TARPON SPRINGS SPRINT TRI/DU SEPTEMBER 30, 2023
The TRIATHLON race begins with a quarter mile swim at 7:30 a.m. off of Fred Howard Beach which is a popular swim location for tourists and beach goers. The bike portion of the race is a 10 mile scenic route and paved and closed roads taking you across Fred Howard Causeway and into historic Tarpon Springs. Our bike course is one of our favorite ways to showcase our beautiful town and it is well staff by the Tarpon Police Department and race volunteers. The run ends inside Fred Howard Park with a 5K that takes you back to the finish line right next to transition area.
The DUATHLON is a 5K run/10 mile bike, 5K run
The AQUABIKE category is the 1/4 mile swim and the 10 mile bike, your finish time is when you cross the timing mat with your bike at transition. You can then head over to the finish line at your leisure to get your finisher’s medal. This is a fantastic category for those who are unable to run due to injury or circumstance but we still would love to have you in attendance.
Course Cut-Off Times: Swim 8:30am Bike 9:30am Run(Finish Line) 10:30am
Now the fun begins and it has made this race famous…the post race party food is out of this world and unique to any race you have ever attended. Rotarians bake dozens of homemade cookies and gather food from some of the best Greek restaurants in the world as Tarpon Springs is the hub for one of the most cultural Greek communities. From wraps, to spanikopita, to baklava, we will satisfy your appetite as you cross the finish line. Wash it all down with an ice cold beer at our Michelob Ultra post race extravaganza.
EARLY PACKET PICKUP & DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION will be available on Friday evening at
Chainwheel Drive Bike Shop, located at 32796 US Highway 19 N Palm Harbor FL 34684 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
DAY OF RACE PACKET PICKUP & DAY OF RACE REGISTRATION will be available at the race start on Saturday starting at 6:00 a.m. until 7:15 a.m.
USAT Event
USAT athletes must provide a valid USAT# and present their USAT card & photo ID at registration. A $50 Annual license can be purchased at http://www.usatmembership.com (For athletes under 17 years of age, price is $10 for an annual membership) Non-USAT licensed athletes must purchase the $15 one-day license. This is available during on-line registration.
The USAT Age rule requires that all participants race by birth year rather than their age on race day. This means your race age will be the same for all sanctioned events for an entire calendar year. The age group of a participant will be determined by age on Dec. 31 of the event year, not by age on race day. For example: If you turn 25 years old in July, you will race and be ranked in the 25-29 age group for the entire season.
AWARDS
FINISHER MEDAL to ALL FINISHERS!
TRIATHLON: Top Overall First Place Finishers Male / Female
Top Overall Masters (40 – 49) Male / Female
Top Overall Grand Masters (50 – 59) Male / Female
Top Overall Mega Masters (60 and up) Male / Female
Awards 3 deep in 5 year Age Groups (14 & under thru 85 & up) , Clydesdale (Men 220+lbs), Athena (Women 165+ lbs), Physically Challenged, Military/LEO/PSO, Novice (Sprint Only), Fat Tire, and Relay Teams.
DUATHLON: Awards for Top 3 Male & Female Duathletes (No Age Groups)
AQUABIKE: Awards for Top 3 Male & Female AquaBike (No Age Groups)
An email with your athlete information packet will be sent by the end of day on Thursday prior to the race with arrival instructions, updated information and all the important details needed to be race day ready.
Results will be posted race day at http://www.DRCsports.com with 5 split times gathered.
For those of you who visit the park regularly please understand the county is very good about removing the speed bumps on the causeway the evening prior to the race. Due to so many hundreds arriving on the island at one time you are encouraged to arrive early at the venue Transition opens at 6:00 a.m. and closes at 7:15 a.m.
Swim (map)
The first wave of athletes will start their swim at 7:30 AM.1/4 mile total. Swim from Fred Howard Beach 1/8 mile out into the Gulf of Mexico and 1/8 mile back. Depth is dependent on tide, weather and wind. Shore has a gentle slope and depth will be no more than 6 ft at high tide. Athletes enter the water based on the wave category you are placed in. Waves will be announced at packet pick up as all athletes should be on the island by 6:30 am. Lifeguards will be on duty in kayaks to oversee swimmers, however, you should not be participating in this event if you do not feel confident that you can complete the set distance in an open water setting with multiple swimmers around you.
Bike (map)
Course starts at Fred Howard Park beach and follows the main road out of the park to loop around scenic bayous before returning to Fred Howard Park and ending at the beach. The course has many turns and bikers should take care if the road is wet. Watch for gutters and grates. Police will control traffic and there will be volunteers along the route.
Run (map)
Start at Fred Howard Park beach, run along the causeway into park. Route follows park roads (shaded and flat), and returns via the causeway to the race finish at the beach. There will be water stations at the 1 mile and 2 mile marks. The course is paved, mostly shaded and flat.
Racing Strategy
New triathletes will find the Tarpon Springs event to be a friendly first triathlon. Age group competitors will enjoy a well organized and supported event. The post race party is one of the best in sprint distance triathlon so stick around for awards that will go five deep in every standard category as well as Masters, Clydesdales and Athenas (men weighing in at 220 lbs and women at 165 lbs or above may select this category). The post race party is sponsored by Michelob Ultra and the food free to all athletes is from the authentic Greek culture known to Tarpon Springs! Ask Anita for her famous cookies! FACEBOOK EVENT
Spectator Tips
The Tarpon Springs Sprint Triathlon at Fred Howard Park will take place on Saturday, September 10th, 2022 at (Fred Howard Park) It is located West of Tarpon Springs by taking Alt. 19 to Klosterman Road, go West on Klosterman Follow the signs to the parking and race start/transition areas. Plan to arrive between 5:30 and 6:30 AM. The race will start with the first swim wave at precisely 7:30 AM. We will have several hundred athletes arriving at the same time, so plan ahead, be patient and everyone will have plenty of time to prepare for their race. This is a chip timed event where each athlete will receive and wear a chip around their ankle for the race. The chips will be collected at the finish line to tally each racers split and total times. If you drop out of the event, please take your timing chip to a race official. Everyone must be in the park by 7:30, the road will be closed for the entire bike portion.
What do I need?
You need a bicycle. The race does not provide bikes for athletes but there are local bike shops that do rent bicycles by the day. Rental Bicycles are available from Chainwheel Drive at the following locations:
Chainwheel Drive
1770 Drew Street
Clearwater FL 33755
727.441.2444
32796 US Hwy 19 N
Palm Harbor FL 34684
727.786.3883
www.chainwheeldrive.com
All USAT Rules Apply. As a member or athlete buying a one day permit, it is up to you to be aware of the rules that apply. www.usatriathlon.org
You need swim goggles or a mask. Anything that will aid you in propelling you in the swim portion of the race such as snorkels and fins are not permitted in this event (kind of like no motors on your bike). If you have the ability to fly we encourage you to use this talent on the run portion. Running and or bike shoes. Some athletes have special biking shoes with cleats that secure them to the pedals.
© 2022: Tarpon Springs Triathlon 