RACE INFORMATION

General Info

Looking for a way to kick off your spring season? The Icebreaker Triathlon is a great race for the beginner triathlete loking to comlete a race, the intermediatetriathlete looking to brush up on skills, as well as the seasoned veteran lookingfor an opportunity to start the season with a little friendly competition. Held in the American Fork area, the Icebreaker offers a challenging yet forgiving course that will leave you feeling like you didn't leave anything behind and still let you have fun! The swim will be held in the American Fork Fitness Center's huge six-lane, 50 meter pool, and is a short 300 m swim that will encourage even the most inexperienced swimmers! The bike and run courses wrap through the suburban streets surrounding the American Fork Center making it a very safe and comfortable race that will let racers worry less about traffic and more about racing!

Race Timing

Race timing will be handled by Milliseconds Sport Timing this year. Athletes will be assigned timing chips at packet pickup that will be worn through the race. This allows us to stagger the swim start and still get accurate timing, including full splits for each leg of the race and transitions! Timing results will be available online through http://www.milliseconds.com.

Location

The race will take place at the American Fork Fitness Center on 454 North Center Street in American Fork. To get there from I-15, take the American Fork Main Street exit and head east. Turn left (north) on Center Street and follow it up to the Fitness Center.

Parking

There are two parking lots that can be used during the triathlon. The first is located on the Southwest side of the fitness center, just down the hill from the swimming pool. Parking will also be available in the Alpine School District building directly East of the transition area. We will be closing the interior roads around the fitness center, so please enter the Alpine School District parking area from the East side (off of 100 East).

Please do not park in the Fitness Center parking. While the pool will be closed to the public during this event, there will be people using the other facilities.

Schedule of Events

Friday Night (March 28th)

Athletes will be allowed to tour the fitness center and transition area after 6:00 PM on Friday. Packet pickup will also be available at this time from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The race directors will be on hand for questions between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM. Packet pickup will also be available on race day between 7:00 and 8:30 AM.

Saturday Morning (March 29th)

7:00-8:30 AM: Athlete check-in. Please be early to ensure that you have the time to get through pickup in time for the start.
8:45: Pre-race meeting on the pool deck
9:00: First swimmer will start
9:30-10:30: Athlete check-in for kids (Note that kids can pick up packets and chips at either time.)
11:00: Kids' Triathlon will start
12:00: Raffle and awards

Athlete Check-In

Athlete check-in will start at 7:00 on Saturday morning. We have a system in place that will allow athletes to get through packet pickup, timing chip assignment and body marking smoothly. But it is still important that athletes show up early to have time to set up transition areas. At check-in, photo identification is required for all adults. All youth (under the age of 18) must have a parent with them who has a valid photo ID. Additionally, all annual USAT members must present their membership card or be required to pay the one day license fee of $10.00 (Cash Only). THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS! This is a requirement for insurance purposes. If you are an annual USAT member, but are unable to locate your valid membership card, you can print a temporary card at www.usatriathlon.org.

Weather

Average temperatures for this time in the season are around 59° with an overnight low of about 29°. Early spring always brings the chance of rain. While we hope for the best, it is possible that the race may be delayed or altered if the conditions are determined to be unsafe. For example, the pool will be closed until 30 minutes after any lighting strikes that are observed in the area, and in the event of very heavy rain, the bike leg or entire course may be shortened/cancelled. Please be aware that we cannot give refunds for the event if inclement weather requires us to cancel the race. See our refund policy for details. Please dress appropriately for the weather both before and during the race. Note that the pool area is enclosed and heated, and the pool temperature is approximately 83 degrees. Athletes will be allowed to place a towel in the enclosed area of the pool deck to dry off before exiting.

Spectators

Spectators will be allowed on the North side of the pool deck (opposite from the swimmers) during the swim. They must enter and exit through the locker room doors. Spectators may also be off to the sides of the bike/run course and in the grassy area along the finish line chute. We encourage athletes to bring their families along for the event.

Course

The race will begin on the heated deck of the pool. Swimmers will line up along the deck in order of race numbers. Race numbers have been assigned based upon the estimated swim time you provided when you registered. All athletes must be wearing their swim caps by this time (provided by Aquaholics ? www.utahaquaholics.com ). Swimmers will be allowed to start every 10 seconds. After receiving the go-ahead, they will step across the timing threshold and enter the pool feet first. They will then proceed to swim the length of the pool in the first lane then return in the next lane over. They will complete the full 6 lengths of the pool in this manner, snaking their way through the course. Swimmers may touch the end of the pool in either lane, but must make contact with the wall after each length.

Swimmers will exit the water on the west side of the pool. Athletes will be allowed to bring a towel and sandals to use at the west side of the pool exit, if they desire. When ready, they will exit the seasonal dome on the west side and run straight across the sidewalk and parking lot and into the transition area.

The transition area will be set up on the baseball field directly north of the Fitness Center. The entrance from the swim is straight across from where athletes will exit the pool. Athletes will proceed directly to their transition area to prepare for the bike ride. They will be required to have a buckled helmet and race number prior to leaving the transition area on the northwest side of the field. Please note that race numbers must be worn on the bike as well as the run portions of the race as we will NOT be providing a race number to be attached to your bicycle. Cyclists will be allowed to mount their bicycles once they reach the street outside of the transition area. Bikes must be walked/run to the street.

Once on the street, cyclists will begin the two lap course. The course will head north along the baseball fields and turn left (west) at the cemetery. They will proceed down a steep hill and take a sharp right. It is possible to pick up a lot of speed down this hill, so slow down prior to turning! All turns will be coned off. Athletes MUST remain on the inside of the cones or risk disqualification!

The bike course will continue north along 100/150 West across the American Fork border and into Highland, where it will take a sharp right turn and head west on 10400 North. It will continue along this route until the Alpine Highway, then turn right and head south. Cyclists will proceed south until they come to the south end of the cemetery, where they will turn right again. Those on the first lap will continue straight and begin lap two. Those who are finishing will turn south at the ball fields and enter the transition area from the southeast corner of the field. Cyclists must dismount on the road prior to entering the transition area. Cyclists must keep their helmets buckled until they have dismounted.

Athletes will run along the fence and into the transition area, where they will prepare for the run portion of the race. They will leave the transition area at the same exits that the cyclists use. The run will follow the same course as the bike, but will turn early at the crosswalk on 1340 North, roughly ? mile past the four-way stop at the top of the hill. Please be mindful of cyclists while running, and stay to the shoulder on the right.

Aid Stations

There will be two aid stations along the run course. One will be near the beginning of the run, along the west side of the cemetery. The second will be on the northeast corner of the run course near the 2 mile marker, prior to turning onto the Alpine Highway. Aid stations will have water and also water with Hammer Heed added for extra electrolytes.

Safety

Safety is our top priority. We will have an army of approximately 65-80 people who have volunteered to staff the race, most of whom will be out on the course. PLEASE BE SURE TO THANK OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS! There will be signs posted along the course notifying drivers that a race is in progress and safety volunteers spread throughout the course. Bike support will be on the course during the entire ride. Race officials will be out on the course, monitoring for emergencies and rules violations, especially the "NO DRAFTING" on the bike rules. Despite all of our best efforts, there is no guarantee that accidents will not happen. Please be mindful of other athletes, spectators and motorists around you and exercise caution while participating. Slow down on the corners and turn on the inside (to the right) of the cones. Adhere to the USAT rules. And most importantly, listen to the officials/volunteers on the course. Failure to do so may result in a time penalty and/or disqualification.

Most Commonly Violated USAT Rules & Penalties

For safety reasons, this race has been sanctioned by USA Triathlon. USAT rules must be followed while participating in this race. Race officials will be on hand to enforce the rules.

USAT has put together a list of the most commonly violated rules:

1. Helmets:

No modifications may be made to the helmet. Helmets must be worn as they were purchased. If the helmet came with a cloth cover, the cover must be on the helmet when competing. Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. This means before, during, and after the event.

Penalty: Disqualification

2. Chin Straps:

Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you are off your bicycle.

Penalty: Disqualification on the course; Variable time penalty in transition area only.

3. Outside Assistance:

No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and duathlons are individual tests of fitness.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

4. Transition Area:

All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another participant's equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

5. Drafting:

Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds.

Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing.

Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempting to pass.

Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

6. Course:

All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course and to stay within all coned lanes. Cutting the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow center line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws at all times.

Penalty: Referee's discretion

7. Unsportsmanlike-Like Conduct:

Foul, harsh, argumentative or abusive language or other unsportsmanlike conduct directed at race officials, USA Triathlon officials, volunteers, spectators or fellow athletes is forbidden.

Penalty: Disqualification

8. Headphones:

Headphones, headsets, walkmans, ipods, mp3 players, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

9. Race numbers:

All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run and bike. Numbers must face the front and be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way. DO NOT transfer your number to any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing.

Penalty: Variable time penalty for missing or altered number, Disqualification and one year suspension from membership in USAT for transferring a number without race director permission.

10. Wetsuits:

Wetsuits will not be allowed for pool triathlons.

11. Abandonment:

All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course.

Penalty: Variable time penalty

Variable Time Penalties

Distance Category
1st Offense
2nd Offense
3rd Offense

Short or Sprint
2:00 minute
4:00 minutes
Disqualification

Intermediate
2:00 minutes
4:00 minutes
Disqualification

Long
4:00 minutes
8:00 minutes
Disqualification

Ultra
6:00 minutes
12:00 minutes
Disqualification

For a complete list of rules, please refer to the current USA Triathlon Competitive Rules at: www.usatriathlon.org .

USAT Insurance

What Athletes Need to Know About Their Insurance coverage. When athletes purchase a USAT annual license or one day permit, a portion of those fees cover the cost to provide them with excess medical insurance. This coverage only extends to their participation in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event. If an athlete is injured while participating in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event the following steps must be followed:

1. Race Director completes an incident report form. The race director is obligated to report the incident to USA Triathlon. No medical claim can be filed with insurance until this report is completed. Email sanction@usatriathlon.org to request a copy.

2. Athletes must file with their primary healthcare provider. Athletes must first file through ALL health insurance companies that may cover their medical expenses (i.e. United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, traveler's insurance, etc.)

3. Athlete completes a medical claim form. For serious incidents or for athletes requesting coverage, provide them with a medical claim form. Email sanction@usatriathlon.org for a copy of the form.

4. Athletes will pay a deductible. All athletes using USA Triathlon insurance will pay anywhere from $250 (two-hundred and fifty U.S. dollars) to $1,000 (one thousand U.S. dollars) out of pocket and possibly more for uncovered expenses.

5. Coverage limitations. Be advised that coverage may not apply to each and every claim. Additionally, coverage only extends to participants that have purchased an USA Triathlon annual license or one day permit and were injured through participation in an USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

Please email questions to sanction@usatriathlon.org or call the group benefits department at ESIX at 1-800-342-4371 ? Debbie Fazzone

Kids' Race

The kids' race (14 and under) will begin at the end of the adult race. The pre-race meeting will start on the deck of the pool at 11:00 or shortly thereafter (subject to number of adults remaining on the course). The race will have the same format as the adult race, in that the athletes will start in numerical order, one every 10 seconds. The flow of the race will be just like the adult race, with the exception of the shorter course.

Note that the kids' bike course will follow the exact course as the adult run. The kids' run will circle the cemetery block just north of the Fitness Center.

Parents/Guardians will be allowed to ride and run on the course with their children, but they must sign a volunteer waiver at athlete check-in to do so. Parents will not be allowed to give unfair assistance to their children on the course in any way and must remain at least three bike lengths behind or in front of kids and in single file.

In addition to the American Fork Police Department officers and race officials and bike support provided by SBR Sports (www.sbrtri.com), there will be multiple race volunteers circling the course on bicycles, mixed throughout the kids' wave. They will be wearing orange vests for visibility and identification purposes. For safety reasons, please inform your children that they should not accept non-emergency help from anyone who is not a police officer or wearing a yellow vest. We will also discuss this at the pre-race meeting.

Once again, we welcome you to the TimpTriClub Icebreaker Triathlon! Have a GREAT RACE! GOOD LUCK!