Race Day Is Near!
Here is your 2019 Athlete Guide for Caseville Triathlon/Duathlon
Welcome to the 8th annual TriToFinish Triathlon/Duathlon in Caseville - the premier multisport event in Michigan's thumb area! This year we honor the memory of local athlete Trever Engler - a true ambassador to multisport.
Weather is looking great! We hope you all are as excited about this year's event as we are! Here are some things to know to help make your event exceptional:
Caseville Tri is usually HOT. Weather looks beautiful, but we know from experience that it will most likely be very warm. Be prepared by hydrating and having enough nutrition and supplement for your race.
The water at Caseville Beach is trasditionally shallow. This year, the water levels are higher so we may not have to walk swimmer out as far. This will be a race day decision. We will walk waves out to a depth more suitable for swimming before we send you off. The distance from that spot to transition is included in your swim. Just don't want anyone to be surprised or confused.
The bike course shoulders are wide and the course is flat. But it is along the water and often breezy. We have the shoulders swept, but wind can push light gravel and debris back onto the shoulder. Bring a spare tube or tire! Bike support will be on the course but will NOT be "on call" for any participant. Bike support will help cyclists in need as they come upon them.
Both the bike and run courses are open to traffic. Treat the roads and drivers with respect. Cyclists ride WITH traffic. Runner run AGAINST traffic. When running, please stay on the left side of the road! Volunteers and law enforcement will do their best to help ensure your safety out there.
Thank your volunteers! It is a hot, long day for them and we couldn't be racing without them. Not all of them are athletes and some may be hesitant to be assertive. The best volunteers are other athletes! If you haven't ever, please try to volunteer at an event sometime. Think of it as ambassadorship to the sport.
Porta potties will be located near transition and near the run course aid stations. There are at least a couple of roadside parks along the bike course if you find yourself needing to make a "necessary pitstop".
Overview
Sunday July 14, 2019
Caseville County Park, 6400 Main St, Caseville, MI 48725
Start Times
Half-IM Men Start: 8:00am
Half-IM Women Start: 8:03am
Olympic Men Start: 8:06am
Olympic Women Start: 8:09am
Sprint Men Start: 8:11am
Sprint Women Start: 8:14am
Duathlon Mass Start: 8:20am
*Olympic Start of 8am is tentative as the Olympic swim will not begin until myTeam Triumph has cleared the water OR until the Race Director has determined it is safe to proceed. All other events will then begin in order listed at Race Director’s discretion.
Transition
Opens at 6:00am and closes promptly at 7:45am
You will be assigned a transition rack. 6 bikes to a rack (Half IM - 4 bikes to a rack)
Pick up your packet to determine your assigned number and transition rack
Athlete Meeting
All athletes should plan to be near the swim arch at 7:45am for a race overview. Remember: Transition closes at 7:45, so please try to get your gear set in time to be down by the water for this meeting. Shortly after, we will play our Country's National Anthem and then begin walking the Half Distance swimmers to their start spot in the water.
Packet Pickup and Late Registration
Saturday, July 13th, 2019 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Thumb Brewery
Sunday, July 14th, 2019 from 6:30 AM to 7:45 AM at Caseville County Park
All participants will receive a goody bag courtesy of Hammer Nutrition and an event shirt. Those who registered on or before Friday, July 5th at noon are guaranteed the shirt in the size they ordered. We made lots of extras! So if you registered after Friday, please arrive early to packet pickup for the best opportunity at receiving a shirt in your size. If we don’t have one, you may select a TriToFinish shirt from the merchandise area. Those who purchased Boco Technical Runner Hats will pick their hats up during packet pickup. Additional hats will be for sale for $20 each and we will sell remaining event t-shirts ($10) and half distance 1/4 zips ($20) after packet pickup closes. Half Distance athletes will have a $10 credit in form of a card that will be good toward additional merchandise (though their 1/4 zip shirts ARE included with registration) to purchase event t-shirts or to help with the purchase of a Boco Cap.
You must bring a valid ID and will only be allowed to pick up your own packet.
As this is a sanctioned USAT event, ALL participants MUST have a valid USAT Membership card and MUST present it at registration (or packet pickup if number wasn’t entered during online registration). Annual and One Day USAT Memberships are available for purchase on-site. As of January 1st, 2016, annual membership is $50 for adults and $10 for youth. A one-day membership is $15 for adults – there is no one-day membership available for youth. More information regarding USAT Membership can be found HERE. Feel free to print, fill out, and sign this linked application/waiver form for USAT Membership and have with you at packet pickup/late registration to expedite the process!
Directions to Caseville County Park and Parking Info
Caseville County Park is located at 6400 Main St, Caseville, MI 48725. For those of you outside the thumb, make your way to Bay City and hop on M-25 East. Follow it around the west side of the thumb until you get to Caseville. The park will be on the left If you're coming from the South, you could alternatively take M-24 North until it meets up with M-25. The entrance to the beach park where transition is located is just north of the campground entrance. Please note (see linked transition map below) that there is significant parking past the transition area inside the park - but it is sandy. Arrive early for a paved parking spot!
Body Marking, Bib Numbers, and Chips
Body Marking
After receiving your packet please proceed to the body marking flag. A volunteer will write your bib number on your upper arms, your age on your right calf, and your event on your left calf.
Bib Numbers
You will receive a bib number at packet pickup. The bib number must be worn during the bike and the run.
Timing Chips
A timing chip will be issued to individual athletes and relay teams. The chip is attached to an "ankle strap". Please be sure to keep the ankle strap outside of your wet suit so that the timing mats can accurately read it when entering transition.
Swim Caps
Athletes will be assigned colored swim caps based on event and gender. You MUST wear the correct color swim cap for your event and gender! The only exception will be for relay participants. All relay swimmers - regardless of male or female - will begin in the male wave, wearing the male colored swim cap for that event.
Bike and Helmet Decals
All athletes will receive 2 decals that are color coordinated with the race bib and course turnaround signs by event. The smaller is to be affixed to the front of the athlete’s helmet and the larger to be placed on the bike frame so that course marshals can see it. This is to help identify athletes by event and to assist the transition captain in matching the bicycle to the correct owner post race.
Swim Cap Color Assignments
To Be Determined prior to packet pickup
Additional Info For Relay Teams!
Relay Teams must use the same bibs and decals required for each event (run and swim). RELAY SWIM PARTICIPANTS WILL BEGIN WITH THE MEN’S WAVE FOR EACH EVENT REGARDLESS OF GENDER OF THE SWIMMER! The timing chip must be passed from relay athlete to relay athlete IN TRANSITION. Please check with the Transition Captain and let him know you are a relay teammate and he'll get you set up. Can't miss the guy. Transition Tim is the big bellowing fella running the show in there!
Course Info
Please note: While we do our best to staff the run and bike courses with law enforcement, emergency personnel, team members and volunteers, both course are open to public traffic. When cycling, please obey the rules of the road for cyclists. Whether cycling or running, pay attention when crossing traffic or intersections.
Half-Distance Seventy.Three Triathlon
Distance: 1.2mi Swim, 56mi Bike, 13.1mi Run
SWIM
NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW THE MAPS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE SWIM COURSE HAS 2 LAPS THIS YEAR
The swim course will take place in the crystal clear waters of Lake Huron. After starting from chest-depth off shore, athletes will complete 2 rectangular laps counter-clockwise around 4 Orange Buoys before exiting the water and entering transition.
BIKE
NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW THE MAPS AND UNDERSTAND THE TURNAROUND AREA FOR THE SECOND BIKE LAP
The bike course is a 2-loop out and back on newly paved roads along the lake shore. After exiting transition area, you will turn left on M-25 and follow the road to the turn around after 14 miles. You will return back to near the park entrance before turning around for your second lap. An aid station will be available on M-25 just after the park entrance for Half Distance athletes on the way out for both bike laps. Obey the rules of the road and respect the other riders.
RUN
NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW THE MAPS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE RUN COURSE HAS 2 LAPS THIS YEAR
Runners will follow a course out and around the park before crossing M-25 onto Sand Rd. Half-Distance runners will stay to the right when the road splits to Conkey Rd and take another right on Griggs Rd past the Caseville Golf Course and straight on to the turnaround. Half-Distance Runners will head back toward the park before turning around near the Dairy Queen at M-25 to complete a second lap. RUN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!
Cutoffs:
Swim: 9:20am
Bike: 2:00pm
Run: 4:30pm
Olympic Triathlon
Distance: 1.5km Swim, 40km Bike, 10km Run
SWIM
NOTE: PLEASE REVIEW THE MAPS AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE SWIM COURSE HAS 2 LAPS THIS YEAR
The swim course will take place in the crystal clear waters of Lake Huron. After starting from chest-depth off shore, athletes will complete 2 rectangular laps counter-clockwise around 2 Green and 2 Orange Buoys before exiting the water and entering transition.
BIKE
The bike course is an out and back on newly paved roads along the lake shore. After exiting transition area, you will turn left on M-25 and follow the road to the turn around after 20 kilometers. Obey the rules of the road and respect the other riders.
RUN
Runners will follow a course out and around the park before crossing M-25 onto Sand Rd. Olympic runners will stay to the right when the road splits to Conkey Rd and take another right on Griggs Rd past the Caseville Golf Course where you will find your turnaround. RUN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!
Sprint Triathlon
Distance: 0.75km Swim, 20km Bike, 5km Run
SWIM
The swim course will take place in the crystal clear waters of Lake Huron. After starting from chest-depth off shore, athletes will complete 1 rectangular lap counter-clockwise around 2 Green and 2 Orange Buoys before exiting the water and entering transition.
BIKE
The bike course is an out and back on newly paved roads along the lake shore. After exiting transition area, you will turn left on M-25 and follow the road to the turn around after 10 kilometers. Obey the rules of the road and respect the other riders.
RUN
Runners will follow a course out and around the park before crossing M-25 onto Sand Rd. Sprint runners will follow Sand until your turnaround after 2.5 kilometers. RUN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!
Duathlon
Distance: 5km Run, 20km Bike, 5km Run
RUN
Runners will follow a course out and around the park before crossing M-25 onto Sand Rd. Sprint runners will follow Sand until your turnaround after 2.5 kilometers. Instead of finishing, duathletes will progress into the transition area to go out on the bike. RUN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD!!!
BIKE
The bike course is an out and back on newly paved roads along the lake shore. After exiting transition area, you will turn left on M-25 and follow the road to the turn around after 10 kilometers. Obey the rules of the road and respect the other riders.
RUN
The second run course will be a repeat of the first one...you couldn't possibly get lost this time could you?!?! Oh, and RUN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD!!! (Again)
Aid Stations
Bike
There will be one aid station (passed twice) on the bike course for the Half-Distance athletes ONLY. The aid station will be on the East Bound side of M-25 shortly after exiting the park. Water and Sports Drinks in bottles (for easy fill of athlete bottles and resevoirs) will be the liquids available. Hammer Gels, Hammer Endurolytes, Hammer Endurolyte Fizz, bananas, and possibly other goodies will be available there. Half-Distance athletes will have access to this aid station when exiting the park and again after turning around for their second lap on the bike course.
Run
Aid stations (Water and Hammer Heed) will be available to all athletes on the run course and are spread out by about 2.5km. These aid stations will have other goodies available - the likes of which to include Hammer Gels, Hammer Endurolytes, Hammer Fizz, and snacks.
Sprint/Duathlon - 1 Aid Station - 2 times for each 5k
Olympic - 2 Aid Stations - 2 times (4 Aid Passes)
Half Distance - 2 Aid Stations 4 times (8 Aid Passes). In addition, Half Distance Athletes will have an aid station available shortly after exiting transition for their run event.Bike Support
Bike support will be found near the transition area on race morning and on the bike course - both being provided by the Ray's Bike Shops of Midland, Bay City and Clare.
*Please note that athletes should be prepared to perform their own basic bike maintenance on the race course - to include tire changes. Bike support will be provided by Ray's Bike Shop staff as they come upon cyclists in need of support. Rays will NOT be on call to course personnel and cannot be expected to provide support if a specific timeframe. If stranded due to mechanical issues, Ray's Bike Shop attendants will eventually be by to help you and your bike back to transition.
Bike Support
Bike support will be found near the transition area on race morning and will be present on the bike course. Out support team will do their best to make it to athletes experience bike problems but will NOT pass up stranded/distressed riders to get to another rider waiting. This is important to understand - and good reason to know basic bike maintenance and to be prepared for issues like flat tires - because stranded riders may have a wait before the bike support vehicle arrives. Please remember that assistance on the bike course can ONLY be provided by event staff and event bike support! Bike support will be provided by the our awesome Partners at Ray's Bike Shops of Midland, Bay City and Clare. Check out their website and go LIKE them on Facebook.
Wetsuits
Water temperature will be checked Saturday and will be posted to Facebook. It will be checked once again race morning and a final notice on wetsuit approval will be given by the announcer over the loud speaker near transition.
Awards
TriToFinish is committed to making this a memorable event for the participants. Every finisher from first to last will enjoy an exciting finish line. All Olympic/Sprint/Duathlon participants will receive a high quality event t-shirt. Half Distance athletes will receive a high quality ¼ zip technical shirt as well as a $10 credit toward merchandise under the TriToFinish event tent (simply present your race bib and name to use credit).
OVERALL AWARDS in form of stone plaques will be provided to the Top 3 overall fastest Male and Female in the Half Distance Tri, Olympic Tri, Sprint Tri, and Sprint Distance Duathlon events. In addition:
1st Place overall Male and Female will receive free entry to next year’s race.
2nd Place overall Male and Female will receive 50% off entry to next year’s race.
3rd Place overall Male and Female will receive 25% off entry to next year’s race.
AGE GROUP Medals with placement signified by medal color - gold, silver, bronze - will be provided 3 deep for the Half Distance, Olympic, Sprint and Sprint Duathlon events. Relays are not eligible for awards. Award presentation for each event will begin ONLY after the last participant in that event crosses the finish line (or once event cutoff time has been reached). Participants MUST be present to receive Age Group Awards*.
* We apologize for any inconvenience this presents, but we truly believe that each Multisport Event is exactly that: an EVENT. Age Groupers finish at different times throughout races. It is unfair and unsportsmanlike to begin ceremonies for which a participant may be eligible for an award if that participant has not yet reached the finish line. Please be courteous of and encouraging to fellow athletes. If you MUST leave before award ceremonies, event staff may be able to provide you with your award - but this is based upon the ability of event staff to do so without interfering in other race duties. If you leave without your award, please contact us at info@tritofinish.com to arrange shipping. There will be a minimum $10 fee for shipping and handling to have awards shipped.
NOTE: All participants will receive a finisher medal at the finish line upon completion of their event
Post Race
Be sure to hang around for our now traditional post race pizza from Iggie’s Pizza On The Bay and check out the magical hands of Sonya Ruiz who has been practicing therapeutic massage for 19 years and is currently located at Swae Spa in Downtown Midland!
Finisher Photos
Meaningful Moments Photography will be on hand to take finishing photos. A link to these photos will be posted to our Facebook Page and to the Caseville Triathlon website where athletes can download and share their professional photos for FREE.
USAT Rules
This event is sanctioned by USAT, thus we will follow the rules set for by our governing body. The most common rule violations are found below. For a complete list click here.
1. Helmets: Only helmets approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may be used in USAT sanctioned events. Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. This means before, during, and after the event.
Penalty: Disqualification
2. Chin Straps: Chin straps must be buckled at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you are off your bicycle.
Penalty: Disqualification on the course; Variable time penalty in transition area only.
3. Outside Assistance: No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and duathlons are individual tests of fitness.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
4. Transition Area: All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another participant’s equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
5. Drafting: Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds. Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing. Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempting to pass. Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
6. Course: All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course and to stay within all coned lanes. Cutting the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow center line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws at all times.
Penalty: Referee's discretion
7. Unsportsmanlike-Like Conduct: Foul, harsh, argumentative or abusive language or other unsportsmanlike conduct directed at race officials, USA Triathlon officials, volunteers, spectators or fellow athletes is forbidden.
Penalty: Disqualification
8. Headphones: Headphones, headsets, walkmans, ipods, mp3 players, or personal audio devices, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
9. Race numbers: All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run. Numbers must face the front and be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be cut or folded or altered in any way. DO NOT transfer your number to any other athlete or take a number from an athletethat is not competing.
Penalty: Variable time penalty for missing or altered number, Disqualification and one year suspension from membership in USAT for transferring a number without race director permission.
10. Wetsuits: 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 wetsuit at their own discretion, provided, however that participants who wears a wetsuit within such temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Above 84 degrees, wetsuits are prohibited.
11. Abandonment: All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course.
Penalty: Variable time penalty
Variable Time Penalties
SPRINT & INTERMEDIATE Distance Events
First Offense 2 Minutes
Second Offense 4 Minutes
Third Offense - Disqualification
Refund & Transfer Policy
We completely understand that plans change and athletes will sometimes be unable to compete in an event they've signed up for. Unfortunately, refunds will not be provided for any event unless the event is cancelled for reasons within our control. Dangerous weather, natural disasters, and local emergencies are examples of reasons an event may be cancelled that are NOT within our control.
What does this mean? Example: If this event is cancelled due to weather, organizers are not obligated to refund registration fees OR to transfer registration to another event.
Should an athlete have an injury or other medical issue keeping them from competing in an event they've registered for, we would be happy to transfer their registration to a similar TriToFinish-owned event up to and including the same event the following season. A doctor's slip may be required as proof of injury or ailment. Failure to provide proof if requested will result in non-transfer of the event.
Transferring registrations to other athletes is NOT allowed.
For cool images and to keep up to date on Multisport and Run Event happenings, please be sure to follow us through Social Media. We know it can be exhausting…but we want you to be AWARE! (And emails often get caught up in spam boxes) Don’t miss out on future offers! Follow Us!
OUR NEXT MULTISPORT EVENT…. TEAM LUCKY 7 BOYNE CITY TRIATHLON/DUATHLON!
Click on the image below for more information on the beautiful Boyne City Triathlon on September 1st. Arguably one of the most scenic courses in Michigan, this USAT Sanctioned event has awesome swag, food truck meals (included in registration), cool medals, and a GREAT charitable benefactor. Word is that 4 time Olympian Hunter Kemper may be back for this 4th year at Boyne City to help make this an awesome event for the athletes! Oh, and the Club Challenge is back too! The Multisport Club with the most confirmed participants will receive a $500 check and the club with 2nd most participants will receive $250. Gather your friends and get signed up!
