COURSE DESCRIPTION
1000 yd gulf swim / 19.5 mi bike / 4.5 mi run

 

The Swim:

The swim course is 1000 yards in the Gulf of Mexico. The course will be managed by local water safety groups with plenty of rescue support and assistance. Should the water not be safe for any reason, race management will change the race from a triathlon to a duathlon with the 1000 yard swim being replaced by a 1 mile run.

 

The swim segment start will be conducted as a time trial start where you begin based on your assigned race number. Race number 1 is assigned to the person with the fastest estimated swim time and so on. Swimmers will enter the water approximately every 5 seconds, with your race start time beginning as you cross the timing loop on the beach just prior to entering the water. Should the race be changed to a duathlon due to adverse water conditions, the run start will be conducted also as a time trial start based on race number. The method of starting is being used for three reasons: racer safety (less crowded), easier passage around course turn buoys, and reduced congestion on the bike and run course.

 

Click here for information on average water temperature and USAT wet suit rules

 

The Bike:

The bike course is 19.5 miles. Bikers head east/right on Perdido Beach Blvd (Hwy 182) from the transition area. The first bike turnaround is a "loop underneath" the PASS which is a large bridge over Gulf Water. Volunteers and police will direct you off of Perdido Beach Blvd. just on the other side of the bridge. You will proceed under the bridge then will be directed back across the bridge heading west on Perdido Beach Blvd. You will continue straight beyond the race transition area to complete a loop in the Gulf State Park. You will be directed right on State Park Road 2, then left onto Hwy 135, then a final left back onto Perdido Beach Blvd. (Hwy 182) to the race transition area. There will be a BIKE MOUNT / DISMOUNT LINE. You will walk your bike from your space on the transition bike rack to the BIKE MOUNT line to begin the bike segment. At the finish of your bike segment, you will DISMOUNT at the same line and walk your bike back to your space on the transition bike rack.

The Run:

The run course is just under 4.5 miles. Runners head east/right on Perdido Beach Blvd (Hwy 182) from the transition area. The run turnaround is at just under 2.5 miles at the Gulf State Park Romar Beach Access. Volunteers will direct into the beach access parking lot where you will turn around and head back west on Perdido Beach Blvd. The race finish line is adjacent to the race transition area back at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion.

 

COURSE MAPS:

• Main Staging Area
• Course Overview (pdf - large file) • (jpeg - small file)
• Interactive Course Map with Course Profile

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Friday

3:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Registration & packet pick-up at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion on Hwy 182/Perdido Beach Boulevard.

4:30 pm: Race Overview in Transition Area; Followed by Beginner Q & A session

 

Saturday

5:30 am-6:30 am: Registration & packet pick-up & body marking

6:30 am: Bikes must be in the transition area. Race overview in transition area.

7:00 am: Swim Start begins

12:00 pm: All racers must be finished with the race. When you finish the bike, please be sure you can finish the run by 12:00 pm to have a supported race. We will no longer have police and volunteer support after this point.

11:30 am - 2:30 pm: Awards ceremony and party at LIVE BAIT (just a few miles east of the race site) Please note that all door prizes, event awards and food will be distributed at the LIVE BAIT restaurant. Beer, dirty rice, pasta and more free to racers. There will be water, energy drink, fruit and snacks at the race finish area for immediate post race needs.

 

There are showers at the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion - you are welcome to use before heading down to the awards party at Live Bait.

 

CATEGORIES, AWARDS, & PRIZES

 

CATEGORY TYPES

• Professional - Card Carrying Professional Racers
• Individual - Open for all men and women
• Beginners - Participated in no more than 3 triathlons
• Clydesdale - 200+ pound men; divided into Masters 40+ and 39&Under
• Athena - 150+ pound women
• Masters - 40+ men and women
• Relay - male, female, mixed, corporate, family

 

"Should I be a beginner?"

If you do not place in the top three beginners position you will fall back into the open age groups for awards. So we recommend for your first 3 races, choose "Beginner," then move on to any other category...

 

USAT AGE UP RULE
All USAT races will use the "AGE UP RULE" for award distribution and ranking. It is important that you begin in the proper wave start with respect to this rule. The age up rule means you are racing based on your age as of 12/31/08. Our computer timing program will automatically calculate your age based on your birth date and the age up rule criteria.

 

Awards & Prizes

A $4,990 cash purse will be divided as follows:

Top 5 Overall Men & Women = $750, $600, $450, $210, $110
Top 3 Masters Men & Women (40+) = $200, $100, $75

 

Other prizes will include a "trophy type" award and also may include multi-sport product awards

Other award levels will be as follows:

3 deep males & females for:

• Age groups in 5 year intervals from 15-19 to 85+
• Beginner
• Clydesdale in categories 39& under and 40+
• Athena

 

NEW IN 2008: THREE DEEP AWARDS FOR RELAY TEAMS
We are increasing the awards offered to top 3 teams in the following categories: Family, Corporate, Male, Female, Co-ed (mixed male/female) So, if you are not able to participate at the full distance this year, put a team together and join the fun!

 

Click here for RELAY TEAM INFORMATION

 

Be sure to check your category on your entry form. ONLY ONE CATEGORY APPLIES. Your category CANNOT change once the race starts. If a category is not marked on the entry form, you will be entered as an individual. If you choose to race beginner, you will fall back in your age group if you do not win an award in your chosen category.

Important note about awards:
1) Order must be placed three weeks (minimum) prior to race date to receive specific category award.
2) Awards ordered based on number of participants registered in each award category.