TRIblossomwood RACE INFORMATION ** Printing Recommended **

We are excited for your athlete to participate in the race Saturday July 29th. Here is what you need to
know to make everything go smoothly.
Use the CHECKLIST—print it for your child and make sure they understand it is their race! Please go
over the TRIATHLON TIPS with your child to make sure they know the rules of the race.
PACKET PICKUP and HELMET CHECK Pick up your child’s packet on Thursday, July 27th at Bicycle
Cove in Madison from 1:30-5 or Friday, July 28th at Bicycle Cove in Owens Cross Roads from 1:30-5.
You MUST present your ID and your child’s USAT card (or electronic card) at packet pick up.
Included in the packet will be a sticker for the bike, and one for the helmet that you will want to put on
before race morning. You will also find Sport Tats that will need to be applied the night before or the
morning of the race. (They will not rub off on sheets if applied correctly.) PELICANS, SHARPFINS, and
any child needing help to remember right from left, will want to apply the dtKids tattoo to their RIGHT
hand to help them remember to RIDE to the RIGHT!!
Make sure your child’s bike is in good working order. If you aren’t sure, please take it to Bicycle Cove
in Madison or Owens Cross Roads prior to race day.
Helmet check is mandatory. You can do this at packet pick up or on race morning, but packet pick up
gives us much more time to made adjustments and for you to purchase a new helmet if one is needed.
No (properly fitting) helmet, NO race, NO exceptions.
PARKING—IMPORTANT The bike route is on neighborhood streets. Consequently, every car parked
on our streets is a hazard to the children. All cars should park at Blossomwood Elementary School
or streets not on the bike or run course.
NOTE You may drop off your child in front of the pool and enter the school parking lot from Woodmont
Ave SE, if you are there before 7:30am. After 7:30am, please enter the school parking lot via Tunlaw
Road SE.
***IMPORTANT: MANDATORY HELMET INSPECTION & Racer Check in ***
Racers (who have not already had their helmet checked) must check in WITH THEIR HELMET ON
between 6:30 – 7:30am. Racers without properly fitted helmets WILL NOT be allowed to race. NO
EXCEPTIONS. Helmet check will close at 7:30am.
A parent must be with the child at check in. You will be asked to confirm your emergency contact phone
number. This should be someone who is at the race, with a charged phone that is turned on with the
volume up. The racer will then be directed to the transition area. Parents are allowed to help the
participant set up their transition area, but WILL NOT be allowed in the transition area once the race
has started, unless that parent is signed up as an official volunteer.
MANDATORY PRE-RACE BRIEFING - 7:45 near the start line.
RACE START TIME (PLEASE NOTE: Times after Pelican are estimates only.)
Pelican Start: 8:00 am
Sawtooth/Yellowstripe: ~ 8:30 am (after Pelican race is over)-DO NOT LEAVE the race thinking you can
come back at 8:30 to start! This is an estimated time only.
Sharpfin: ~ 9:45 am (after Sawtooth/Yellowstripe race is over)--DO NOT LEAVE the race thinking you
can come back at 9:45 to start! This is an estimated time only.

RACE ORDER Run, bike, swim. NOTE ON THE SWIM FINISH: The racers must EXIT the pool and
cross the finish time to finish the race. The race DOES NOT END AT THE POOL WALL. This is very
important. The swim time ends, and the race is over, when they cross the finish line.
TRANSITION AREA The transition area opens 6:45am and closes at 7:40am. Please arrive early to
avoid the stress of transition setup. Experienced triathlete-volunteers are available to assist. Triathlete-
volunteers will help racers find their way to their bikes & ensure participants have their helmets on prior
to leaving for the bike. Parents are not allowed in the transition area during the race, or during
breaks between the division starts, unless signed up as an official volunteer. Please have your
child practice their transitions so they will know what they need to do.
FINISH LINE: The racers must EXIT the pool and cross the finish line to finish the race. The race
DOES NOT END AT THE POOL WALL. The swim time ends, and the race is over when they cross the
finish line!!
Some RULES (Full USA Triathlon Rules can be found here: file:///Users/dana/Downloads/
USA%20Triathlon%202023%20Multisport%20Competition%20Rules.pdf

General
• Shoes with fully covered toes; no crocs, slip on shoes, or flip flops.
• Race bib numbers must be worn at all times during the run and bike portion.
• Parents are not allowed in the transition area during the races.
Bike
• Bike helmets must be worn at all times, with the chinstrap buckled, while on the bike. Any racer
caught riding their bike without a helmet will be disqualified. This includes before and after the
race.
• Bikes must not be ridden in the transition area.
• Cyclists must ride to the RIGHT. Cyclists must stay two bike lengths behind the participant in front
of them, except when passing.
• Pass on the left, slower cyclists stay on right.
• Cyclists DO NOT EVER cross the center line of the road. Cyclists will be pulled from the race if
observed by a race official or volunteer for this violation. No warnings will be given. This is a
CRITICAL safety rule as the bikes are being ridden on public roads, which are open to traffic.
Swim
• NO diving.

POST-RACE FOOD will be provided for participants. (This is something small, not a meal!)
AWARDS All Pelican finishers will receive a finisher prize. Other divisions will receive top male and
female finisher awards for both. The awards ceremony will take place under the pavilion following the
finish of the Sharpfin Race. Participation ribbons/medals will not be given.
SAFETY For medical emergencies, HEMSI & Huntsville Police Department are on site.
SPECTATORS Best viewing is in and around the Start and Transition area and on the north and south
pool deck areas. Parents will not be allowed on the east side of the pool deck during the races. Bring
chairs & blankets to sit on during and after the race. Please be courteous of the pool neighbors.
SPONSORS Bicycle Cove is the original creator and main sponsor of this race. BRINKLEY LAW FIRM
was a generous sponsor this year as well. But the event would not possible without the Huntsville
Police Department, HEMSI, Blossomwood Pool, along with over 70 volunteers. Please take a moment
to thank them.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide an exciting triathlon race experience for your child.
Be sure to check the great tips below.
Sincerely,
Tri Blossomwood Race Committee
 TRIATHLON CHECKLIST
WHAT TO WEAR or BRING
o Shirt (with race number attached)
o Race Bib
o Race belt or pins for Race Number
o Shorts
o Hat/Visor
o Athletic shoes (NO slip-ons, crocs, flip-flops)
o Socks
o Sunglasses
o Bike in good working order
o Helmet. No helmet = NO RACE. No exceptions.
o Tire pump & tools
o Water bottle
o Bright Towel to find transition spot easily (and an extra left with parents for after the race)
o Goggles (optional)
o Swim Cap (optional)
o Swim Suit (worn to the race)
o Small snack (optional)
o Sunscreen
o Directions & Parking map
o Sandals/flip flops (left with parents for after the race)
o Change of clothes for after the race
COURSE DETAILS
RUN COURSE The Pelican run course is CLOSED to all traffic, but the other two courses are
run on Woodmont Avenue and the Blossomwood Elementary parking lot, which are OPEN to
motor traffic (intersections are controlled by HPD), with volunteers directing racers. There will
be a bike or a runner leading the race. There will NOT be any water on the course. The longest
run is .75 miles. If your child will require water, please have them carry a water bottle.
BIKE COURSE The bike course will be on neighborhood roads which are OPEN to motor
traffic. Volunteers will be directing racers. Huntsville Police Department will be directing traffic.
IMPORTANT: Please instruct your child to ride to the right at all times. Any child who is
seen crossing the center line of the road will be removed from the race. NO WARNINGS
will be given. This is a crucial safety rule. (The Pelican bike course is CLOSED to all traffic.)
SWIM The swim will take place in the outdoor, 25 yard pool. (The Pelican race will be held in
the smaller kiddie pool.) Kids will swim up one lane and upon reaching the end of the lane,
move under the lane rope to the next lane and swim down (flip turns are allowed). Lifeguards
will supervise the pool. NO FLOATATION DEVICES ARE ALLOWED (exception in the Pelican
division). Kickboards will be provided for Sharpfin participants who need one. (If a kickboard is
used, the participant is not eligible for awards.) Racers will be allowed to take breaks if
needed at the walls. A racer who is in danger will be pulled from the pool by a lifeguard.
TIMING Split times will be recorded and listed in results. In order to capture times, the
disposable timing leg cuff must be worn at all times during the race. This cuff does not need to
be returned after the race.
 TIPS
TRANSITION
The most unfamiliar aspect of the triathlon will be the transitions. Transition is both a place and
an event. It is at the center of where the running, biking, and swimming meet. It is where racers
will “transition” from one sport to the next. In a triathlon, the clock starts when you start &
doesn’t stop until you touch the pool wall, so you want to minimize the time between the
different sections of the race, or “transition”.
Be prepared by having your child practice at home by setting up their transition area. Have
them briefly run, go straight to their transition spot and put on their helmet. Have them run out
a little ways with their bike and “mount” it (get on). Then, have them take a brief bike ride and
return to the area, “dismounting” (get off the bike) and walk/run the bike to their transition spot.
They will then prepare for the swim by taking off their helmet, race belt/shirt, and shoes.
Racers are NOT required to wear swim caps or goggles, but can if they wish. If they are going
to wear them, they need to be prepared to put these on without assistance.
Teach your kids how to run/walk with their bikes. They are not allowed to ride them in the
transition area. They need to be on the left side of the bike (the side opposite of the bike
gearing) at all times- while running beside the bike, while mounting and while dismounting.
Practicing these two transitions (run to bike and bike to swim) will improve the chances things
will go smoothly on race day.
Come early on race day for your child to get checked in and to give them time to prepare their
transition area. Bring two towels, one for the transition area and the other one to be left with
the parents for after the race. Bring a full water bottle. There will not be water on the run or
bike courses. There will be water just inside of transition should they need it. NO parents will
be allowed in the transition area after 7:40am until after the race is over.
Locating their own spot. It is good to use a colorful towel to help your child locate their spot
in Transition. There will be a lot of bikes in there and even though the volunteers are great at
helping the kids to their spot, it helps if the kids have a bright towel to look for. NO balloons
allowed in transition.
Familiarize yourselves. Make sure your child has all of the necessary equipment needed on
race day (goggles, bike helmet, towel, running shoes, socks) and has practiced with it. Pre
race practice will familiarize your child with everything so he/she will be less likely to forget
items on race morning. You could have a lot of fun setting up a virtual transition area and
racing each other through it.
Make sure your child’s bike is in safe and proper working condition. Put air in the tires,
lubricate the chain, and properly fasten or adjust all bolts. You may want to take your child’s
bike to Bicycle Cove prior to race day to have it checked out.
And EVEN MORE TIPS!
BEFORE THE RACE
•Possibly begin increasing your child’s hydration days before. (But don’t over hydrate!)
• Be sure bike is in good working order. Pump tires and visit Bicycle Cove for a tune-up, if
needed.
•Review the Transition Area and course maps provided. It will help your child feel like he/she
knows what’s going on before getting there.
• Pin the bib number to a shirt prior to the race or the night before. If you use safety pins for the
race number, be sure they haven’t been pinned through BOTH sides of the shirt. Another
option is to use a race belt.
• Apply the race tattoos the evening before, or the morning of the race.
• Being prepared eliminates any anxiety before the event. It is common to be nervous or have
butterflies before the event. Keep in mind, others who have never participated in a triathlon
most likely feel the same way.
• Eat a light healthy meal the night before. No junk food! Be sure to eat a light breakfast the
morning of the event. NOTHING NEW on race day!
• Arrive early.
• Go to the bathroom!
• Warm-up prior to race start.
• Safety is number one! KNOW THE RULES. DO NOT CROSS THE CENTER LINE while on
the bike course! Any cyclist who is caught crossing the center line will be pulled off the
course.
• Familiarize your child with the course and the transition area. Have your child walk through
transitions on race morning.
DURING EVENT / WHAT TO EXPECT
• It is important to stay hydrated. Drink water prior to your race, but not too much.
• Leave something in the tank for the swim! Pace yourself, start slow.
• Watch for uniformed police officers & Street Marshals to help direct you along the course.
• When on the bike, be sure to look forward and keep your eyes on the roadway and ride to the
right at all times unless passing. When passing, DO NOT CROSS THE CENTER LINE. There
could be participants behind and in front of you. LOOK before passing to be sure the way is
clear.
• When and if you should pass another athlete on the bike course, be sure to let him/her know
you are coming. Shout out “on your left” when passing.
• During the swim, should you become tired, feel free to hold on to the lane line. There is no
penalty for being the last out of the pool.
• The race ends at the FINISH LINE MAT! ((Please make sure your child understands they
have to get out of the pool and cross the finish line to end their race time!))
• After you finish, have some fun and relax!

You are now a triathlete (or a triathlete again!)