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Important 2013 Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon Race Information
Greetings!
The 2nd Annual Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon Race Day is just over two weeks away on Sunday, September 8, 2013. We can't wait to welcome you to the start line at beautiful Rocky Gap State Park to complete your Iron Girl journey! For those who have completed the 2013 Athleta Iron Girl Half Marathon and the 2013 Athleta Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon, crossing the finish line at the Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon will mark your achievement of becoming an Iron Girl Triple Crown Finisher! We are honored to support the race beneficiary, the Cumberland YMCA, serving human needs in Allegany County and the Tri-State region through programs and services that promote lifelong personal growth and the balanced development of spirit, mind and body. Please read the important information in this email and remember to download the 2013 Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon Athlete's Guide, and other resources located on the Iron Girl Rocky Gap webpage under "Key Race Info" and "Resources" to address questions or concerns you may have.
The Cumberland YMCA is offering practice swims at Lake Habeeb on August 21, 26, 28 & Sept 4 from 5:00 - 7:30 pm, at a cost of $8 for YMCA members $10 for non-members per swim. Please contact the YMCA to sign up. In order to eliminate long lines at bike racking, we strongly urge you to have your mandatory, free bike and helmet safety check done anytime before the event, at Princeton Sports in Columbia or Baltimore, instead of waiting until Saturday at bike racking. At the same time, Princeton will be happy to show you how to change a flat tire so that you can be prepared to respond on race day should you need to. The Lake Habeeb water temperature at last year's event was 80.4' F, so we do not anticipate a wesuit swim. If you need to speak to TriColumbia Staff on race day, please go to the TriColumbia Information Desk located in the Mountain View Pavilion near the transition area. We look forward to welcoming you on race weekend, Celebrate Life! Kari Ebeling, COO, USAT Certified Level 1 Race Director & The TriColumbia Team |
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Important Race Information
Be sure to download all the important information about the 2013 Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon on the event webpage under "key race info" and "resources".
- The Athletes Guide
- Course Maps
- Swim Waves
- Travel & Lodging Information (under resources tab)
Race Photography by FinisherPix - Keep your race number visible & smile as you cross the finish line! Athlete photos will be available in the week following the event under the "results & photos" tab. Official timing results will be available post race on our website under the "results & photos" tab. And don't forget to attend the Pre-Race Course Talk, which provides important information about the race, and includes a question and answer segment on Saturday, August 7th at 12:00 pm and 5:00 pm at the race venue, Rocky Gap State Park under the Mountain View Pavilion. |
Athlete Check-In & Packet Pickup
When: Saturday, August 7, 2013 from 10:00am - 7:00 pm Where: Cumberland YMCA Riverside Recreation Center 601 Kelly Road Cumberland, MD 21502
Per USAT rules, each participant MUST pick up her/his 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, including youth (17 and under) 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.
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, http://www.usatriathlon.org/
- Show a current membership card on a smart phone or PDA.
- Purchase one-day event insurance for $12.00 (Adult) or $10.00 (Youth) 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!
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Mandatory, Free Pre Event Bike & Helmet Safety Inspections, and Learn How To Change A Flat
AVOID THE CROWD AND GET YOUR BIKE CHECK DONE EARLY. Checks can be done any time from now until September 7th at the Official Race Bike Support Shop, Princeton Sports, (410) 995-1894, 10730 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 or or 6239 Falls Rd., Baltimore, MD 21209. No appointment is necessary. Princeton will be checking all major bike components to help ensure a safe bike leg. You must bring your CPSC-certified helmet and your race day bike. The age of your helmet does not matter as long as it is ANSI or CPSC approved ,and in good condition.
Also, be sure to learn how to change a flat tire. Princeton Sports will show you how. Just ask! Be responsible for your own destiny. You've trained hard - Don't let a flat tire ruin your race!
You may also have your bike inspected at the race site prior to racking your bike in the Centennial Lake transition area beginning at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 7th, after you complete packet pickup. However, we strongly advise against waiting until the day before the race, as the lines may be long, the weather could be inclement, your bike could need parts unavailable at the park, or repairs could take longer than just a few minutes.
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Pre-Event Bike Racking
All bikes can be racked on Saturday, September 7th from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm at the Transition Area Rocky Gap State Park. 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 Sports, The Official Bike Shop of TriColumbia will be on hand Saturday during bike racking and on Sunday morning before the race begins to assist with any last minute minor adjustments. We recommend that you have your bike safety check well before race weekend to give you enough time to address any problems in advance of the event.
For a great way to protect your bike, check out the RackJacket below.
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Race Day Notes
Refreshments
After crossing the Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon finish line, you will be presented with a beautiful finisher's medal, and are invited to proceed to the Celebration Village to enjoy refreshments located in the Mountain View Pavilion. Please ask family and fans to respect that food in the Food Tent is for athletes only.
Awards The Awards will be available for pickup as soon as race results have been cleared with the lead USAT Official at approximately 11:00 am at the awards tent located near the Mountain View Pavilion. Once results are finalized award winners will be announced, and may stop by the awards tent to retrieve their awards. Please note that unofficial results posted prior to that are for time purposes only, and will not reflect Award Results. Those entered in the Athena division may be required to weigh in to verify their eligibility at packet pick up and at the event. There may be challenges by other athletes at the time awards are distributed.
A HUGE thank you to ALL our 2013 Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon Sponsors, including Gatorade, Hammer Nutrition, Aqua Sphere, Princeton Sports, EnduraFit, Rack Jacket, TriSpies, Spin 90 Cyling, TriFitness Training, FinisherPix Photo, Her Mind Magazine, Health Matters and MPT.
Thanks as well to our community supporters and volunteers including the Flintstone Fire Company, Cumberland Rescue, Allegany County Sheriff's Dept, Rocky Gap State Park, MD State Highway Dept., the Cumberland YMCA, and all our charity team, Tri Club and community partners who help make the event great!
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Tell Us Your Inspirational Story
Often participants become involved in endurance events as a way to overcome an obstacle, cope with a loss, provide a role model, forward a cause, or as a way to change their lives for the better. Why did you become involved? Where do you find your strength to compete? Do you race for a cause? How has your participation in endurance events changed your life? If you would like to share your story and inspire others, please send us an email with your inspirational story.
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TriColumbia Protects The Environment
TriColumbia and EnduraFit are pleased to present a revolutionary 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 cover 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
EnduraFit is also excited to announce two new Rack Jacket products that are designed for use on your bike while on your car rack. These products are able to withstand any highway speeds over long or short distances, and are available for pre-order immediately. Both of these products are designed to keep moisture and road grime off of your bikes. Check them out at www.therackjacket.com
Click HERE to order
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Announcing TriSpies Mobile App
TriColumbia is excited to announce TriSpies as our Official Mobile Content Partner. As busy athletes, we know that many of you get news and information from your mobile devices. We've partnered with TriSpies to create the TriColumbia mobile app providing event news, course information including maps and videos, race schedules and information, live race day updates, photos, and results. Through the app you can share content with Friends on Facebook and Twitter, and opt-in to get timely alerts and notifications. Download the app today from the iTunes App Store.
Later this year, TriSpies will be launching their first mobile training app, providing virtual video training on actual race courses. Imagine training on the EagleMan flats or the Columbia Tri hills on cold, wet, wintery days from the comfort of your home or local gym. TriSpies course videos embedded with GPS data will allow you to do just that! |
Gatorade
Train with what's on course!
Gatorade Endurance Formula is a specialized sports drink designed to sustain hydration during prolonged training and racing when fluid and electrolyte losses can be significant, and will be served along the Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon course. It contains nearly twice the sodium (200mg) and more than three times the potassium (90mg) of Gatorade Thirst Quencher to help sustain hydration, maintain proper fluid balance and replace the critical electrolytes lost in sweat during these occasions.
Learn MORE
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Follow All The Excitement On Race Day With Facebok and TriColumbia TriSpies Mobile iPhone App
TriColumbia plans to be live blogging all the race excitement. Friends and family can follow the race. Mobile users can follow along using the TriSpies App or check out the TriColumbia Facebook page for updates as well.
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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, Rocky Gap State Park and TriColumbia take pride in the designation of Rocky Gap Park as a, "leave no trace" park. Help us to maintain this special facility. We encourage you to use trash 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.
And don't forget to thank the many enthusiastic volunteers stationed throughout the race course and venue. Our volunteers are comprised of many charity and community groups as well as individuals who simply enjoy helping out. We would be unable to provide events such as this one without their capable assistance! If you would like to help out with this or any of our other events, simply visit our website and let us know.
Thank you for your cooperation! |
2013 Event Schedule
April 28, 2013 - Athleta Iron Girl Columbia 1/2 Marathon & Coed 5K - benefiting Claudia Mayer Cancer Resource Center - Thanks for racing with us! Join us next year. First in the Iron Girl Triple Crown Event Series - Named a "Best Women's Event" by Competitor Mid-Atlantic Also sponsored by Her Mind Magazine, Mix 106.5 FM, Lisa Hussman Foundation, Howard Magazine, Safeway, and Polar
May 19, 2013 - Columbia Triathlon - benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Maryland Chapter - Thanks for racing with us! Join us next year. 30th year and a 5150 qualifying event
Also sponsored by Conscious Corner, Her Mind Magazine, Howard Magazine, and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School June 1, 2013 - Rocky Gap Triathlon - Sprint and International distance events offered - benefiting the Cumberland YMCA
June 9, 2013 - Ironman 70.3 EagleMan Triathlon & Aquabike **The EagleMan 2013 Aquabike has been named by the USAT Mid Atlantic Regional Committee as the 2013 Regional Championship. Also sponsored by Heat 106.3 FM, and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
June 23, 2013 - Celebrating Heroes Triathlon
Also sponsored by Her Mind Magazine, Howard Magazine and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
July 21, 2013 - TriColumbia Kidz Triathlon Also sponsored by Her Mind Magazine, Maryland Family Magazine, and Road Runner Sports
August 18, 2013 - Athleta Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon Second event in the Iron Girl Triple Crown Event Series - Named a "Best Women's Event" by Competitor Mid-Atlantic
Also sponsored by Her Mind Magazine, Howard Magazine, Polar, and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
September 8, 2013 - Iron Girl Rocky Gap Triathlon Third event in the Iron Girl Triple Crown Event Series Also sponsored by Her Mind Magazine
September 21, 2013 - ChesapeakeMan Endurance Festival benefiting Make-A-Wish Foundation� of the Mid-Atlantic featuring the Ultra Distance Triathlon, Skipjack 75.2 Triathlon, Aquabike & Bugeye Classic (intermediate distance) Newly added events for 2013 are the SwimFest, Moonlight Marathon and ChesapeakeMan 10 miler.
** The ChesapeakeMan Ultra Distance Triathlon has been designated as the 2013 USAT Mid Atlantic Championship and was named by Triathlete Magazine as a "Best 140.6" - Registration is OPEN
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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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