Frequently
Asked Questions
GENERAL
INFO
Who
produces this event? The Auburn Triathlon is owned and produced by Bradventures
LLC, of Auburn, CA. Event director Brad
Kearns is a former national champion and #3 world-ranked
professional triathlete. Brad has lived and trained
in the Auburn area for 16 years and always dreamed
of holding a triathlon on his favorite training courses.
World’s Toughest Half in 2003 was the first-ever
road triathlon event in the city of Auburn and the
Auburn State Park.
The race has grown in reputation and popularity each year - evidence by our attendance figures:
- 2003: 134 entrants
- 2004: 295
- 2005: 400
- 2006: 475
- 2007: 590
- 2008: 625
- 2009: 750
How
do I get travel information for Auburn? Please
visit the Auburn
Information web page for details on Auburn food,
lodging and driving directions. Air travel is served
by the Sacramento International Airport, a 45-minute
drive from Auburn and served by major rental car companies.
What
is your plan for event photography? Professional event photographers from Facchino
Photography will cover the Auburn Triathlon. You
will be photographed exiting the swim, at two places
on the bike, at two places on the run and crossing
the finish line. It is imperative that you wear your
race number on the front of your body and your cycling
helmet number on the front of your helmet at all times
during the event. This will ensure that your photograph
can be properly categorized for easy ordering after
the event.
Several
days after the event, all photos will be posted from
a link at the Auburn Triathlon web site. You can access
your personal photo gallery by entering your race
number and also review some general race photos (swim
start, etc) on line. You can order easily on line
and your photos will be shipped to you anywhere in
the world.
Are your courses accurate? As Rodney Dangerfield would say to Dean Martin in Back to School when asked point blank if he did his own work when suspected of cheating (he hired Kurt Vonnegut to write his English paper): "I can't lie to you Dean...No!"
Our courses are accurately measured by onemillionrevolutions.org Google Earth satellite tool. However, there are slight deviations from the standard 'advertised' distances to account for safety and logistics factors on our routes. Most notably, we shorted the 40k bike turnaround to eliminate two trips through a busy signal intersection. Hence the "40k" course is 23.1 miles. Go ahead, try to set a PR anyway...I dare you!
Here are the exact route distances as mapped. Race organizers may revise existing mapped routes slightly each year based on unforeseen environmental circumstances and venue design modifications.
What
are the cutoff times on the course? We pledge to have the most generous cut off policy of any race in the sport! We want you to finish and we respect all athletes equally in their efforts. Obviously, there are some practical and legal issues to consider hand when it comes to cutoff times. After years of consideration and experience, we present the following:
We would like you to proceed at
a finishing pace of 8 hours, 30 minutes for the World's Toughest Half and Long Course Duathlon events. The Sprint and International events take place inside the long race cutoff times, so cutoff pace is virtually irrelevant in the shorter events.
T1 SWIM to BIKE: While there is no formal cutoff time, we want everyone to start cycling one hour after final wave start or otherwise near the back of the field. We cannot support riders far behind the pack (for example, a hypothermic swimmer huddling in a blanket for 30 min, then mounting bike). If you are in distress in the water, we will pull you for your own safety.
T2 BIKE to RUN: The bike finish/run start cutoff time is 5:30 after
the final wave start (~12:10pm). Past race splits indicate that many cyclists in the rear of the pack complete the 56-mile
course in ~4:30. Please feel comfortable completing
the route in this time span if you register for the
complete event. We will open up intersections, pull volunteers and close aid stations on pace with this arrival time. It is likely that a small number of riders will fall behind this pace. You are welcome to continue, but must obey all traffic laws (observe stop signs and signal lights). At the designated cut off pace, we must pull our hard-working volunteers off the course after a long morning, and CHP/Auburn PD from intersection controls to appease the community and their traffic concerns.
The official race finish is 8:30 after the final wave
start or ~3:15pm. We will give late starters a little cushion and send our sweep runners out ~20 minutes after cutoff. You must depart Mile 6.2 aid station at T2 by ~1:45pm (1:30 after run start cutoff). If you miss these cut-off times, we must remove your timing chip and disqualify you.
For safety and liability reasons, we cannot allow under any circumstances proceeding on course after sweeps or cutoff times have been missed. We remain legally liable for your safety (regardless of pulling your chip), while you are unaccounted for in a remote state park. In years past, we have had athletes deliberately disobey race rules and sweeper requests to turn back. Hence, we must strictly enforce this policy and close the run course at the appropriate time.
Knowing the powerful desire to achieve your race goal, we can suggest that you cover your desired run distance off our race course for a personal, unsupported challenge. For example, if you backtrack through city streets on the roads used by the now closed bike course course, you can run to Ikeda's restaurant/market on Lincoln Way and Sylvan for a 7 mile course), or to Lake Arthur and back for a 13.1 mile course). Running on city streets, you pass gas stations, houses, stores and gain some measure of protection and supportner. The race organization is no longer liable for your safety because we will remove your chip and you have intentionally departed the race course.
SWIM
What
are the wave starts?
Athletes will start the Auburn Triathlon grouped by
sex and/or age division and start the swim at 5-minute
intervals. The respective events will start at times finalized on race weekend.
What
is the swim course like? The
swim course is in the beatiful and tranquil section
at the extreme rear edge of Folsom Lake (furthest away
from the dam) at Rattlesnake Bar park. You will swim
a one-loop 1,500-meter course in a mini bay, where most of the course is visible from shore. 1.2 mile swimmers will round a more distant buoy at the first turn to account for their total distance. The 1.2mi turn buoy will be removed for the 1.5k swim start so a proper 1.5k course is presented. You will be monitored by kayakers and park ranger watercraft along the route.
Slower swimmers may choose to start in the rear to
avoid disturbance from attempted passings early in the
swim.
What
is the expected water temperature in Folsom Lake?
Historical averages on race day are as follows. The main variable
is the level and timing of snowmelt from the Sierra
that flows into the lake thru the American River. Wetsuits
are mandatory, except in the Sprint triathlon. Temp range is likely 66-73.
-
May 31, '09: 73 degrees
-
May 18, '08: 71 degrees
-
May 20, '07: 70 degrees
-
May 20, '06: 68 degrees
-
May 20, '05: 66 degrees
Is
there any current in the water? Not
unless you are drafting a fast swimmer, like former Placer High School star Dave Seiler, then the #68th ranked butterflier in the world, who participated on the 2007 Auburn Celebrity Relay team.
Is
Folsom Lake water clean? At Rattlesnake Bar Park in Folsom Lake, you will swim
in one of the cleanest bodies of water of any triathlon
anywhere in the world. Fed by the federally designated
'wild and scenic' North Fork of the American River,
Folsom Lake water started its journey high in the Sierra
as melted snow, steadily warmed by the sun beating down
upon the deep, narrow Sierra river canyons.
The entire length of the American River dumping into
Folsom Lake runs through federal land (National Forest,
BLM or State Park), with no human population residing
anywhere near it to disturb the purity.
What
are the considerations for a swimmer who gets in trouble
during the event? You
will be escorted throughout the swim by a series of
kayakers who each cover a particular section of the
course in a back and forth sweep pattern. Also in the
water will be a power boat for quick evacuation is necessary.
Trained EMT personnel and lifesaving
equipment will be standing by at the swim start/finish
area for the duration of the swim.If
you encounter any difficulty, raise your hand and a
kayak will paddle to you for assistance. You can hang
on the side of the kayak to catch your breath without
penalty.
What is the Auburn Triathlon mandatory warmup rule?
There have been an alarming number of deaths during triathlon swims in recent years. There has been much speculation and little certainty about the causes of these (non-drowning) deaths, with some experts suggesting the combination of cold water, open water/pack swim anxiety, a restrictive wetsuit and the sudden exertion at race start causing extreme cardiovascular and nervous system stress leading to fatality.
In the interest of athlete safety and alleviating the anxiety of the swim event, the Auburn Triathlon has a mandatory warmup period of 10 minutes before the start of your event. All athletes must spend some time warming up in the water acclimating the body and calming the nervous system to promote a safe, successful swim. Thank you for your consideration.
BIKE
What
is the course like? The bike course offers a very challenging climb
from Folsom Lake (el. 466') up to Auburn
(el. 1,300') in the first six miles. Almost all of this climbing is at a mild
grade, but with one section of steep
switchbacks lasting one mile. When you
reach mile 6 at Maidu Drive in the Auburn
neighborhoods, your proceed through
Auburn residential areas (minimal elevation changes), with Sprint course finishing at mile 8. At mile 10, Int'l athletes will start climbing for
1.5 miles to the edge of town, then proceed along freeway frontage with minimal elevation change for five miles. Max elevation on the course is 1,705'. The 8-mile return portion features one killer climb, the "LeMond Walked" hill, .4 miles at 12% grade, at mile 19, and 350' of elevation loss.
The World's Toughest Half and Auburn Duathlon 56-mi course will test all of your skills, as it offers
flats, long climbs, short steep climbs and roller coaster
sections. This ride is universally regarded as very
tough, perhaps the World's Toughest, and very beautiful. You climb up to 2,435' elevation
in the Sierra and face significant climbs both coming
and going. Total elevation gain is ~6,000'. This
is a safe course taking place almost entirely on rural
roads with minimal traffic - only four signal lights outbound and again homebound on the 56-mile course, all controlled by CHP or Auburn PD.
Less experienced riders
can feel comfortable that despite the hilly terrain,
there are no dangerous descents or extremely steep climbs
requiring extraordinary gearing. There is one railroad
crossing that is very smooth. In the unlikely
event that you are delayed by a train,
record your arrival and departure time and we will subtract your delay
from your official finish time. Official rules be damned, this is what Brad says and it stands!
When
you approach the busy intersections in the City of Auburn,
a comprehensive traffic control and auto detour plan
will be enacted to ensure the safety of your ride and
minimal inconvenience to residents of the community
who offer such tremendous support for the event. Please
exercise extreme caution when passing through busy police-controlled
intersections. Police are there to ensure your safety
but motorists cannot be trusted completely. Athletes
in past events displayed unsafe riding behavior by not
slowing down into aid stations and busy intersections.
This is a long day on a hilly, challenging course so
please exercise good judgement when encountering traffic
or other riders.
Road bike or time trial bike? Due
to the constantly varied course terrain, a road bike is the clear choice. You will spent plenty of time in the aero position, on the long gradual up and down grades along the western slope of the Sierra, so be sure to have aero bars on your road bike.
What
is the road surface like? The
roads are well-paved the whole way, with most of the
route on superior pavement and some sections of slightly
inferior pavement. All considered, the road surface
will be very pleasant and safe. Special thanks is due to long-time participant Kevin Taber, Placer County Public Works Director, who facilitates custom paving and patching projects every spring along the route to maximize rider safety and enjoyment.
How
severe is the climbing?
The setting for the ride in the Sierra foothills guarantees
plenty of climbing both on the outbound and return portion.
The major sustained climb is from Folsom Lake to Auburn
(mile 0-6, rising from 466' to 1,300' at average 2.7%).
There is a sharp 1.2-mile climb from the Bear River
to Placer Hills Rd. And we musn't forget the LeMondwalked
climb (so named for the 3x Tour de France champ who
once trained in this area and, according to legend spraypainted on the road years ago, once had to walk up this hill) at mile 50 - .4-mile grind
at 12% grade. The final bike aid station at the top
of the climb will ease your pain...
What
is the traffic control plan?
The roads will be open to traffic. Most of the route
takes place on lightly traveled frontage roads along
Interstate-80. CHP and Auburn City police will be stationed
at major intersections along the route to close them
to traffic and allow athletes to pass freely. Near the
end of the ride in the City of Auburn, we will close
a portion of Lincoln Way so cyclists can proceed without
cars on the road through the downhill intersection at
Highway 49 and Lincoln Way.
It
is highly recommended to ride with great care and caution
when approaching any intersection, even it is closed
to traffic. Single-file riding at all times is mandatory
and USAT no-drafting rules will be in effect during
the event. Vehicle traffic should not impede your race
in any way, but it is crucial to remember that you are
traveling on open roads at all times and keep your eye
out for vehicles.
What
is the location and content of the aid stations? Click Here for Aid and Support details
Where
is a good place for my family/friends to watch the
bike ride?This
is a fantastically spectator friendly race! Spectators
can jump onto I-80 eastbound from Auburn and catch
good action at numerous spots along the route. Click
Here for complete details for how spectators can
enjoy their day in Auburn.
Where
is a good place for my family/friends to watch the
run?
There are a few excellent vantage points on the run
easily accessible by auto and foot. See Spectator Tips for details.
Will
there be auto, bicycle or pedestrian traffic on the
course? The boat launch at Rattlesnake Bar will be closed
to recreational boating, swimming, wakeboarding and
banzai double-barrell aerial acrobatic water skiing
during the swim. Due to heavy boat traffic on other days, including day before race, open water swim practice is not recommended. Consider the Auburn Triathlon training weekend a month prior if you want to get swim course experience.
The bike course is open to vehicle
traffic. Detailed traffic control plan is discussed
in the bike FAQ’s. Only one mile of the 10k course is open to traffic (Maidu Dr), but it's very minimal with zero homes on the section. The paved roads in the State Park on the latter portion of the run (leaving Maidu Dr and entering park gate) are entirely
closed to auto traffic.
REGISTRATION
Do
I have to qualify to enter the event? NO,
but your credit card does. We also highly recommend
that you train to prepare for the event. Unless your
name is Tim Hill of Truckee, national masters cross
country skiing phenom. In which case, just show up
Friday and borrow a wetsuit.
What
is the cutoff number of entrants?
The Auburn Triathlon will accept the
first 1,000 entrants combined for both events. We will accept another 20-30
entrants if they grovel, offer a bribe or know someone
important like Pete Kain, Tim Sheeper, Gordo Byrn, Nicole DeBoom, Gina Kehr or Robin Wright Penn.
When
is the entry deadline?
There is no posted deadline to enter the event, but
fees increase on Jan 1st and again on April 15th.
Please enter early to ensure the best value.
Do
I get a refund if I can’t race? Bradventures attempts to strike a balance between
the harsh "No Refunds" policy customary
in the endurance world and a respect for the costs
involved in accommodating for no-shows and late registrations.
If you can't participate for any reason, you will
recieve a credit (less $40 processing fee) into the
following year's Auburn Triathlon. Please inform us
by April 15th to be eligible.
Can
I transfer my entry to another athlete if I choose
not to race?
You must contact Bradventures in advance of the event
to transfer entries. Any athlete attempting to race
under the name of another athlete will be disqualified
and escorted to Pelican Bay maximum security state
prison, where you will do hard time (females: Chino,
CA Women's Colony). For liability insurance purposes,
USA Triathlon Federation rules and to ensure the safety
of all athletes, Bradventures LLC must have accurate
personal information for every athlete.
Do
I get a discount if I do your race frequently? Bradventures
aims to emulate the incredibly generous discounts
offered at other races for frequent participants.
Here is an excerpt from a popular California event
named after a non-domesticated floral plant:"$15.00
discount for participants who have competed 15
+ years at Wildflower."
Here
is our deal:
-
$10 off for past entrants. $15
off for any
twice-participated athlete, 3x = $20 off; 4x = $25 off; 5x = $30 off; 6x = $35 off; 7x = $40 off; 8x = $50 off + 30 second head start in swim and T1 from the comfort of your own vehicle, parked right on the boat ramp!
-
Auburn
Triathlon participant for 15+ years: Free entry,
free hotel, free food for your entire stay in Auburn...and
you get a 1-minute head start for the swim!
PRE-RACE
Can I practice on the Auburn Triathlon courses
prior to the event? You
can swim in Folsom Lake at any time, but it is recommended
you use caution any time you swim in open water. On busy weekends, boat traffic is heavy and swimming is not recommended. Always
swim with a partner and choose a time and location
that minimizes the risk of encountering motorized
traffic. The
bike and run courses are beautiful training routes.
Please visit the Training
on the Course link for details. Please email
if you have any further questions about training on
the course.
TRAINING
What is the average training volume of a long course event participant? A survey of entrants in the 2000 Hawaii Ironman showed
average weekly training volumes of 11,300 meters swimming,
232 miles cycling and 48 miles running. Eeek!
This is an amazing training load for someone with
a career, family or other responsibilities. (Can you
say 'obsessive/compulsive'?). While there
is a vast difference of opinion on how to best prepare
for an event as daunting as the Auburn Triathlon,
there are some important training guidelines that
are universal for all athletes.1.
You must approximate the challenge of the event in
training
2. You must avoid overtraining, burnout, injury and
illness to have a successful event. These
two tenets seem mutually exclusive! Indeed it is a
difficult balance to prepare your body for a full-day
event and not get overtired in training.
Where
can I get some expert advice and guidance for how
to prepare properly for Auburn Triathlon?
Event
promoter Brad Kearns, former national champion and
#3 world-ranked professional triathlete, offers a
unique, holistic multisport coaching program. Brad
emphasizes leading a healthy, balanced lifestyle while
pursuing peak performance - a refreshing departure
from the robotic, dial-a-workout coaching prevalent
in the triathlon world today. Visit Brad's Personal
Coaching page for details or at the very least order a copy of his comprehensive book advocating a sensible, healthy, fun approach to endurance sports called Breakthrough Triathlon Training.
SUPPORT
Is
there a bike shop nearby? There are three great bike shops in Auburn, details provided on the Auburn Info link.
Can
you recommend some good local alternative healers
and massage therapists? Chiropractic/Acupuncture: Dr Darin Gregorian of Parkhill Chiropractic in Auburn. 530-885-6975 offers premium chiropractic and sports injury care. As an official event sponsor, he will offer Auburn Triathlon entrants a FREE comprehensive evaluation!
Dr. Rich Lichti, an excellent general practicioner/sports medicine doctor and the Auburn Triathlon Medical Director, practices in Rocklin, CA. 916-624-0300. Please consider Dr. Lichti for an MD who is knowledgable and sympathetic to athlete peak performance medical care needs.
Dr.
Richard Belli, Applied Kinesiologist/Chiropractor.
916 482 4150. Dr. Belli is an associate
of noted endurance coach and author
Dr. Phil Maffetone. He has treated world
class triathletes like Brad Kearns, Mike Pigg and Wendy Ingraham for a variety
of performance, dietary and bio-mechanical
related issues. He is located near downtown
Sacramento and will offer discount to
all Auburn International Triathlon participants.
Dr Bill Wright offers excellent Acupuncture services in Auburn, including allergies, fatigue and other peak performance issues. 530-886-8927.
Village
Acupuncture in Roseville - Dr Noriko Nagano
and her staff are fantastic acupuncture practicioners
to assist with a variety of maladies and promote peak
performance. Off I-80 and Douglas Blvd exit. (916)
786-0695
Massage
Therapy: Pathways
to Health - Massage Therapy center where
you can get drop-in or short notice appointments.
Pathways is located on Lincoln Way right off the I-80
Lincoln Way freeway exit (on the bike course at mile
53.5). As official race sponsor, they are happy to
extend a special discount to Auburn Triathlon participants.
(530) 888-6534.
MEDIA
What media will be covering the event? Locally, journalists from the Auburn Journal, Auburn Sentinel, Sacramento
Bee and the Gold Country Media network of community
newspapers will cover the event. Nationally, the event will be covered by Inside Triathlon and Triathlete magazines. On line, Xtri.com, trifuel.com and others will cover the event.
Legendary
local photographers like Michael Kirby of the Auburn Journal
and Colfax Record and Kurt Bertilson of Sierra Digital Services will be shooting pitcures. Kurt also produces spectacular video highlights and interviews from race day footage.
AWARDS
What are the age group awards and divisions?
Age Group Male and Female:
19&U
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60+ (five year increments will be formed beyond 60+ if there are sufficient entries. If not, individual winners will be recognized at five-year increments, but award depth will be limited)
Relays – Coed, All Male, All Female.
Awards go 3-deep in each event. Must have five participants or teams in a division to pay full depth.
