2023 RACE INFO
RACE VENUE ADDRESS
7000 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 20146
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
(updated, 4.7.23)
Saturday, April 15 at race venue*
3:30 PM - Athlete Check-In Opens
4:30 PM - Pre-Race Course Talk at race venue (optional attendance)
5:00 PM - Transition Clinic (optional attendance)
6:00 PM - Athlete Check-In Closes
*There is no bike racking on April 15.
Sunday, April 16 at race venue
7:30 AM - Athlete Check In & Transition Area Opens for bike racking.
9:00 AM, Wave 1 Start - Men 44 years and under*
9:03 AM, Wave 2 Start - Men 45 years and older*
9:06 Am, Wave 3 Start - Women, 44 years and under*
9:09 AM, Wave 4 Start - Women, 45 years and older*
(*waves start based on "race age" - your age as of December 31, 2023)
PARKING
Parking for this race will be in the corporate parking lot at 7021 Columbia Gateway Drive. This lot is on the outer loop of Columbia Gateway Drive and is located directly across the street from the transition area. Simply park your car and walk across the street to the race venue.
ATHLETE CHECK-IN
All registered entrants MUST attend Athlete Check-in. Per USAT rules, each participant MUST pick up his/her own packet. 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 and older must bring a photo I.D. to athlete check-in.
Athlete check-in will be at the following times and location. Please attend one of the following:
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Saturday, April 15 @ 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM (at race venue)
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Sunday April 16 @ 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM (at race venue)
Race venue address: 7000 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 20146
YOUR RACE PACKET WILL INCLUDE:
BIB NUMBER
Participants will receive a bib number at athlete check-in. Your timing chip is affixed to the back of your bib number. Do not remove this. Participants are required to wear their bib through out the entire race. This bib can be pinned to your shirt or worn on a race belt. Additionally, bibs should be worn on the outer most layer of clothing.
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.
Helmet Sticker
At athlete check-in, you will receive a small race number sticker. Place this sticker on the front of your helmet.
BIKE NUMBER (Adhesive Fold Sticker)
At athlete check-in, you will be given a bike number. Place your bike number on your bike as illustrated in the image below. Click image to zoom in.
PRE-RACE COURSE TALK & TRANSITION CLINIC
Pre-race Course Talk
The Pre-Race Course talk will be held at 4:30 PM on Saturday, April 15 at the race venue. This info session will cover important information about the race and include a question and answer segment.
Transition Clinic
A FREE transition clinic will be held on Saturday, April 15 in the transition area at the race venue. It will begin after the pre-race course talk (approx. 5:00 PM). There is no sign up for this. Simply show up and learn best practices for transiting from run to bike and bike to run. The transition clinic will be hosted by Suzy Serpico and is open to all registered participants. This clinic is recommended for first time participants.
WAVE START
Participants will start in waves based on their age as of DECEMBER 31, 2023 (your race age). Each wave will consists of about 100 runners and will start 3 minutes apart. Participants must start in their assigned waves.
Wave 1 - 9:00 AM, Men 44 years and under
Wave 2 - 9:03 AM, Men 45 years and older
Wave 3 - 9:06 Am, Women, 44 years and under
Wave 4 - 9:09 AM, Women, 45 years and older
TRANSITION AREA
The transition area will open at 7:30 AM race day. The transition area is for ATHLETES ONLY. This is a FIRM USA Triathlon rule. If you would like to be inside the transition area during the race, please consider volunteering.
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There is no body marking for this race.
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Find your assigned bike rack space in the transition area. (A sticker with your bib number will be on a rack space)
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Bike racks will have signs with letters. (So, you can remember where you racked your bike)
How to Properly Rack Your Bike: *
Hang the seat of your bike from the transition rack with your front wheel facing away from 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.
FLOW OF THE TRANSITION AREA
The flow of the transition is slightly different then typical triathlons. One side of the transition area is run AND bike "In", the other side is run AND bike "out". Click on the image below to view the flow of the transition area. ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING THE FLOW OF THE TRANSITION AREA.
BIKE COURSE
The looped bike course is relatively FLAT in elevation and includes one hill. There will be police support and signage at every turn. There are no aid stations on the bike course. Participants are required to count their loops and to complete the required distance. After completing 5 loops, cyclists will return to the transition area and begin their 2nd run leg. To view the bike course map, click HERE.
Required Distance: five loops (10 miles)
RUN COURSE
The looped bike course is relatively FLAT in elevation and includes one hill. There will be one aid station at mile 1 on the run loop offering water and Gatorade. The run course on paved trail surface. Both run legs will be run in the same direction. Please familiarize yourself with the route, as it is the athletes responsibility to know the course. To view the run course map, click HERE.
Required Distance:
First run leg - one loop (2 miles)
Second run leg - one loop (2 miles)
SWAG
Athletes who register for this race will receive a shirt. Athletes who finish this race will receive a finisher medal.
AWARDS
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+
RESULTS
To reduce the amount of close interaction between race staff and athletes, all results will be posted directly online in real time. Finishers will use their smart phone to access their individual results by clicking HERE or going to the RESULTS webpage at the conclusion of their race.