TRANSITION AREA

On the morning of the race, between the designated times – and once you have your race kit,  bring your bike into the transition zone. If you have picked up your race kit on Saturday, you may head straight into transition to begin your set-up. 

Place your bike on the rack with the matching number to your bib number – there will be volunteers there to assist you with this.  Your bike must have a sticker showing your race bib number (it will be with your bib) and helmets should be fit checked by the parents before race day.  For security reasons, after the race, the number on the bicycle sticker must match the race bib number in order to claim your bicycle. 

Parents may accompany their children into the transition zone to help them set up; pre-race only. Some athletes like to place a small basket beside the back wheel of their bike in which to place their articles including their towel, socks, running shoes, shirt with the bib attached to the front, water bottle, and any other items to help them with their race. An alternative to a basket is laying a towel flat and placing all of the race gear on top of it. Please review the list of “what to bring” above if you’re unsure what you need.  Please ask a volunteer if you have any questions about how to set-up your bike and race gear.

Helmets may be hung onto the handlebars of the bike, or placed on the ground beside. Please ensure you remove or zip tie kickstands.

Once the transition area is closed, parents will NOT be allowed entrance until the race is complete and the last competitor has crossed the finish line.  This will be strictly enforced.

Please alert a volunteer in the transition area if you have any concerns about your child.  No one will be allowed to add anymore bikes or race gear into transition after the specified closing time.  Be there promptly or you will miss the race!

During the race, our transition zone volunteers will help to guide athletes back to their assigned bike racks and where needed, help to assist with getting racers ready for the next leg of the course. For our Mighty Minis we will have a dedicated team of volunteers who will be assisting our 3-5 year olds with getting on shoes, shorts, helmets etc. 

Once ready for the next leg of the race, signage and volunteers will help direct athletes out the correct entrances/exits of the transition zone.  

After the last competitor has crossed the finish line the transition zone will be opened up for bike retrieval.  For security reasons, the number on the bicycle sticker must match the race bib number in order to claim your bicycle. For the Mighty Minis there will be an opportunity before the end of the race to collect bikes and race gear but please await the announcement before removing items. 

SWIM/ POOL AREA

Athletes will gather 30 minutes before their swim start time in the upstairs group exercise studio at PEFAC. Look for signage or ask a volunteer if you are unsure where this is. 

Athletes will be organized or “marshalled” into their pre-assigned heats and given swim caps. Please note swim caps are encouraged but optional. Once the athletes have been marshalled for the swim, they will be led downstairs by a volunteer and will enter the pool deck area. Due to limited space and safety issues, parents/guardians of children swimming in the ongoing heat will be allowed to see their child in a small viewing area on the pool deck. Parents can access this area through the side door of the pool. Look for signs or ask a volunteer.  If your child is NOT swimming in that particular heat, please do not go on the deck. Many volunteers will be available to assist by the pool. Please note that 1 parent/guardian for each participant in the 3-5 year age category ONLY will be allowed to wait with the child in the upstairs marshalling room. 

BIKE COURSE

The bike portion of the race has many volunteers, radio operators and police officers. 

The course is clearly marked and blocked to through traffic – it is important to stress to the children to use normal caution while riding a bicycle.  There will be other competitors coming the other way and the cyclists need to stay to the right of the lane. As the County Kids of Steel is an equal opportunity event, you may see different types of bikes on the course, please respect your fellow athletes.

Each competitor is responsible to be aware of where their turn around is; so we encourage parents to try to show them prior to the race.  The volunteers will be there to help all of the children with this.  The children’s race bibs are colour coded (see below) indicating their turn around point.  A volunteer will assist your child at each turn around point. 

Turn around point volunteers will remind riders to make slow, safe turns around their point and guide athletes back towards the transition area. 

There will be a clearly marked MOUNT/DISMOUNT line outside of the transition area where athletes will be instructed to get on or get off their bikes. Athletes will be instructed to walk or run their bikes in the area between the transition zone and the MOUNT/DISMOUNT line. Volunteers will be stationed at this line to help remind racers. 

RUN COURSE

The run portion is marked by coloured signage and the competitor is responsible to be aware of their turn around – there will be signs colour coded to correspond with their age groups and bib colours telling them where this is. Volunteers will help them as much as possible. As the County Kids of Steel is an equal opportunity event, athletes are reminded to respect fellow runners with varying speeds and abilities on the trail.

There is water available along the run course and we encourage the athletes to drink as they go, especially if it is a hot day. Please note, that only running shoes are permitted for the race, no CROCS™ or sandals.

Parents are NOT permitted on the run course, but we encourage you to cheer from the sidelines – if you have concerns, please notify a volunteer.

Once you have passed the finish line, your ankle bracelet (chip timer) will be removed by a race official and a medal will be awarded.  Please enjoy a complimentary lunch and drink for your hard work.  You did it! Participants should be proud just for challenging and conquering the County Kids of Steel Triathlon.

COLOUR CODES

Racers' bibs will be colour coded to match their age category.