Q: When does online registration open?
A: 2010 registration opens November 1, 2009 at 12:01 am. You’ll find a link on the NYCTri.com homepage once registration is open. The 2010 race date is July 18, 2010.

Q: How do I register?
A: Go to www.nyctri.com on November 1 at 12:01 am and sign up. Put on a pot of coffee and watch Saturday Night Live. Or, set your alarm and wake up early. Memorize your credit card number. For faster registration, join USA Triathlon or you can create an Active.com account beforehand. It’s free, why not!

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 2011, details here.

 

Q: What is the order of events for the race weekend? What do I do first?
A: First, you must attend a race briefing at the Hilton New York. 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 Nautica 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 5:45 am. You get your body marked, get your timing chip, and 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. The Hudson River is the fastest Olympic distance swim in the world. It is a tidal river so you swim with the current.

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 wheelchairs 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: NO! This is New York City, not your church bake sale.

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. The River is so fast that if you get in the water before your wave you will not be able to swim against the current back to the start. Hey, don’t even think about it.

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 or out of transition without a bike number and corresponding wristband. Only YOU can check your bike – no friends, wives, husbands, surrogates, secretaries, stand-ins...got it?

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: 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 (12/31/2010). 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: Can members of a 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: Are race briefings mandatory?
A: Yes, briefings are mandatory! All participants that compete in the Triathlon must attend the briefing before picking up their packet. The briefing will discuss the course, event rules, and a question and answer session.

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

Q: Do I have to wear the wrist band 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 HIlton New York (54th/6th Avenue) to the transition area from 4:30am 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: How do I know if I am registered?
A: If you received an Active.com confirmation email and payment receipt you are registered. Double check online at the Confirm Entry page.

Q: Are there any refunds, transfers or deferrals?
A: There are NO refunds, NO transfers, NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are unable to do the 2010 NYC Triathlon you can receive an early entry opportunity for 2011 if you defer online by July 14, 2010 at 11:59 PM. You must defer online through active.com dehere. Your 2010 entry fee will not be transferred.

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. You’ll also receive a very wet Toyota cool-down towel, and the eternal envy of all your non-athletic friends and family.

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