As you might guess, running and swimming in cycling shorts is not the most comfortable. Similarly, running in your bathing suit isn't the most comfortable. What's the compromise? Look into some tri-shorts, and a tri-top, or a skinsuit. Tri shorts are similar to cycling shorts, but with a much lighter pad. You can swim, bike, and run in these shorts. For tops, there are triathlon specific tops, such as tank-top style, singlets, and shimmels. Most of these are similar to sleeveless cycling jerseys, except that you wear them for the entire race. Skinsuits are basically tri-shorts and a tri-top sewn together. Some women choose to race in tri shorts and a sports top, others wear a sports top under a tri top. Several stores in Davis carry triathlon gear. Check out tri gear at our race sponsors Fleet Feet on 2nd Street, and Ken's Bike and Ski on G Street. Wheelworks on F Street also has an excellent selection of triathlon gear.
The transition area will be a marked-off area with special bike racks to hold all the bikes for the race. It will be at the Schaal Pool, where the race starts. Each athlete will put their bike, bike gear, and running gear at the transition area before the race. There will be race officials who will watch the bikes during the race. Collegiate teams will have reserved racks, the rest of the racks will be first come, first served.
The first thing you should do when you arrive is stop by the registration booth and pick up your race packet. This packet will have your race number, information about your starting wave, and other goodies such as your raffle ticket. Since the race is wave starts, athletes will have different starting times. Pay attention to your wave number, the waves start every 12 minutes.
The second thing you should do when you arrive is to set up your transition area. Find a place on the bike racks, and put your bike, helmet, running shoes, and whatever else you need at your transition spot. Some athletes choose to mark their spot with a balloon or colored towel, because you will have to find your bike in a parking lot full of bikes right after you finish the swim! Be aware however, that the transition area closes at 9:00 am, so you must have your area set up by this time!
Lastly, get your body marking. A volunteer will write your race number on your arm to help with race timing.
The race starts with the swim. Waves of swimmers will start every 12 minutes. Immediately after you finish your swim, you will proceed to the transition and start your bike. There is no wait between the swim and bike, or bike and run. You will have to swim 20 lengths of the 25 yard pool length, for a total of 500 yards OR 10 minutes. If you can't swim the 500 yards in 10 minutes, a volunteer will ask you to exit the pool and continue on to the bike portion of the race. There will be 2 swimmers per lane, each swimmer will stay on their own side of the lane. Please try to keep track of your own laps, but there will be race officials that will let you know when you have completed the distance if you forget. The pool is heated to a comfortable 80 degrees.
The cycling course travels on bike paths before joining Old Davis road and making a loop in Solano County. PLEASE use care when on the campus bike paths. These paths are narrow, and covered in dirt and gravel in some places. Course marshals will help direct the way. Be aware of signs that indicate the two places where the bike course crosses dirt. Volunteers and police will be present at intersections help control traffic and give direction. However, the roads are still open to auto traffic, so please look before you cross an intersection!
The run course leaves the pool, passes under LaRue on a campus bike path, continues through campus, and onto the arboretum. There will be a water stop on the run course at miles 1 and 3. The run course will be marked with chalk arrows, and volunteers will be present at all turns.
If you're planning on doing another triathlon, you may want to pick up a race belt (or maybe you can win one as a raffle prize!). This is a simple belt you put your number on, so you can pull it on during the run. Otherwise, you either need to put it on a shirt that you put on after the swim, or carry it with you on the run. If you forget your bib number, the timing crew will still be able to determine your time based on your body marking - but try not to rely on this!
At the end of the race, enjoy food, refreshments, and raffle prizes. Medals will be presented to the top 3 finishers in each age category. Since this race is also the championship race for the Northern California Triathlon Conference, there will be awards for collegiate teams as well.
This race is about fun!! The UC Davis Sprint Triathlon is a fundraiser for the UC Davis triathlon team. Any proceeds from the race will go towards paying for lifeguard and coaching costs during the season for the UC Davis Triathlon Team. All of the race and course officials are helping on a volunteer basis, so thank them for their help. And, Thank You for helping US out!
(c) 2007 by the UC Davis Triathlon Team
Web site developed and maintained by Matt Roper
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