Welcome to the Aflac Iron Girl Columbia Women's Triathlon, one of the most challenging Triathlons in the USA. This event is produced in cooperation with Howard County Recreation and Parks and the Columbia Triathlon Association.

THANKS FROM ALL OF US: We wish to thank all who will enter and will compete this year from across the USA. We wish you nothing but success and fun. This is your “Turn” to be on “Stage” and Be More than you may have ever thought you could BE. We at CTA, know you will be Great and have this locked in your Memory of Life’s success for ever. Train Smart!

THE RACE DATE/TIME/FIELD: August 24, 2008 at 06:50 am, Centennial Lake, Ellicott City, MD. Wetsuits are Not allowed The typical water temperature is 80 to 86' F, air temperatures average 75' to 95' F. Race management reserves the right to accept or reject any entry.
The minimum age to compete is 14. The 2008 Race limit is 2100.

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 accept 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. The Aflac Iron Girl Triathlon will always utilize a "wave" start format, TBA

2008 RACE FEE STRUCTURE:
Professionals: $100.00
USAT Members: $90.00 (US)
Non-USAT Members: $100.00 (includes one day event insurance)
Relay Teams: $190.00/$200.00/$210.00/$220.00 (per team)
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.

CTA REFUND POLICY: A partial cash (via check) refund less $40; will be made, Only if requested in writing/email on or before June 1, 2008. Please allow up to 4 weeks for processing. After this date, absolutely NO refunds will be made for any reason. There are NO race transfers or substitutions allowed. USATriathlon rules and we strictly prohibit selling of your race entry slot. 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. You may not switch from a relay team to the individual category.

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 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/.

DATES FOR OFFICIALS CLINICS THIS SEASON: See www.usat-ma.org for developing events

ACTION SPORTS PHOTOGRAPHY, Georgia: The official race photographers for the 2008 Aflac Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon. They will be there race day and are the best in the biz!

RACE ENTRY CONFIRMATION/UPDATES: Any cancelled check will serve as confirmation of race entry and acceptance. Further event info will be available on the web site for you to print or will be emailed to you. 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:

SWIM: 1K /1100 yd. USAT wetsuit rules will be in effect (no wetsuits allowed if water temps exceed 78' F). The water will exceed 80’F and has been recorded in the summer at 86’F. The swim route is a counter clockwise rectangular course marked by orange and yellow Day Glo buoys.

BIKE: The scenic 17.5-mile route traverses the rolling countryside and farmlands of Howard County including 4 climbs along well maintained and paved two lane roads. There is a "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. This course Will Challenge You.

RUN: The 3.3 mile run course will take place entirely inside the park; we have removed the short stretch on Annapolis Road. A special feature will be the "Gatorade Hill Climb" to spice the run. There are 3 Aid Stations on the run course.

TIME LIMITS:
After meeting with all associated staff and and Key Team members, we have come to a final decision on the the time limits that we must have in place. Bearing in mind that we want All to have the greatest opportunity to "Be Great" and to taste thrill of personal "Victory", we felt we needed to review and rethink this important issue, taking into account the entrants, support staff, and weather conditions. We appreciate the comments some have forwarded to us and took them as well under consideration .
SWIM: 1 hour.
TOTAL (Time to complete the triathlon): 4 hours, 30 minutes.



DIRECTIONS: The Aflac Iron Girl 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, located 2 miles from Centennial Park (the race site) is the host hotel for the Aflac Iron Girl Columbia Triathlon and is offering a special triathlon rate. For Reservations call: 1-800-325-3535 (local- 410-730-3900).

RACE PACKET PICK UP/Health and Fitness Expo: Packet Pickup is on Friday, Aug 22 , 3 pm – 7 pm and Saturday, Aug 23, 10:00 am – 7 pm ONLY at the Sheraton Columbia Hotel, The Main lobby, in downtown Columbia (see map link). There are NO Saturday or race day entries and NO Sunday Packet Pick-up. All pre-registered entrants are expected to attend packet pick up Saturday in Person. This is due insurance liability mandates. All participants must show a photo ID, and all USAT annual members additionally must show their membership card. No exceptions. A unique wristband will be affixed at this time which must remain on through to the end of the race. Sorry, No wrist band on Sunday morning, No race.

ATHLETE AMENITIES:
Women's Health & Fitness Expo, Very Cool Aflac Iron Girl Technical shirt T, imprinted swim cap, 28 oz. custom water bottle, Raffle prizes, special commemorative finishers medallion, Waterford Crystal top finishers, great post race party, great music, complimentary post race massage, Special Surprise guests! There will be a special series of Women's Health Related clinics all week, beginning Friday night, Aug 22.

PRE-EVENT COURSE TALK: The Sheraton Columbia Hotel, Friday Aug 22, at 6pm and Saturday, Aug. 23 at 5pm. See the marquee as you enter the hotel. You should plan to be there for one of these!

PRE-EVENT SPEAKERS:
The Sheraton Columbia Hotel in the Main Ballroom:
Friday, August 22 at 5pm, Karen Dubs, certified Yoga Instructor, Flexible Warrior will demonstrate methods for staying relaxed and focused during challenging segments of the triathlon. She will also demonstrate important pre and post race stretches.
Saturday August 23 at 11:30 am : Motivational Talk, Melissa Merson, Mother, Cancer Survivor and 2006 Hawaii Ironman Finisher, An Average Age Group athlete tells you why You Can be an Iron Girl!
Saturday August 23 at 2:30 pm: Motivational Talk: Pamela Morris Certified Fitness Trainer, Triathlete, Business Woman. Getting The Best Out Of Yourself!

MANDATORY PRE-EVENT BIKE SAFETY CHECKS: Friday, Aug 15 to Saturday Aug 23 at Princeton Sports and Travel, 410-995-1894, 10730 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 or at their Baltimore location. Visit their website at http://www.princetonsports.com/. You must bring your CPSC certified race helmet and your race day bike. Bike racking begins at Noon on Aug 23 in the Centennial Lake transition area, after you complete the registration process at the hotel. Best to have your bike inspection done early and avoid the lines on Saturday.

MANDATORY PRE-EVENT BIKE RACKING: When you are ready on Saturday, Aug 23 (noon to 9 pm Only at Centennial Park), all bikes must be racked at Centennial Lake. Once racked, your bike cannot be removed. Full security is provided overnight. NO exceptions!