The Below information is for the 2021 race. The 2022 race will be on Sunday, May 15. This page will update when registration opens for the 2022 race on October 1, 2021.

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RACE DATE - MAY 16, 2021

Lums Pond State Park, Bear, DE

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Sprint Distance - 0.6 Mile Swim | 10 Mile Bike | 3 Mile Run​

Olympic Distance - 0.9 Mile Swim | 23 Mile Bike | 6 Mile Run

Water Temperature Update (Sunday, May 9, 2021)

This past Sunday, May 9, we took the water temperature and it was 62.8 degrees. We anticipate a slight increase in water temp in the days leading up to Sunday but expected race water temperature will be low to mid 60's. It is recommended (not required) that all swimmers wear a wetsuit for this race.

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The Race

Whether you’re a seasoned triathlete or a first timer, the Bear Triathlon is the race for you. We’ve designed our course to be FLAT, FAST and appropriate for all experience levels including first-timers! Don't want to do the full distance? Create a 2 or 3 person relay team and join in the fun!  This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon.

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COVID-19 RULES

Face Masks - All race participants, volunteers and race staff are REQUIRED to wear a face mask at this event. Participants will be given a disposable face mask at athlete check in. This mask can be worn in the transition area and at swim start (while waiting for your wave to start). At the start of the race, participants will discard this mask into a trash can as they cross under the start arch and enter the water. Participants are NOT required to wear a mask while racing. At the finish line, participants will be given a 2nd disposable face mask to wear in the post race area. 

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Spectators - Due to covid restrictions, there are NO spectators permitted at this year’s race. If your spouse, family member or friend would like to attend this race – please consider volunteering.

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Volunteer

​Not interested in doing the event but still want to participate? We need your help! Our race cannot be successful without the support of the community and the family and friends of participants. All volunteers receive a t-shirt. Volunteer sign up is typically available about 4 weeks from race day. 

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Volunteer Opportunities:

• Athlete CheckIn (race morning)

• Transition Area - assist race management in the transition area

• Body Marker - body mark participants with race number in transition area

• Swim Course - Water Safety Support on Kayak (no prior experience required, kayak will be provided for you)

• Run Course - direct runners along run course

• Water Stations - hand participants water and gatorade on run course

• Finish Line - hand participants bottled water and finisher medal

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Click button below to sign up to volunteer.

​Age Requirement

All participants must be 15 years and older to register. ​​​​

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Registration - This race has reached capacity for this year. General registration for this race is closed. ​

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Registration Disclaimer

• All registrations are final, no refunds. No registration transfer permitted to other Rip It Events.

• Registered participants may elect to defer their registration to the 2022 race. To view the deferral policy, click HERE. 

• Race organizers reserve the right to close registration due to capacity limits.

• Race organizers reserve the right to delay or cancel event due to extreme weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances.

• This is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event. All rules apply.

• Please contact Rip It Events with any questions or concerns about your registration at .​​

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Race Location

Lums Pond State Park - 1068 Howell School Road, Bear, DE 19701. The race will start and finish at Area 1 inside Lums Pond State Park. 

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Schedule Of Events (subject to change) 

Saturday, May 15 – at Lum Pond State Park

3:30 PM - Athlete Check-In Opens

4:30 PM – 5:30 PM – Practice Swim at swim start, Area 1 for registered participants only.*

5:45 PM - Pre-Race Course Talk under pavilion in area 1.

6:30 PM - Athlete Check-In Closes

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There is no bike racking on Saturday, May 15.

*Recreational swimming is not permitted in Lums Pond. Athletes may only swim at designated times, i.e. practice swim on Saturday and on race morning.

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Sunday, May 16 at Lums Pond State Park

5:15 AM - Athlete Check In & Transition Area Opens for bike racking and body marking.

To maintain social distancing, the transition area will remain open to athletes through the last wave of the race (wave 9).

6:45 AM – All Olympic distance participants need to be at swim start.

7:00 AM – Wave 1, Olympic - Men 44 yr and under (orange caps)

7:03 AM - Wave 2, Olympic - Men 45 yr and older AND all Male Relays (green caps)

7:06 AM - Wave 3, Olympic - Women 44 yr and under AND all Female/Coed Relays (pink caps)

7:09 AM - Wave 4, Olympic - Women 45 yr and older (powder blue caps)

Break

7:15 AM – All Sprint distance participants need to be at swim start.

7:23 AM - Wave 5A, Sprint - Physically Challenged Teams

7:25 AM - Wave 5, Sprint – Men 44 and under, all male relays (silver caps)

7:28 AM - Wave 6, Sprint – Men 45 and older (royal blue caps)

7:31 AM – Wave 7, Sprint – Women 44 and under, all female & coed relays (purple caps)

7:34 AM – Wave 8, Sprint – Women 45 and older (yellow caps)

7:37 AM - Wave 9, Sprint - Novice Men and Women (red caps)*

10:15 AM- Sprint Award Ceremony (subject to change)

11:15 AM – Olympic Award Ceremony (subject to change)

* There is no novice wave for the Olympic distance race.  Any Sprint Distance participant may elect to start in Wave 9. If you elect to start in the novice wave, you will need to switch out your swim cap for a red color cap on race morning at the swim start area. Please bring your assigned (non-red) cap to the start to make this exchange.

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Athlete Guide

Click button below to view the 2021 Athlete Guide. ​​

Athlete Check-in

Per USAT rules, each participant MUST pick up his/her own packet in person. If you do not check in during the designated check-in times in person, you will not be able to participate in the event. All participants 18 years and older must bring a valid photo I.D. to athlete check in.

Athlete Check-In will be at (please attend one of the following):

• Saturday, May 15 from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Lums Pond State Park, Area 1. 

• Sunday, May 16 from 5:15 AM to 7:30 AM at Lums Pond State Park, Area 1.*

*Race day athlete check-in is available but should be considered for out-of-town athletes. If you are able to check-in the day before the race, please do so.

Wristband

A unique wristband will be given to participants at athlete check-in. Participants must wear this wrist band at all times on race day. This wristband must remain on until you have removed your bike from transition after the race. This band will identify you as an official participant and allows you access to the transition area. You will not be allowed into the transition area without this band in place.

Bike Adhesive Number

At athlete check-in, you will be given an adhesive bike number. Your bike must have an adhesive number on to rack on race morning.

REGISTER

Timing

At athlete check in, you will be given a ankle chip timing. Athletes must wear their ankle chip at all times during this event. Should you forget your timing chip or loose it during the race, please let race management know so that we can give you another timing chip. Relay teams must transfer timing chips between teammates in the transition area.

Race Bibs

Participants must wear their race bib on the run course at all times. Athletes can either pin their race bib to their shirt or wear it attached to a race belt. Relay teams must transfer bibs between teammates in the transition area. Athletes are required to wear their bib on their front side when going in and out of transition and crossing the finish line.

Practice Swim

Registered participants will be able to swim a portion of the swim course on Saturday. Note that Lums Pond does not permit recreational swimming and athletes are only allowed to swim during this time period and on race day.

Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM, Saturday, May 15, 2021

Location: Lums Pond State Park, Area 1 – swim start

Pre-Race Course Talk

Please consider attending the scheduled Pre-Race Course Talk, which will provide important information about the race, and include a question and answer segment. If you are a first timer– attending a pre-race course talk is recommended!

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Location: Saturday, May 18 at 5:45 PM, Lums Pond State Park, Area 1 under the pavilion. 

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Race Day Information

Parking

Parking on race day will be inside Lums Pond State Park in Area 1, 2, and 3. Area 1 is most close to the start & finish. There will be limited amount of parking at area 1 on race morning. If arriving after 6:30 AM (please plan to park in area 2 or 3). Parking in Area 2 and 3 will require a 0.4 mile walk to Area 1. The following GPS address on race morning is suggested: 1068 Howell School Road, Bear, DE 19701

The park will open at 5:00 AM. The transition area will open at 5:15 am. There is no vehicle park fee for participants, however, vehicles arriving after 7:00 AM may be charged a $5.00 entrance fee.

Bike Mechanic & Bike Leg Support

Due to the heavy volume of bicycle repairs and service in Delaware, this race will have NO onsite bike mechanic on race weekend. All participants should have working bike on race morning and carry their own flat tire kit.

This race will have two race support vehicles roving the bike course that can assist with changing of flat tires but will not be able to fix bike major issues. Race support vehicles will be able to transport cyclists to the venue if they are unable to proceed on the bike course.

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Transition Area

You must be wearing the unique athlete wristband to enter the transition area. Your bike number adhesive must be placed on your bike as well. Please be sure to bring along items received at check-in including race numbers (bib & bike adhesive number), as well as your bike, helmet and other personal gear.  Body marking will take place in the transition area from 5:15 AM - 6:45 AM. It is the athlete’s responsibility to ensure that volunteers mark their age as of December 31, 2021, which corresponds to the age division in which the athlete will compete. Please do not apply sunscreen, oil, Vaseline or lotion until AFTER you have been body marked.

Race Bike Racking & Transition Area Protocol  

All bikes will be racked on race day only. To enter the transition area, athletes must wear the security wristband received at athlete check-in. The transition area is RESTRICTED TO ATHLETES ONLY**.

How To Properly Rack Your Bike: *

Find the sticker number on the transition rack that matches your bib number. Hang the seat of your bike from the transition rack in with your front wheel facing away from your sticker on the rack. Place personal items on the ground next to your front wheel. There are NO balloons, inflatable’s or personal markers permitted. Remember your number and rack location.

*Per USAT rules, all equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike 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. All personal trash is to be removed and disposed of by each athlete. Please do not litter.

Race Start

OLYMPIC distance athletes are to proceed to the swim start by 6:45 AM. SPRINT distance athletes are to proceed to the swim start by 7:15 AM. Relay team members may wait in transition prior to start of race or watch the start of the race at the water’s edge.

START LINE: Athletes will be called onto the starting line (inflatable arch at swim start) by assigned wave number. It is the athlete’s responsibility to know their starting wave number. Each wave will start on land under the inflatable arch and walk/run into the water when prompted to begin.  At the start of the race, participants will discard this mask into a trash can as they cross under the start arch and enter the water. Participants are NOT required to wear a mask while racing. At the finish line, participants will be given a 2nd disposable face mask to wear in the post race area. 

To maintain social distancing, the transition area will remain open to athletes through the last wave of the race (wave 9).

6:45 AM – All Olympic distance participants need to be at swim start.

7:00 AM – Wave 1, Olympic - Men 44 yr and under (orange caps)

7:03 AM - Wave 2, Olympic - Men 45 yr and older AND all Male Relays (green caps)

7:06 AM - Wave 3, Olympic - Women 44 yr and under AND all Female/Coed Relays (pink caps)

7:09 AM - Wave 4, Olympic - Women 45 yr and older (powder blue caps)

Break

7:15 AM – All Sprint distance participants need to be at swim start.

7:23 AM - Wave 5A, Sprint - Physically Challenged Teams

7:25 AM - Wave 5, Sprint – Men 44 and under, all male relays (silver caps)

7:28 AM - Wave 6, Sprint – Men 45 and older (royal blue caps)

7:31 AM – Wave 7, Sprint – Women 44 and under, all female & coed relays (purple caps)

7:34 AM – Wave 8, Sprint – Women 45 and older (yellow caps)

7:37 AM - Wave 9, Sprint - Novice Men and Women (red caps) *

10:15 AM- Sprint Award Ceremony (subject to change)

11:15 AM – Olympic Award Ceremony (subject to change)

* There is no novice wave for the Olympic distance race.  Any Sprint Distance participant may elect to start in Wave 9. If you elect to start in the novice wave, you will need to switch out your swim cap for a red color cap on race morning at the swim start area. Please bring your assigned (non-red) cap to the start to make this exchange.

Athletes who are participating in a relay may remain in the transition area to wait for their swimmer to exit the water. Athletes will exchange race bib and timing chip with their partner in the transition area only. Only one team member is allowed on the course at any given time. Only one team member may start the race and cross the finish line.

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Wet Suit Policy

This race will follow the USA Triathlon wetsuit policy, which states that: Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees

Swim Course Description & Rules

The swim course will be in Lums Pond. This race will use a beach entry wave start. Participants will keep the inflatable course markers on their left shoulder at all times. Each participant will swim one loop of the prescribed course.

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Wet Suit Policy

This race will follow the USA Triathlon wetsuit policy, which states that: Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.

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Required Distances:

Sprint Race – 0.6 mi

Olympic Race – 0.9 mi

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To view the swim course map, click HERE.

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Bike Course Description & Rules

The bike course is flat along well-maintained and paved roads. The route is marked with signage and there will be police support at every turn. Please familiarize yourself with the route, as it is the athlete’s ultimate responsibility to know the course. There are no water stations on the bike course.

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Sprint Race

Bike ONE loop - 10 mi

Olympic Race

Bike THREE loops - 23 mi

The bike course is open to vehicle traffic during the race. All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course. Cutting the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow center road line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws/officers at all times.

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To view the bike course map, click HERE.

USAT rules are in effect including Article V - Cycling Conduct.

• Athletes must remember to wear a bike helmet number on the front of their helmet.

• Athletes must have a bike frame number fixed to their bike and visible from the left side.

• Only helmets approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may be

used, and helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike before, during and after the event. Violation will result in disqualification.

• Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on your bike. DO NOT unbuckle your chip strap unless you are off your bicycle. Violation while on the course will result in disqualification.

• DO NOT LITTER! Any item that needs to be discarded, including but not limited to water

bottles, gel wrappers, energy supplement wrappers, bike parts or clothing, may ONLY be discarded at aid stations.

 Please remember that local community members use the bike course roads. You are an ambassador for the sport and the event. While on the course, always be courteous to local residents.

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Run Course Description & Rules

The run course has changed for the 2021 race (see map below). The first and last 0.5 miles of the 3 mile loop will be on natural surface trail. The remainder of the loop is on paved road surface. Participants will be required to run around a turn cone at the end of Buck Jersey Road. There are two aid stations offering water and sports drink along the course. Athletes will pass through each aid state twice per loop. The course is marked on race day with signage. Please familiarize yourself with the course, as it is ultimately the athlete’s responsibility to know all courses.

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Sprint Race- ONE loop - 3 mi

Olympic Race- TWO loops - 6 mi 

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To view the run course map, click HERE.

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Aid Stations

There are no aid stations on the bike course. There are two aid stations on the run course (at mile .01 and mile 1.5 on the looped course). Each aid station will have water and gatorade only. 

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Post Race

Race Results

The Bear Triathlon will be publishing LIVE results throughout the race. Use your mobile phone and go to www.ripitevents.com/results and click on Bear Triathlon results. On the results web page, enter your bib number or name to view your individual or team results.

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Awards

Athletes who earn awards will receive their award at the award ceremony located by the finish line. The following awards will be given to participants who earn 1st – 3rd place (male & female) in both the Sprint and Olympic race:

Overall, 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+, All Male Relay, All Female Relay, Coed Relay

10:15 AM- Sprint Award Ceremony (subject to change)

11:15 AM – Olympic Award Ceremony (subject to change)

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Finisher Medal

Participants who complete this race will receive a finisher medal at the finish line.