Race Venue
14421 Lake Royer Drive, Cascade, MD 21719
Lake Royer at Fort Ritchie, look for the pier on the lake.
Other GPS search options include, "Fort Ritchie Community Center" and "Lakeside Hall".
Event Cancellation
This event may be delayed or canceled due to adverse, inclement, or unsafe weather. Should the event be delayed, the starting time of the event will be moved back accordingly. The delay will be communicated to all participants. The race management team and local law enforcement has the authority to cancel the event. If cancellation of the event takes place, please follow instructions of the event officials and local law enforcement personnel. Your entry fee is not refundable if an event is canceled due to adverse, inclement, or unsafe weather. The Race Director also reserves the right to modify the course at any time before or during an event by his/her own judgment or if instructed by local law enforcement personnel or park officials.
Schedule Of Events
(subject to change)
Saturday, July 29 at race venue
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM- Athlete Check-In & Registration
5:00 PM - 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!
Sunday, July 30 at race venue
5:45 AM - 7:45 AM - Registration, Athlete check In & transition area opens for bike racking.
7:45 AM - Pre-race safety meeting near finish line.
8:00 AM - WAVE 1A, Duathlon Start, MEN & WOMEN - both Sprint & Olympic Distance
(duathlon starts near finish line)
8:00 AM – WAVE 1, Sprint Triathlon & AquaBike - ALL MEN (green caps)
8:03 AM - WAVE 2, Sprint Triathlon & AquaBike - ALL WOMEN & ALL GENDER RELAYS (powder blue caps)
8:15 AM - WAVE 3, Olympic Triathlon & AquaBike - ALL MEN (grey caps)
8:18 AM - WAVE 4, Olympic Triathlon & AquaBike - ALL WOMEN & ALL GENDER RELAYS (yellow caps)
10:30 AM- Sprint Award Ceremony (subject to change)
11:30 AM - Olympic Award Ceremony (subject to change)
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. NO PHOTO ID = NO RACE!!! If you are under 18 without a photo ID, your parent or guardian may show their photo ID.
Athlete Check-In will be at (please attend one of the following):
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Saturday, July 29 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at race venue.
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Sunday, July 30 from 5:30 AM to 7:45 AM at race venue.
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.
Swim Cap
Participants must wear the swim cap color that is assigned to you. This is important for your cap color matches your assigned swim wave.
Bib Number
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.
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
Ankle chip timing chips will be distributed to participants on race day only. All participants will be required to pick up their timing chip at the "timing chip" tent before heading to the start of the race. This tent is located at the athlete check-in area. Participants must present their race bib to race management in pick up a timing chip.
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 Day Information
Parking
ABSOLUTELY NO PARKING ON THE GRASS. There are many parking spots throughout the property. The earlier you arrive the closer you will be to the venue. We will have parking attendants directing you to where we need you to park. Please obey all parking signs and race officials. Participants must park in designated parking spots only. We will have designated parking for volunteers.
Restrooms
There will be port-a-johns at the race venue. There are no port-a-johns on the bike course.
Body Marking
Body marking will be required for Triathletes. We will mark one arm and one leg with your race number and mark your calf with your age. You must have your running bib number with you on race morning in order to get body marked. Body marketing will take place at the timing chip pick up tent on race morning only.
Race Age
Participants will compete based on their race age. Your race age for the 2023 season is determined by your age on December 31st, 2023.
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.
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.
The Races
Start Times
8:00 AM - WAVE 1A, Duathlon Start, MEN & WOMEN - both Sprint & Olympic Distance
(duathlon starts near finish line)
8:00 AM – WAVE 1, Sprint Triathlon & AquaBike - ALL MEN (green caps)
8:03 AM - WAVE 2, Sprint Triathlon & AquaBike - ALL WOMEN & ALL GENDER RELAYS (powder blue caps)
8:15 AM - WAVE 3, Olympic Triathlon & AquaBike - ALL MEN (grey caps)
8:18 AM - WAVE 4, Olympic Triathlon & AquaBike - ALL WOMEN & ALL GENDER RELAYS (yellow caps)
Swim Course
The Triathlon swim is an in-water start. The course is a 750 meter clockwise loop. Swimmers will walk into the water 3 minutes before their in-water start using the swim entrance platform. Swimmers will exit the water using the swim exit platform. Swimmers will tread water prior to the start of their wave. Swimmers will keep buoys on their right side at all times.
Sprint - one loop then exit at platform.
Olympic - two loops, at final buoy - start second loop then exit at platform.
To view the swim course map, click HERE.
You must wear the designated swim cap provided at packet pick up, have your body marked, and have your timing chip. This lake is shallow in parts. At no time are you allowed to walk in the water during any portion of the swim other than the entrance and exit of the water. Doing so will result in disqualification. All advancement must be a swim stroke.
Participants can expect the water temp to be 78-82 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.
The Bike Course
Sprint - 15 miles
Olympic - 23.5 miles
Both courses area considered hilly. Follow neon duck tape arrows on ground, road signage and volunteer direction. BIKE COURSE IS NOT CLOSED TO VEHICLE TRAFFIC. You must use caution and make your own judgement call when turning at each intersection. You must obey all traffic laws and use good judgment when racing on the course. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO DRIVE THE BIKE COURSE to ensure you know where to turn. It is your responsibility to know the course.
To view the turn-by-turn bike course map, click HERE.
To view the interactive bike course map for the Sprint race, click HERE.
To view the interactive bike course map for the Olympic race, click HERE.
Commonly Violated Bike Rules
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No drafting or blocking.
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No headphones, iPods, radios. USAT officials will be on the course and penalties will be assessed.
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Hard shell helmets must be worn and must be fastened before mounting your bike outside the transition area. Failure to fasten your helmet results in an automatic disqualification.
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Stay to the right to allow faster cyclists to pass on the left and obey the yellow line rule. Crossing the yellow line is an automatic disqualification.
The Run
The run course is a 1.55 mile loop on the grounds of Fort Ritchie. Most of the course is closed to vehicle traffic. There is one aide station on the loop. Runners will pass through the aid station twice (2) per loop. The aid station will have water and gatorade only.
Sprint Triathlon Run
2 loops (3.1 Miles)
Sprint Duathlon
Run Leg #1 - 2 loops (3.1 miles)
Run Leg #2 - 2 loops (3.1 Miles)
Olympic Triathlon Run
4 loops (6.2 Miles)
Olympic Duathlon
Run Leg #1 - 2 loops (3.1 miles)
Run Leg #2 - 4 loops (6.2 Miles)
To view the run course LOOP map, click HERE.
To view the interactive LOOP map, click HERE.
You must wear your race number (bib#) on your front during the run. This is required for accurate timing at the finish line and will aid the photographers in identifying you on the run. If you have no number at the end you may not get a finish time. You will be disqualified if you do not complete the entire run course.
Commonly Violated Run Rules
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No headphones, earphones or any radio-type devices will be allowed.
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You must have your run # on your front as you approach the finish line.
Race Results
We will be publishing LIVE results throughout the race. Use your mobile phone and go to www.ripitevents.com/results and click on Fort Ritchie Triathlon results. On the results web page, enter your bib number or name to view your individual or team results.
Awards
Awards ceremony will be held near athlete check-in. Awards will be given for the top 3 finishers for Sprint & Olympic Triathlon each of the following divisions:
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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) 11-13, 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+
Awards will be given to the top 3 overall male & female finishers for Aquabike and Duathlon for the Sprint & Olympic races. Additionally awards will be given to the top finisher (1st place ) in each age group.
COURSE MAPS
(click images below)
