Frequently Asked Questions
This new Section (24th March 2011) will be updated regularly
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I switch my entry from Try-a-Tri to Sprint, from Sprint to Olympic or vice-versa ?
Yes you can change whatever way you want. This year, all of our individual events are the same price - €54, so your entry is completely interchangeable.
2. Can I get a refund if I’m injured or can’t make the event?
Yes you can get a refund once you notify us before June 1st 2011. Refunds cannot be claimed after June 1st. We charge an administration charge of €7.50 on all cancellations. All refunds are paid out by cheque after the event. You cannot defer your entry to 2012 if you do not race.
3. What time do I have to be at registration, where is registration & what time does it close?
Registration will be in Custume Barracks Athlone (The Army Barracks), which is located on Grace Road on the west shore side of the River Shannon. Registration will open Friday evening from 6-9pm, and then from 9am Saturday morning. It closes at 1.30pm, and no registration will be allowed after this time.
4. Will there be a Practice Swim?
We are looking into this.
4. Is there somewhere to store a bag at the finish area?
We have a bag drop available from midday at Karma Nightclub. This will open at 12 midday, and will remain open until the end of the last race (around 9.30pm).
5. When I enter the event, what do I get in my race pack, and how do I get into registration?
6. When can I take my bike out of transition after the race?
It is against the rules of triathlon to allow people in transition area during the race to collect gear.
As soon as the last athlete exits the transition area on the run we can re-open transition for collection. We are working on a plan that will allow you to do this asap after the event.
7. How long before my wave start time do I have to be at the start area?
8. Do I have to be a member of Triathlon Ireland member, or a member of a club?
No you do not have to be a member of a club and Triathlon Ireland, but if you are not, you must buy a 1-day Licence from Triathlon Ireland. This licence will be available to purchase from the Triathlon Ireland website from early May - http://www.triathlonireland.com/one-day-licence.html
9. How does the relay team event work?
Teams can be 2 or 3 people. The team members need to be in transition for the race start time. They cannot leave transition and then come back in.
9. Can I buy a One-Day-Licence on the day? As a team does one one-day license suffice? How much?
Teams buy a one day license online. Only 1 (see 8 above)
You must pre-purchase the 1-day-licence. You must pre-purchase the 1-day-licence via http://www.triathlonireland.com/one-day-licence.html No 1-day licence, no race. As a team, each individual on the team much have their own 1-day licence. Prices are available on the Triathlon Ireland website.
10. What are the Race Rules and Regulations?
Http://www.triathlonireland.com has a manual of guidance which you should read.
11. Can I change my wave and/or race in another wave with my friend?
Waves are allocated by age-group. Failure to start in the correct wave, is essentially like a false start. You time will be disqualified, and you will not be eligible to win a prize.
12. What are the Race Rules and Regulations?
Waterways Ireland triAthlone is a Triathlon Ireland sanctioned event and therefore is bound by TI rules and regulations. The rules can be found here.
13. Can I change my wave and/or race in another wave with my friend?
Waves are allocated by age-group. Failure to start in the correct wave, is essentially like a false start. You time will be disqualified, and you will not be eligible to win a prize.
14. If I can’t complete the swim and need to be taken out of the water what happens?
We have a comprehensive water safety team led and managed by Athlone Sub-Aqua Club, who are incredibly experienced in this field. Together with our Kayak safety crew and Lifeguards, they make decisions on the spot as to whether people need assistance or have to be removed from the water. They have been trained and are very skilled in this field and they make decisions in terms of the personal safety of participants. If they want to remove a participant from the water, the participant must comply. Failure to comply may result in disqualification or removal from the event. If a participant is unable to complete the swim, their timing chip will be removed, but they will be allowed to complete the bike and run sections - although no time will be recorded.
15. What are the prizes?
We have a cash prize fund of over €3,500: Cash prizes are paid for overall top-3 finishers in the Olympic, Sprint, and Relay Team events. In addition, Age-Category top 3’s qualify for voucher prizes sponsored by trizone.ie. Male and Female prize-money and voucher prizes are equal. Overall prizes will be acknowledged on the podium after the event on Saturday 2nd of July. All prizes are posted out post-event.
16. Are there shower and toilet facilities on site?
Toilet facilities are available at Transition, Start and Finish Areas. No shower facilities are available on site.
17. Where can I Park?
Official parking facilities will be at Athlone Town Centre Shopping Centre at a discounted daily rate. Parking will be signposted from the motorway.
18. What if I have not yet received or accidentally deleted my email confirmation or barcode?
Each participant will receive the barcode email approximately three times before the event takes place, depending on when you initially registered for the race. If you do not receive the barcode it may have been directed to your Junk Mail - we have experienced this issue with users of Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail. If you forget your barcode or have deleted it by accident, it is possible to go to registration without it but the process will be longer and photo ID is required or you can not race.
19. Are wetsuits necessary?
Wetsuits are not compulsory, unless the water or air temperature is not withing the guidelines as setout by triathlon ireland. please check the triathlon ireland manual of guidance.
20. What about lost and found?
Each year, we have a considerable amount of lost and found. Unfortunately, we also get some queries about property which we don’t manage to find for their owners. We do our best to gather as much lost property as we can. Lost and Found is located at transition during and immediately after the event on race day. If you have queries about lost property after the event, email us on info@triathlone.com, as we keep a complete inventory and do our best to reunite property with it’s rightful owner. Waterways Ireland triAthlone accepts no responsibility for items lost or misplaced by participants before, during or after the event. Items are left in transition at participant’s own risk.
21. Can you use an IPod during the run section of the race?
No. Using items that could potentially endanger a participant are not allowed. You need to be able to listen for instructions from marshalls, hear potential other road traffic or other participants.
22. Can my friend register for me and pick up my goody bag?
No. You need to personally sign on the race register. Only 1 member of a relay team needs to sign on for the whole team.
23. Is the swim downstream or upstream and is there a time limit?
The Try-a-Tri event is downstream only. Both the Olympic and Sprint events are ½ downstream, upstream. There is a time limit for the swim. This will be conditions dependent, and will be announced before the race and confirmed during the pre-race briefing in transition on race-day.
24. Is there a plan B swim route if the River current is very strong
Occasionally the River Shannon current can be quite strong. On one occasion over the last few years we have had to employ a down-stream only swim for the triathlon. A contingency and safety plan is in place in the unlikely event this is needed in 2011. This will mean a shortened but safe swim; and after all, safety is the most important thing.
24. Is it possible to hire a bike or a wetsuit for the event?
Yes. Please contact one of our event partners: www.cyclesupertore.ie or www.trizone.ie
25. Can I transfer my race number to someone else?
No. You enter the race as an individual, you sign on as an individual and the event insurance covers you as an individual. This is not transferable. If a third party takes part in the event under your name, they have no legitimate race entry and no insurance cover.
26. Where do I get Timing & Results?
We have live timing available on race day from www.triathlone.com. All results will be displayed on-line.
27. I’m a beginner. Where can I get a Training Plan?
Lots of training plans are available online. Please consult out training blog here
