach.
4. Where do I put my bike and who holds it?
The bikes will be positioned in the Swim/Bike transition area (T1) in first-come, first-served space. You will be given a bike stake to prop up your bike. Your equipment i.e. shoes, helmet, biking gear etc. will be with your bike. Course marshals will be in T1 to direct you towards the exit to the bike course.
5. Can you put any supplies you want down next to your bike? I.E. fluids/towels/gear, etc.?
Yes, anything you need. Please do not leave phones, wallets, car keys, pocketbooks or any other valuables as we cannot be responsible for them.
6. The bike start and the run start are not in the same spot, correct?
That is true. The Bike start is at the Swim/Bike transition (T1) area at Bayside Beach. The bike course terminates at the Bike/Run transition area (T2) at Colchester Middle School on Blakely Road. Please know your race course before setting out.
7. Do I put supplies I need, like my running shoes (I am wearing biking shoes during the bike portion but switching to my running shoes for the run), at a spot before the race where the running starts?
Yes, your running gear should be positioned at T2 near Colchester Middle School in a space allocated again on a first come, first served basis. You will dismount your bike prior to entering the T2 zone, run your bike to your chosen space and change into your running gear. Course marshals will direct you to the exit onto the run course.
8. How early should I arrive?
It behooves everyone to arrive early enough to acquaint themselves to the race layout and get biking and running gear dropped at the T1 and T2 zones. Kayakers and Individual Male Swimmers will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m., with Individual Female Swimmers beginning at 8:03 a.m., and All Team Swimmers (male & female) beginning at 8:06 a.m. All racers need to be on the beach 10 minutes before their start time.
9. Where do I check in to get my race packet?
You can pick up your packet early on the Saturday evening prior to the race between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the Bayside Activity Center at Bayside Park (2 West Lakeshore Drive, Colchester, VT 05446). Sunday packet pick up is at Colchester High School (CHS) from 6:00 to 7:15 a.m. Body markings will be done at the CHS packet pick up area.
10. When and where do I pick up my timing chip?
Sunday, July 31st at CHS from 6:00 to 7:15 a.m. after getting body marked. All athletes need a timing chip, including teams. Teams will only receive one chip.
11. Where can I park for the race?
Parking is provided at Colchester High School for athletes and spectators. The parking at Bayside Park is reserved for Emergency Services, Police and Race vehicles.
12. Do I need to have my body marked?
Yes, every racer (including kayakers) will need to have their calves and arms marked with their race number at on the morning of the race. Body marking will occur 6:00 - 7:15 am near the check-in area.
13. Is the road closed or marked off or do you just ride/run in traffic?
The road course for both bikes and runners will be clearly marked with signage, cones and road markings. We cannot stress enough that the course is NOT CLOSED and that it is open to all other traffic. Key intersections will be staffed with Police Officers but in the end all athletes are responsible for their safety. Please know your race course.
14. How many people are competing in this year’s event?
The race will be maxed out at 400 spots, approximately 500 total participants.
15. I’m a team biker, where do I wait for my swimmer?
At the T1 zone there will be a tag area set aside for the team swimmers to physically tag their biker. The team bikers will have positioned their bikes in the Team Corral that is set aside for their exclusive use. Swimmers will come up from the beach via a separate team lane to the tag zone.
16. Where are the timing splits taken?
Timing splits are taken at the EXIT of the Water, T1, Bike, T2 and Run. Transition times will be taken at the exit of the transition zones.
17. What do I do if I lose my timing chip?
Notify a Race Official (wearing a lime green volunteer shirt) and continue the race. You will still receive your overall finish time, however splits will not be available.
18. Do swimmers check-in? Do Kayakers?
Yes, both swimmers and kayakers will need to cross a check-in mat by entering the beach via the access road. You must be wearing your timing chip. Once you check-in at the beach, you will not be allowed to leave prior to the race start.
19. What if I lose my swim cap?
Extra caps will be at the MC table. The MC table will be at the back of the bathhouse overlooking the beach, if you need a new swim cap.
20. Do I need a swim cap?
Yes, all swimmers are required to wear swim caps. Individuals wear YELLOW caps, Teams wear GREEN caps.
21. Where does the race finish?
At Bayside Park, near the pavilion. This is across the road from the Beach (T1).
22. Where do I return my Timing Chip Band?
After you cross the finish line, enter the chute where you will remove your timing chip band and drop in a bin/bucket.
23. Are post-race refreshments provided?
Yes, we will have fruit, bagels, water and drinks available to racers. Refreshments are only for the athletes.
24. Where and when can I find race results?
Race results will be generated in real time during the race. Kiosks will be set up at the finish line where you can enter your bib number and receive a print out of your timing splits. After the start of the race, all results will be posted at www.tinyurl.com/netiming Final results will also appear on www.colchestertri.com/
25. Will the race be held in bad weather?
In the event of inclement weather the following procedures will be followed: The event will be postponed until 9:00 a.m. in hopes inclement weather will pass. If inclement weather does not pass by 9:00 a.m. the event will be postponed another 30 minutes starting no later than 9:30 a.m. Every effort will be made to have this event on this date and time with consideration of changing the event to a duathlon format if necessary. Should this event be cancelled due to an act of God or other circumstances beyond the Race Director’s control there will be no make-up date, refunds, credits or transfers. NO EXCEPTIONS will be made to this policy.
26. Can changes be made to team members prior to the race?
Yes, up until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 30th changes will be accepted during early packet pick-up at the Bayside Activity Center (2 W. Lakeshore Dr.). No day-of race changes will be allowed.
27. How do I make such changes?
Contact the Colchester Parks & Recreation Department at 802-264-5640 before 12:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29 or in-person at the Saturday packet pick up from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Bayside Activity Center. New team members are responsible for completing new waivers and registration form.
28. IS THE COLCHESTER TRIATHLON A USA TRIATHLON (USAT)-SANCTIONED RACE?
No, the Colchester Triathlon is not affiliated or sanctioned by USAT. You do not need a USAT membership or day license to participate in this race.
29. Are participants allowed to run and/or bike with their dog?
No, animals are not allowed in any portion of the race. Automatic disqualification will occur if a participant brings their animal on the course.
30. Is there a time limit to completing the Triathlon?
Colchester Triathlon Race Officials and Colchester Police reserve the right to remove any participant from the race that may pose a risk to themselves, other participants, volunteers and/or the general public. Course closes promptly at 10:30 a.m. Runners not yet across the finish line will be picked up in a sag vehicle and returned to the finish line, and will not be allowed to finish the race on their own.
