• The water temperature is approximately 72 degrees. Wet suits are allowed.
  
• KEEP BUOYS ON YOUR RIGHT AT ALL TIMES. One of the largest landmarks at the AAA Auto Club from the water is the large, white, changing house. Look for it on your way back to the transition zone.
  
• SHORT COURSE is out to the first BIG buoy; go right to next buoy and back to the boat landing.
  
• LONG COURSE AND RELAYS must swim around all the buoys.
  
• Should you be unable to finish the swim, TRY TO SWIM INSIDE THE TRIANGLE and signal to a boat or a kayak to come pick you up. Also, if you see someone else in need of help, please help him or her out by signaling a boat.
  
• For relays, the swimmer from the team must run up the boat landing to the end of the transition zone and TAG THE BIKER.
  
• All swimmers must wear a brightly colored swim cap (provided) and make sure the timing chip is on the LEFT ankle.
  
• Without prior approval by race director, no special flotation devices are allowed.
  
• Swim course closes 75 minutes after start.

The Transition Zone
(located on the boat landing):

• The Transition area will be divided into two. The front half, which is near the lak, will be for short course athletes and the back half will be for long course athletes. Your actual spot in the transition artea will be on a first camoe first serve basis.
• Your bike needs to be placed at your designated spot on the bike rack (by bib #).
  
• The transition will be run the same as last year. After the swim you will get your bike and walk your bike near Midway Road, mount bike and exit transition area to the right. When you come in from the bike (1 lap for short course, 2 laps for long course), you will dismount bike, just off of Midway Road, and walk back to your transition area.
• Nothing is to be left in the transition area on Saturday nightAnything left will be removed and stored for safety. Race officials reserve the right to move bikes that are taking more than their fair share of space.
  
• BIKES MUST BE WALKED AT ALL TIMES IN THE TRANSITION AREA.
  
• Once you have your running shoes on you WILL RUN BACK TOWARDS THE LAKE AROUND A CONE AND THEN OUT ONTO THE COURSE TO THE RIGHT. This is to assure that there are no advantages/disadvantages in the transition zone. In other words, everyone will run the same distance.
  
• The transition area must be completely clear of race gear by 1pm.
  
• Security will NOT be provided, therefore, the race organization will not be responsible for lost, stolen or damaged gear. When picking up bikes and other gear, please be respectful of other athletes still racing.
  

The Bike Course

• The bike course is relatively flat. There are some rough sections with cracks in the road. The corners will be swept and there will be volunteers on every corner. If for some reason there isn't a volunteer at an intersection, please do not blindly go through that intersection without looking. For bike/run course safety we have the volunteer fire department as EMS. Be cautious of homeowners backing out of their driveways. Be very cautious when biking through the transition zone. Family and friends sometimes cross the road without looking for on-coming bikers.
  
• Certified biking helmets must be worn at all times. HELMETS MUST BE FASTENED WHEN YOU ARE ON YOUR BIKE.
• Put helmet # sticker on the front of your helmet.
  
• There will be a bike check at the transition area. Make sure your bike has been properly maintained before showing up to race.
  
• NO DRAFTING. Drafting is defined as the maintenance of a static position to the rear (within three bike lengths) or to the side (within six (6) feet) of another cyclist or vehicle.
  
• DRAFTING PENALTY
  1st offense = verbal warning
  2nd offense = 2' penalty off of finish time
  3rd offense = disqualification
  Exemptions to the drafting rule are: (a) when passing a cyclist, if done within 15 seconds (b) when the cyclist is required to reduce
  speed for safety reasons (e.g. weather, traffic control) or to receive aid, and (c) on curves or turns of 90 degrees or less.
• Always pass on the left.
  
• Bicycles must not cross the yellow centerline at any time.
  
• Teams (biker to runner) will tag at the bike "IN" at the top of the boat landing. Runner will then run down towards the lake, around cone and then onto the course.
  
• All team bikers and runners must have an " R" drawn on their right calf at body marking.
  
• Each competitor is responsible that his/her bicycle meets the minimum safety standards required.
  
• All cyclists are responsible at all times for their own safety and for compliance with traffic laws on the cycling course, and are solely responsible for the consequences of any infractions.
  
• THERE ARE AREAS ON THE COURSE WHERE SLOWING DOWN AND TAKING EXTREME CAUTION ARE EXPECTED OF ALL COMPETITORS.
  
• No individual support vehicles or assistance by anyone is allowed.
  
• There will be one aid station on the long bike course. There will not be an aid station for the short course bike.
  
• NOTE: We have set up a road-crossing plan for family and friends by the transition area. There will be a controlled access to get across the road from the parking lot to the race venue during the race.
  
• A motorcycle will be the lead vehicle for both the short and long courses.
  
• A truck will do the sweep. If you have a mechanical problem or just want to drop out on the bike/run, the truck can pick you up. Just wait off to the side of the road.
  
• NOTE: Let the timing team know if you drop out of the race for any reason. Duluth's Twin Ports Cyclery will be the official course marshal. Please let them know if you drop out of the race for any reason.
• YOU MUST RETURN YOUR CHIP!

The Run Course

• Both the long (5 miles) and short (2.5 miles) courses are out and back. STAY ON THE SHOULDER on the way out and back.
• Runners go out on the left side of the running lane and back on the left side (very edge of the road).
  
• The turn-around cones are beyond the aid stations. DO NOT TURN AROUND AT THE AID STATION.
  
• The short course has one aid station that you will cross twice. The long course has two aid stations that you will cross twice. There will be Gatorade, water, and gels at each aid station. There will be one aid station at the transition area.
  
• No other form of locomotion other than walking and running will be allowed on the run course (crawling constitutes the need for medical attention).
  
• Runners must wear official race number and timing chip on the course at all times. Number must be placed in front of the body.
  
• No support or escort runners are allowed. This is an individual event, receiving help results in disqualification.
  
• The running course closes at 12pm noon or 4 hours from the start of the event.

The Finish Line Area

• The finish will be underneath the finish banner at The Pike Lake AAA Auto Club.
  
• *NOTE* Family and friends will not be allowed in the transition area for any reason.
  
• For food, you will get a Hammer gel and e-caps in your bag. On the course, we will have Gatorade and water. At the finish, there will be Aquafina water, fruit, bagels, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, etc. If you need more food during the race, get it from the finish line area prior to your race start. This food is for athletes only, so please help police this so that there is plenty left for those that come in towards the end.
  
• * Note* We will have vending set up this year selling coffee, rolls, frozen treats and other food for family and friends. This will be located near registration area.

RACE REQUIREMENTS

• Swimmers must wear swim caps (provided)
  
• Wet suits are allowed
  
• Bikers must wear a certified helmet (no hockey/skate boarding helmets)
  
• No drafting on bike course
  
• We adhere to all race regulations as set by the USAT. All athletes need to show membership card or pay day fee at registration.
  
• Must have timing chip on ankle at all times while racing.

AWARDS:

All participants will receive a t-shirt, free refreshments during and after the race, a Brewhouse Triathlon pint glass, and other freebies.
    * Awards ceremony will be held at the AAA Club following the last finisher. We have an amazing array of prizes for all participants. Must be present to win. Awards will not be mailed out.
    * Champion Awards
      1st Place Make & Female (individual)
    * Handcrafted Awards
      1st-3rd Male/Female (all age categories)
      1st Male/Female/Co-ed Relay/Silver/Youth Teams
    * Other Awards 
GEAR WEST WILL PROVIDE:

10 pack of Spinnervals DVD
Quintana Roo Ultrajohn wetsuit
Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Indoor Trainer
Gear West Race Product Gear Pack
Zipp 808 Race Wheel set
Quintana Roo Carbon Lucero Frameset

Total value= $6000

INSIDER TIP from Brian Bich, Seven-Time Champion

• Try to use the waist-deep start in the clear waters of Pike Lake to latch on to a fast pair of feet during the swim. Although none of the hills are exceptionally daunting, the constant rollers and sections of rough pavement make for a challenging bike course. If you have the opportunity, try to ride the bike course the day before in order to get a feel for the tough sections and identify areas where the roads are rough. The running surface is nice, but be prepared for the quarter mile long downhill and subsequent uphill near the turnaround point of the run.

HOW TO GET THERE :

• The venue is located at the Pike Lake Auto Club. Pike Lake is located about 8 miles NW of Duluth. From Minneapolis take I35 N to Midway Road north. Pike Lake is located approximately 1 mile north of Hwy 53 on Midway Road on the left side of the road.

4895 Pike Lk Rd. Duluth, MN 55811 <--- Google Maps The host hotel is the Americinn (218-624-1026) or visitduluth.com