Rules and Procedures

	Special Offers Course Course Talks Race Packet Pick Up Multisport Expo Procedures & Rules Awards & Party Message from USAT 10 Commandments of Tri Frequently Asked Questions		RACE DAY PROCEDURES AND RULES Equipment: Don't forget any of your gear including: a) Race ID wrist band, b) ChampionChip & ankle strap, c) swim cap, d) swim goggles e) wetsuit (optional), f) properly fitted bike, g) approved bike helmet, h) tire repair kit, i) running shoes, j) cycling shoes, k) sun screen, l) towel, m) socks, n) filled bike water bottles, o) energy bars & energy gel, and p) a great attitude.
			Transition Area: The transition area opens at 5:00am, and regardless of your wave, your equipment must be checked into transition by 6:30am. If you are picking up your race packet from Running Away in Chicago, you may rack your bike in transition on Saturday morning starting at 5am. If you are picking up your race packet at the expo on Friday, August 1, you must rack your bike on Friday between 2pm and 9pm. The racks provided will be numbered by wave. You must return your bike to the same location in the racks. You will not be able to pick up your equipment until the last athlete is out on the run course, approximately 1pm. Your equipment must be removed from transition by 5pm. The event is not responsible for lost or stolen equipment. Only participants and race volunteers are allowed in transition, and an event wristband is required for access. Extra equipment (wheels, 2nd helmet, 2nd wetsuit, etc.) is not allowed in transition. Transition is fenced and secured. Gear bags over 24" will not be allowed. Current (no more than 3-years in age) ANSI, CPSC or SNELL approved helmets are required during the cycling portion of the event. You will be prohibited from participating if you don't have an approved helmet (no refunds). Helmets must be buckled in place during all aspects of the bike including transition. You must walk your bike in the racks & walk or jog with your bike in the transition lanes to the designated mount & dismount areas at the perimeter of the transition area.
			Race Numbers & Body Marking: Your race number must be visible on your body, bike frame, bike helmet and front of your race jersey or waist belt. Body marking will be limited to shoulders, right calf & left calf.
			Timing: The race is timed with the ChampionChip Electronic Timing System. Participants are required to wear a ChampionChip, strapped to their ankle, throughout the race. NO CHIP = NO RACE SPLITS OR FINISH TIME!!! Relay Team Members must pass the strap/chip at each transition. After you finish, turn in the strap/chip at the end of the finish zone.If you pull out of the race, report to the finish line timing tent to turn in the strap/chip and go to the tranisition area to collect your gear (after 1pm). Then you may head to the Party. There is a $30 charge for a lost ChampionChip/strap.
			The Swim: The 1st wave starts at 7:00am (unless there's a weather delay). Each wave is designated by a numbered sign (same # as on your right calf). The same color cap may be used for more than one wave. Don't change waves. Lost your cap? See a race official at the swim start to get the correct color cap. The 1.2-mile point-to-point swim starts and finishes on the beach and parallels the shore with the finish at Jean Klock Park. You should seed yourself according to your swimming ability (fast swimmers to the front). You are prohibited from striking or swimming over another swimmer(s). Failure to heed the warnings and commands of an official or lifeguard will result in a DQ and ejection from the event. The swim finishes about 150-yards from the entrance to transition. The water is 10-12 feet deep with the water temperature typically 60 - 74 degrees. If the water temperature is 78 degrees or less, wetsuits are allowed. To avoid overheating, it is recommended that you wait until 10-15 minutes before your wave start to put on your suit. Keep the suit rolled down to your waist until just before you enter the water. If you are new to wetsuits, purchase the wetsuit from a reputable dealer and insure a proper fit. Heed the manufacturer's warnings. Note: It is recommended that you train in your wetsuit under supervision before wearing the suit in a competition Please don’t bring any extra gear to the swim start
			The Bike: It is highly recommended that you have your bike fitted, inspected and tuned no more that 3-weeks before the race. You’ve got 56 miles of road ahead, so a fresh set of brake pads and tires should also be considered. The bike leg takes place on county roadways and are open to vehicular traffic. Although the traffic will be light through most of the course, you should be alert at all times (particularly at intersections) and aware of your fellow competitors particularly when passing or being passed. You are required to ride to the far right if you are not in the act of passing and only pass on the left. If you are not passing another rider, but riding to the left, that is termed blocking and is a "DQ" offense. The Whirlpool Steelhead 70.3 Triathlon is a USAT sanctioned event. Drafting Marshals on motorcycles will strictly enforce USAT rules including the prohibition of drafting. Failure to heed the commands of an official may result in your disqualification and ejection from the event. There may be caution areas on the bike course (transition & turns) where you are required to slow and ride single file. Race officials will be on hand, and failure to heed their commands will result in a penalty or your disqualification. You are prohibited from using a cell phone or walkman-like device (radio, cassette player, CD Player, MP3 Players, small screen TV, etc.) while on the bike course. Use of such equipment is a “DQ” offense. If you break down on the bike, you must remove yourself and your bike from the course. Officials with vans will be circulating the course. Need assistance? Flag down a van. If you are close enough to transition after completing most of the course, you may run or walk your bike in and continue the race.
			The Run: The half-marathon (13.1 Mile) run takes athletes from Jean Klock Park through the City of Benton Harbor to the Whirlpool Corporate Campus. Aid stations will be located at 1-mile intervals. The race finishes at Jean Klock Park with a Post Race Party. Although the roadways on the run course are closed to vehicular traffic please keep your eyes open and use caution when passing through intersections. Avoid contact with other runners. If you intentionally strike another runner (Race Official's call), you may be penalized. Due to scheduled construction, the run course may change. Please check back at this site for course updates.