General Event Rules & Info
Age Groups - An athlete’s age is determined based on their age as of Dec. 31st, 2013 for all USAT Sanctioned events. Please take into consideration how old you will be after you’ve had your birthday this year, then BE SURE TO CHECK THE CORRECT AGE GROUP FOR YOUR RESULTS.
Audio Devices - No audio devices will be allowed on the course. If an athlete is found to be wearing an audio device of any kind during their race, the athlete will be disqualified.
Beginner Division – Those who choose to to compete in the Beginner Division are not required to be first-timers. Male or female… if you would prefer to start in the last wave for any reason, you may do so. Beginner division athletes will be eligible for both Overall and Age Group awards, and will be included in Age Group rankings by USAT, however, separate Beginner waves will depend on the number of athletes who elect to go this route, and will be offered for Sprint distance triathlons only.
Bibs – All provided numbers must be worn and visible at all times. Please affix the helmet sticker to the front of the helmet as this will be a signal to course staff that will help them point you in the right direction. Failure to secure the bike number will result in a USAT penalty. Run bibs MUST BE WORN AND VISIBLE FROM THE FRONT during the run.
Bike Support - Pre-race minor maintenance and on-course support will be available for all athletes.
Body Marking – Body marking will be available either at packet pick-up or as you enter transition the morning of the race. Please be prepared to have the back of your left hand and both biceps marked with your bib number, and your left calf marked with the distance you are racing and age as of Dec 31st, 2013.
Care Caps – Whether it’s your first tri or you have some other reason to be stressed about the swim, we have reserved a distinctively colored cap just for you! Our water safety team will keep a close eye on all athletes wearing these caps so just ask at packet pick-up and get yours from our Race Director.
Course - Directional signs, marshals, volunteers and staff will be positioned to clearly designate the course, however, IT IS THE ATHLETE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE COURSE before beginning their race. Maps are available online and will be posted both at packet pick-up and on race morning, but will not be printed and distributed to each athlete.
Hydration - The best hydration strategy for endurance athletes is to maintain focus on staying fully hydrated beginning one week before race day, but good hydration is especially critical for two or three days prior to the race. Please consider hydration as a key to having your best race and avoiding a visit with the medics!
Litter - Please remember that we are guests of the venues that support us. Litter on the course could jeopardize the life of our events, so please, DO NOT LITTER… dispose of all trash in proper receptacles.
Open Division – Those who choose to compete in the Open Division should be those who are highly competitive. Male or female… you will start in the first wave for your distance, and although you will only be eligible for Overall awards, you will be included in Age Group rankings by USAT. Athletes may choose to race in the Open Division for any triathlon, however, exclusive Open waves will be based on demand.
Relay Teams – All relay team members must be registered separately and must come to packet pick-up together. Relay teams will be assigned a single timing chip, bike number and run bib. Chip handoff must take place INSIDE THE TRANSITION AREA at the assigned bike rack.
Safety / Medical – If you are having difficulty during the swim and wish to be rescued, remove your cap and wave it in the air. A member of our water support team will assist you as quickly as possible. If you need medical assistance when on either the bike or run course, look for staff that will be roaming constantly, or tell another athlete and they will call it out to us as they pass by.
Shirts – We want you to LOVE your race shirt! This year we are introducing gender specific shirts! At Packet Pick-Up you will be given the size you requested but if you find a different size might work better, please stop by the timing tent after you race to see if there are extras available.
Timing – Chips MUST BE WORN AROUND YOUR ANKLE. Either ankle is fine, but wearing it around your wrist or putting it in a pocket will prevent us from being able to provide you with times. Please DO NOT EXCHANGE CHIPS WITH ANOTHER ATHLETE. The chip is uniquely programmed to identify each individual athlete.
Transition - All bike racks will be assigned based on race distance, gender and age group. PLEASE BE SURE TO LOCATE THE RACK YOU HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED BEFORE SETTING UP YOUR EQUIPMENT. If you happen to set-up in the wrong area, you will be asked to move.
USAT Rules – It is STRONGLY SUGGESTED that you make yourself aware of all USAT rules and guidelines before arriving on race day. Something as simple as being on your bike without your helmet fastened could result in a penalty… even if the race hasn’t started yet. A USAT rule book is available at www.usatriathlon.com.
Weight Divisions - Limits for the Athena & Clydesdale divisions are determined by USAT. To qualify for the Athena division, women must weigh at least 165 lbs and men racing as Clydesdales must weigh at least 220 lbs. All who wish to race in these divisions will be weighed in at packet pick-up.
Most Commonly Violated USAT Rules
As USAT sanctioned events, Your Cause Sports abides by standard rules issued to maintain consistency and order from race to race. The rules include sections on USAT membership, and rules of conduct for swimming, cycling, running, and transition. Also included are special sections on protests, hearings and appeals. A complete USAT rulebook can be downloaded by going to http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/about-events/rules, but the most commonly violated rules are as follows:
-
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 -
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. -
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 -
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 -
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
YCS Policies
Waivers
Agreeing to the waivers and payment of your entry fee constitutes your acceptance of all Your Cause Sports and USAT policies.
Event Modifications / Cancellations
The race directors and/or USAT officials reserve the right to reschedule, modify or cancel any or all portions of an event if weather conditions, water quality or anything else compromises athlete safety or makes the originally planned event impossible. There will be no refunds for rescheduled, modified or canceled events.
Unauthorized Transfers
Packet pick-up will require photo proof of identity. Participants who swap or sell their race number without authorization will not be allowed to race in another Your Cause Sports event for a period of 2 years and will be subject to disciplinary action by USAT.
Transfer / Refund Policy
If for any reason, an athlete needs to withdraw from a race they have already registered for, they will have two options:
- Registered athletes who wish to transfer their entry to someone else should notify us by emailing the following information to info@yourcausesports.org as early as possible: Full Name, Date of Birth, Event & Race Distance to be transferred. A coupon code will be issued for the entry fee amount originally paid, less a $20 administrative fee. Although the recipient of this coupon may choose to race a different distance, they will only be allowed to register for the original event and must use the coupon before online registration closes. Fundraising dollars are not eligible for transfer, transfer coupons will not be honored at packet pick-up, and unused balances are forfeited.
- If a registered athlete notifies us at least 1 month before they event they wish to withdraw from, they may request a 50% credit toward another YCS event within the same calendar year. No refund credits will be issued within 1 month of an event and no refund credits will be carried into the next calendar year.
There will be no cash refunds under any circumstances. This policy will be strictly adhered to for fairness to all.
Awards
Winners who are not present at their ceremony will have 2 weeks to claim their award via email, but will then be required to pick it up (or have a friend pick it up) at any of our remaining 2011 events. Awards will no longer be mailed and will not be made available in 2012.
Lost & Found
Athletes will have two weeks to contact us regarding anything lost and will be required to pay postage for its return.
