Wednesday, March 10, 2010



Official Pace Car
Tischer Porsche

Sheraton Columbia Hotel






Official Bike Support
Princeton Sports


THE COLUMBIA TRIATHLON
Race Information - May 23, 2010

Welcome to the Columbia Triathlon, one of the most challenging Triathlons in the USA. This event owned, managed and produced by the Columbia Triathlon Association in cooperation with Howard County Recreation and Parks.

Special Notice to athletes in regard to USAT CARDS FOR REGISTRATION

Athletes MUST bring proof of annual membership or purchase a one-day permit. Athletes who do not bring/show proof of membership must purchase a one-day license OR will not be allowed to race. Athletes who forget their membership cards will have four options. Note all CTA events have the one day option as a part of the race entry fee structure should you select that form of payment. If you do forget your card, you have the following choices this year:

  • Go” back” and get your card.

  • Print off a temporary membership card from the USAT web site, ( www.usatriathlon.org). Showing it on your PDA is acceptable also. Race staff members cannot pull up your USAT information or allow you use of computers.

  • Purchase a $10.00 one-day license

  • Renew your annual membership online and bring proof of renewal

Please remember to pack your USAT membership card. Don’t leave home without it!

THANKS FROM ALL OF US: We wish to thank all who will enter and will compete this year from across the USA. Our first race at the Wilde Lake indoor pool center drew 90 people and that is how it all started in 1984. This year should be another great event and we look forward to having you here to race the "Real Deal" as The Main Event! The course is groomed and will be ready for the challenge you bring.


THE RACE DATE/TIME/FIELD: May 23, 2010 at 06:45am, Centennial Lake, Ellicott City, MD. Wetsuits are allowed and encouraged. The typical water temperature is 66' to 73' F, air temperatures average 55' to 75' F. Race management reserves the right to accept or reject any entry.
The minimum age to compete is 14. The 2010 Race limit is 2200. Your race age is based upon how old you will be as of December 31st this year.


ABOUT THE EVENT:There is NO rain date, We Go Rain or Shine. In case of inclement weather, management reserves the right to alter/modify the race/course for safety concerns. In the case of a "Natural Disaster"/Local Incident/Terrorist Act, there will be No Refunds of race entry fees. Each athlete must except any such risk of their entry fee paid. There is no complementary race entry to a future race. All monies collected are used to develop and produce the event, including all race supplies, staffing, and administration. We pledge to make every effort to produce a fair, safe and exciting event for all. Any decision we make to go forth with the race is based on the overall event safety.. Columbia will always utilize a "wave" start format. Wave placement will be announced and made available online in the weeks leading up to the event.

2010 RACE FEE STRUCTURE:
USAT Members: $130.00 (US)
Non-USAT Members: $140.00 (includes $10 one-day USAT insurance fee)
* Relay Teams: $185.00/$195.00/$205.00/$215.00
* Note: Relay Teams comprised of any Non-USAT members, have an added single one-day license fee of: $10.00 to the fee total (reflected above) per Non-USAT Member. For example, a relay team composed of two USAT members and one Non-USAT member would pay $195.00.

After 1/01/10: All entry fees will increase $25.00.

COLUMBIA COMMUNITY SLOTS: We have instituted another way to gain entry into our great international event. The Columbia Triathlon Association,Inc, is a 501c-3 non profit organization. As such we donate to several local/regional causes, among them: The Howard County ARC, The Maryland Special Olympics, Howard County, The Howard County Domestic Violence Center, The Ulman Cancer Fund, and The Lance Armstrong Foundation. A select # of these slots will be held. The donation is $250. Click Community Slot from the drop down payment choices online. Checks Only please, payable to "CTA/Community. Your donation is tax deductable to the extent permitted by law. Please contact your tax specialist for further information. No refunds at all will be given for charity slots since the money is allocated directly toward charity.


Columbia Triathlon Elite Division Information

The division of the Columbia Triathlon currently named "Elite Division" is meant solely for those triathletes who want to race against the whole field and not in their respective Age Group.

We review all entrants to this race division and will remove those we feel may not belong there. If you wish to race in the Elite Division, we may ask you to provide prior race results to document your claim of "Expert" status.

For the Columbia Triathlon, we require that you be able to achieve the following finish time in order to race in the "Elite Division":
  • Men: 2:10 (two hours ten minutes) or less
  • Women: 2:25 (two hours twenty-five minutes) or less


Current USAT Age-Group Member National Rankings Policy

All Columbia Triathlon Association events have received an exemption from USAT that affects the USAT member age-group National rankings. Age-group participants at CTA events may request to be seeded in the Expert/Elite wave, if they meet the pre race requirements as noted on the web site. This wave is NOT for those who simply want to start in an earlier swim wave. If the racer is selected/qualifies for the Expert/Elite wave, the participant's race points used for USAT ranking purposes will be calculated based upon the USAT "pacesetters" in that Expert/Elite wave.

All other age-group participants racing in their designated 5-year age-group wave, will have their race points calculated based upon the USAT "pacesetters" in the various respective age-group waves. The USAT Rankings are expected to be initially released in July where the member race points from all events will be combined for age-group rankings with No regard to the wave starts. This procedure is in contrast to previous years when age-group participants were denied race points at events, if they started in the Expert/Elite wave.


Current USAT-Mid-Atlantic Age-Group Rankings Policy

In order to best conform to the USAT policy, USAT-MA will award race points and rank all age-group members regardless of their start wave at these exempted events based upon the first age-group Mid-Atlantic male and female finishers.

 


CTA REFUND POLICY: A partial cash (via check) refund less $50, will be made, Only if requested in writing/email on or before March 15, 2010. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing. After this date, absolutely NO refunds will be made for any reason. PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS POLICY PRIOR TO REGISTERING! Entries are non transferable between events, or between athletes. Entries cannot be rolled over to another year. Selling of your race entry slot is strictly prohibited by us and USATriathlon rules. If you do sell your race slot, you will be disqualified from the race and you, as well as, the entrant who purchased your slot will be unable to race in another TriColumbia event for a minimum of 2 years. Selling of race entries jeopardizes our race insurance coverage, and can change the placement status of other athletes that have trained hard to complete the race. Entry fees are not transferable to another person or to another race. There are no refunds at all given to community/charity slots since this money is allocated directly toward charity. If you are registered as relay, substitutions to your relay team may be made up to one month prior to the race. The captain (the person who paid for the entry) must be a part of the team and there is a $25 admin fee for EACH change. You may not switch from a relay team to the individual category. If you are registered as an individual and would like to switch to a relay, it may be done up to one month prior to the race with a $25 admin fee plus the entry cost difference.

USA TRIATHLON MEMBERSHIP INFO: If you wish to become a USAT member call 1-719-597-9090. Processing time is about 2-3 weeks. We strongly urge you to update you to update your membership status ASAP. All info requests should be addressed to the National Office at 1-719-597-9090 or via their website at http://www.usatriathlon.org/.

ACTION SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY: They are our official event photographers and will be there race day.

RACE ENTRY CONFIRMATION/UPDATES: Your credit card statement or cancelled check will serve as confirmation of race entry and acceptance. Further event info will available on the web site for you print. Please go to your race entry online and check it for accuracy. All entries will be confirmed on our web site at tricolumbia.org. We will not use USPS.


THE RACE COURSES: The 1500 m swim takes place in ripple free, fresh water, fed Centennial Lake. Water temperatures in May are typically in the 66-71' F range, depending of course on winter precipitation. USAT wetsuit rules will be in effect (no wetsuits allowed if water temps exceed 78' F). The swim route is a counter clockwise rectangular course marked by orange and yellow DayGlow buoys. The swim cut-off time is 50 minutes. The scenic 41k bike route traverses the rolling countryside and farmlands of Howard County including four (moderate) climbs along well maintained and paved two lane roads. There is a new "Round About" at Sheppard Lane and Folly Quarter Rd. There is professional motorcycle support. Please note the bike course is not closed to traffic. Numerous police and support staff monitor the route. (see maps). The yellow centerline rule is always in effect. The run course is "the" unique challenge as the route climbs and encircles the lake and passes through a local neighborhood packed with fans. Four moderately steep climbs and the “Gatorade Wall” spice the run. There are five Aid Stations. The Columbia Triathlon run course has been acknowledged as one of the most challenging in triathlon. The Columbia Triathlon run course has been TAC certified as a 10k. Our certification ID # is 2004. The overall race time limit is 4:45 from the start of your wave.

DIRECTIONS: The Columbia Triathlon is held in Columbia, MD, which is located amidst rolling hills between Baltimore, MD and Washington, D.C. and is about 15mi. from the BWI Airport. View Travel Directions- From Airport and Local, Local Map, PDF Format Directions- Best for printing (download the free PDF viewing software Adobe Acrobat Reader )

LODGING/TRAVEL: The Sheraton Columbia Hotel is again the host hotel with a special Triathlon rate for you and is located 2 miles from Centennial Lake, the race site. For Resevations call: 1-800-325-3535 (local, 410-730-3900).


RACE PACKET PICK UP & Columbia Triathlon HEALTH and FITNESS EXPO: Packet Pickup is on Fri, May 21, 2-7pm, and Saturday, May 22, 10:00-7:00 pm at the host Hotel, The Sheraton Columbia in the Lobby and the LakeView Ballrooms. There is NO Sunday Packet Pick-up. All pre-registered entrants MUST attend packet pick up Friday or Saturday in person. Per USAT rules, each participant MUST pickup their own packet. No Exceptions. This is due insurance liability concerns. All participants must show a photo ID, and all USAT annual members additionally must show their membership card. If you forget your USAT card, you may show a copy of it from your PDA (if applicable). Race staff cannot look up your USAT information --- you MUST bring it with you or pay the one day fee. A unique wristband will be affixed at this time which must remain on through the end of the race. Sorry, No wrist band on Sunday morning, No race.
ATHLETE AMENITIES:
Health & Fitness Expo, Technical T , imprinted swim cap, 24 oz. custom water bottle, Goodie Bag, Waterford crystal awards to overall champions, Custom commemorative finishers medallion, great post race party, great music, complimentary post race massage.

ON COURSE AMENITIES: Water, Lemon Lime Gatorade Endurance Formula, Hammer Gel Energy gel

PRE-EVENT COURSE TALKS: Sheraton Columbia Hotel, Saturday, May 22, at 12PM and 3 PM in the Ellicott Room (As you're looking at the front of the Sheraton Hotel, it is to your left where the Inn section begins).

MANDATORY PRE-EVENT BIKE RACKING: When you are Ready On Saturday, May 22 ( noon to 8 pm only at Centennial Park), all bikes must be racked at Centennial Park. Once racked, your bike cannot be removed. Full security is provided overnight. NO exceptions!
Bike inspection is not mandatory, but CTA stongly suggests that you have your bike inspected at your local bike shop prior to the race to ensure it is properly tuned and meets all race safety regulations.

CASH AWARDS for PROFESSIONALS:

The first 7 professional finishers, both male and female in this class, will be eligible to receive prize money from the total purse of $25,000, if and only if they finish the Columbia Triathlon within 10% of the finishing time of the second placed finish time in their gender. Professionals do Not qualify for any prize by virtue of just placing. All prize money will be mailed to the winners, after the race results have been certified as "Official" by race officials and appropriate IRS forms have been completed. All non-US residents who complete a W-8 will have 30% withholding.

Professional

Total: $25000, equal M/F distribution

1: $ 5000
2: $ 3000
3: $ 2000
4: $ 1000
5: $ 750
6: $ 500
7: $ 250


COLUMBIA TRIATHLON AWARDS: NO duplication. Ceremony begins about 10:45am.
PROFESSIONAL OVERALL: Top 3, ( Waterford Crystal - Top Award). Special and Unique Awards.

AMATEUR OVERALL: Top 5, (Raymond Weil Watchesl -Top Award). Special and Unique Awards. Not eligible for Age Group Awards.

AGE GROUP AWARDS: Top 5 minimum of 2 to comprise age group): 14-16, 17-19, 20-24, 25-29, etc. thru 80+. (divisions subject to change due to entries received).

MASTERS OVERALL:Special Crystal Award:
Top Male 40+ (The Bill Ammon Memorial Award)
Top Female 40+ (The Judy Flannery Memorial Award)

GRAND MASTERS OVERALL: Special Crystal Award:
Top Male, 60+ (The Ralph Perry Memorial Award)
Top F, 50+, (The Marianne Rains Memorial Award)

MID-ATLANTIC CLYDESDALE/ATHENA Regional Championship (The Joseph Francis Law Memorial Trophy): OVERALL Top Performance: Clydesdale and Athena

CLYDESDALE AGE GROUPS: Top 5 M, 39&Under, and Top 5 M, 40+

ATHENA AGE GROUPS: Top 3, 39 &Under, Top 3, 40+.

MILITARY OVERALL: Top Male and Female

RELAYS: Top 3, All Male/All Female/Coed

MARRIED COUPLES: This is the only such award in the USA world of Triathlon
JUNIORS: Top 2, combined ages 79 years & under
SENIORS: Top 2, combined ages 80 years and over.

TOP FIRST TIME COLUMBIA TRIATHLETE: M/F

MOST IMPROVED TRIATHLETES (Top M/F): The Stephen Michael Auten Memorial Award. We are the only race in the US that recognizes this achievement. Please indicate your Exact 2008 finish time to be eligible. Refer to the race results online as well.

RESULTS AND AWARDS: Official race results will also be posted on our web site (www.tricolumbia.org) within 12 hours after the race and also at www.chiptimes.com. If you qualify for an award and are unable to attend the Awards Presentation, either have someone pick it up for you or please send us a check in the amount of $10.00, made payable to The Columbia Triathlon Association, Inc., 9130-G Red Branch Road, Columbia, MD 21045 (P&H) and we will mail your award to you.

PROBLEMS/CONCERNS: The CTA office: 410-964-1246/2274(FAX)

EMAIL: info@tricolumbia.org

Train Smart
The Columbia Triathlon Race Committee

phone: 410-964-1246
email: events@tricolumbia.org

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