2017 Athlete Instructions
Dear Athletes –
Thank you for registering for the 8th Hudson Crossing Triathlon, taking place this Sunday at 8a. This e-mail contains some important information that will help you arrive on site ready to race.
This is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event and therefore certain rules will be in effect and enforced. Please familiarize yourself with these race rules at https://hudsoncrossingtri.com/event/message-from-the-head-referee/. Failure to do so may result in penalties that will affect your results and/or disqualification from the race.
Packet Pick Up
Pre-race packet pick-up is 12p-4p on Saturday at the Pavilion in Hudson Crossing Park, Schuylerville. You must present a photo ID. If you don’t have photo ID you will not be able to pick up your packet. You and only you can pick up your packet (you cannot pick one up for someone else). This is for insurance and liability purposes. Hudson Crossing Park is located ¼ mile north of Schuylerville – it’s our race site.
We recommend getting your packet Saturday to minimize the rush on Sunday. Race-day packet pick up at the Pavilion near the race start from 6:30a. to 7:30a on Sunday. Same policies as above applies. Remember to arrive early! The park is located at 126 Route 4 North, Schuylerville, NY.
Parking
Main parking for the event is Schuylerville High School. Drive into the school lot (accessible from Route 29) and drive way to the back behind the school where the buses are. You can then walk/ride your gear down the back hill, across Route 4/32 and into the park. You can also park in the fields in the back of Hudson Crossing Park – this is probably the most convenient but YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO LEAVE UNTIL AFTER THE RACE, APPROX 10:45A. A gate will close at 8 a.m. shutting all cars in. If you want to leave before 11a, please park at Schuylerville High School.There is no parking on the roadways in the Park – only in the fields way in the back. Remember to arrive early!
Swim Waves and Safety
We will have 5 waves separated by 3 minutes. You will need to wear the provided swim cap to identify your wave. Expected water temp is 66-68 degrees on race day. If you are new to triathlon or open water swimming the key is to start out slowly, and pace yourself – no need to rush the start of a swim at an event like this. Place yourself at the back of your wave to stay out of the way of faster swimmers. We will have lifeguards and water safety volunteers on hand.
Road Conditions
Please be just as cautious on the roads as you would be on a regular ride. You may find some potholes and ridges at certain places. We will do our best to mark them with chalk before the race. Please be aware that while we have police units monitoring the course and volunteers at intersections, most roads are open and you will need to be mindful of traffic.
Race Day Schedule
6:30AM – 7:30AM – Packet pick-up, body markings and timing chip pick-up at the Pavilion in the Park (near swim-start). Remember to bring your picture ID if you didn’t get your packet Saturday. Timing chip should be secured around your ankle.
Arrive early!
7:30AM – Transition area closes. All bikes must be checked into the transition area by this time and you should be back at the swim staging area. Bike race numbers should be attached to the top tube — clearly visible. Helmets must meet current safety standards and should be properly fitted. Team bike members must remain in the transition area for the start of the race..
7:45AM — Mandatory athlete meeting in the area near the swim start (close to where you got your chip).
8:00AM – Start of Race
~10:15AM — Awards Ceremony
Port-O-Johns
We’ll have 4 port-o-johns near packet pick up/swim start and 3 near the transition area. Each area has one handicapped-accessible unit. These will be unisex so please be considerate of the person following you.
Race Rules
While certain lanes will be closed and/or monitored by police and marshals on the bike course, the course is open to vehicles. Please follow regular road riding rules: bike on the right of the road, look ahead and behind before crossing over, call out to the athlete ahead of you when you’re going to pass. No headphones on during the race. No drafting. Please be considerate of your fellow athletes, volunteers, race officials and the community. You can read the full USAT Competitive Rules here: http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/about-events/rules. We will not have a race official this year so race staff and volunteers will be enforcing race rules.
Weather
Weather is looking warm to hot on June 11. The race will be rain or shine, regardless. Lightning or an extreme weather system could affect the start time, or delay or possibly cancel the event. The race committee will assess the weather prior to the race and announce any possible changes then.
Sponsors & Supporters
We’re grateful to all of our event sponsors and supporters: Hudson Crossing Park, SOL Facilities Services, Saratoga Triathlon Club, Donnelly Construction, Price Chopper, Hannaford, Hudson Solar, Smith Orchard Farms. Thank you to NYS Canals, DOT, State Troopers, Department of Health and EPA for their support and involvement.
The Saratoga Triathlon Club is sponsoring our finisher medals once again this year – thank you STC. Check them out at http://saratogatriclub.com/.
Volunteers
The more the merrier! If you have friends or family coming with you who would like to help out please have them fill out our form here: https://hudsoncrossingtri.com/volunteer/ or just show up in the morning and we will assign you. Volunteers will be treated to coffee, refreshments, pizza and a t-shirt. Please thank the volunteers out on the course as you race as they are there for your safety!
For updates and info, please continue to check the web site at hudsoncrossingtri.com or join us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/hudsoncrossingtri.
We hope you have a great race on Sunday.
Sincerely,
HCT race committee