Racer Information

PARKING - Parking begins on race morning at 5am. We encourage you to car-pool to Governor Nelson State Park as parking is limited and on a first come first serve basis. Once the park is full, all parking is on Highway M outside of the park. Highway M is a 10 minute walk to the transition area, plan accordingly. When arriving at the park, officials will advise you if the park is full. If it is, you'll need to turn around and drive back out to Highway M and then walk to the transition area. Parking is for race participants and race personnel only, spectators must park on Highway M.

RACE SITE - The race is held at Governor Nelson State Park. Please respect the park and park officials. When practicing at the park prior to the race please obey all instructions from park officials. Remember, we are visitors of the park. Our use of the park is a privilege, not a right.

SPECTATORS - Spectators are welcome. However, please advise your family and friends to stay off the roadways. It's sad when well intended spectators cause accidents by walking on the race course. The course is well-marked and ALL ROADWAYS in the park are part of the race course so please keep the roads clear of pedestrian traffic. Also, please advise your friends and family that they must park on Highway M and walk into the park.

AWARDS - There will be no award ceremonies this year. Awards may be picked up adjacent to the timing tent once all results are official. Awards that are not picked up can be picked up at Endurance House for one week after the event. Awards will not be mailed. NOTE: Elite waves are not eligible for age group awards

NUTRITION SERVED ON RUN - Powerbar sports drinks and energy gels will be served on the
run.

WETSUITS - Are encouraged. The anticipated water temperature is between 65-73 degrees. Wetsuits may be rented or purchased at Endurance House. Call 608-836-9084 for details.

TIMING CHIP - This year's race is chip timed. You must use the timing chip distributed to you upon entrance to transition on race morning. The chip should be worn on your left ankle. You may not use your own timing chip and any personal chips should be removed before the race.

RACE DAY PACKET PICKUP - Race day packet pickup is available between 5:30am-6:15am ONLY to those athletes that paid in advance for this option. All other athletes must pick their packet up at
the expo the day before the event between Noon-07:00pm.

TRANSITION AREA - The transition area will be open from 5:30 am until 6:50 am (subject to change). Remember that transition is for race participants only. No spectators allowed in transition. Additionally, no glass containers are permitted in the transition area.

SWIM - Warm up swimming will be permitted. Swim warm up from 6:00am - 6:25am. Swim caps are mandatory and will be provided with your race packet. The color of your cap will signify which wave you go in.

BIKE - Helmets are mandatory. Absolutely no riding your bike in transition area. Because the bike course is open to traffic, please be alert at all times. Please note that law enforcement is on the bike course to control traffic and enforce safety. This is not a closed course. This means that you may be delayed by law enforcement. Officers will not delay you unless it is absolutely necessary. However, if they do, please extend them the courtesy they deserve. They are there for your safety! The bike course is marked every 5 miles. Look for the large signs that will be posted on the side of the road.

RUN - Aid stations will be located throughout the run course. Each mile on the run will be marked.

EXTREME HEAT GUIDELINES - In the event of extreme heat on race day, it is even more important than usual to make sure you are doing everything you can to make sure you are racing safely. There are a few simple steps you can take to help prevent yourself from dehydrating and/or overheating.

Dehydration

Make sure that you begin the race adequately hydrated. In a state of elevated heart rate, you are essentially taking in fluids to slow the rate of dehydration or to remain at a certain level of hydration. It is almost impossible to increase your body’s fluid % during a race. This is especially important because there haven’t been very many hot days in Madison yet this year so you may not be acclimated to the heat.

Stop to take a drink in transition, especially coming out of the water. Even though the water may be cold and you may not feel it, you are probably sweating during the swim, and have no opportunity to rehydrate until transition.

Drink plenty on the bike. It is the easiest segment of the race for your stomach to handle fluids, so take advantage of that. The wind you create at higher speeds may lull you into feeling like you are doing ok, but once you hit the run if you are dehydrated you will feel it immediately and it may be extremely difficult to recover from improper hydration on the bike.

Use the aid stations. If you have a hydration belt or bottle to take with you on the run that would be even better. The run is the most dangerous segment when it comes to dehydration, partly because it is last, and partly because your heart rate at any given effort is highest on the run. There are some areas of the course with no shade from the sun. Bringing a cap or visor and applying sunscreen before the race or in T2 are good ideas, too.

Heat Exhaustion/Heat Stroke

Staying hydrated is one key to avoiding heat exhaustion, but it does not guarantee it. If you feel signs of heat exhaustion setting in, do anything you can to cool your body temperature down. Slow down and walk, find some shade, sprinkle cold water on your head, stop and rest. The signs of heat exhaustion include feeling faint or dizzy, heat cramps, excessive sweating, feeling nauseous, and headaches. You need to cool your temperature down at this point because heat exhaustion can quickly become heat stroke. If at any point you stop sweating, stop immediately and seek medical help. You should no longer concern yourself with the race. This is a sign of heat stroke, which can be fatal.

REFUNDS - No cash refunds will be granted under any circumstances.

CANCELLATION – The race is subject to cancellation due to environmental factors that are beyond our control. While it is our opinion that such factors are limited and unlikely, it is important to point them out. In the event of a race cancellation refunds or deferrals will not be granted. Environmental factors include, but are not limited to:

Heavy Rain -Since the race is held at Governor Nelson State Park we must follow the lead of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with regard to rain. Heavy rains can cause trail damage and become a safety issue for participants. Check the website for the most updated information regarding weather and park conditions.
Lightening – In the event of lightening the event will be delayed or cancelled.

Water Quality / Lake Conditions – A swim cancellation is possible in the event of poor water quality and / or lake conditions that could compromise racer safety. In the event of a swim cancellation the event is changed to a Duathlon (run, bike, run). Water quality issues include, but are not limited to: E. coli, Blue-Green algae, excessive weed growth, high winds, and extreme cold. Water testing is completed daily by the Department of Natural Resources. Race officials defer to DNR testing procedures. If the DNR opens the beach, the swim is on. If the DNR closes the beach, the swim is cancelled. For updated information regarding water quality / lake conditions please refer to the news section of our website.

Road Construction – We maintain a close watch of the roads and remain in contact with city officials regarding road construction. However, road construction is beyond our control. In the event of major road construction we will make every effort to re-route the bike course. In some cases, timing may not allow us to complete a safe bike course in which case we would be forced to cancel the event.

REFUNDS, DEFERRALS and TRANSFERS- No refunds, deferrals, or transfers will be granted under any circumstance.