Spirit Racing LLC  © All rights reserved | Privacy Policy   Terms Of Use

Triathlon: 500Y Swim, 10M Bike, 5K Run    Duathlon: 2.5K Run, 10M Bike, 5K Run    Aquabike: 500Y Swim 10M Bike

Richland Village Drug

2012 Race Date
 Saturday, August 4
10th Anniversary

Timeline

No packet pickup on Friday, August 5***(see below)

No race day registration

Athlete check-in at Fitness Center - Saturday August 6
6:00 a.m.- 7:30 am Triathlon check-in at Fitness Center - Saturday August 6
6:45  - 7:45 am 5K Run/Walk check in
Best recommendation - arrive early! We start on time.
7:45 First triathlon wave takes off at 7:45  
Wave assignments will be posted race morning.
8:15 (approximate) 5K Run/Walk starts -  just as the first triathletes are coming in off the bike.

Check-in basics

Event shirts - will be available to pick up at check-in for all athletes who registered by the early cutoff at noon on July 21. We cannot substitute sizes. A second order for shirts will go in post race for remaining athletes. You will be notified when your shirt will be ready for pickup at Shermanator Sponsor Gazelle Sports approximately 2 1/2 weeks post race.

All triathletes must bring photo ID to check-in
All USAT annual members must also bring proof of annual membership - card, key fob, printout from USAT web site.  No proof of annual membership - you must then cover the single day USAT license fee. No exceptions.

Arrive early.  Time has a way of getting away from you real fast.

Don’t plan on arriving on site at 7:15 and having enough time to get checked in, and then make it to transition in time.

This race starts on time and will not be delayed for late arriving athletes.

Thank you Jill Adamski for coordinating check-in.

Swim course

The swim is a modified out and back. A slight change from previous years.  We will have three large buoys on the course, at the approximate mid point on your way out to the turnaround, the turnaround, and then at the approximate midpoint on your return leg.  The midpoint buoys will have a separation of about 30-40 feet to help keep you separated from athletes heading in the opposite direction.

There will be 8-10 certified lifeguards on boards and in kayaks surrounding the swim course to help guide you and ready to assist if necessary.  We also have the Kalamazoo County Water Safety and Rescue Association on hand providing additional safety assistance along the swim course.

Remember your basics in the water. All swim strokes are permissible.  If you need assistance, wave at the lifeguards. You may hold on to a kayak or a buoy or line if needed but you may not obtain forward progress assistance in any fashion, raise an arm overhead and pump it up and down, or yell. Please review your USAT rules about swimming conduct - Article IV. Additionally, there have been some questions about whether fins are allowed. No, they are not.

Wave assignments

You must start in your assigned wave.  Wave assignments will be posted at the check-in race morning and we’ll remind you at the waterfront. We will go with a minimum 5 minute separation between waves.

Water temperature/westuits

Water temperature in Sherman Lake continues to hover in the mid 80’s.  There is little chance wetsuits will be allowed - at all.

Swim Caps

We will be using yellow swim caps. The primary course buoys are 5 1/2 foot tall orange tetras. No chance you will mistake a swimmer ahead of you for a buoy. You must use the cap we provide. The caps are latex. If this poses a medical problem, you may bring your own cap but we need you to check in with us at the waterfront regarding that.

Many thanks to Topher Wilkinson for coordinating the swim course. And to Dave Bonesteel for assisting with course layout and setting buoys.

Bike course

As you start out from transition, you will be on a relatively narrow paved path leading up to the main access road at the YMCA, following that to the left for a short distance out to 39th St., to then head south toward “G” Ave.  This paved path will have two way bike traffic at times.  You must stay to the right.  This is not the section to ride aggressively.

As you head south on 39th, you will encounter a section of rough pavement from “FG” to “G” Ave. It is marked. Pick your line well and you will be fine. If you don’t pay attention, you may get jarred. Here again, ride according to conditions.

The bike course is open to normal traffic. Traffic is generally light in this area. Pay attention to directions from law enforcement units and our volunteers on the course. There is always the chance, albeit slight, of an emergency developing along the course or close by that may require law enforcement units to tell you to stop for some reason. Stay on top of things out there.

This area is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Whitetail deer are all over the place including within the grounds of the YMCA. They sometimes like to walk or run in front of things. Its their mission in life it would seem. Be alert and aware. You may also encounter wild turkey, fox, racoons, and maybe even a coyote.

Basics on the bike are:
-Your helmet is on and secured before you mount the bike and stays on until you dismount.
-Always stay to the right and only pass on the left
-You do not ride two or three abreast
-You maintain a 3 bike length separation with the bike in front of you, or get out and pass. One or the other.

You have a nice grade going up “G” Ave, then a corresponding decline on the other side taking you to the right turn onto 37th and then north to the turnaround at Cranes Pond. 37th is tree lined creating broken shadows on the pavement which can mess up your view at times. Watch yourself.

Shawn Busby does a great job coordinating the Shermanator bike course for us. Thanks also to Gary Goscenski for assisting with course signs and lead vehicle.

Run course

You start right out of transition, (or in the case of the 5K Run/Walk, alongside transition) with a notable uphill grade for about 200 yards along a paved path. Once you are at the crest, you continue to a gravel roadway which skirts the main parking area for the race and then out onto 38th St. You head north to the first turnaround followed by the first aid station at the approximate one mile mark. We have water only on the run course for you. If you bring your own gel or supplements, please hold on to wrappers to dispose of post race, or drop them by the aid station.

38th offers rolling terrain coming back south from the first mile marker and then past the entrance into the YMCA grounds as you continue toward “G” Ave., And your next turnaround taking you back south toward the second mile mark and your other aid station on the run course. You then complete the section on 38th, re-enter the YMCA grounds on the gravel road and follow right back with a long moderate downhill to the finish line.

Thanks to Robin Carpenter for coordinating the run course.

Post race

We will have post race refreshments for you close to the transition area.

The YMCA Recreation Center will remain open until noon for you to shower and change if you like. Please bring your own towel and lock.

Awards presentation gets underway as soon as we can, typically close to 10:00 a.m.

Results will be posted on a board for your quick review and then please make room for everyone else. If anything looks out of place, that is the time to speak up before we begin the awards presentation.

Results files will also be posted here on the event web site either later in the day on Saturday or Sunday at the latest.

Spectators and general notes

Spectators are always welcome. Our space is tight for viewing however. And there are relatively narrow pathways with moderate hills that must be negotiated to get to the waterfront and finish line area. Please schedule and plan accordingly.

Spectators absolutely must yield and stay out of the way of athletes on the course pathways within the YMCA.

We may have a limited amount of bottled water available near transition for spectators to purchase.

We all love dogs - but they are out of place at a multisport event. Please make other arrangements for your pets race morning. They are not allowed on site.

The Sherman Lake YMCA is a smoke free facility.

Transition area

The Shermanator transition area is a mix of dirt, grass, and even a small paved section. Add some huge trees surrounding the transition area, with a view of the lake, and what more could you ask for. Racks are not assigned for individual athletes. Relays however must use the assigned racks. 8 bikes minimum per rack. It is tight but easily managed. Rack by the nose of the saddle. Your transition spot needs to be kept tight. This is not the time or place to spread out like a picnic layout.

Relays  Your chip handoff spot is at your rack location. You are responsible for making sure you are in place. When handing off the strap and chip, make sure the chip stays intact with the strap. We have well over 20 relay teams this year.

Thank you You Mike Robbe for keeping things under control in transition. And also thanks to the Trikats for helping with transition set up on Friday.

Race Announcer Kevin Cleary keeps you on top of the timeline and any last minute notices.

National Championship Qualification

The 2011 USAT National Sprint Championship event is in Burlington. Vt., on August 20. (Unfortunately it is already sold out but there is a waiting list)

Top finishers at the Shermanator qualify for the national title event.

Minimally, the top 10 percent, or top finisher (whichever is greater) in each age group are automatically qualified for the USAT National title event. Additionally, if there are 25 athletes in an age group, the top 3 qualify.  For full details and the national event schedule, check here.  

Questions?  Ask away. Now would be the time.

RD Jim Mishler  rdirector@shermanatortri.org    269-978-2437

Athlete Update #2       see Athlete Update #1

*** Multisport legend Sally Edwards is in Kalamazoo Friday, the 5th, hosted by Shermanator sponsor Gazelle Sports.  A great opportunity to spend time with one of the great athletes of our time.