STRIVE Youth Splash N Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 1
STRIVE YOUTH SPLASH N DASH
ATHLETE’s GUIDE
Ellen Linson Aquatic Center
5211 Paint Branch Parkway
College Park, MD 20740
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 2
STRIVE Youth Splash N Dash Athletic Guide
A Word from the Race Director…………………………………………………………………………………………………..3
What to Bring on Race Day………………………………………………………………………………………………………….4
Directions to the Race…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5
Parking……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....5
Schedule of Race Day Activities…………………………………………………………………………………………………..6
Athlete Check-In and Packet Pick up……………………………………………………………………………………….….7
Race Bibs ……………………..……………………………………………………………………..…………………………………….7
Physically Challenged Athletes……………………………………..…………………………………………………………….8
Transition Area……………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………...8
Body marking, Timing, Water Stations, Race Day Medical Services………………………………………….…9
Volunteers………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….9
Inclement Weather and Disaster Policy…………………………………………………………………………………..….9
Swim Wave Start Times, Course and Rules……………………………………………………………………………… 10
Run Course and Rules……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….11
Copyright………………………………………..............................................................................................12
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 3
A Word from our Race Director
Welcome to the Race #2 of the Strive 2 Tri Youth Splash and Dash Series in College Park, MD. We applaud you
and your young athlete for taking the essential steps to help maintain a healthy lifestyle with fun activities. This
Athlete Guide is full of important pre-race and race day information for your review. There has been a lot of
planning and preparation to make this day memorable for your young athlete. We would like to extend a thank
you to all of our Supporters and Volunteers for their continued assistance with this event. If you have any
questions leading up to race day, please do not hesitate to contact us by email at [email protected]
On behalf of the Strive 2 Tri Jr. Triathlon Club we look forward to seeing you on Race Day!
Yolanda & Tarus Nelson
What to bring on Race Day:
USA TRIATHLON youth Membership card (If not a current member you must purchase a 1 Day Membership)
Cash only accepted.
Parents Photo ID
Sunblock
Water bottle
Swimsuit or Triathlon Suit
Swim cap
Goggles
Towel for transition
Bib number received in packet at pick up (Safety pinned to shirt or attached to a race belt)
Shirt for run (Torsos must be covered with a swim suit, tri top, or t-shirt)
Socks (Optional)
Sneakers for running
Dry clothes for after the race
A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 4
Parking Parking in Ellen Linson Pool parking will not be allowed on Race Day and only open to vendors. Parents, family,
and friends of athletes may park in the parking lot adjacent to the Ellen Linson Pool at 5240 Paint Branch
Parkway. There will be a Farmers Market taking place simultaneously with the race so you will be unable to
park at the venue parking lot. Feel free to take part in the Farmers Market in addition to visiting our health and
fitness related vendors.
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 5
Schedule of Race Day Activities
All race day activities take place at the Paint Branch Park, 5211 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740.
All the times are approximate and subject to change. Please note that all athletes must check in, pick up their
packet, set up their transition area and have their body marked by 7:30 a.m. regardless of their swim time starts.
Start End Activity
6:00 a.m. 7:45 a.m Athlete arrival check in and packet pick up (Athlete check in table)
6:30 a.m 7:45 a.m. Transition set up and body marking (Transition Area)
7:30 a.m. ***7:30 a.m
7:45 a.m.
Volunteers to assigned areas FREE 6 & UNDER FUN RUN
7:45 a.m. 7:45 a.m All athletes out of the transition area. Parking lots closes and will not reopen until last athlete finishes
7:40 a.m. 7:45 a.m Pre-race meeting ( Pool Deck)
7:55 a.m. 8:00 a.m. National Anthem (Pool Deck)
8:00 a.m. 8:05 a.m. 13-15 swim waves start
8:05 a.m. 8:15 a.m. 11-12 swim waves start
8:15 a.m. 8:25 a.m. 9-10 swim waves start
8:25 a.m. 8:35 a.m. 7-8 swim waves start
8:35 a.m. 9:15 a.m. Last Triathlete crosses finish line
9:15 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Winners Circle & Celebration. All Items removed from transition & clean up
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 6
Athlete Check - In and Packet Pick Up
Athlete Check in and packet pick up will take place on Saturday June 11, 2016 from 6:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. at the
Ellen Linson Aquatic Center 5211 Paint Branch Parkway, College Park, MD 20740. Each athlete must be
accompanied by a Parent/Guardian and may only pick up his or her own packet. If an athlete does not check in
during the designated times, he/she will not be able to participate in the Strive 2 Tri Youth Splash & Dash.
ATHLETES AND PARENTS PLEASE BRING THE FOLLOWING TO ATHLETE CHECK IN and PACKET PICK UP:
PARENTS PHOTO ID
ATHLETES USA TRIATHLON YOUTH MEMBERSHIP CARD OR PAY FOR A 1 DAY USAT MEMBERSHIP
Current USAT MEMBERS must bring proof of annual membership. If you athlete recently joined USAT
and has not received his/her card in the mail yet, you may print a temporary card at
https://membership.usatriathlon.org once you have created an account.
Parents of current USA TRIATHLON Youth Members who forget their USA Triathlon Youth Membership
card have the following options:
o Go home to get his/her card or print a temporary card.
o Show a current membership card on a smart phone or PDA.
o Complete a USAT Membership 1 Day application.
Your athlete’s packet for pick up will contain his/her race bib and their race t-shirt.
Race Bibs
We encourage parents to write their emergency information on the back of the race bibs or have their athletes
wear pertinent emergency information on an emergency bracelet. Athletes are required to wear their race bib
after their swim wave as they are monitored this way.
Transition Areas
The transition area will be organized by race number. We encourage parents to allow their athletes to set up
their transition area unassisted. Athletes are reminded to be considerate of their fellow competitors and share
transition space. Personal markers (balloons, inflatables, flags, etc. within the transition area are PROHIBITED
and will be removed.) Glass containers are prohibited in the transition area. Between 6:00 a.m. and 7:55 a.m.
only Volunteers and Athletes/Parents are allowed in the Transition Area. After 7:55 a.m. only volunteers are
allowed in transition to support our young athletes.
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 7
All gear must be removed from the Transition Area by 10:00 a.m. or 15 minutes after the Winners Circle and
celebration ends, whichever occurs later.
Body Marking
Body marking will take place in the transition area from 6:00 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. It is the athlete’s responsibility
to make sure the volunteer marks their age as of June 11, 2016 which corresponds to the age group in which
the athlete will compete. Athlete’s race number will be marked on their arm and their age will be marked on
their calf. Please do not rub off or put sunscreen on your triathlete until after they have been body marked.
Physically Challenged This event supports physically challenged athletes by a shallow entry ramp for entry/exit to the pool. Athletes must be able to complete the total distance of the race per their age group but may use assistance while entering, existing and during transition. If there are any specific requests for physically challenged participants please contact the Race Director at the earliest opportunity at [email protected] .
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 8
Timing The Tri Youth Splash N Dash is a NON-TIMED EVENT for our participants. This is event is created to introduce
youth to the multisport and provide a pressure free and friendly competition among a variety of levels in abilities
of each athlete.
Water Station A water station will be set up at the 1K turn around for our 11- 15 year olds. Participants 7-10 are welcome to
refreshments at the water station near the finish line.
Volunteers Volunteers are to report to the Volunteer Tent and check in by 6:00 a.m. University and High school volunteers,
please bring important form that needs to be signed by coordinators of event for service learning hour credit.
It will be your responsibility to submit your volunteer information.
Race Day Medical Services Lifeguards will be on duty and in a chair for all swim waves and will also be able to address basic first aid (e.g.
cuts and scrapes). The P.G. County Fire Department has been notified of this event and an EMS unit will be
present for this event in case of any emergencies. There will be a general emergency need tent set up for public
and athlete assistance.
Inclement Weather and Disaster Policy There is no rain date for this event. In case of inclement weather and or water quality issues, the Race Director
reserves the right to modify the race course and/or race. If the race is canceled due to weather, natural disaster,
local incident or terrorist act, there will be no refunds of race entry fees. Monies collected have been used to
develop and produce the event, including race supplies.
Swim Wave Start Times, Course and Rules Age Group Time Distance
16-17 8:00 200 meters/4 lengths
11-15 8:05 200 meters/4 lengths
9-10 8:15 100 meters/2 lengths
7-8 8:25 100 meters/2 lengths
The swim takes place in the 25 meter 6 lane outdoor pool at the Ellen Linson Aquatic Center. Athletes will be
staged by swim wave prior to start time. All starts will be in-water from the shallow end of the pool and flip
turns are allowed. The entire length of the pool is 3ft deep to encourage youth to continue swimming even if
they become uncomfortable so they can choose to stand, walk or swim utilizing whatever swim stroke to
complete the swim course without penalty. So long as they stay in the water they will not be disqualified. Pool
Volunteers will assist athletes with keeping track of their laps to notify them they will exit the pool when
complete. Any decision made by the Race Director is final.
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 9
SWIM COURSE
Run Course and Rules
The run course takes place in the Paint Branch Park Trail. All turns will be clearly marked and staffed with
volunteers. It is the responsibility of the athlete to know and follow the official course, obeying all instructions
from the volunteers. Parents are not allowed to run alongside of their athlete and are discouraged from running
on the run course at any time. Headphones, headsets, Walkman, ipods, mp3 players or personal audio devices
are not permitted at any time during the race. Failure to follow the rules may result in disqualification.
The run course will exit transition and follow the edge of the parking lot into the park trail. The 1K run (7-10 age
groups will turn around at the 1st water station. The 2K run (11-15 age groups) will continue .5k on the Park trail
until the turn around at end of the trail. On the return, all runners will exit the trail and enter the finish line
chute in the center of the parking lot.
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 10
RUN COURSE
All USA Triathlon rules will be enforced by USA Triathlon Certified Race Director. Any decision made by the Race
Director is final.
STRIVE Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide in College Park, MD 2016 Page 11
COPYRIGHT?
Strive 2 Tri Jr. Triathlon Club acknowledged MINI COW TRI CLUB permission and assistance in the creation of
this document. You may not, except with written permission from STRIVE 2 TRI JR. TRIATHLON CLUB or MINI
COW TRI CLUB, distribute or commercially exploit the content. Nor may you transmit it or store it in any other
website or other form of electronic retrieval system. Striving to make triathlon fun for youth! Is a trademark of
STRIVE 2 TRI JR TRIATHLON CLUB is an Official USA Triathlon Club. USA Triathlon and the USAT Triathlon logo
are registered trademarks or trademarks of USA Triathlon in the United States and/or other countries.