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Columbia Triathlon Association
2010 Celebration Sprint Triathlon
RACE DAY IS ALMOST HERE!
THIS EMAIL CONTAINS IMPORTANT RACE INFORMATION

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Greetings!

Hail to the Red, White and Blue!

The 2010 Inaugural Celebration Sprint Triathlon is only 4 days away. CTA is excited to welcome you to this brand new race! We are making final preparations and  anticipate a great race with almost 2000 athletes.

Weather forecasts include extreme heat and humidity that will challenge even the most seasoned and skilled triathletes. Please read all the important information contained in this correspondence so that you can have a safe and successful race.

We look forward to seeing you on June 26-27th.

Celebrate LIFE... Yours, and Be Greater

Robert Vigorito
USAT Level 2, Event Director and President
Columbia Triathlon Association


 

SAFETY INFORMATION:

LATEST SWIM, WATER TEMPERATURE & WETSUIT INFORMATION:


As of Wednesday,  June 23rd at 6:30 am, the water in Centennial Lake was 84 degrees F. Extreme heat is expected on race day with air temperatures in the 90's and high humidity dominating the weather. Heat advisories are expected. Therefore, race management in consultation with the medical team, has determined that WETSUITS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES as their use would constitute a clear medical and safety danger (hyperthermia). Those wearing wetsuits will NOT be allowed to start.


However, athletes may use a USAT approved skinsuit or speedsuit. For a complete list of USAT approved skinsuits and speedsuits for use in any water temperature go to http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/about-events/rules/approved-skinsuits-speedsuits

OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP YOU SAFE WHILE PROVIDING A GREAT RACE EXPERIENCE.

Please stay tuned to our website for water temperature updates.

THE SWIM COURSE:


The fresh water, Centennial Lake swim course is 0.62 miles (1100 yards) and is a rectangular route heading due east and making 2 - 90' turns and heading due west for the finish. The course will be marked by yellow buoys guiding you on the straight legs and orange buoys at the turns. Balloons and small orange buoys will mark a final pathway to the swim finish.

There will by kayaks and Howard County Fire and Rescue boats in the water to assist if needed.

MORE HEAT RELATED HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION:

Hydration is a key element in maintaining your health and ensuring a successful race experience. Expected extreme heat will make it difficult for even the most seasoned and skilled triathletes. We STRONGLY ADVISE that all athletes begin to hydrate with fluids (not just water) NOW through the entire race day and afterward.

Remember to bring water bottles on the bike route. Additional fluids will also be available along the bike route as well as on the run and from the swim finish into transition. Ice will be available on the run course.

If you don't feel well, please seek out assistance in the MEDICAL TENT LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT BEHIND THE SWIM START.

CTA would like to thank the medical staff of the Howard County General Hospital and the Howard County Fire & Rescue Team for their support of this event.
PLEASE AVOID THE CONGESTION ON RACE DAY BY TAKING THE FREE CTA SHUTTLE

CTA will be providing three free shuttle buses to take athletes, family, friends and volunteers to and from the host Sheraton Hotel to Centennial Park beginning at 4:30 am on Sunday and running every 15 - 20 minutes up until 6:30 am. This shuttle will continue to run from the hotel to the park and back to the hotel continuously until 2pm every 20 minutes.  The last bus will depart Centennial Park at 2 pm.  The shuttle will allow for easy transportation throughout the day without the need to drive into the busy park. The race staff and Howard County Police strongly encourage you to take the shuttle to facilitate entrance to the park Sunday morning and to help avoid undue traffic and race delays.

PARKING:

If you do drive to the park, all Parking is in the immediate grass area of Centennial Park adjacent to MD RT 108 across from the Transition Area. If you decide to drive rather than use the shuttle, plan on arriving early on Sunday morning to find suitable parking. If you have someone driving you, they MAY NOT stop in the driving lanes to drop you off.
There is an overflow lot available on Centennial Lane, the north entrance to the park. Tall light towers easily mark this lot. From here you can walk along the running path beside the lake to the transition area. It is about a 10-minute walk. Do not park in driveways, on private property or on church parking lots adjacent to the park.
The Park entrance from MD RT 108 will close at 6:58 am. Be smart and plan on morning traffic delays. Prepare to arrive earlier than you may have initially planned. There are thousands of athletes and their fans attending this event.  BE THERE EARLY!!  If you miss your swim wave start, the clock is ticking!

 
CELEBRATION HEALTH AND FITNESS EXPO AND RACE PACKET PICK UP

WHEN: June 25, 2 pm - 7 pm and Saturday, June 26, 10:00 am - 7 pm
PLEASE NOTE: There is NO Sunday Packet Pick-up. All pre-registered entrants are expected to attend packet pick up Friday or Saturday in person. This is due to insurance liability requirements defined by the race insurance provider
 
WHERE: at the host Hotel, The Sheraton Columbia Town Center in the Lobby and the Lake View Ballrooms.

WHAT TO BRING
: All participants MUST show a photo ID, and all USAT annual members must show their membership card. No Exceptions. No proof of ID then No packets, No race.

A unique wristband will be affixed at this time, which must remain on through the end of the race.

RELAY TEAMS PACKET PICK UP:

All members of each and every team must pick up their packets either Friday or Saturday in person. The same requirements stated above pertain to relay team members.


SPECIAL NOTICE TO ATHLETES IN REGARD TO USAT CARDS FOR REGISTRATION

Athletes MUST bring proof of annual membership or purchase a one-day permit. Athletes who do not bring/show proof of membership must purchase a one-day license OR will not be allowed to race. Athletes who forget their membership cards will have four options below:

- Go" back" and get your card.

- Print off a temporary membership card from the USAT web site, www.usatriathlon.org. Showing it on your iPhone or BlackBerry is acceptable also. Race staff members cannot pull up your USAT information or allow you use of computers.  Do not ask them to do so.

- Purchase a $10.00 one-day license, payable only by cash or check; no credit card purchase is permitted.

- Renew your annual membership online and bring proof of renewal.

Please remember to pack your USAT membership card. Don't leave home without it.

Please note that all CTA events have the one day option as a part of the race entry fee structure should you select that form of payment.
IMPORTANT RACE INFORMATION:

Please open the below links as they will answer the majority of your race related questions.

GENERAL RACE INFORMATION:
http://www.tricolumbia.org/Sprint/race_info.php

FAQ'S:

http://www.tricolumbia.org/FAQ.pdf

COURSE MAPS:

We are going GREEN. CTA will not have printed course maps at packet pickup. Click on the link below to find the course maps and you may print them yourself.
http://www.tricolumbia.org/Sprint/maps.php

SWIM WAVES:
http://www.tricolumbia.org/Sprint/Wave%20Starts.pdf

ASI is the official photographer of all CTA events.  Event Photos will be available after the race. You may find this link on the right hand sidebar of the Celebration Triathlon webpage after the event.

PRE-EVENT COURSE TALK:
The Sheraton Columbia Host Hotel, Columbia Town Center, Friday June 25, at 5:30pm and Saturday, June 26 at 1pm and 5pm. See the marquee as you enter the hotel. This talk will include key pointers about the race and include a question/answer session. You should plan to be there for one of these!

POST RACE COMPLEMENTARY MASSAGE:
Maryland Professional Sports and Massage will be administering free post-race massages. Tent will be located on the lake side of the finish line.

POST RACE CELEBRATION:
Please join your fellow competitors in the food court tent on top of the hill above the finish line and enjoy fresh Quinoa Salad handmade by David's Natural Market.

MANDATORY PRE-EVENT BIKE RACKING: 

Saturday, June 26, 11 am to 8 pm ONLY at Centennial Park

All bikes must be racked. To enter transition for racking you must be wearing the security wristband received at packet pick up. Please note that the transition area is RESTRICTED TO ATHLETES ONLY.  Any accompanying friend, spouse, parent or child WILL NOT BE ALLOWED into the transition area.  Please make appropriate arrangements to have children supervised while you are racking your bike. Once racked, your bike cannot be removed. Full security is provided overnight. NO exceptions!

Please remember that there are mandatory pre-event bike safety checks.

PLEASE RESPECT THE AREA:

PLEASE respect both the environment and the areas that this event travels through.  Do not drop trash anywhere other than aid stations. Please use the portable toilets, not the neighborhoods.

Each year trash is left behind by athletes and their fans. There will be BOTH Recycle Containers and Trash Containers in and around the Transition area. We ask you to use them for such discards.

The County and Columbia Triathlon Association take pride in the designation of Centennial Park as a trash free, "leave no trace" park. Help us to maintain this special facility. We encourage you to take your trash with you when you leave the park in order to protect the environment. Thank you for your cooperation.

RESPECT AND THANK OUR VOLUNTEERS:

Remember, use of profanity or disrespect of any staff, volunteers or other officials there to assist you in this event can be reason for a USAT official to disqualify you - this includes packet pick up and the bike racking stages.

Columbia Triathlon Association would like to Thank and Welcome our sponsors for the Celebration Triathlon:

Gatorade, Coach Troy Jacobson and Spinervals, TYR, Xterra Wetsuits, Hammer Nutrition, David's Natural Market, Princeton Sports, Sheraton Columbia Town Center Hotel

Please show your appreciation for their support of our events by supporting them.


Thanks as well to Howard County Parks and Recreation, Howard County General Hospital, Howard County Police and Fire and Rescue

Team CTA wishes all of our Celebration Triathlon friends a great day, a safe race and glorious finish.
See you there!