Overview
Packet pick up times and locations will be announced on the event website once they are set. For now visit us on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/TarponSprings.triathlon for daily updates. The Tarpon Springs Triathlon reserves the right in the event of inclement weather, emergency, or natural disaster to cancel the race or move to a later time. In the event of cancellation, there will be no refund of entry fees. However, the USAT fee, if pre-paid, will be refunded.
Course Description
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! http://www.Facebook.com/TarponSprings.triathlon
Spectator Tips
The Tarpon Springs Sprint Triathlon at Fred Howard Park will take place on Saturday, September 7th, 2013 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
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. http://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.
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