We
have compiled answers to frequently asked questions for the
Accenture
Chicago Triathlon. If you are not able to find an answer to your triathlon
question on this page, please email us at registration@CapriEvents.com.
General
Questions
The
Swim
The
Bike
The
Course
return
to top of page
Changes
to Entry
Equipment
Transition
Area
USAT
Waves
return
to top of page
Sprint
Distance Competition — Sunday, August 24th Monroe Harbor
Open Age Group
and Mountain Bike Divisions
.75km swim,
22km bike, 5km run (.47 mile swim, 13.64 mile bike, 3.1 mile
run)
- The Open
Age Group division is for competitors using road/racing bikes.
Competitors are timed according to sex and age group categories.
- The Mountain
Bike division is ONLY for competitors using mountain bikes
with tires greater than 1.75 inches in width. Competitors
are timed according to sex and age group categories.
International
(Olympic) Distance Competition — Sunday, August 24th Monroe
Harbor
Open
Age Group, Relay Team and Professional Divisions
1.5km
swim, 40km bike, 10km run
(.93
mile swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run)
- The Open
Age Group Division is open to competitors using road, cross
or mountain bikes. Competitors are timed according to gender
and
age group.
- The Elite
Amateur Competition Division is for top age group competitors.
Competitors are timed according
to
gender
and
age group.
Please refer to the Elite
Amateur Criteria page for complete information.
- The Professional
Division is for pro triathletes only. For additional information
on entering this division please contact the Pro-Triathlete Coordinator
at Pro-AthleteCoordinator at CAPRI Events.
- The Relay
Team Division is open to participants competing in teams of
two
or three. Athletes are grouped into coed, male or female teams.
return
to top of page
What
is the number of athletes that will be competing in the Sprint
and International distance events on Sunday?
Approximately
8,500 competitors will register for the event, with 6,500 starting
the race. We will post information on our website as well as
on the information hotline
when registration
for an event has closed.
If
someone hands me my glasses at the end of the swim, does that violate
the "No Help" rule?
No, but they
will not be allowed in the swim exit chute and will have to stand
behind the fence lining the start or the run to transition.
Do
I have to get body marked at the Expo?
No, but we strongly
urge you to do so. Body marking will be available on race day, but
the lines may be very long. You may not body mark yourself.
Once
registration closes, will you be placing name on a waiting list?
Yes, we will
be forming a waiting list once registration closes. If your entry
is not received in time you will be placed on our waiting list.
You will be notified if you are placed on the waiting list and
if
we are able to enter you in the race.
return
to top of page
What
is the water temperature?
Lake Michigan
is a large open body of water. Therefore water temperature can vary
dramatically from the high 50’s to the low 70’s. The average
in the past few years has been 68 to 74 degrees.
Do
I need a wetsuit?
No.
Can
I use any stroke in the swim portion?
Any stroke
that allows you to see the buoys and stay on course.
How
deep is the water for the swim?
At Monroe
Harbor, the water is 6 to
8 feet and the bottom is rocky and sharp. Athletes would need
to tread water
to start.
If
I hang onto the lane lines or buoys , will I be disqualified for
doing so?
You may stop
and rest during the swim, but you must not interfere with the progress
of other swimmers. You may hang onto the guard boats or buoys.
Can
I use a Mountain Bike in the non-mountain bike Sprint division or
in the International division?
Yes, you may
use a mountain bike in the International division or in the
Sprint
non-mountain bike division. The mountain bike division is a competition
category. It is not mandatory that you enter this division even
if you are going to be riding a mountain bike.
return
to top of page
Does
the Mountain Bike Division go in a separate wave?
Yes, there
will be a separate wave for the Mountain Bike division.
Can
I use a tandem or recumbent bike in the race?
No.
What
thickness do my bike tires need to be in order to be eligible
to compete in the mountain bike division?
1.75 inches. You cannot compete in the Sprint Mountain Bike Division
if your tires are smaller than this. Your tires may be smooth,
with a tread or be knobby.
Do
I have to get my bike inspected?
No, but it
is highly recommended. Many people experience technical
problems on race day that could have
been easily avoided if the bike had been
inspected prior to the race. In order to avoid disappointment on
race day we urge all competitors to have their bikes inspected
no
more than 3 weeks prior to the event. Please contact your local
bike shop for additional information. Free bike inspections are
available at bike shops throughout Chicagoland. Click HERE for
a list of the participating dealers.
What
will the course be like?
Course descriptions
and maps are available for each event on-line listed under "Information, Course".
The bike course for the Accenture Chicago Triathlon has not changed
since 2006.
return
to top of page
Will
the race begin on the beach or in the water?
The Accenture Chicago Triathlon
on Sunday, August 24th will start in the water with participants treading water.
What
is the swim course like?
The McDonald's
Kids Triathlon and Fleet Feet Sports SuperSprint swim will take
place at Foster Avenue Beach with a beach start. The Accenture
Chicago Triathlon swim has an in water start at Monroe Harbor.
If
I am unable to make the race, can I get a refund?
As is clearly
stated in all of our materials, there will be absolutely NO REFUNDS.
If you are unable
to compete due to illness and/or injury then you may qualify for
a medical transfer to next year’s event. In order to qualify
you must submit:
- A completed
Medical Rollover Form - get form by clicking HERE
- A letter
from your doctor on your doctor's letterhead
These materials
must be mailed in to the Registration Coordinator, c/o CAPRI Events,
PO Box 577490, Chicago, IL 60657-7490. All materials must be submitted
no later than 2 weeks after the race. All transfer requests and
inquiries will be handled by the Registration Coordinator. All decisions
made by the Registration Coordinator are final. Incomplete requests
will not be considered.
return
to top of page
If
I am unable to make the race, can I give my entry to a friend?
No. If someone
else races under your name and is injured, or causes an accident,
that person will not be covered by any protection typically afforded
to an athlete through the USA Triathlon sanction and insurance.
Plus, if the athlete racing in your name causes injury or damage,
you
may be liable in part for those damages.
For instructions on transferring your entry, click HERE.
What
is the procedure for making a change to an entry?
To make any
change to an entry you must do so in writing. These changes
must be submitted
to the Registration
Coordinator, who will make all decisions concerning entries
into the event. All decisions will be final. For instructions
on
transferring your entry, click here.
All
transfers must be submitted by July 1, 2008, NO EXCEPTIONS.
There will be
a $25 fee for every transfer of an entry.
To submit your
transfer request, please mail to:
CAPRI
Events
Registration
Coordinator
PO
Box 577490
Chicago,
IL 60657-7490
return
to top of page
How
can I contact CAPRI Events?
CAPRI Events
PO
Box 577490
Chicago,
IL 60657-7490
Phone:
773/404-2372
Fax:
773/404-6591
Email: registration@caprievents.com
Are
there specifications for the bike helmets and wetsuits?
Yes, the bike
helmet must be CPSC certified. Most helmets purchased
in the US within the last 2-3 years are certified. Please confirm
this by checking for a sticker indicating it’s certification
on the inside of the helmet. For a list of CPSC certified helmets, please see rules for participation.
The wetsuit
must not be over 5mm at its thickest point. Anyone using a wetsuit
should have used their wetsuit in their training. If the water temperature
is 83 degress or less, wetsuits are allowed. If you are racing for
an age group award, the cut-off is 78 degrees.
return
to top of page
What
additional equipment will be permitted in the swim?
Aqua socks,
socks, snorkles and swim mask or goggles will be allowed in the
swim leg of the Event. Use of fins, gloves and flotation devices
is prohibited.
Can
I rent a bike or a wetsuit?
We do not provide
nor do we have a source for equipment rental. Additionally, we strongly
discourage anyone from using equipment they have not trained with.
When
will I be able to access the transition area?
The Accenture Chicago Triathlon transition area, located near the Randolph Street exit will be accessible from 4:15am to 5:45am on Sunday morning, and from approximately 11am to 2pm.
Why
do
I have to be in the transition area so early if my wave
doesn’t start until later in the morning?
The transition
area closes at the specified times regardless of what wave you
are in. All equipment
must be in by the appropriate time. In order to ensure the security
and safety of our competitors and their equipment, there will
be
absolutely no exceptions to this rule.
return
to top of page
Can
I use decorations (balloons, etc.) to indicate where my things are
in the transition area?
Yes, but they
should not interfere with anyone else being able to easily and safely
access their equipment. We reserve the right to remove any materials
that will interfere with the safety and security of our competitors
and their equipment.
What
time will the transition area re-open?
The exact time
is to be determined by the Race Director and is dependant on
when the
last competitor completes the bike course and has set out on
the
run. All equipment must be picked up by 2pm. We will not be responsible
for any equipment not claimed after those times.
Where
can I get a USAT permit?
USAT permits
are mandatory for anyone participating in the McDonald's Kids
Triathlon, the Fleet Feet Sports
SuperSprint Triathlon, and the Accenture Chicago Triathlon. If
you are not already a USAT member you may purchase a single-event
permit
for the
event
by
submitting
payment
with your registration or by purchasing a single-event permit at
the Expo on Friday or Saturday.
If you would
like to purchase a one-year membership for USAT please visit their
website at http://www.usatriathlon.org for information.
return
to top of page
If
I already have a USAT card, do I have to bring it with me to Packet
Pick-Up?
Yes, if you
do not bring your card with you, you will be required to purchase
a single-event permit.
How
is my wave assigned?
Waves are assigned
according to division, gender, and age group. For larger age groups,
there are multiple waves. Some smaller age groups are combined into
waves.
Can
I switch my wave?
Wave assignments
cannot be changed. You will be disqualified if you start in the
wrong wave.
How
many people will be in my wave?
Wave numbers
are approximate and are assigned to facilitate timing and ensure
accuracy and safety. On average the minimum number is 80 and
the
maximum is 150.
How
many minutes are between waves?
There are 4
minutes between waves.
When
will the wave assignments be finalized?
Waves will
be finalized the week before the race. The wave start schedule
will be available at the expo.
What
time does my wave start?
Wave start
times will be posted at the expo.
return
to top of page
