Great American Triathlon – FAQs
Categories and Divisions
Q. How do I create a team and register?
A. The designated team captain creates the team, and selects the appropriate division during registration. All teammates will need to register themselves under the same team name in order to complete your team registration. Your division is determined based on several factors; please refer to the list of divisions on the Event Info page.
Q. I have questions about the Adaptive division and may need special accommodations to participate. Who do I contact?
A. Please contact us at [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns about the Adaptive division, have a guide that needs to register, etc.
Q. What’s the difference between an Ironperson and a Relay Team?
A. An Ironperson competes by participating in all three legs of the race. A relay team is composed of two-to-four participants, each competing in a minimum of one leg each. For more information, please review the Race Logistics page.
Registration
Q. Can I participate with a stroller, bike trailer, or pet?
A. None of the above are allowed on the course.
Q. What are the qualifications to form a Junior team?
A. All members of a Junior team must be 18 years or younger on race day, any combination of genders.
Q. How do I modify my division or watercraft type?
A. Please email us at [email protected] to make an update to your registration.
Packet Pickup
Q. Can someone else pick up my packet?
A. Yes, please share your race confirmation with them.
Q. I’m on a team – can I pick up only MY race shirt and bibs?
A. No, the entire team packet must be picked up at the same time. You will need to distribute the contents to the team members before the race.
Q. Can I have my race packet mailed?
A. Yes! The packet mailing option may be selected at the time of registration. If you would like to add the packet mailing option after-the-fact, it can be purchased here. Please note, if you are part of a relay team, only the Team Captain can add the Packet mailing option. The deadline to add packet mailing is July 9, 2024.
Race Day
Q. I have never paddled on the river. What do I need to know?
A. The paddle leg is what makes the Great American Triathlon unique! You will launch your watercraft (kayak, canoe, or SUP) from the beach next to the Lower Sunrise pedestrian bridge and travel 6.1 miles downriver to the finish line at River Bend Park. When you arrive at River Bend Park, you will exit your watercraft and run up the beach to the finish line. Volunteers in the water will remove your craft from the water and place it in the storage area.
Water Safety is important! You will need to wear a US Coast Guard approved personal floatation device (PFD), helmet, and footwear while participating. Additionally, you will need to be able to self-rescue. Please consider enrolling in a kayak training class to help you prepare.
Q. Where do I place the bib numbers and stickers?
A. All Ironpersons and teams will receive a packet that contains bib numbers, bike number, helmet sticker, as well as a bib number to be taped to the front left side of the watercraft. Please refer to the pre-race instructions (emailed to you during race week) for specifics on where to place each number. We recommend writing your name or bib number on a piece of duct tape and taping it to your paddle as well.
Q. How does the timing chip/ankle band work?
A. Ironpersons and teams will receive one timing ankle band in their registration packet, which is to be transferred between team members and must be removed and returned at the finish line. Please ensure that the timing band is worn around the ankle. If participating on a team, make sure the timing chip does not fall off the ankle band during the transitions.
Q. Do I need to have a crew? Ironperson
A. Although not required, we highly recommend participating with at least one crew member to help with watercraft and bike staging, as well as gear removal. Having the help of a crew will make your race experience more enjoyable.
Q. How/when do I (or my crew) access the run-to-bike transition to stage my bike?
A. Bikes should be staged at the run-to-bike transition at the Guy West Bridge between 5:00am – 7:00am. Street parking near the bridge is available on University Ave., off of Howe Ave. Please review the equipment setup information on the Race Logistics page.
Q. How/when do I (or my crew) access the bike-to-paddle transition to stage my watercraft?
A. Watercraft should be staged at the bike-to-paddle transition on the north side of the American River near the Lower Sunrise (Jim Jones) pedestrian bridge. This area is accessed at the Sacramento Bar parking area (via Pennsylvania Avenue), or at the Lower Sunrise Recreation Area (where you will need to walk your watercraft across the pedestrian bridge). Watercraft must be staged between 5:00am – 8:30am. Please review the equipment setup information on the Race Logistics page.
Q. Can I wear earbuds or headphones while participating?
A. The use of earbuds or headphones is strongly discouraged, for safety reasons.
Q. What types of bicycles are not allowed?
A. E-bikes, tandem bikes, recumbent bikes (exception for Adaptive Division) and tricycles are not allowed.
Q. Is drafting allowed on the bike or river?
A. Yes, drafting on the bike or in the river is allowed, but discouraged unless you are experienced with this method.
Q. What types of watercraft/equipment are not allowed?
A. The use of oars, oarlocks, outriggers, & pedals are not allowed. For river safety reasons, leashes are not allowed on watercraft or paddles.
Q. Can my crew person help me in the transition areas? Ironperson
A. No competitor may be assisted with equipment in the transition areas, except in the Adaptive Division.
Q. How does the RUNNER return to the finish line area? Relay Team
A. A shuttle bus will operate between the transition at the Guy West Bridge and River Bend Park to bring runners to the finish line area. Two shuttle trips; departing at 9:00am and 9:50am from University Ave.
Q. Is there a shuttle bus to retrieve my car or bike at Sunrise after finishing the race?
A. Yes, there is one shuttle bus service leaving the parking lot at River Bend Park. Departure time is 11:45am.
Q. How does the CYCLIST return to the finish line area? Relay Team
A. It is recommended that these participants arrange to be picked up by a crew person (friend or family) or ride their bike to the finish area using the published directions on the Race Logistics page. Cyclists are prohibited from using the race course to return to the finish line.
Q. I was in the transition area for 10 minutes. Will that time be deducted from my overall finish time?
A. No, transition times are not deducted from your overall finish time.
Q. I left my running shoes at the run-to-bike transition area. Where can I retrieve them? Ironperson
A. Lost and found items (including items unclaimed by 11:30am at the run-to-bike transition area, and items left on the beach at the bike-to-boat transition area) can be retrieved at the Information tent in the post-race area. Items left on the beach will be brought to the finish line area by the sweeper boat after the last competitor finishes. Any items left after the event concludes will be taken to Capital Road Race Management, please call 916-492-8966 to claim. Any items left 7 days after the event will be donated to charity.