2019 Around the Fort Sprint Triathlon

*** Sold Out!!! - Registration is closed! ***

Around the Fort Triathlon is a sprint race designed for all levels; beginners to seasoned triathletes, featuring a 300 meter swim, 12 mile bike, and 5K run!

Open to all Military Services, DoD Civilian, Retirees, and family members; eighteen years and older.

The swim is the first leg of the race and is held at Gaffney Fitness Center’s heated indoor pool. Participants will swim 300 meters in a snake or serpentine style method, starting with the fastest seeded swimmer, followed by the next fastest swimmer and so on.

Participants will enter the water in :15-:20 second intervals, swimming "laps" to the end of the pool. Participants will swim to the end of one lane and back down the other side of that same lane, duck under the ropes and swim to the end of the next lane and back in the other side of that lane, until the swimmer reaches the other end of the pool.

Swimmers will line up according to swim time. Please time yourself at 300 Meters before the race so that you can estimate an accurate time. If you estimate your time too fast or too slow, it will hurt your overall time and the others around you. Your best time will come if you do not pass or get passed. If you are able to, please practice swimming underneath the lane lines at your own pool before race day.

Swim Rules

• No Diving
• No walking or continual pushing off the pool floor
• No pulling on the lane ropes
• Swimmers must cross the timing mat, jump in the pool feet first then begin swimming
• Passing is allowed, must follow protocol in the race packet
• Swimmers must touch the wall at the end of each lap
• Flip turns are permitted

Participants not following the rules will be disqualified from the event. Finishing the race will be permitted, but times will be pulled from the results.

The Bike course is a 12.9 mile ride that takes participants through portions of the installation. The bike course is not closed to traffic. Racers must obey all traffic laws and use good judgment while on the course. Turns will be marked with signs and road guards will be located at heavily used intersections to assist with traffic control.

Racers are strongly encouraged to drive the bike course prior to race day to know where the turns are. It is the racer's responsibility to know the course.

Map - Bike Course 12.9 Mile (PDF)

Bike Rules

• Helmets are required, chin straps must be fastened before leaving/upon arriving in the transition area
• Racers must mount and dismount bikes in the marked path near the transition area (will be marked and stationed by a course marshal); failure to do so will result in a time penalty
• Stay to the right, allow faster riders to pass on the left
• No drafting; leaving 3 bike lengths between you and the person in front of you, failure to comply will result in disqualification
• Riders must obey all traffic laws (coming to a complete stop at stops signs)
• Riders must stay to the right and allow faster riders to pass on the left
• There is no water available on the bike course, so please bring your own

The 5K run is the last leg of the triathlon. The run course is on a paved surface, and not closed to traffic. The finish will take place near the transition area on the road. In total, runners will race to a distance of 3.1 miles (5K). Road Guards will be posted at every major turn with directional signs to indicate the running route. There will be 2 water stations on the course which participants will pass one time each.

Map - Run Course 5K (PDF)

Run Rules

• Bib numbers must be worn on the front of the chest during the run
• Stay to the right, allowing faster runners to pass on the left

Timing Chips

Racine Multisports will be timing the triathlon.  Each participant will be timed using timing chips. Racers will be given a timing chip while in line in the hallway, minutes before the swim. The chip must be worn on the ankle. Relay teams must hand off the chip in the transition area after each section of the race. Chips will be collected at the finish line. Chips that are not returned will be billed to the racer at a replacement cost of $20.

Transition Area

Racers must have a wrist band to enter the transition area and must wear it throughout the race. Please sign in first, before you come to the transition area.

Participants should arrive early to rack the bike in the transition area. All participants must be checked in by 7:15 a.m. and racked in transition by 7:30 a.m., there will be no exceptions. Your transition area bike location is first-come first served, and closes promptly at 7:30 a.m.

Each rack is designed to hold 6 bikes, 3 on each side. Bikes are to be racked by placing the seat on the bar, with gear set up on the right side of the front wheel.

Worried about doing the swim, or the bike, or the run? Don't worry, just put together a team so you only have to do one of the legs! For example: member "A" does the swim portion, member "B" does the bike portion, and member "C" does the run!

All participants will receive a race apparel item and medal!
Prizes will be awarded for the top finisher in the following categories:

• Overall Male
• Overall Female
• Age Group (top finisher; male and female, every five years starting at eighteen)
• Overall Team

Around the Fort Sprint Triathlon (PDF)