26th Warsaw Optimist Sprint Triathlon

The Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club is proud to sponsor our 26th Annual Optimist Sprint Triathlon!  We are a family friendly inclusive event and offer  Adult (Age Group), Adult Relay, Kayak, Kayak Relay, Para Triathlete, and Youth devisions.
We are adding a new division "Premier" it included non-professional athletes that are extremely fast. Premier athletes start early in the wave order, and are subdivided by gender and age range, each whom must meet (and submit proof of) qualifying times for eligibility:

• Premier Female Open
• Premier Male Open

***Race shirts are not guaranteed with registrations after May 25, 2019***


Location

Winona Lake Park Community Center located at 1590 Park Avenue, Winona Lake, IN 46590.  Winona Lake Park is a town in North Central Indiana and is situated southeast of Warsaw, IN on the Northeast side on Winona Lake about  40 miles West of Ft. Wayne, IN on US 30. 

Sponsorship

This triathlon is sponsored by the Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club, a not for profit organization whose theme is "Friend of Youth". All profits are committed to the many youth activities supported by the Optimist Club in this community.

Race Course Characteristics- ADULT Sprint

Course	Length	Description
Swim	1/4 mile	1/8 mile out, 1/8 mile back swim 12+ waves, 3 minutes stagger Each wave less than 50 participants USAT rules govern the use of wet suits
Bike	14.4 miles	Open road course with a few small hills to Pierceton and back. Bike helmets must be strapped at all times. You must furnish your own water bottle on the bike course.
Run	3.6 miles	Open road course with some curves and few minor hills, scenic on recently completed Greenway Trail through a wooded area, along a creek. Runners must wear the race number in front. Water stations along the route.
Kayak	1.5 miles	3/4 mile out, 3/4 mile back You must wear a personal flotation device. See Special ADULT Solo - "Kayak / Bike / Run Wave" for more information.

USAT Age Division Assignments- Youth and Adult

The age group of a participant will be determined by their age as of December 31 of the event year, NOT by age on race day. So, you will be assigned to an age division according to your age on 12/31/2019.

YOUTH Race Information (Ages 11/12 and 13/14)

The final waves of this race will be exclusively for youth participants. This activity is designed to introduce young athletes to the multi-sport lifestyle. The two Youth groups will use two year age brackets- 11/12 and 13/14 year old. Both brackets will be Co-ed, and race only as solo individuals. The youth group race is to considered participatory, as all finishers will be awarded the same prize without regard as to placement in their age group. Depending upon the number of participants, we will launch the number of waves as appropriate for safety of the participants. Both youth age groups will participate on a shortened version of each of the Adult Swim, Bike and Run courses. Each YOUTH participant will be issued a highly visible color race T shirt which MUST BE WORN during the race. YOUTH - Will also participate in a triathlon. Both the 11/12 and 13/14 year old waves will compete on a shorter version of the adult course. Distances for the 13/14 group will be Swim- 110 yards, Bike- 2.97 miles and Run- 2.29 miles. The 11/12 group will depart in the last wave and use an even shorter version of the adult course. Distances for the 11/12 group will be Swim- 110 yards, Bike- 1.8 miles and Run- 1.46 miles.

Special ADULT Solo - "Kayak / Bike / Run Wave"

Participants will use a kayak to complete the water portion of the event. The Kayak course is separate from the swim course. They will launch from the beach and paddle out to a buoy and return. You will be expected to return your kayak to the designated grassy area along the beach. Then you will blend back into race course and continue to the Bike and Run events.

If you want to compete in this wave, you MUST select this option during the registration process and provide your own Kayak, paddles and personal flotation device. Contestants MUST wear a personal floatation device. This group will be limited to a maximum of 30 participants.

This wave is intended to be a fun wave to help introduce adult participants to the sport. Kayak participants will wear a timing chip and their times will be recorded. The top finishers in this group will be presented a race participation medallion.

We have applied to USAT for sanctioning of this event, but at this time, we are not certain of the outcome. Participants in this wave will be disqualified from Triathlon Sprint prizes and the Timer will be instructed to NOT report participants times to USAT.

Special Adult Team Kayak/Bike/Run

Athletes may also elect to participate as a Team in the Kayak/Bike/Run. All of the comments and Rules mentioned above will apply to Team Kayak participants. The team captain must register all participants in the order of Biker/Runner and Kayaker last. If you want to compete in this wave, you MUST select this option during the registration process and provide your own Kayak, paddle and personal lifejacket.

Special note for Kayak participants

The Optimist Club recognizes that delivery of both bikes and kayaks on the morning of the event presents a logistics challenge. Therefore, kayak participants may opt to deliver to the designated area at Winona Lake Park beach, their kayak, personal floatation device and paddle on the evening before the race. All night security personal will be provided at the park on that evening. Kayaks may be delivered after 6:00 PM on Friday evening and must be removed by no later than 12:00 noon on Saturday. The Winona Lake Parks Department (574-267-2310) has a limited number of kayaks for rent and should be contacted early for rental fee and reservation information.

About This Event - ADULT Age Restrictions

The MINIMUM age for entry in an ADULT age group is 15 years old before 12/31/2019. This applies to a solo triathlete or as a member of a team. USA Triathlon requires five year age group divisions for age 20 and older - Adult: 15-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85+

A Chip Timed Race

All participants MUST wear an assigned timing chip. You will be responsible for returning your timing chip at the finish line or pay a $75 replacement fee. Teams are only assigned one timing chip (same as Bib Number) and must transfer that chip to succeeding members of the team while at the bike rack in the transition area.

General Registration Policy -NO RACE DAY REGISTRATIONS.

Registration will be closed on Wednesday June 8, 2019 at midnight or when the limit of 500 entries is reached, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST. There will be NO SAME DAY registration. Get your entry in early. Registration entries are not transferable to other individuals nor can they be delayed to a subsequent year race date. Once registered, no refunds are permitted.

Rankings/ Discount for Annual USAT Membership

If you are an ADULT USAT member, you will be ranked nationally and regionally in your age group if you complete a minimum of three races while racing in your age group. Your tri club will also receive valuable points towards the club series for the Mideast Region of USAT. You are eligible to receive a $15.00 discount if you are a current annual USAT member. Youth receive a $10.00 discount. You may purchase an annual USAT membership by calling 719-597-9090 or log on to www.usatriathlon.org for membership information. Be sure to purchase your annual membership early in your racing season. USAT may require up to 4 weeks to get your updated materials to you.

Special Note - Team Registration Requirements

Team captains must complete the registration for all team members and be responsible for furnishing all team members with information and payment for the entire team. Minimum Age per USAT is fifteen years old for all team members. Be sure to register the team members IN the following ORDER (First- Runner; Second- Biker; Last- Swimmer). EACH AND EVERY TEAM MEMBER IS REQUIRED TO SHOW PHOTO ID AND SIGN USAT RELEASE FORMS AT PACKET PICKUP. Participant race packets will be located in the registration boxes marked "TEAMS" under the participants LAST NAME.

2018 Adult Winners

Place	Male Name	Time	Woman Name	Time
1st	Rob Chalfant	0:58:39	Shanna Bonnell	1:08:29
2nd	Scott Erba	1:00:51	Jennifer Zimmer	1:11:36
3rd	Davon Geiger	1:02:55	Diana Schowe	1:13:58
4th	James Bartlett	1:04:14	Sarah Kittle	1:15:28
5th	Michael Tomchaney	1:04:21	Daphne Glover	1:17:01

Packet Pickup - ADULTS - PHOTO I.D. REQUIRED, YOUTH Parent / Guardian Requirement

Race Packets may be picked up at the Seinor Pavilion in Winona Lake Park on Friday, June 21 from 6-8 PM and Saturday morning, June 22 from 6-7:30 AM. Arrive early. All Adults MUST SHOW PHOTO ID AND USAT MEMBERS MUST SHOW CURRENT USAT CARD. YOUTH Triathletes (ages 11/14) must be accompanied at Registration Packet Pick up by a parent or legal guardian and present, IF ASKED, verification of age via use of a Federal or State or County or School issued document. A copy of a birth certificate is commonly used. All race packets and T shirts not picked up before the race starts will be distributed as premiums at the award ceremony held immediately after the race.

Late Registrations Forfeit the right to a Race T-Shirt

The entry fee includes a race T-shirt, which is distributed during registration packet pick up in the Community Building at Winona Lake Park. If you register after May 25, 2019 you are NOT guaranteed a T-Shirt. 

Pre-Race Clinic Available

A no charge pre-race clinic will be conducted by Scott Erba, the 2017 Optimist Race winner and 2018 Runner up on Friday, June 21, 2019 at 7:00 PM at Winona Lake Park, just east of the Community Building, by the Beach area. For those new to the sport, Scott will answer questions and offer information and helpful hints for Saturday's race.

Bike Check and Minor Repair

Trailhouse Village Bicycles will be on site to make minor bike repairs and have some equipment for sale. Have your bike in racing condition when you arrive. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY, with chin straps snapped while on your bike. Please make sure that you bring a bike helmet that meets the (CPSC) Consumer Product Safety Commission safety standards. You must bring your own water bottle for the bike portion of the race. Handle bar end plugs are required equipment.

USAT Referees and Safety Penalty

USAT Referees will be present for pre-race instructions to educate and help you eliminate any penalties or disqualification. Referees will enforce the USAT helmet rules prior to, and during the race. Additionally, in order to avoid a safety issue, the Race Director will STRICTLY ENFORCE A 30 SECOND DISMOUNT PENALTY on those participants that do not have one foot on the ground and off of their bike at the time their front tire breaks the plane of the dismount line, just prior to returning to the transition area.

Limited Access to the Transition Area

The transition area will be guarded. Only participants will be allowed to be in the ADULT transition area, and will be the only one allowed to pickup a bike and racing equipment. Your body ID must match up with your bike ID number. A separate area at the end of the ADULT Transition area will be provided for youth participants. Parents are discouraged from entering the YOUTH transition area and must vacate the immediate area when the race starts.

Insurance Coverage

Your personal insurance will be the primary carrier. USAT will be a secondary supplemental insurance carrier. The race entry fee includes the cost of this supplemental insurance coverage for the participant during the event.

Awards and Prizes at Award Ceremony

ADULTS - Awards will be presented to the female and male winners and runners-up by USAT age groups, clydesdales and athenas and teams. Not claimed race T-shirts, local sponsor merchandise and general prizes will be distributed at the award ceremony. Please note that participants that do not race in their age group are not eligible for age group race awards. YOUTH - Since this is a participatory event, all youth will be awarded a medallion for participation regardless of finish placement.

After Race Food and Refreshments

BBQ chicken, pizza, perogies, fruit and vegetables, and other food for the post race party will be available. All registered participants have automatically paid for one free meal with their registration. However, we will offer the opportunity to purchase an additional lunch ticket for your support person. Then they can go through the lunch line with you. This opportunity will only exist at the time of registration so that we can get an exact extra "head count". We will distribute these special lunch tickets in your race registration bag prior to the race. Please check the box on the registration form if you want to purchase an additional ticket at $10.00 each. Additionally, hot dogs and water will be available for family and friends at a reasonable cost.

Event Cancellation Policy

If Natural Disaster, Foul Weather or Community Disaster occurs, our action steps are as follows:

1. Optimist Triathlon Management in concert with local officials will make decisions based on safety first.
2. Courses and/or race segments will be altered as agreed to between Optimist Triathlon Management and local officials
3. Financial: It is not financially feasible for Optimist Triathlon Management to accept the risk of a disaster for everyone. Each registered participant needs to accept the risk of his or her entry fee. There will be NO REFUNDS or free entries to future races. The money you paid was spent developing the subject event.
4. The Optimist Club that sponsors the race does not save any money if one of our events has to be canceled for reasons beyond our control. All supplies and services needed for the events are purchased and/or arranged in advance. All event supplies and services associated with that event must be paid for, regardless of the outcome. Entries are NOT transferable, delayable or exchangeable. The Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club is a 501 3 C charity and all proceeds from this event are donated to charity.

Race Safety Notice Adult and Youth

We reserve the right to remove anyone from the race if we feel that your safety, or the safety of others, is at risk if you continue. We will not allow you to make this an unsafe race for you, and / or other participants. Each YOUTH participant will be issued a highly visible color race T shirt which MUST BE WORN during the race.

Race Results / Penalties Posted

Race results will be posted ASAP at the race, and on website www.itsyourrace.com. Race Penalties will also be posted immediately after the race. For those participants that elect to not race in their age group, we will only record your times for our event, but the timing official will be instructed to NOT REPORT your results to USAT for rankings. Participants that elect to compete in the Kayak/Bike /Run option must be DisQualified by USAT rules and the timing official will be instructed to NOT REPORT your results to USAT for rankings.

Race Day Parking

There is limited parking close to the transition area. Registrants are recommended to arrive early. IF YOU NEED TO LEAVE EARLY, before the race concludes, TELL THE PARKING CREW AS YOU ARRIVE TO BE PLACED WHERE YOU CAN LEAVE CAREFULLY.

Changing Waves

Regardless of age or gender, if you feel (and have evidence) that you may be an overall race winner, you may  want to register for the "Premier" division. You must first acknowledge that by USAT rules if you race out of your age group you will automatically be ineligible for age group awards and national rankings. We will only record your times for our event, but the timing official will be instructed to not report your results to USAT for rankings.

Race Timing and Results Provided By:

Crossroads Events and Timing
https://www.crossroadseventsandtiming.com/

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