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New to Ironman races? Never competed in a point-to-point race before? We have received numerous emails from people asking about race day logistics. We compiled this Ironman Calgary Race Day for dummies to guide you through the day and answer many of these questions. Please let us know if you have others and we'll add these to the list. Race Week…. Thursday
Race week will begin for us on the Thursday. We will begin setting up the expo and technical conference at the Westin Calgary on Thursday morning. Race Registration and Package Pick-up (at the Westin) will open on Thursday at 5pm*. Your race package will include a schedule for the week, bus schedule, race information, wristband, your race bib, swim cap, Transition bags, race number stickers for bags, helmet, and bike as well as a number of goodies from Sponsors. The Expo will also be open on Thursday afternoon The Expo will include over 20 exhibitors and retailers and the first speaker(s) for the technical conference will be scheduled on Thursday after 5pm* Friday
The expo will open again Friday morning and speakers will be scheduled throughout the day. The Technical Conference will include numerous talks by Ironman pros, Pro coaches and experts on such relevant topics as nutrition, training secrets, technical advances, testing and other topics of interest. The conference schedule is not full, so if you have topics or speakers you'd like to hear about or from, please contact us with your suggestions. In addition to speakers, there will be numerous athlete-briefing sessions throughout Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Athletes will be required to attend one of these briefings at their convenience to ensure they understand the rules and specifics of the course. Registration and Package Pick-up area will also be open all day as will the expo and retail areas of exhibition hall at the Westin. Saturday
The Expo, Registration and Technical Conference will continue Saturday until mid-day (approx 1pm*). Bike drop off is required at T1 (Ghost Lake) on Saturday morning. A bus will be available from the Westin at 9:00am, 12:00pm, and 3:00pm. The bus will have a trailer for bikes. Bikes will be secure overnight. The transition area will have security fencing and lighting and will be continuously patrolled by security guards and volunteers. Race Morning
Your day will start early. Buses will begin at 4:30am* to shuttle athletes from three locations within Calgary (Westin, T2 (North Glenmore Park) and McMahon Stadium). Parking will be available at McMahon Stadium and near North Glenmore Park. Spectators who have bought tickets in advance will be allowed to take buses - athletes will be given preference and spectators are encouraged to take later buses to give athletes sufficient time to prepare prior to race start. Body marking stations will be available at the Westin, North Glenmore, McMahon Stadium and Race start. Bins for T2 (run gear) bags will also be available at each location - please don't bring your T2 bag to the race start. T2 (run) bags will then be transported to and put into position in T2. Pre race Athletes will be transported to race start where they can drop off their T1 (Bike gear) bags. Remember to drop your T2 bag BEFORE getting on the bus so your T2 (bike gear) bag can be transported to T2. Athletes can also be dropped by at race start by friends or family, but parking at race start will be very limited and spectators will not be allowed to drive east of Ghost Lake on Highway 1A after race start. Athletes will don their wetsuits, warm-up and perform any pre-race rituals. All athletes will be required to be out of Transition by *7:00 am. Athletes will place their pre-race clothing in their dry clothes bag and drop them with volunteers before entering the water. There will be a table for eyeglasses to be placed on the boat ramp. Race start Swim starts will proceed in predetermined waves by age group starting with the Men and Women Pros at 6:50am. The Canadian National Anthem will be sung. Wave starts will be staggered by 10 min intervals as per the schedule, which will be posted on the website July 10th. Swim The triangular swim course will start from the vicinity of the boat ramp at Ghost Lake. Swim temperatures are expected to be cool (16-18C) so full sleeve wetsuits are strongly recommended. Neoprene caps can be worn but are not required. Neoprene booties or gloves will not be allowed unless water temperatures happen to be lower. The wave starts will be in the control of the starter who will ensure all athletes are behind the swim start to ensure a fair start. A one-minute warning will be given and a horn will be sounded to start each wave. The swim start line is approximately 5 yards into the water, at the edge of the dock, but athletes can start from the boat launch on dry land. Less confident swimmers may elect to start slightly behind the wave to avoid other swimmers. Kayaks and power rescue boats will be positioned throughout the swim course in the event athletes require assistance. Scuba divers will also be positioned strategically along the swim course. T1 Upon completion of the swim all athletes will exit and proceed up the boat ramp and over the timing mat. Wetsuit strippers will be on hand on the grass preceding T1 bag pick-up. After wetsuit stripping proceed directly to your bike where you will have left your T1 (bike gear) bags. Athletes will then put on their bike gear and pack their wetsuit and other swim gear into their T1 bags. Volunteers will be on hand to assist. No private change tents will be available at T1. T1 (swim gear) and dry clothes bags will be transported to T2 for pick-up after the race. A medical tent will be located in the T1 area for any emergencies. All athletes will proceed down and into the transition area wearing their bike gear. Sunscreen and water will be available. Athletes will pick up their bike from the rack and proceed on foot to the mount line. Volunteers and race officials will be present at the mount line to ensure all athletes have their helmets on and chin straps attached to ensure a safe and fair bike start. Bike There will be a large number of race officials on course who will STRICTLY apply all rules. Drafting is expressly prohibited and WILL BE closely monitored and policed on this course. Athletes must ride on the right and pass on the left. In addition, we will have a ZERO tolerance for any safety-related infractions. These violations will result in the athlete's immediate removal from the competition. All rules will be clearly described in the athlete briefing sessions. The bike course has a number of left turns and busy intersections. These areas will have officials, and in some cases, police officers prominently positioned. Athletes must obey race officials and police at all times and especially in these areas to ensure our race is safe. There will be two aid stations on the bike. These stations will supply water as well as energy drinks and bars. Athletes will be able to dispose of empty water bottles and garbage at aid station. Littering on course will not be tolerated. Porta potties will also be available at aid stations. SpeedTheory will also provide mechanical support on course. Several support vehicles and a sag wagon to pick up athletes who do not complete the bike will be on course. Although their will be numerous mechanical support vehicles, athletes are encouraged to have sufficient equipment to address any minor mechanical issues (such as flats) as support may not be on-hand when you need them. Athletes will proceed along the course as outlined on the maps on the website. There will be distance signage at 10 km intervals. The bike course ends at the entry to North Glenmore Park. Volunteers will be on-hand at the dismount line to collect your bikes and they will place your bike in numbered racks in T2. T2 Athletes will rack their own bikes and T2 bags will have been positioned at your bike number. Athletes will need to proceed through change tents to don their run gear. Removed bike clothing will be placed in the T2 bags. Volunteers will be on-hand to assist. Athletes will proceed to the run course. An aid station, medical tent and washroom will be available in T2. Run The run will progress on a closed road and pathways within North Glenmore Park and around the Glenmore Reservoir. The run course will have distance signs posted every kilometre and aid stations positioned approximately every 2km. The aid stations will provide water, energy drinks & gels and other assistance. There are a total of 10 aid stations. Finish Line Once you crest the Weaselhead Hill the finish line will almost be insight. The finish line will be located on the ring road in North Glenmore Park near T2. The finish line will have a clock displaying the total time from the first elite wave start. Smile as you cross the finish line because you have just had a great race and you are on camera. Volunteers will be holding a finish line tape for you to cross. After you cross the finish line volunteers will be available to assist you. They will help you remove your timing chip and give you your justly deserved finishers medal and finishers shirt. Post Race Recovery food and drinks will be available immediately after you finish the race. You will be able to collect your bike, T1 (swim gear) bag, T2 (Bike gear) bag and dry clothes bag from T2. An awards ceremony will be held in North Glenmore Park after the race. Athletes who are parked near North Glenmore Park can then leave at their leisure. Other athletes and spectators will be bused to the Westin Hotel or McMahon Stadium. A post race party will be held - location to be determined. **Times are tentative and subject to change. Times will be confirmed and a scheduled will be prepared and distributed to all athletes by email and included in your race package.
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