Q: When does the online lottery open?
A: 2013 Lottery opens November 1, 2012 at 12:01am EST and closes November 8, 2012 at 11:59pm EST. You’ll find a link on the Aquaphor NYCTri.com homepage once the lottery is open. The 2013 race date is July 14, 2013

Q: What if I enter and I can’t compete?
A: Unfortunately, there are no refunds and no exchanges. You can’t transfer or sell your entry. However, you can defer your registration and receive early entry for 2014, details here.Your 2013 entry fee will not be transferred to 2014.

Q: What is the order of events for the race weekend? What do I do first?
A: First, you must attend a race briefing.  Briefings are held adjacent to the expo near registration. Second, after your briefing you will pick up your race packet, receive a wrist band (this must stay on at all times and throughout the weekend), a drawstring goodie bag, and a race t-shirt. Third, you must load your bike in to transition Saturday afternoon between 2 – 9 pm at Riverside Park (79th/Hudson). There is no bike check-in on the day of the race. Transition opens Sunday morning at 4:30 am and closes at 5:15 am (Yellow) and 5:45 am (Red). Your body should already be marked and you already have your timing chip, so just drop off your clothing bag on the pathway from transition to swim start.

Q: Is the Hudson safe?
A: Yes, the Hudson is safe and clean. Water quality testing is done regularly. No vaccines, no shots, no panic attacks necessary. Calm down. The race has sports psychologists at the start for the faint of heart. It is a tidal river so you swim with the current. It's also salt water, so we don't recommend you drink it.

Q: What is the expected water temperature in the Hudson River?
A: Approximately 74 degrees Fahrenheit

Q: Are wetsuits allowed?
A: You may wear your wet suit regardless of water temperature. However, if race officials announce race morning that the water temperature is above the wetsuit-legal limit of 78 then you will not count for an age group award if you wear your wetsuit.

Q: How do I get from transition at Riverside Park to the swim start?
A: All athletes, excluding wheelchair athletes, walk from transition to the Swim Start. It’s a mile. You’re an athlete. Tough it out.

Q: What do I do with my shoes and shirt once I get to swim start?
A: Each participant will receive a drawstring bag labeled with your name and race number when you pick up your race packet. Take the bag to the corresponding clothing truck just south of Swim Start

Q: Is there a lost and found?
A: Aquaphor NYC Triathlon staff scours the swim start area, transition areas, and finish areas for anything left behind.  Please contact sarah@korffenterprises.com after the race if you lost anything and hopefully we'll have it.

Q: Is there a warm up swim or ride on Sunday morning?
A: Neither one will be allowed. Bikes may not be removed from transition once you have checked your bike in. Athletes will not be allowed to enter the Hudson River until the start of their wave.

Q: Do I have to go to the briefings before I check my bike into transition?
A: Yes, all participants MUST attend the mandatory briefing in order to pick up their packet. Your bike number will be inside your race packet and you will then attach it to your bike. No bikes will be allowed in transition without a bike number, and no bikes will be allowed out of transition without a bike number and corresponding wristband. A non-athlete may check-in a bike for an athlete if he or she is unable to do so on Saturday.

Q: Can my secretary/friend/teammate/doorman/nanny pick up my race packet?
A: No! Only the athlete can pick up his or her packet. Notice a trend yet?

Q: Can members of a relay team pick up all of their team members packets? Can I pick up my friend's packet?
A: NO! Every participant must attend a briefing, pick up their own packet, and sign their own waiver.

Q: What if I cannot attend the briefings?
A: All participants must attend the briefing - no briefing? No race, no finisher’s medal, no glory.

Q: How do I know that I'm in the right race category?
A: Unless you're a pro, a paratriathlete, or a REALLY fast amateur, chances are your appropriate race category is Age Group. Your Age Group is determined by your "race age", which is not necessarily your current age. "Race age" is the age you will be at the end of the current year (12/31/2012). So, if you're 39 but have a birthday in January, you'll race with 39 year-olds. If you're 39 and your birthday is in September, you'll be with the 40 year-olds.

Q: Do I have to check in my bike on Saturday?
A: Yes, there is a MANDATORY bike check in on Saturday from 2pm - 9pm. There will be overnight security in transition. There will be NO bike check in on Sunday morning. If your bike is not in transition Saturday then you don’t race.

Q: How many water stations are on the run course?
A: Five, plus one at the finish.

Q: Do I have to wear the wristband given to me at packet pick-up?
A: Yes, all participants are required to wear the wristband until Sunday afternoon when your bike is removed from transition. Race staff will put these on your wrist as you pick up your packet. This will serve as your identification for entering into the transition Sunday morning, as well as, receiving your timing chip at swim start.

Q: Do I have to wear the swim cap?
A: Yes, the swim cap MUST be worn. The color given to each athlete is specific to your wave, so you cannot switch colors, you cannot switch waves, you cannot switch anything.

Q: Is transportation provided to transition Sunday morning?
A: There will be a shuttle bus transporting athletes from the Host Hotel to the transition area from 3:45am to 6:30am. This shuttle will provide one way transportation to the transition area. You must have your race number visible to use the shuttle. Athletes walk from transition to swim start.

Q: How do I get from the finish back to transition to get my bike?
A: Janus is providing FREE pedi-cab service from Tavern on the Green (67^th and Central Park West) to transition from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Or you can walk or take a cab—it’s about one mile.

Q: What is the best place for spectators to watch the race?
A: Swim Start - Riverside Park & 98th Street on the Hudson River.
Swim Exit - Riverside Park & 79th Street on the Hudson River.
Run Course along 72nd Street from Henry Hudson Parkway to Central Park West
Race Finish - Dead Road in Central Park near the band shell off the 72nd Street Transverse

Q: What cool stuff do I get for entering and finishing?
A: First, you get to do the Triathlon. No one swims in the Hudson on purpose but you can! No one rides their bike on the Westside Highway but you will! All finishers receive a very cool finisher’s medal modeled after the original New York City subway tokens.

Q: I’m a Cubs fan.  What do I get?
A: Sympathy.