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Important Race Information Links
Athlete Packet Pickup
Bike Racking
Carbo Dinners & Champions Brunch
Free Race Day Shuttle
Gear Bags & Special Needs Bags
Awards Ceremonies
Water Conditions & Wetsuits
Calling All Volunteers
Race Day Notes
Endorphin Report
The "Rack Jacket"
Respect The Environment & Thank Volunteers
Xterra Special Offer
FAQ's & Resources
Important 2011 ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival Participant Information

  Greetings!

   


The 2011 Assisted Living Well ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival is only 11 days away, and we welcome your participation in one of 4 different distances. The ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Triathlon provides the full experience at Blackwater; we are honored that this event was named a "BEST 140.6" race by Triathlete magazine, and has been chosen as the 2011 USAT Mid Atlantic Ultra Distance Championship event.  

 

September typically boasts ideal temperatures and beautiful weather, and we anticipate a great race day. Whether you are competing in the Ultra, Skipjack 75.2, AquaVelo or Bugeye Sprint, we wish you a challenging and successful race that will create memories to last a lifetime! 

 

Please read the important information in this email, and remember to download the 2011 Assisted Living Well ChesapeakeMan Athlete's Guide and other resources located on the ChesapeakeMan page of our website to address questions or concerns you may have. Remember that there will be an opportunity to ask questions at the Pre-Race Course Talk on Friday, September 23rd at the Hyatt Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort Spa & Marina. 

 

If you need to speak to TriColumbia Staff on race day, please go to the TriColumbia Information Tent. 

 

We look forward to seeing you September 22 - 25, 2011! 

 

Celebrate Life,

Robert Vigorito, Level 2 Race Director, and The TriColumbia Team  

 

ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival Logo    

 




Important Race Information            

 Be sure to take a look at all the important information about the 2011 ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival on our  website.  Please note that changes in race distance or division are no longer being accepted, and changes of this type WILL NOT BE ALLOWED at packet pickup or on race morning. If you compete in a different category of race than the one for which you are registered, you will receive a DNF and we can not guarantee a medal or shirt.
And don't forget to attend the Pre-Race Course Talk given by Race Director, Robert Vigorito, which provides important information about the race, and include a question and answer segment. Please note that the Bugeye course talk will take place separately from other event distances.

When:  Friday, September 23, 2011, 4:30 pm - Bugeye Sprint Athletes ONLY
             Friday, September 23, 2011 6:00 pm - Ultra, AquaVelo & Skipjack Athletes ONLY
Where: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina


Athlete Check-In, Packet Pickup & Expo             
While you are picking up your packet, be sure to visit the TriColumbia ChesapeakeMan Vendor Expo.

When:
Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm 
            Friday, September 23, 2011 from 12:00 noon - 8:00 pm
Where: Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort, Spa & Marina

Please note that there is NO RACE DAY CHECK-IN/PACKET PICKUP. All registered entrants, including all relay team members, MUST attend packet pickup on Thursday or Friday in person. Per USAT rules, each participant MUST pick up his/her own packet. If you do not check in during the designated check-in times in person, you will not be able to participate in the event.

All participants, must bring the following to packet pickup:
  • A photo ID
  • USAT membership card to show proof of annual membership unless you purchased one-day USAT event insurance at the time you registered for the event. Note that USAT youth annual memberships are available for only $5.00 per year via USAT website at http://www.usatriathlon.org/member-services 
Special Notice Regarding USAT membership cards for check-in

Athletes MUST bring proof of annual USAT membership or purchase one-day USAT event insurance. Failure to do so will disallow participation in the race. (Athletes may have purchased one-day event insurance at the time of registration. Staff will have a list of those one-day USAT participants at check-in.) Athletes who forget their USAT membership card will have the following options:
  • Go to your home or hotel and retrieve your card.
  • Print a temporary membership card from the USAT website, www.usatriathlon.org 
  • Show a current membership card on a smart phone or PDA.
  • Purchase one-day event insurance for $10.00 at the USAT desk at check-in. Payable by cash or check ONLY.
  • Renew your annual membership at the USAT desk at check-in.
  • Renew your annual membership online and bring proof of renewal.

Race staff and/or volunteers cannot search for USAT membership information or allow use of staff computers by athletes to retrieve information.

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


Camping permits are to be picked up during packet pick up.
Bike Racking
Mandatory Pre-Event Bike Racking & Bike and Helmet Safety Check

All bikes must be racked on Friday ONLY at the Transition Area (T-1) in Great Marsh Park between the hours of 2:00 pm - 8:30 pm. 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!

Princeton logo 200x89 Mandatory bike & helmet inspections will be done as you rack your bike courtesy of the ChesapeakeMan Official Bike Support Shop, Princeton Sports.  You must have your CPSC certified helmet with you. You may also visit Princeton Sports at their shops located at 10730 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 or 6239 Falls Road, Baltimore, MD 21209 prior to race weekend to have your bike and helmet inspected.

Please be advised that per USAT rules, helmets MUST have a CPSC sticker or they cannot be used, and you must have your race number affixed to your bike in order to rack.

For a great way to protect your bike, check out the  RackJacket below.

Carbo Dinners & Champions Brunch              

Pre-Race Carb Dinner:
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Chesapeake Ballroom
When: Thursday, September 22, 2011 from 5 - 8 PM
Free to Ultra Distance and Aqua Velo athletes wearing wristband obtained at packet pick up. Additional tickets may be purchased at packet pickup for $30 each.

Pre-Race Carb Buffet Offered by The Hyatt:
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Water's Edge Grill
When: Friday, September 23, 2011 from 5:30 - 10 PM
The cost is $21.00 per adult, $10.50 per child (4-12) and free for children 3 and under with each paid adult.  Reservations are recommended by calling 410-901-6400. This dinner is NOT included with your entry.

Post-Race Champions Brunch:
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Chesapeake Ballroom
When: Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 9 AM
Free to Ultra Distance and Aqua Velo athletes wearing wristband obtained at packet pick up. Additional tickets may be purchased at packet pickup for $25 each. The Brunch will feature an Awards Ceremony for the ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Triathlon.
shuttle bus
Free TriColumbia Race Day Shuttle for Athletes

The Great Marsh Park entrance is closed to vehicular traffic on race day, and parking is extremely limited and restricted in the surrounding area.  After dropping off the appropriate gear and special needs bags, athletes are strongly encouraged to use the free shuttle service from Cambridge South Dorchester High School, where there is ample parking, to the race venue for the first leg, Great Marsh Park. The Shuttle will run from 4:30 am - 7:50 am for transport to the park. (Note that there is no shuttle service from Great Marsh Park back to the Cambridge South Dorchester High School. Plan to arrive EARLY as there MAY BE early morning traffic delays.

Gear Bags & Special Needs Bags:               

ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Athletes:

You will be given 5 bags labeled with your race number at registration -
1. Pre-Swim Bag - You will bring this with you to swim start on race morning. It is to be used to hold clothing or other items that you wear before the race begins and/or clothing and other personal items that you would like to have at the end of the race.  It will be transported to Cambridge South Dorchester High School and hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. The use of this bag is not required as you may opt to hand your pre swim clothing, shoes etc. to a friend or family member who accompanies you to the race and you may store your post race clothing and personal items in your car at the high school finish area. Most athletes who have friends or family with them will choose not to use this bag.
2. Bike Gear Bag - You will bring this with you to swim start on race morning and it will be handed to you when you exit the water and enter the changing tent. You will place your swim gear in this bag and it will be transported for you to Cambridge South Dorchester High School and hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. Bags will not be handed over to friends or relatives; all bags will be taken to the high school.
3. Run Gear Bag - You will drop off this bag and the two special needs bags to a CTA official stationed at the Cambridge South Dorchester High School on race morning beginning at 4:30 AM. Buses will be available to shuttle you to Great Marsh Park for the swim start. This bag will be handed to you after you dismount to be taken into the changing tent. Bike gear can be placed inside, and it will be hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. It is recommended that you affix reflective tape to your running shoes and/or the back of clothing to aid in visibility.
4. Bike Special Needs Bag - You will drop off this bag at the high school before the race as well. This bag will be available at the high school at an aid station after the first bike loop. You will place personal nutrition items such as additional food, gels, liquid items to enhance and personalize your performance. Special needs bags and contents will NOT be returned to you, so please DO NOT place anything valuable in them.
5. Run Special Needs Bag - You will drop this bag at the high school before the race as well. It should contain any personal nutrition items for the run leg. This bag will be available at the high school at an aid station. You may ask for it during any of the 3 loops. Special needs bags and contents will NOT be returned to you, so please DO NOT place anything valuable in them.


Aqua Velo Athletes:

You will be given 3 bags labeled with your race number at registration  -
1. Pre-Swim Bag - You will bring this with you to swim start on race morning. It is to be used to hold clothing or other items that you wear before the race begins and/or clothing and other personal items that you would like to have at the end of the race.  It will be transported to Cambridge South Dorchester High School and hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. The use of this bag is not required as you may opt to hand your pre swim clothing, shoes etc. to a friend or family member who accompanies you to the race and you may store your post race clothing and personal items in your car at the high school finish area. Most athletes who have friends or family with them will choose not to use this bag.
2. Bike Gear Bag- You will bring this with you to swim start on race morning and it will be handed to you when you exit the water and enter the changing tent. You will place your swim gear in this bag and it will be transported for you to Cambridge South Dorchester High School and hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. Bags will not be handed over to friends or relatives; all bags will be taken to the high school.
3. Bike Special Needs Bag - You will drop off this bag to a CTA official stationed at the Cambridge South Dorchester High School on race morning beginning at 4:30 AM. Buses will be available to shuttle you to Great Marsh Park for the swim start. This bag will be available at the high school at an aid station after the first bike loop. You will place personal nutrition items such as additional food, gels, liquid items to enhance and personalize your performance. Special needs bags and contents will NOT be returned to you, so please DO NOT place anything valuable in them.


Skipjack Athletes: 

You will be given 3 bags labeled with your race number at registration -
1. Pre-Swim Bag - You will bring this with you to swim start on race morning. It is to be used to hold clothing or other items that you wear before the race begins and/or clothing and other personal items that you would like to have at the end of the race.  It will be transported to Cambridge South Dorchester High School and hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. The use of this bag is not required as you may opt to hand your pre swim clothing, shoes etc. to a friend or family member who accompanies you to the race and you may store your post race clothing and personal items in your car at the high school finish area. Most athletes who have friends or family with them will choose not to use this bag.
2. Bike Gear Bag - You will bring this with you to swim start on race morning and it will be handed to you when you exit the water and enter the changing tent. You will place your swim gear in this bag and it will be transported for you to Cambridge South Dorchester High School and hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. Bags will not be handed over to friends or relatives; all bags will be taken to the high school.
3. Run Gear Bag - You will drop off this bag to CTA official stationed at the Cambridge South Dorchester High School on race morning beginning at 4:30 AM. Buses will be available to shuttle you to Great Marsh Park for the swim start. This bag will be handed to you after you dismount to be taken into the changing tent. Bike gear can be placed inside, and it will be hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2.

 

 

Bugeye Athletes:

You will be given 3 bags labeled with your race number at registration -
1. Pre-Swim Bag - You will bring this with you to swim start on race morning. It is to be used to hold clothing or other items that you wear before the race begins and/or clothing and other personal items that you would like to have at the end of the race.  It will be transported to Cambridge South Dorchester High School and hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. The use of this bag is not required as you may opt to hand your pre swim clothing, shoes etc. to a friend or family member who accompanies you to the race and you may store your post race clothing and personal items in your car at the high school finish area. Most athletes who have friends or family with them will choose not to use this bag.
2. Bike Gear Bag - You will bring this with you to swim start on race morning and it will be handed to you when you exit the water and enter the changing tent. You will place your swim gear in this bag and it will be transported for you to Cambridge South Dorchester High School and hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2. Bags will not be handed over to friends or relatives; all bags will be taken to the high school.
3. Run Gear Bag - You will drop off this bag to CTA official stationed at the Cambridge South Dorchester High School on race morning beginning at 4:30 AM. Buses will be available to shuttle you to Great Marsh Park for the swim start. This bag will be handed to you after you dismount to be taken into the changing tent. Bike gear can be placed inside, and it will be hung at your bike rack slot in Transition area 2.

Awards Ceremonies 

 

Bugeye Awards Ceremony
Where:  Cambridge South Dorchester High School Grounds near the finish line
When:  Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 1:00 pm (time is approximate)

AquaVelo & Skipjack Awards Ceremony
Where:  Cambridge South Dorchester High School Grounds near the finish line
When:  Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 2:30 pm (time is approximate)

ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Awards Ceremony
Where:  Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort
When: Sunday, September 25, 2011, 9 am at the Champions Brunch
Free to Ultra Distance and AquaVelo athletes wearing wristband obtained at packet pick up. Additional tickets may be purchased at packet pickup for $25 each.

Water Conditions & Wetsuit Usage  

 

Over the past 10 years, during the fall, the Choptank River has varied in temperature from a low of 72 degrees F to a high of 78 degrees F.  Under these circumstances, the use of a wetsuit would be permitted. The USAT wetsuit rules state that each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wetsuit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

 

Click HERE for current Choptank River water temperature.
Click HERE for a complete list of USAT rules.

Calling All Volunteers 

 

The production of this event requires many volunteers.  If your family and friends are planning to be there, why not have them volunteer to help out for a portion of the day? Go to http://www.tricolumbia.org/volunteer.php  and let us know of your interest.

Race Day Notes 

Xterra logoThe male and female Ultra Distance top swim finishers will receive a coupon for a free Xterra Wetsuit.  See a special offer from Xterra below.

Be sure to enjoy the post race athlete food in the gymnasium at the Cambridge South Dorchester High School, as well as a complementary post race massage.  Your athlete wristband will provide you access.

Assisted Living Well logo A HUGE thank you to our naming sponsor and to ALL our 2011 Assisted Living Well ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Sponsors, including Gatorade, Hammer Nutrition, TYR, Subaru, Princeton Sports, Xterra Wetsuits, Endurafit, Fitness Concepts, WaWa,  RackJacket, ASI Photo, and MPT.  Thanks as well to our community supporters and volunteers, and all our charity team, Tri Club and community partners who help make the event great!


TriColumbia's Gifts To ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival Athletes  

 

Endorphin Report logoIn order to allow athletes to assess their performance and build upon their race-day goals and objectives, TriColumbia is pleased to partner with Endorphin Report to provide a SPECIAL BONUS to all ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival finishers.

 

Within a week of your race, you will be emailed a link to your personalized "Endorphin Report."  This report will allow you to breakdown your race like a pro. It aggregates and analyzes your results along with the race results from the rest of the field in order to provide data, stats and charts that are otherwise unavailable. Your Endorphin Report will provide you with valuable insight into your race performance bringing your strengths and weaknesses into a new light and helping you tailor your next training sessions to address areas of improvement.

 


ChesapeakeMan in TrainingAlso, watch your inbox (email address used to register for ChesapeakeMan) for an invitation to claim your "ChesapeakeMan in Training" virtual badge, complements of TriColumbia.  Badges can be proudly displayed on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and personal blogs to let everyone know of your commitment to race.  Finishers will also be offered a ChesapeakeMan Finisher badge after completion of their race.

 

Rackjacket
  RackjacketTriColumbia Protects The Environment

As many of you know, we have banned the use of plastic bags of any kind on bikes stored overnight in the transition areas. The bags fall off, blow off, or are simply left behind. If you attempt to use plastic bags, staff will remove them.
 
TriColumbia and Endurafit are pleased to announce a brand new product, The Rack Jacket, an alternative to using trash bags to cover your bike. We fully embrace the "leave no trace behind" concept, and strive to eliminate litter produced at our events. You may also use an old swim cap to over your bike seat if you like.
The Rack Jacket is the essential item for those of you who wish to protect your bike from the elements.

Key Benefits of the Rack Jacket are:
  • Designed specifically for triathlon bike racks
  • Made of highly water resistant ripstop nylon
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Reusable
  • Cord locks and Velcro straps keep it securely fastened in windy conditions
  • Reasonably priced
  • Available in a variety of colors
  • Team orders are welcome  
  Click here to order

Please Respect The Area And Thank Our Volunteers   

PLEASE respect both the environment and the areas that this event travels through.  Do not drop trash anywhere other than aid stations and use the portable toilets, not the neighborhoods. The County and Columbia Triathlon Association take pride in the designation of Great Marsh Park as a, "leave no trace" park. Help us to maintain this special facility, and to keep the South Cambridge Dorchester High School grounds clean. We encourage you to use trash and recycling receptacles and to take your trash with you when you leave the park in order to protect the environment.

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

Thank you for your cooperation.

Xterra 2011 offer

Our Sponsors

Assisted Living Well   Rackjacket   Wawa   ASI Photo 

EnduraFit   Fitness-Concepts   Gatorade   Hammer Nutrition 

Maryland Public Television   Princeton Sports   Subaru   Tyr 

XTerra Wetsuits   

event_schedule2012 Event Schedule
 
April 29, 2012 - Iron Girl Columbia 1/2 Marathon & Coed 5K - Registration is open

May 20, 2012 - Columbia Triathlon
Registration is open

June 3, 2012 - Blackwater Duathlon - USAT National Long Course Duathlon Championship - Registration opens on 10/17/11

 

June 10, 2012 - Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon & AquaVelo  - Registration is open.
**The EagleMan 2012 Aqua Velo has been named by the USAT Mid Atlantic Regional Committee as the 2012 Regional Championship.

June 24, 2012 - Celebrating Heroes Triathlon  Registration opens on 11/14/11

July 22, 2012 - TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon   Registration opens on 1/9/12 

August 19, 2012 - Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon -
Registration opens on 11/7/11

September 22, 2012  -Make-a-Wish Triathlon

September 29, 2012 - ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival featuring the Ultra Distance Triathlon, Skipjack 75.2 Triathlon, AquaVelo, and The Bugeye Sprint - Registration opens on 1/2/12

** The ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Triathlon has been designated as the 2012 USAT Mid Atlantic Championship and was named by Triathlete Magazine as a "Best 140.6"


 
FIND US ON THE WEB
Columbia Triathlon Association is now on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Please join us on these site for daily updates, special offers, and race reports.

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Frequently Asked Questions & ResourcesFAQ's Question Mark
If you're not sure about some of the rules & regulations for CTA's races or if you're just looking for answers to commonly asked questions, download the FAQ   

Nutrition is a key component to proper training and racing. TriColumbia sponsor, Hammer Nutrition, has an extensive resource page 

If you still have questions about specific races, feel free to email us