RACE INFORMATION               

 

The Basics

  • Chip timing

  • Scenic course

  • Great lake for the swim

  • Friendly volunteers

  • Well organized

  • Cool t-shirt

  • Spend the day, or the weekend, on the Island

  • Great first (or twelfth) triathlon

The Course(s)

  • To view the whole triathlon course on one map, click here.

  • SWIM COURSE -- start with a half mile swim in GOSS LAKE on South Whidbey Island

    • The swim is one lap of the lake on a triangular course

    • The lake is clean and clear and free of both motorized boat traffic AND algae!

    • Kayaks will be in the water to patrol the course

    • EMTs and police will be at the lake to handle any safety emergencies

  • BIKE COURSE -- leaving Goss Lake on your bike, you'll ride 19.5 miles on paved county roads

    • The bike course is two loops of a roughly 8-mile course, then a 3 mile final section to get you to T2

    • The course is hilly with views of Saratoga Passage and the North Cascades

    • Volunteers will be present to control traffic and direct you through all intersections

  • RUN COURSE -- the last leg is a 3.8-mile run, first on trails at South Whidbey Community Park, then on paved county roads

    • Two water stops are located on the course

      • the first just outside the transition area

      • the second at approximately mile 2.5

  • NOTE:  this triathlon course has two different transition areas, several miles apart.  See "The Logistics" section below.

The Logistics - GETTING TO THE START

  • The course has two different transition areas, T1 at the Goss Lake Swim Start and T2 at the race finish line.  These transition areas are 7 miles apart.

  • There is very limited parking in the area around Goss Lake, and NONE anywhere in the vicinity of the Swim Start

  • RECOMMENDED TRANSPORT PLAN: 

    • Drive to the area near the finish and park at South Whidbey High School (Map it)

    • Set up your T2 (Bike to Run transition) on the Community Park fields a short walk away.  T2 is directly adjacent to the finish line.

    • BEST TRANSPORT OPTION TO GET FROM THERE TO THE START:  put your wetsuit (if you're planning to use one) and all your other T1 (Swim to Bike transition) gear in a backpack and ride your bike 7 miles (with one decent hill) through Langley to Goss Lake and the Swim Start.  Maps of this route will be posted in the vicinity of T2, and local tri-athletes will periodically announce departures for the swim course (nominally scheduled for 7:15AM, 7:30AM, and 7:45AM) if you want to ride over with a group. 

      • ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT OPTION #1:  a limited number of shuttle bus runs will transport people from Community Park to Goss Lake and the Swim Start.  The buses are capable of transporting riders and bikes, and will nominally depart the Park for the lake at 7:15AM, 7:30AM, 7:45AM, and 8:00AM.

      • ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT OPTION #2:  parking is available at Lone Lake, less than one mile from Goss Lake and the Swim Start.  If you park at Lone Lake, you can ride your bike or walk the short distance to Goss Lake.  As well, a shuttle bus will be running continuously between 7:00AM and 8:30AM over the same route.  If you use ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT OPTION #2 you will need to ride your bike or catch a shuttle bus after the race back to your vehicle in the Lone Lake parking area.

    • When you get to Goss Lake, find the rack with your race number on it, and rack your bike *handlebars out*.  Do *NOT* leave your shoes or helmet on the bike.  Change into your swim gear in the changing area, stow your bike gear in the trash bag with your number on it (you'll get one in your registration packet), and give this bag to the handlers in the transition area.  These volunteers will show you where your bag will be when you exit the swim.

    • After you exit the swim during the race, pick up your gear bag, change, and are ready to bike, make sure you put ALL your swim gear and wetsuit into that SAME numbered gear bag.  Hand it off to the volunteers on the way to your bike.  We will deliver the bag with our gear in it to your assigned spot in T2 (adjacent to the finish line) where you can pick it up after the race.  More details on this transition area are located on the Swim Course information page, linked above.

The Schedule

  • 9:00 AM first wave start (self-determined for fastest swimmers)

  • 9:05 AM second wave start

  • 9:10 AM third wave start

  • 9:15 AM "My First Triathlon" wave start

  • 12:00 PM Awards Ceremony

The "My First Triathlon" wave is open to anyone, whether it's your first triathlon or your twelfth.  The idea for this wave is to focus more on participation and less on hard core competition.  Start with this wave if your primary objective is to finish.

 

Awards

  • Overall awards to the top 3 male and female finishers in the following divisions

    • Open

    • Orca ladies (optional for female >150lbs, however, you must register in this category if you want to race in this category)

    • Orca gentlemen (optional for male >200lbs, however you must register in this category if you want to race in this category)

  • Age group medals in 5-year age groups

    • 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70 and over

    • Medals to the top 3 in each age group

  • Team awards for the 1st place Male, Female, and Co-ed teams in each of three age categories

    • SUB-PRIME - Combined age <99 Male, Female, and Co-ed

    • PRIME - Combined age 99-149 Male, Female, and Co-ed

    • SUPER PRIME - Combined age >149 Male, Female, and Co-ed

Questions?  Email us.