2024 RACE INFO
(Subject to change)
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(subject to change)
Saturday, May 18 at Lums Pond State Park
3:30 PM - Athlete Check-In & Registration Opens for Adult and Youth race.
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 & Registration Closes
There is no bike racking on Saturday, May 13.
*Recreational swimming is not permitted in Lums Pond. Athletes may only swim during the practice swim on Saturday.
Sunday, May 19 at Lums Pond State Park
NO NEW REGISTRATIONS ON THIS DAY. MUST PRE-REGISTER OR REGISTER DAY BEFORE.
Triathlon & Aquabike
5:15 AM - Athlete Check In & Transition Area Opens for bike racking and body marking.
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
7:25 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)
11:00 AM – Olympic Award Ceremony (subject to change)
Youth Splash & Dash
10:00 AM - Youth Splash & Dash Check In Opens
11:00 AM - Youth Splash & Dash Check In Closes
11:00 AM - all participants to the swim start (water's edge)
11:15 AM - Start of Youth Splash & Dash
RACE INFORMATION
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):
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Saturday, May 18 from 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Lums Pond State Park, Area 1.
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Sunday, May 19 from 5:15 AM to 7:30 AM at Lums Pond State Park, Area 1.
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YOUTH SPLASH & DASH can check in on Saturday with Adult race or on Sunday from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM.
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.
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 18, 2022
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!
Location: Saturday, May 18 at 5:45 PM, Lums Pond State Park, Area 1 under the pavilion.
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 one 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.
Triathlon & Aquabike - 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, 2023, 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
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.
Triathlon & Aquabike
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
7:25 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)*
Youth Splash & Dash
11:00 AM - all participants to the swim start (water's edge)
11:15 AM - Start of Youth Splash & Dash
*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.
COURSE DESCRIPTION & MAPS
Rules
This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. All competitive rules apply. To view an overview of race rules, click HERE. For a list of commonly violated rules, click HERE. This overview includes info about wetsuits and drafting on the bike course.
Swim Course Description - Triathlon and Youth Splash & Dash
Triathlon - 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. Participants can expect the water temp to be between 68-70 degrees.
USAT Wetsuit Temperature Policy:
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78 F or below - wetsuits ARE allowed.
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78.1 F to 83.9 F - participants may wear a wetsuit at their own discretion; however, wearing a wetsuit in this temperature range will mean that an athlete is ineligible for awards.
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84 F and above: wetsuits are NOT permitted—this is for your own safety.
Required Distances:
Sprint Race – 750 Meter Swim (one loop)
Olympic Race – 1500 Meter Swim (two loops)
To view the swim course map, click HERE.
Youth Splash & Dash - The swim course will be in Lums Pond. Specifically, the swim course will run parallel to the land.
Required Distances:
Ages 7-10: 50 Meter Swim
Ages 11-15: 100 Meter Swim
To view the swim course map, click HERE.
Bike Course Description & Rules - Triathlon
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.
Required Distances:
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.
To view the bike course map, click HERE.
USAT rules are in effect including Article V - Cycling Conduct.
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Athletes must remember to wear a bike helmet number on the front of their helmet.
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Athletes must have a bike frame number fixed to their bike and visible from the left side.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Run Course Description & Rules
The run course will be on both asphalt and natural surface. The natural surface portion of the run course if very tame and easy to navigate. It is a mixture of grass and packed dirt. Standard running shoes are appropriate.
There are two aid stations on the triathlon course offering water and sports drink. 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. There are no aid stations on the Youth Splash & Dash run course.
Required Distances:
Triathlon Sprint Race- Run ONE loop - 3 mi
Triathlon Olympic Race- Run TWO loops - 6 mi
Youth Ages 7-10 - Run ONE loop - 0.5 mi
Youth Ages 11-15 - Run ONE loops - 1 mi
To view the triathlon run course map, click HERE.
To view the youth splash & dash run course map, click HERE.
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.
Awards
Adult awards will be given to following categories:
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Overall Male - Top 3
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Overall Female - Top 3
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Overall Non-Binary - Top 3
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Age Group - Top 3 (male & female) 14-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85-89
Youth awards will be given to the top three finishers in the following categories for both boys and girls:
7 yrs, 8 yrs, 9 yrs, 10 yrs, 11 yrs, 12 yrs, 13 yrs, 14 yrs, 15 yrs. There are no overall awards for the youth race.
10:15 AM- Sprint Award Ceremony (subject to change)
11:15 AM – Olympic Award Ceremony (subject to change)