Alum Creek State Park

Lewis Center, Ohio

September 13, 2020

Columbus Triathlon

Course FAQ

Race Time Cut Offs
We offer a race for every ability level and therefore we have race timing cut off times. We have set our race cutoffs so that the average athlete can successfully complete the race in the allotted time.

  • 1/3 Iron Races have a 6 hour cutoff.
  • The Olympic races have a 5 hours 30 minute cutoff.
  • The Sprint races have a 5 hour cutoff.
  • The Beginner races have a 4 hours 30 minute cutoff.
  • The 5k swimmers must be done in 3 hours and 3k swimmers need to complete the course in 2 hour 30 minutes.
  • All swimmers must complete the swim course by 10:00am.
  • All cyclists must complete the bike course by 11:00am.
  • All runners must be complete by 1:00pm.


Timing, Body Marking and Race Bibs

  • All athletes must wear a timing chip. Timing chips go on the athlete’s ankle and are worn throughout the race. You will receive your timing chip on race morning.
  • Every athlete must be body marked with a race number. This number is the same as your timing chip, and is used to identify you in the case of an emergency. You will be body marked on race morning.
  • Every athlete in the triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike will be required to have a race number sticker on their bike. Bike numbers can be placed on the top tube or seat post.
  • Every athlete in the triathlon, duathlon and aquathlon will be required to wear a bib number on the front of their person during the running portion of the race ONLY. You can pin the number to you or use a race belt.


The Swim

  • WETSUITS: If the water temperature is below 78 degrees we will be wetsuit legal. This means you can wear a wetsuit if you want, but you do not have to wear one.
  • SWIM CAPS: Please be sure you wear your assigned swim cap for safety. We will give you a swim cap on race day.
  • START: We will have an in-water start. Racers will line up according to ability. There are places where you can touch the bottom at the start. Everyone (all men and women) will start in the same wave unless otherwise directed. Should we need to start in waves, we will start the men first and the women afterward.
  • COURSE: See the course maps. The courses will be marked with large buoys.
  • DISTANCES:
  • The 5000m Swim begins with a 500m 1/2 lap and then 6 laps on a 750m loop.

  • The 3000m Swim is 4 laps on a 750m loop.
  • The 2000m Swim begins with a 500m extension and then 2 laps on a 750m loop.
  • The 1500m Swim is 2 laps on a 750m loop.
  • The 750m Swim is 1 lap on a 750m loop.
  • The beginner swim is a point to point swim one way down the beach in shallow water.

  • EMERGENCIES: If you need to be rescued by a lifeguard throw your hands in the air (call out if you can). If you need a rescue you will not be allowed to continue the race. The water is shallow enough that you can stop, stand, rest or walk. If you want to walk, the water must be above your belly button.
  • AID STATION: There is 1 Aid Station for the 3k and 5k swim. To access the aid station you must swim to the table, access your aid and then return to the swim course. You can leave your own aid at the station. We will provide water and gels.
  • TO TRANSITION & OPEN SWIM FINISH: Once you have completed your swim, exit the water and run up the beach to the transition area or the finish line. Follow the cones, chalk and signs.
  • SWIM CUT OFF: Everyone must have completed the swim course by 10:00am. This should give everyone plenty of time to complete this segment of the race.


The Aquabike
This is a swim and bike only event. You must enter the transition area, rack your bike and then proceed to the finish line. Aquabikers will exit the transition area through run out and then proceed to the finish line.

The Aquathon
This is a swim and run only event. You must enter the transition area after your swim, get your running gear and then proceed to the run course. At the end of your run you must cross the finish line.

The Duathlon
This is a run, followed by a bike and then another run. You must enter the transition area between events. The duathlons will start in a separate location from the swim; the location varies by venue. Duathletes should meet at the duathlon start for their pre-race meeting and event start.

The Transitions

  • You must store all your gear in the transition area and enter the transition area between each leg of the race.
  • The transition area will be split into zones and racers will rack their bikes in the designated zones. You can put your bike anywhere on the designated racks and store your stuff below your bike.
  • Open swimmers and aqua-runners will have a designated zone in the transition area to store their stuff.
  • Place the stickers provided at registration on your bike and your transition bag. You cannot exit the transition Area with your bike or gear bag without a sticker on your bike & bag that matches your body marking race number. This is for your safety.
  • Transition Entrance and Exits will be marked with flags, signs, cones and fence.
  • SWIM IN & RUN IN are on the same side of the transition area; locations vary by race venue.
  • BIKE IN & BIKE OUT: Mount your bike after you cross the Mount Line and Dismount your bike before you cross the Dismount Line. Remember that you must wear a helmet when you are on your bike. Additionally you must put your helmet on before you leave the transition area (after your have exited the swim and picked up your bike in the transition area).
  • RUN OUT: Locations vary by race venue. 


Bike Course

  • WHAT BIKE TO USE: You can ride most any upright human powered bike in the race including but not limited to road bikes (10 speed), mountain bikes, & hybrid bikes.
  • HELMET: Remember that you must wear a helmet when you are on your bike. Additionally you must put your helmet on before you leave the transition area (after your have exited the swim and picked up your bike in the transition area).
  • DRAFTING IS NOT ALLOWED: Please refer to the USAT triathlon rules for more information.  
  • COURSE MARKINGS: The bike course is marked with signs and cones. There will be a sign at each turn, so if you do not see a sign, please proceed straight. All turns are marked with signs. We DO NOT make any marks on the roadway surface, so please ignore all paint on the road surface. These are from other races and may take you off course.
  • SAFETY: Additionally there will be local law enforcement at all turns so that you can proceed without stopping. The roads are open to traffic. You have the right of way, but that does not mean the cars will know that, so be alert and be safe.
  • Please ride in the right lane of the road at all times and be sure you ride to the right of that lane so other cars and riders can safely pass you during the race.
  • Should you get a flat or have an accident, please alert the next rider so they can alert our staff, volunteers or law enforcement at the next turn.
  • COURSE MAPS: Please review the course maps before the race. It is your duty to know the course. Each race venue will have its own unique bike course.
  • Beginner triathletes will have a unique course so please study the race map. This course will be 1 out and back.
  • Sprint triathletes, duathletes and aquabikers will complete 1 lap on the 12 mile course.
  • Olympic triathletes, duathletes and aquabikers will complete 2 laps on the 12 mile course.
  • ⅓ Iron triathletes, duathletes and aquabikers will complete 3 laps on the 12 mile course.
  • BIKE CUT OFF: Everyone must have completed the bike course by 11:00am. This should give everyone plenty of time to complete this segment of the race. 


Run Course

  • COURSE MAPS: Please review the course maps before the race. It is your duty to know the course. The run course is marked with signs, cones and chalk. If you do not see a sign, cone or chalk/spray arrow keep going straight. There will also be volunteers on course as well. Each race venue will have its own unique run course, so please review the course maps. All runs will be out and back.
  • There will be one common 5k (3.1-mile), out and back, course used by all athletes. Athletes will run 1.55-miles out and 1.55 miles back on course.
  • If you are running 1.5 miles you will turn around at the .75-mile mark.
  • If you are running 5k you will complete 1 lap of the course.
  • If you are running 10k you will complete 2 laps of the course.
  • If you are running 9.3-miles you will complete 3 laps of the course.
  • AID STATIONS: There are 3 aid stations / water stops on course that can be accessed multiple times throughout your run. Each will have water, Sport Drink and nutrition. The aid stations will be at:
  • Exit of transition area
  • .75-mile mark turn around
  • 1.55-mile mark turn around 

Columbus Triathlon Course FAQ at Alum Creek


Athlete Guide's Guide to Race Weekend

Learn more details about all aspects of the race in a handy guide you can download, print and keep. Be ready for race day with all the details. Learn more! 


Race Schedule

Be ready on race day, with our moment by moment schedule of events. Learn more! 


Check Water Temperature here! 


Race Distances

  • Beginner Triathlon = 300m Swim / 8 Mile Bike / 1.5 Mile Run
  • Sprint Races = 750m Swim / 12.4 Mile Bike / 5k Run (First Duathlon Run is 1.5 Miles)
  • Olympic Races = 1500m Swim / 24 Mile Bike / 10k Run (First Duathlon Run is 5k)
  • ⅓ Iron Races = 2000m Swim / 36 Mile Bike / 9.3 Mile Run (First Duathlon Run is 5k)
  • 3k & 5k Swim = 3000m & 5000m


Elevation & Course Maps