Triathlon Information and Rules   General information:   No assistance may be rendered to any adult participant during the transitions.  Help for youth 11-14 is discouraged but may be rendered if necessary, and children ages 7-10 may be helped if struggling.  Please allow the children try to complete their transitions alone, but offer assistance before the child becomes frustrated.  The goal is for children to feel accomplished, without becoming overwhelmed.   All children/youth ages 7-14 are required to wear an orange safety vest on the bike portion.  We will be handing those out to all younger participants prior to the start of their race.  To all adults present, please cheer on our younger participants, even if they don’t belong to you, so they can have a successful and enjoyable event.  Any adults willing to ride their bikes along the race course to ensure safety of our child participants would be greatly appreciated.  Please wear an orange vest to identify your role.   Please note that race staff on the course will also have orange vests on for safety and identification purposes.    Teams:   Teams awards will be given to the top three teams (1st, 2nd and 3rd places).  All adult teams must be mixed with one member of the opposite sex.  Youth teams may be all one sex.    Teams members MUST exchange bracelets with their teammate in the transition area for EACH transition before the team can continue in the race.    Swim:   1.  The swim may be held in waves or heats, depending on number of participants.  Wave #1 will include women individual adult swimmers and teams, if there are enough lanes to accomodate this.  Second wave will be male individual adult participants.  There will be only two swimmers per lane.  The youth and child races will follow the start of the adult race.    2.  There will be wave counters for each lane and and likely each swimmer.  You are welcome to set up a signal with your wave counter to help you track your laps.   3.  Swimmers on the north end (near the locker rooms) will swim 8 laps.  This is because the north end is measured in meters, and to allow for the longer distance to the transition area.  The south end, near the outside door, will swim 10 laps.    4.  No specific stroke is required, and resting is allowed.  Just be conscious of not hindering your fellow lane-sharer with your activities.   Bike:   1.  Helmets are MANDATORY!  Helmets must be buckled before your bike can leave the transition area.   2.  No riding in the transition area.  Mount your bike after leaving the area and dismount before entering.  This is for the safety of all participants.  Failure to comply will result in disqualification.   3.  No radios, iPods, or headsets of any kind on the bike or run course.  You will be disqualified for this.    4.  Drafting is not allowed.  Keep 3 bike lengths between you and the rider ahead of you.  Please stay to the right unless passing.  If you do pass, pass on the left, announcing to the rider ahead of you that you are passing.  Do so in 20 seconds. If unable, you must fall back 3 bike lengths or you will receive a 1 minute penalty.  If you are overtaken you must drop back 3 bike lengths to maintain the no-drafting rule.  Again, a 1 minute penalty will be assessed for failure to do so.    5.  Adults are encouraged to ride along with children on the race course for safety and to cue them to their turnaround.  The turnaround points are marked with cones and signs for each group.    Run:   1.  The trail is very well marked, and there will be trail monitors to assist participants.  If a runner misses a section, the monitor will alert the runner and advise them to repeat the portion missed or the runner will be disqualified.   2.  Please note that this is a TRAIL run so the course may be rough.  There are places where one could easily turn an ankle or otherwise harm oneself.  Be aware of these potential hazards as you run.    Finish Line:    Complete your race by crossing the finish line of the correctly colored wave volunteers.  This will be explained the morning of the race.