Welcome to the 26th Annual Salmon Arm Classic Triathlon!
Sunday, July 26th, 2009, 9 a.m.
This race is sanctioned by Triathlon BC; therefore, all TriBC rules apply. Please ensure you are aware of these rules. You may want to review them at
Check-In:
You may check-in and pick up your race package at Cool Running Walking & Fitness (10th Ave NE) on Saturday from 4 – 6 pm, or Sunday (race) morning at the Downtown Activity Centre (DAC) starting at 7am. The main transition area for the race is at the Downtown Activity Centre, on the corner of Shuswap St. and 5th Ave.If you want to get your bike checked (it's not mandatory), you can at Skookum Cycle and Ski - 141 Shuswap St. NE; or there will be a bike mechanic available at the DAC on race morning.
Race Package:
Your race package will contain the following: these instructions, two numbered bags for your swim gear to be transferred to the bike area, swim cap, 4 safety pins, a race number, and some informational flyers. Teams will have 2 race numbers. And, don't forget to pick up your shirt if you ordered one :) If you decide you want one of the fantastic shirts, you can purchase them for $25 (what a deal!)
Race Day Preparations:
The Salmon Arm Classic Triathlon is unique in a number of ways. First of all, our event order is different from traditional triathlons. Our triathlon begins with the swim, followed by the run, and finishes with the bike. This allows for a very quick and exciting finish, with the possibility of a bike sprint finish! Secondly, our race has two transition areas: one at Canoe Beach and the main transition area at the Downtown Activity Centre (DAC). The DAC is also the main headquarters for the race.
On race day, ensure all athletes check in at the DAC for body marking. Please do not apply sunscreen or body lotion until after you’ve been body marked.
The transition area at the DAC is for the run/bike transition; therefore, place your bike and cycling gear at this location. There are no numbered places; it’s based on first come, first serve. Your running gear and swimming gear needs to be taken to Canoe beach. A bus will leave the DAC at approximately 8 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. to transport triathletes to Canoe Beach.
Individuals are required to wear their race number on their chest. For teams, the runner will wear the number on their chest and the cyclist to wear number on their back.
There will be a meeting for triathletes at 8:45 a.m. at Canoe Beach to discuss the rules.
Swim:
The swim is a 2 loop course consisting of 750 m loops. Swimmers will head to the left to the first “main” buoy and then follow the white swim buoys to the second “main” buoy. Swimmers will then head towards the beach - for the first lap, swimmers must exit the water and circle around the “flag”; for the second lap, just head towards the mat.
Please wear the included swim cap for improved visibility. Women have green swim caps, men have orange, teams have yellow. The use of wetsuits will be permitted, if the water temperature on race day is 23 degrees Celsius or less. We are predicting that wetsuits will be allowed.
The race will start at 9 a.m. sharp with the command: Ready, Set, Go!
Upon leaving the swim, follow the mat back to the transition area and change into your running gear. Remember this is a family event and public beach; no public nudity please. There are change rooms and washrooms nearby if you wish to use them.
For teams, the team swimmer needs to go through the transition area where their team member will be waiting in the assigned “team area.” Here is where the swimmer will tag the runner in the transition area.
Please place your goggles, towels, swim cap, wetsuit, and any other personal belongings into the numbered bags. They will be transported back to the bike transition area at the DAC.
Run:
After leaving the transition area, runners go through the tunnel and take the road to the right (Canoe Beach Rd.) Follow Canoe Beach Road (for your safety, this gravel road will be closed during the race; no vehicles will be permitted on this section of the course.) Once the road turns to pavement (Lakeshore Road) you NEED to keep to the left and face the traffic since you will be sharing the road with vehicles. If there are any sidewalks, you will be using them! There will be marshals at major intersections, but it is the responsibility of the athletes to ensure they are proceeding when it is safe. The marshals will be controlling traffic, but always keep aware of potential hazards.
Where Lakeshore Road reaches 20th Ave NE, turn left and go one short block to 20th St NE. Follow 20th Street to the police station where racers turn left to the pedestrian underpass. USE THE UNDERPASS TO CROSS THE TRANS CANADA HIGHWAY. Any racers not using the underpass will be automatically disqualified, since this is a significant safety issue.
After using the underpass, runners turn right to re-connect with 20th St NE. At Okanagan Ave, racers turn right and follow Okanagan to 10th St SE where they turn left. Once on 10th St, go one short block to 1st Ave and turn right. Run to 7th St, turn left and follow 7th St to 4th Ave. At 4th Ave, turn right and run down the hill. Go through the 4-way stop around the corner until 2nd Ave. Turn left and follow 2nd Ave to Shuswap St, where racers will turn left. Follow Shuswap St to the DAC.
There will be four aid stations. The first one will be in the Canoe Beach parking lot. The second is at the top of the first hill at 60th Ave. The third will be at the pedestrian underpass. And, finally, the last station will be on Okanagan and 20th St. All aid stations will have water, Gatorade, and bananas.
When you reach the DAC, follow the flagged chute into the transition area. For teams, runners are to tag their cyclist in the transition area. Racers will enter the transition on the north side, and exit from the south.
Bike:
For safety reasons, riding your bike in and out of transition is not permitted. You must walk or run while in the transition area. You can only mount your bike once at the mount line. Also, ensure your helmet is securely fastened before removing your bike from the rack. Any infractions of this rule could result in disqualification. Leave the transition area by the opposite end to which you entered. Please watch out for other athletes as you move through transition and follow the instructions of race officials and volunteers.
There will be only one aid station on the bike course, which will be located at the turn-around (20 km.) There will be water bottles for racers to replenish their bottles. Also, there will be bananas. Ensure you have sufficient liquids for the 40 km ride.
There is no drafting permitted. According to TriBC, you cannot follow a cyclist within three bicycle lengths of the person in front of you. If you are going to pass someone, it needs to be done within 20 seconds. If you are passed, drop back out of the drafting zone. There will be drafting marshals; if they observe someone drafting, they will show a yellow paddle and give a warning. A second infraction will result in disqualification.
Remember that cyclists are sharing the road with motorists. THIS IS AN OPEN COURSE AND ALL CYCLE LAWS ARE IN EFFECT. At intersections, it is the responsibility of the cyclist to ensure s/he is proceeding safely. The marshals are there to help, but keep your head up and make certain the traffic is following the marshal’s direction. Do not cross the centre line; doing so will result in disqualification. There is a temptation to cut the sharp corners on Salmon Valley Road, but it is dangerous and the marshals will be watching for it.
For the course, cyclists leave the transition area on Shuswap St. Racers go through the 4-way stop up the hill to Foothill Road. You follow Foothill Road until it joins the Salmon Valley Road. Go straight through the stop sign and follow Salmon Valley Road until you reach the turnaround at 20 km (approximately 1.5 km past the Silver Creek Store.) There will be marshals and an aid station at the turnaround.
The route back follows the same course. You leave the Salmon Valley Road to Foothill Road. Follow Foothill Road, past the “Y” where 30th St joins Foothill Road (stay to the right) and up the hill to 10th St. This is where the course changes. At 10th St, cyclists will be turning left. Follow 10th St to Piccadilly Mall; go through 10th Ave (stop sign) to 5th Ave. At 5th Ave, cyclists turn right and race to the DAC. The finish line is just before the DAC. Please make sure you are riding in control and can take any necessary action with regard to traffic and pedestrians.
Medical Care:
Medical care will be available to participants. A BC Ambulance crew is available to the race and there will be medical staff on hand at the finish line.
Post Race:
After the race, we will be offering racers hamburgers, veggie burgers, and salad. Also, there will be bagels, muffins, donuts, fruit, cookies, and cold drinks available inside the DAC. The awards ceremony will start at approximately 1 p.m. or as soon after as possible.
Have a great race! Race hard, but race safely. Please thank all of the volunteers who have given up their time to make this race possible. They are there to help you, so please respect the directions of the marshals.