Lake Country Challenge Triathlon
COURSE INFORMATION
SWIM
The Lake Country Challenge Triathlon starts at the beach adjacent to the boat launch on crystal-clear Silver Lake in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. The Sprint course consists of a 400 m loop and super sprint athletes will complete a 200 m loop (see map for details). Swimmers will exit Silver Lake at the boat launch. Transition is a short 120 m run from swim exit. Water temperatures at the beginning of September are typically mid- to high-70's making the race wet suit legal. We use USAT guidelines to determine final wetsuit eligibility -- this decision will be made race week. SWIM MAP (PDF) (coming soon)
Swim/Race Start: There is limited space at the swim start and we will be using a modified wave start format. Wave 1: Sprint athletes; Wave 2: Super Sprint athletes (about 10 mins after the Sprint Athlete Start); and Wave 3: Sprint and Super Sprint "Swim What You Bring" athletes (immediately after the Wave 2 start). Athletes in each wave will self stage based on swim pace on Valley road before the race and follow a designated path to the water. Athletes will then enter the water three at a time approximately every 3 seconds. All athletes times will start when they cross the timing mat on the path towards the water.
BIKE
Swimmers will exit transition and head east for a short distance on Valley Rd. before turning south towards Dousman. Sprint athletes will complete a 17 mile course that takes them through Dousman and south past School House Section Lake before heading back north towards Silver Lake. Super Sprint athletes will follow the same bike route out of transition, but split off towards the west on Genesee Lake Rd. Super Sprint athletes will then complete a short out and back before returning to transition. All athletes can expect scenic country views on a fairly flat course. Sprint athletes will have the pleasure of a couple of good size hills at the southern most portion of the route that will definitely get the legs burning and your heart rates jumping! The roads on the course are in good condition providing a smooth and fast ride. BIKE MAP (PDF) (coming soon) |
BIKE AID STATIONS: There is NO bike aid station on course. Riders must supply their own water and nutrition at transition. Riders are also responsible for bringing all trash with them back to transition. Please help us keep the bike course clean, which allows us to continue to hold these events in the future.
RUN
The run course takes athletes out west on Valley Rd. and runs through north through a small neighborhoods before connecting with the Lake Country Trail. This is an out and back course with Super Sprint runners turning at mile 0.77 and sprint runners turning at mile 1.55. Runners will finish their race by running through the finisher shoot. RUN MAP (PDF) (coming soon) |
AID STATIONS: There are two aid stations on course. Super sprint athletes will pass one aid station at mile 0.6 and then again on their way back at mile 0.8. Sprint athletes will pass the same aid station at mile 0.6 and then another aid station at mile 1.3. On their return, sprint athletes will pass the same two aid stations again at mile 1.7 and mile 2.4. Aid stations will have water and sports drink. Runners should dispose of trash in the trash containers on course.
RUNNER SAFETY: Runners should follow all signs and course markings. Valley Rd. is closed to traffic during the race, however there may be traffic from local residents. We don’t expect this to be an issue, but runners should remain aware of potential vehicles and use good running safety when on course, such as running the side of the road.
RACE CUTOFF TIMES
In order to keep athletes safe and in order to effectively partner with our local municipalities we WILL enforce the following cutoff times for this triathlon:
Swim Cutoff: 7:40 am (allows each athlete 30 minutes to complete the swim regardless of when they start)
Bike Cutoff: 9:07 am (about 13 mph bike pace)
Run Cutoff: 10:00 am (allows for a 45-minute 5K)
SWIM WHAT YOUR BRING EVENT
Are you an amazing cyclist or runner, but hate getting your feet wet? Its okay...we know there are lots out there and we know that one a the largest hurdles for cyclists and runners completing a triathlon is the swim leg of the event. If you're this athlete, then this triathlon is for you! The Lake Country Challenge Triathlon offers a "Swim What You Bring" event, which is just want the name implies. You compete in the full triathlon experience -- the transitions, the bike, the run, and the swim -- but you are allowed to swim with a floatation aid. For example, you can swim with a noodle, a safety buoy, a life jacket, or whatever you need to make it through the swim. Again the overall intent of offering this specific event is to give those first time triathletes or those who are nervous about swimming in open water an opportunity to participate in an awesome endurance challenge.
Okay, there is some fine print: First, the race director reserves the right to limit your swim aid if it's unreasonable or unsafe to you or other athletes. For example, I guess you could "bring" a 300 HP motorboat, but that's one I would say no to. Also, participants in the Swim What You Bring event are not eligible for overall or age group awards -- the reason should be obvious. Plus, we know that you'll love triathlons so much after you finish your first one that you'll be back next year to win the whole thing! All athletes will receive a custom finisher medal.
PARKING
There is no parking at the race site and Valley Road will be closed to vehicle traffic. We ask that athletes park on Oconomowoc Parkway, or on city streets in the Oconomowoc Corporate Center and then ride their bikes to the race site. The ride in from these two located will not take any longer than a few minutes. Any spectators should also plan to park in these locations. PARKING MAP (PDF)
DIRECTIONS
Whether you're coming from Milwaukee or Madison, its super easy to get to the race location (parking spots).
- Exit I-94 at exit 283 Hwy 67 (Summit Ave) north
- Left turn on Valley Rd or Ocnomowoc Parkway
Distance from...
- Milwaukee: 31 miles
- Madison: 50 miles
SCHEDULE & PACKET PICK-UP
EARLY PACKET PICK-UP
RACE DAY PACKET PICK-UP
Saturday, September 3
Race Site
5:30 am: Transition Opens
5:30 am: Onsite Packet Pick-up Opens/Body Marking
6:45 am: Transitions Closes
7:00 am: Wave 1 Starts (Sprint)
7:02 am: Wave 2 Starts (S.Sprint) followed by Wave 3 (swim what you bring)
10:00 am: Course Closes
TRANSITION
ATHLETES ONLY - This is a secured area.
Atheletes will be allowed into transition beginning at 5:00 am on race day and must leave transition by 7:15 am. Athletes and bikes will be checked by staff prior to entering transition. For security reasons, athletes must have their ankle strap on and bike stickers affixed prior to being allowed into transition. Transition will re-open for bike/gear checkout only after all runners have exited for the run portion of the course - this is done to maintain a fair playing field for all athletes. In order to remove a bike from transition, an athletes ankle strap number must match their bike sticker numbers.
There is no assigned rack location for this race -- athletes are free to choose any open rack location unless posted otherwise.
SCSE TRIATHLON RULES & REGULATIONS
GENERAL RULES & REGULATIONS:
- Your ankle strap timing chip must be worn the entire portion of your race. Without your timing chip, you will not have a time.
- Body markings are required for all athletes unless otherwise specified in race day instructions.
- All athletes and spectators must follow all instructions from the Race Director of their designees. Designees include staff, volunteers, law enforcement, and other race officials.
- No disposing of trash or equipment anywhere on the course unless done so in designated trash areas.
- Headphones can be worn on the run portion of the race, but are NOT allowed during the bike or swim portion of the race.
- Athletes are responsible for understanding the course and offical route. No time adjustments will be made for atheltes who do not follow the coure routes.
SWIM:
- Swim caps must be worn at all time during the swim.
- Wetsuits may be worn depending on water temperature. We use USAT rules to determine wetsuit eligibility (more info HERE). The race director has sole descretion to determine wetsuit elibibility following these guidelines at an appropriate time prior to the race.
- No swimming aids may be used unless the race specified otherwise (e.g., Swim What You Bring Events).
BIKE:
- Athletes must wear a bike helmet at all times during the bike course.
- Bike stickers must be attached to your bike/helmet as directed.
- Athletes must mount/dismount the bike at designated locations and must follow all staff/volunteer instructions at these locations.
- Cyclists are required to follow ALL traffic laws while on the bike course unless otherwise directed by a race official or law enforcement officer.
- Drafting/blocking is not allowed at any point during the race and may result in penalties or disqualification.
- Road conditions can change frequently and are unpredictable. Riders shoudl remain aware of potential hazards on an open bike course such as vehicles, road debris, and other potential hazards. Riders must never ride at an uncontrolable speed given road and race conditions.
RUN:
- Runners are required to wear their race bib on the front of their body at all times during the run portion of the race. The numbers of the bib should be visible at all times (i.e., not covered by a jacket).
- Please run to the right allowing faster runners space to pass on the left.
PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATION:
The race director and/or his designee has the right to impose time penalties and/or disqualify any athlete who violates race rules and regulations.