-
What is the current water temperature? Will the race be wetsuit legal?
The current water temperature is 84 degrees. If the current temperature stays we will not have a wetsuit legal swim. However you will still be able to wear your wetsuit if you prefer. We will set up wetsuit waves at the very end as the last wave. If you wear a wetsuit you will not be eligible for Age Group Awards.
If the swim is not wetsuit legal, only those skins suits listed on the USAT website are allowed.
-
What does the time trial start mean for me?
Each athlete is assigned a
start group number. You will line up in the corral according to your start group number. There will be signage for all groups so you will know where to line up in the corral.
The first group goes off at 7:00 AM with 6 athletes released every 7 seconds. Please see the
Start Line Up.
-
I'm in the wrong age group; I don't turn [age] until after the race.
You have been placed in an age group based on the age you will be on December 31, 2012. If you still feel you are in the correct age group, please contact
Kristen by Wednesday, September 5th. All other changes after Wednesday, September 5th will need to be made at the Solutions table on-site at the Dox Shots Sports & Fitness Expo.
-
I need to update my registration from an individual to a relay, or one of my team members can no longer make it and I need to update a relay member's info. How can I do that?
To update your registration please contact
Kristen by Wednesday, September 5th. There will be no refunds or deferrals for those who cannot make the race or need to update to a relay. All other changes after Wednesday, September 5th will need to be made at the Solutions table on-site at the Dox Shots Sports & Fitness Expo.
-
Where can I find all of the group numbers so I can see when my friends are starting?
You can find the line up on the left hand column of this page.
-
What is bike valet?
Bike valet, provided by WABA, will be offered for free at the Washington Hilton during Expo hours only. Any athletes who bikes to the expo can leave their bike at the bike valet while they pick up their packet and enjoy the expo.
-
What time does transition open and close?
On Saturday, transition will be open from 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM for bike racking. You must have your race bracelet ON and race numbers on your bike to get into transition. On race day, transition will open at 5:00 AM and close at 6:55 AM. All athletes must be out of transition by 6:55 AM. Only registered athletes will be allowed in transition. All bike racks will be assigned by bib number. Transition will reopen at 9:30 AM.
-
I cannot make it to bike racking on Saturday. Can a friend rack my bike?
Only registered athletes will be allowed in transition. If your friend is a registered athlete, then he or she may rack your bike.
-
What are all these numbers for in my race packet and how do I wear them?
The race numbers you receive in your race packet are for your body and your bike. You will receive a bib number which should be safety pinned to your jersey (or pinned to a race belt). For your bike you will receive a small number to be placed on the front of your helmet, and a larger sticker with numbers upside down on one side and right side up on the other. You will fold this over the top tube of your bike so it can be read from either side. You will also be body marked on Saturday when you rack your bike at transition.
You will need to have your stickers on your bike to rack your bike, and have your stickers on your bike and helmet for race day. You will need to wear your bib number for the run course.
-
How should I get to the start/transition area on race morning?
- We recommend you take the Athlete Shuttles on race morning, leaving from the Washington Hilton at starting at 4:30 AM. If you are coming from VA, we recommend you get dropped off by the Memorial Bridge and walk over to the transition area from there.
- If staying at the host hotel, Washington Hilton, or nearby we recommend you take the athlete shuttle.
- If coming from Virginia, get dropped off at the Arlington Memorial bridge and walk to the Transition Area (3/4 mile)
- If coming from DC/MD - Get dropped off at the Washington Hilton and take the shuttle or get dropped off via car at 23rd and Constitution and then walk to the transition area.
- If driving from VA – Take 395 and exit at National Park Service HQ entrance. Continue to lots A, B, and C. Then walk to the transition area. (.8 miles from transition area) If driving from DC, park at or near the Washington Hilton and take the shuttle.
- Remember that if driving, access to race day parking begins at 4:30 AM and is first come first serve. Keep in mind roads close at 6:00 AM.
-
How do I get my timing chip?
Timing chips will be on site on race morning. After you arrive at transition, head to the timing chips area to pick up your chip and ankle strap. You will need to have your race bracelet on with your number to pick up your chip. It is required that all participants wear the timing chip and strap. You must return your chip at the finish line.
It is required that all participants wear the timing chip and strap “on ankle”. If you do not wear your timing chip, you will not get results.
-
I am on a relay. How do I hand off the timing chip to my relay member(s)?
On race day enter the transition area and wait at your assigned team bike rack. The timing chip must be passed during each transition from swimmer to biker and biker to runner. Do not start before your teammate has reached your bike rack to pass the chip or you will be disqualified. The swimmer and biker can meet the runner at the finish line where the runner will collect medals for each team member.
-
Are there course cut offs?
There are no swim cut offs.
On the bike course, athletes must be at mile 7.5 by 10:30 AM to complete the course. If you are not you will receive a DNF (do not finish), and will only complete 15 miles as you will be asked to turn around at this point. You will still be able to finish the race.
The course closes at 2:00 PM.
-
Will there be aid stations on the course?
There are five aid stations located at approximately each mile marker along the run course. All aid stations will serve water and Gatorade G Series Pro. Aid stations 1 and 2 will have Clif SHOT Gels. There are no aid stations on the bike course.
-
What do I do after I finish the race?
Return your race chip, grab some Water, Gatorade, and Clif Crunch, visit the PNC Timing Receipt Tent to pick up your timing results and split times, then head to the AT&T Call Center to call your family and friends to tell them about your race. Head over to the Finish Line Festival and Athlete Services Tent for a treatment from ART doctors or The Jackson Clinics Physical Therapists. Watch the live band, and get ready to watch the Awards Ceremony starting at 11:30 AM.
-
What is “drafting” on the bike course?
Drafting is riding directly behind another athlete on the bike course. This allows you to gain unfair advantage because it allows you to ride at the same speed as the person you’re following without exerting as much energy. Drafting is not allowed for age group events. To find out more we recommend you check out the rules on the USAT website.
-
What is “blocking” on the bike course?
Blocking occurs when a rider is not riding on the far right side of the road, making it difficult (and dangerous) for other riders to pass. We suggest you check out USAT Rules on the USAT website for more information.
