Columbus Triathlon Course details & faq

Overview
The course will take you through the rural and beautiful countryside of Mt. Sterling, Ohio. The swim takes place in Deer Creek. With a nice long beach, we’re able to keep racers close to shore even with longer distance races so you can be confident and calm during the race. Racers will swim out and back along the beachfront. The water is shallower near the shore and you can touch there, but on the backside of the course, you will not be able to touch bottom. Beginner triathletes will be able to touch bottom the entire swim course. The transition area will be in the parking lots up the hill from the beach. Athletes will be on a paved lot as they transition from segment to segment. The bike course goes around Deer Creek on a loop with all left turns with 278 feet of elevation. The bike is on a paved road open to motorized traffic, and the run is on a flat paved path out and back. It is also close to vehicle traffic. Athletes will finish in the parking lots next to the transition area and then can celebrate their accomplishment with post race food and drink.

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!

Check Water Temperature here!

Swim Maps
300m: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1373869957

Beginners go down the beach 1 time on this course

750m Loop: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1373874100

Sprint athletes swim this course 1 time counter clockwise
Olympic athletes swim this course 2 times counter clockwise
3k swimmers complete this course 4 times counter clockwise
⅓ Iron athletes do the 500m ⅓ lap and then 2 laps on this course, going counter clockwise
5k swimmers do the 500m ⅓ lap and then 6 laps on this course, going counter clockwise

500m ½ Lap: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1373871340

⅓ Iron and 5k Swimmer complete this ½ lap first 1 time (counter clockwise) before they continue on the 750m loop for the rest of their swim laps

Bike Maps
7 mile out and back course: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/3645069289

Beginners ride out and back for a total of 7 miles.

12-mile course: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/1373922445

Sprinters ride clockwise to complete 1 loop for 12 total miles
Olympic racers ride clockwise to for 2 loops for 24 total miles
The ⅓ Iron race is 3 clockwise loops for 36 total miles

Run Maps

1.5 Miles: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4416987211

Beginners complete this once for 1.5 miles total of running

5k: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/4414079947

Sprint racers complete this 1 time for a 5k (3.1 miles)
Olympic racers complete this 2 times for a total of 10k (6.2 miles)
⅓ Iron athletes complete this 3 times for 9.3 total miles

The Transition Area
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. Transition Entrance and Exits will be marked with flags, signs, cones, and fence.

Here are some transition area guidelines:

The transition area is limited to only athletes; spectators are not allowed in the transition area.
You will be asked to use the racks labeled for your specific race type and distance. Please only rack in those areas.
To learn more about how to transition with style and speed, please visit https://www.zoomracingusa.com/transition/

SWIM IN & RUN IN are on the same side of the transition area, closest to the water. You can walk or run to your rack to get your bike. Grab your bike, put on a helmet and head to Bike Out. If you are doing the Aquathlon, you can head out to the run segment of your race.

BIKE IN & BIKE OUT: are on the opposite site of the transition area (from swim in and run in). 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 you have exited the swim and picked up your bike in the transition area). You can walk or run your bike to the Mount Line, but may not ride your bike inside the transition area. Mount your bike after you cross the Mount Line and Dismount your bike before you cross the Dismount Line. Again you walk or run your bike back to your rack after you have finished your transition leg. Aquabikers go straight to the finish line after you have completed your bike; you must cross the finish line. Everyone else, after your bike is complete, head to the run portion of your race.

RUN OUT: is in the same place as run in and swim in. You may run or walk to run out and then complete the run segment of your race. Be sure to cross the finish line at the end of your race.

To learn more about how to transition with style and speed, click here.

Start Details
We are going to use a wave start for the races, but there is plenty of space to spread out if you want to maintain social distance. Here are the starting details:

There will first be a brief pre-race meeting or you can review all the information in the athlete guide and race website for more information. You may also ask questions of our staff as needed on race day, or email or call us with questions in advance of the race.
All races will start at the beachfront, with the exception of the duathlons, which start at the Run Out area of Transition.
Races will start in waves in the water. Please arrive at your designated time.

Start Times
Please arrive at your designated start area at least 15 minutes before your race begins.

6:45am-7:00am: All Duathlons Time Trial Start
7:00am -7:15am: ⅓ Iron Tri, Aquabike & Aquathlon Time Trial Start
7:15am-7:30am: 5k & 3k Swim Time Trial Start
7:30am-7:45am: OLY Tri, Aquabike & Aquathlon Time Trial Start
7:45-8:15am: Sprint Tri, Aquabike & Aquathlon Time Trial Start
8:15am: Beginner Triathlon Time Trial Start

All Aid Stations
Aid Stations are an essential part of the race course, and can help maintain your energy and effort throughout the race. We will have multiple aid stations on the race course staffed by volunteers. We will have hydration and refueling products. Racers may also carry all of their own aid and hydration on course or leave their refueling products next to the course (socially distanced from others). If you place your own aid on course, please be sure your aid is clearly labeled, and that you do not interfere with other athletes on course as you place or access your aid. Races begin at 6:45am, so be sure your aid is in place before that time.

Aid Station Locations
Swim Course: There will be a table in the water along the beach for our long distance swimmers to use as needed. The aid will be self-serve and include both hydration and fuel. You are also welcome to put your own aid on the table to access during the race.

Bike Course: There will be a self-service aid station on the bike course near the turn around with bottled water. You will need to dismount your bike to access this aid. You are also welcome to put your own aid on the table to access during the race.

Run Course: There are 3 aid stations 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
0.75-mile mark turn around
1.55-mile mark turn around

Swim FAQ
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 a swim cap for safety. We will give you a swim cap on race day.

COURSE: See the course maps. The courses will be marked with large buoys.

DISTANCES:

The 5000m Swim begins with a 500m ½ 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 ½ lap 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 300m 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, unless you are cleared by our medical staff. If you are allowed to continue, you will be DQed from the race results. Along the shore the water will be shallow enough that you can stop, stand, rest or walk. If you want to walk, the water must be above your belly button. Beginner swimmers will be able to touch the bottom for the whole course. On the 750m swim loop, you cannot touch bottom on the backside of the course.

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.

Bike FAQ

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 you have exited the swim and picked up your bike in the transition area).

DRAFTING IS NOT ALLOWED: Please refer to the USA 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: The roads are open to traffic, so please obey traffic laws unless law enforcement tells you otherwise. Law enforcement will be on all corners and in major intersections. You may have the right of way but cars may not know this, so be alert. Please stay within your lane when turning; avoid oncoming traffic when turning. Please ride on the RIGHT side of your lane as close to the WHITE line as possible unless you are passing or it is unsafe. DO NOT pass cars unless you are instructed to do so. You would not want them to turn into you. Should you have an emergency, alert another rider so they can get help. Be sure you obey the traffic laws unless an officer is present and allows you to proceed & has stopped all the cars. Please put safety first, and have a great race!

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.

Beginners ride out and back to complete 7 miles
Sprinters ride clockwise around the lake to complete 1 loops for 12 total miles
Olympic ride clockwise around the lake to complete 2 loops for 24 total miles
The ⅓ Iron race is 3 loops for 36 total miles

When athletes are done they head to the transition area to finish or transition to the next segment.

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 FAQ

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, 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 3.1-miles you will complete 1 lap of the course.
If you are running 6.2-miles you will complete 2 laps of the course.
If you are running 9.3-miles you will complete 3 laps of the course.

The Finish Line
All athletes will have a common finish line where you walk, jog or run through the common finish line. Open Water Swimmers need to run up the beach and through the finish line. Aquabikers need to rack their bikes and then walk, jog or run through the finish line. Everyone else will finish their run race segment and run through the finish line arch.

Post Race

We will have a photobooth, music, food and drink after the race for you. You are welcome to enjoy the post race experience and celebrate your race with family and friends.

Results
Results will be available online at https://columbustriathlon.itsyourrace.com right after the race or at ColumbusTriathlon.com later in the day. Results will be submitted to USA Triathlon within 15 days of the race. Results are submitted in 5-year age group increments for the triathlon, duathlon, aquabike and aquathlon for the purposes of USAT rankings

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Deer Creek State Park

Columbus Triathlon & Multisport Festival

August 28, 2022