Description

The First Security Coway Kids Triathlon is a great experience for kids ages 6-15. The event kicks off with a pool-swim in the University of Central Arkansas HPER Center. The athletes take on a flat course with their bikes, with a scenic bridge route for the older kids (see below). They wrap up this triathlon with a flat out-and-back run to the spectators cheering them on at the finish line! This event also features an adapted division in partnership with Community Connections.

Location

University of Central Arkansas HPER Center

201 Donaghey Ave

Conway, AR 72035

Registration

Registration will close at 2:00 pm on Friday, August 5th. All registrations must be completed online. There will not be any race day registration.

Packet Pick-up

Friday, August 5 – 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Saturday, August 6 (Race day) – 6:00 AM – 7:15 AM

Location: UCA HPER Center (201 Donaghey Ave, Conway, AR 72035). 

If you want someone else to pick up your child’s packet, please put your name, and the names of your children on a piece of paper, sign it, and have them bring it to packet pickup.

Adult and youth size t-shirts will be available onsite.

Timing Chips and Body Marking

All athletes will pick up their timing chip and get their body marked (race number and age) on race day morning.  Parents – be sure your athlete returns their chip at the finish line after the race. 

Rules of the Race

The rules found in the Competitive Rule Book (Supplement for YOUTH RULES) will be enforced at this event. Please review these rules with your racer so they are prepared for race day.  If you have any questions prior to the event, please email Logan Hall. If you have a question or a complaint during the event, ask a volunteer to put you in touch with Logan Hall, the Race Director.  All decisions by the Race Director are final.

Race Day Morning

We recommend you arrive between 6:30 AM – 7:00 AM.  After you arrive,

• Pick up your race packet (if you did not pick it up the day before). You must have your packet to be allowed entry into the transition area.
• Get your bike set up in transition.  You must have a bike helmet to compete in the race.  Leave this in the transition area.
• Pick up your timing chip and put it on your ankle.  Parents, make sure this is turned in at the end of the race.
• Get “body marked” with your race number and age.
• Walk into the pool area and see where you will exit the pool.  Walk from this exit to your bike so you remember where it is. Make sure you know where you will exit transition on the bike and on the run.

You are ready to race!  The transition will close at 7:45 sharp.  Once it is closed, you will only be allowed to enter or exit during the race.  Non-participants are not allowed in transition until the last participant has left transition onto the run course.

Notes on Transition

The Transition area is where you make the “transition” from the swim to the bike and from the bike to the run. This is where you will keep your gear for the changeover between sports. 

You may park your bike anywhere you like, it’s first-come first-serve!

Parents will be allowed in the transition area before and after the race to help their child set up. Once transition closes (7:45 AM), parents will not be allowed into the transition area until all participants are through transition and onto the run.  NO EXCEPTIONS. 

Volunteers will be available to assist children that might need help finding their spot, putting their dry shoes on their wet feet, etc. 

Space is limited inside the transition area. Please use as little space as is necessary when setting up your things. Volunteers reserve the right to move athlete gear to help create spots for other competitors should the need arise. 

After the swim, athletes will enter the transition area at the entrance closest to the pool. Go to your spot, put your shoes on, buckle your helmet, and walk/run your bike to the other end (bike exit) of the transition area. No riding your bicycles in the transition area. 

There will be a bike mount/dismount line where you can get on your bike. When you finish the bike course, you will get off your bike at this line and walk/run your bike back to your spot. Remove your helmet and run out the other end (where the Run Out sign is). 

Bike Check-up and Assistance

A mechanic will be available, compliments of The Ride, should you have any mechanical issues that arise before or during the race. Please come prepared with your bike in good working condition, as the mechanic’s time will be limited to very minor repairs. 

These good people are giving their time to make sure everyone has a safe and fun time, so treat them with kindness!  

Race Order

The race will begin with the 11-15 age division with the oldest participants going in the water first.  After the 11-15 age division is on the course, the 6-10 division will start in the water, beginning with the oldest participants.

In each division, if you feel you have the potential to win an overall award, notify the starter in the pool so that you can be put in the first wave.

Once the 6-10-year-old participants are almost through the bike course, the Community Connections Adapted division will be started.  The transition will open for participants to pick up their bikes after all participants are through the bike transition and awards will begin after all participants are finished.

Weather

The safety of our athletes and volunteers is our primary concern. In the event of inclement weather, it is our goal to have the race if possible.  The Race Director will monitor weather conditions closely and make any decisions regarding the weather on the morning of the event.   Wet conditions can increase the risk of injury and parents should exercise judgment based on the abilities of their child, should the race go on in wet conditions. In the case of severe weather, the Race Director will make the final decision whether to delay or stop the event and whether to cancel the event.

Weather updates can be found on our website and our Facebook Page “First Security Conway Kids Triathlon.”

The event will NOT be canceled or postponed due to rain alone.  The race could be delayed under the following circumstances: Lightning, Wind/Heavy Rains, Tornado Watch/Warning.  If there is lightning- the event will be postponed by 30 minutes. If lightning is closer than 6 miles away at 8:00 AM using the Flash to Bang method, or if there is a tornado warning at that time, then the race start will be postponed by 30 minutes. The Race Director will be in communication with law enforcement officials to determine the safety of the course and the weather conditions.  Watch the website and Facebook page for updated information.

If it is determined that the bike portion of the race would be unsafe due to wet roads, then the race could be changed to a swim-run duathlon. Athletes will be informed of such a change via the website and Facebook page.

PACKETS WILL NOT BE MAILED IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION. We regret that no refunds may be issued for weather-related cancellations as well.

Bottom line:  We are planning for a great, safe Conway Kids’ Triathlon!  Watch our website and Facebook page to stay updated if the weather is inclement.  Thank you for racing with us!

NO TRANSFERS/NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED IN THE EVENT OF SEVERE WEATHER RACE DAY CANCELLATION. 

Awards

All participants who finish will receive a finishing medal.  The top 3 male and female participants in each age group will receive a trophy.  In addition, the top 3 male and female participants in each division (age 6-10 and age 11-15) will also receive a special award.