Frequently Asked Questions

Who produces this event?

The Auburn Triathlon is owned and operated by Tahoe Peak Endurance & USA Productions.

The World’s Toughest Half was started in 2002 and was the first-ever road triathlon event in the city of Auburn and the Auburn State Park.

How do I get travel information for Auburn?

Please visit the Auburn Information web page for details on Auburn lodging at host hotels and driving directions.  For places to eat. 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?

We will be providing free branded event photos for download or sharing on Facebook.  We will also have unbranded high resolution photos for purchase.

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  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.  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  when it comes to cutoff times. After years of consideration and experience, we present the following:

• Half Bike Course Cutoff: 12:30pm
• Half Run Course Cutoff:  3:03pm  (8 hrs after last wave of half )
• International and Sprint events takes place inside the Half Tri cutoff times, so cutoff pace is virtually irrelevant.

Cut off for 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. T1 is packed up and out of there by 9:00 am!

Cut off for T2 BIKE to RUN:

The bike finish/run start cutoff time is 5 hrs after the final wave start (~12:30 pm). 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 T2 we will pull your chip if you come in after the cutfoff time.  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.  So if you are out there longer than that,  just know there will be no traffic control at the intersections anymore so you must ride responsibly within traffic rules and regs and be careful.  There will be no one else out there directing traffic or you

The official race finish is 8 hrs after the final wave start or ~3:00pm. We will give late starters a little cushion and send our sweep runners out ~20 minutes after 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 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 repeated sweeper requests to turn back. Hence, we must strictly enforce this policy and close the run course at the appropriate time.

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 beautiful and tranquil section at the extreme rear edge of Folsom Lake (furthest away from the dam) at Rattlesnake Bar park. You will be monitored by kayakers, paddlers, and park ranger watercraft and lifeguards 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?

The main variable is the level and timing of snow melt from the Sierra that flows into the lake thru the American River which this year is going to be a lot.   We would expect the water to be colder this year and the State Parks have informed us that there will be floating debris this year anywhere from cigarette size sticks to tree trunks.  You can imagine with the massive winter we have had and the run off as a consequence.  WETSUITS WILL BE MANDATORY,  at least for the World’s Toughest Half.  Temp range is usually likely 64-73 last heard mid 60’s.

Is there any current in the water

There usually isn’t much to notice  but this year may be a different story, since Rattlesnake Bar is in the upper end of Folsom where the river flows in there could be a little more current than usual.

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 and paddlers 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 or paddle board will paddle to you for assistance. You are allowed to hang onto and rest without penalty on kayaks and paddleboards as long as they do not move your forward.  We will have an ambulance on scene.

What is the Auburn Triathlon mandatory warmup rule?

There have been an alarming number of deaths during triathlon swims in recent years. From 2009 to 2012, 29 deaths were recorded in the swim portion of triathlons across the USA. 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. For further insight on this important matter, please review the discussion on the swim page by Auburn Triathlon swim safety consultant Dr. Rudy Dressendorfer, PT, Ph.D.,

BIKE

What is the course like?

We have a new bike course for the Olympic and Half

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.

IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE COURSE

Road bike or time trial bike?

Your choice, either will work.

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.

What is the traffic control plan?

The roads will be open to traffic.  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.

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?

Visit the Aid and Support page for details

• $5 off for those that have participated at least twice before.  Contact us for the code