You did it! You signed up for your first triathlon!
Triathlon is slightly intimidating, it can be confusing, but also such a cool sport and great activity! We’re excited to have you join our ranks—so excited, we’ve gathered all of our beginner triathlon resources. Getting started in triathlon can be overwhelming, but we’re here to help. Remember that your health is the most precious thing. Please, consider not starting if you feel unwell or if you were ill days prior to the race. You can stop and withdraw from the race at any time before or during the race. In any case, please don’t forget our staff or technical officials about that so we know you are safe.
In short, getting ready and packing for a triathlon requires preparation. Do not worry, the triathlon race day checklist for beginners has you covered!
All starts with athlete’s race pack where you will be given:
- Timing chip for your leg (always wear it on your left ankle)
- ID bracelet
- Swim cap
- Bib number
- Set of stickers (for helmet, for transitions bag – each one sticker and sticker under the saddle)
- Tattoos to be placed on your left arm and leg
- 3 transition bags (green bag, red bag and blue bag)
Before you leave your bike at Transition area (Location is at Farrier’s Arena just couple meters from the giant horse statue) make sure you have done the following:
Your transition bags all have stickers on with your bib number
Your gear is ready and packed where it needs to be:
- Green bag (after race) is dedicated for your after race clothes – whatever you want to put on after you cross the finish line
Shorts, trousers, hoodie, slippers. It’s just totally up to you.
If you are asking where you should put swim clothes the answer is… you are already dressed with your swim gear (trisuit, swim goggles, swim cap, wetsuit – if needed and do not forget to bring time chip)
Bring your Green bag to the swim start. We will collect it and get it ready at the finish area (*Try-Athlon – pick up your green back at the start area at the swimming pool) - Red bag (swim to bike) has to include all your bike essentials
Bike shoes or trainers if you are not familiar with clipping system (bike shoes can be clipped on your bike if you are comfortable with that)
Socks
Belt for your bib number
Sun glasses
Helmet
Bidons Drink bottles with water or isotonic
Bib Number
Gels as you will need to refuel and get some nutrition into the system - Blue bag (bike to run) has to include all your run essentials
Trainers
Cap to cover your head from sunshine
Towel
Rest of the stickers are exactly where they need to be (left and right side of helmet, tube under the saddle)
ID bracelet is on your wrist,
Have functional brakes and helmet ready
Belt for your bib number – with your medical information on the backside (mandatory on the run only)
We recommend already at this stage to wear swimming clothes, as you will save in the transition zone all your „transition bags“ and therefore everything you will have with you. You are at this stage ready to roll!
SWIMMING
Depends on your chosen discipline. If you chose Tryathlon you will swim in the swimming pool, where wetsuits are not allowed. If you go for Sprint or longer distance, the swim takes place in the Canal next to the River Danube. Wet suits are obligatory, as water is not really warm (around 17 degrees C).
No swimming aids are allowed except a swimming cap (which you will receive from us in the starter package) and swimming goggles. Swimwear, official swimming cap, identification bracelet and chip are mandatory (all included in the start package). Start times are in intervals of every 10 seconds
We recommend you take enough time to walk to the start (it takes 15 mins). Also, wear flip-flops that you can put into your green bag then.
Inform our swim area manager if you lose a chip, or tear or forget your swim cap. We will provide you with a spare chip and swim cap.
Start your race slowly, don’t rush and stay calm. There is plenty of time to finish your swim lap. Remember, your health is the most important therefore ask for help at any stage of the race – our medical team is ready to help. Try to get close to the river bank or swimming pool edge. Wave your hand at our kayakers or lifeguards. Turn around on your back and try to float on the water.
TRANSITION 1
After the swim is done, there is a quick move to transition 1, where you will find a red bag. You run to the changing tent where you put on your cycling gear. After swimming you put your swimsuit, swimming cap and goggles in the red bag and then hand it to a volunteer or just throw it to the designated area. After the race, you will be able to pick up your bag based on the number. You will find your red bag hanging according to your starting number where you prepared it together with your bike before the race. After changing clothes and firmly strapping the helmet on your head you move to the collecting of the bike. You will have to run for a while with your bike. You are only allowed to get on your bike at the end of the Transition area in the location marked with a tape Mount line. Note that you can be penalised by referees so-called Technical Officials if you drop something in the Transition area, run with a bike without a fastened helmet or if you sit on your bike before the Mount line.
BIKE
The use of any bicycle is allowed (*Try-athlon – time trial bikes and aerobars are not allowed), but it cannot be dangerous for you or other competitors (e.g. damaged frame, non-functioning brakes, uncovered handlebar corners, all this will be checked at the entrance to the Transition area). While cycling, it is your duty to wear a helmet, and all the stickers mentioned in the beginning. Drafting is not allowed at all bike courses so keep your distance between you and the athlete in front of you otherwise you might get penalised by Technical officials (*Try-athlon – drafting is allowed). There are aid stations at the bike course where you can grab a bike bottle but remember to slow down so you can safely take it and drink. You can stop off the bike course but make sure that you do it at the safe spot and don’t cause any collision with athletes behind you. You can drop your empty bottle in the designated so-called littering zone before or after the aid station only. After cycling, remember to get off the bike before the marked location with tape Dismount line.
TRANSITION 2
Find your place from where you originally took the bike (ideally find a support point according to which you find your place (tree, pillar). Put the bike on rack and run to find your blue bag. Change into running clothes in the tent and put the things from the bike back to the blue bag and drop it to the volunteer or throw it to the designated area and you hit the run course.
RUN
It wasn’t so bad, what do you think? You have made it to the final part of the race, the run. Don’t forget to move the number to your front after getting off the bike and just go for it! Remember there are 3 aid stations on the course so hydrate yourself and don’t underestimate heat.
FINISH
And it’s here! THE END! In addition to the feeling of satisfaction and immense euphoria, a finisher’s medal will be waiting for you at the finish line after completing the race, on which you can engrave your name and time (more info about this extra service in the expo zone). Relax in the Recovery zone (there are food, drinks and also regeneration options (massages, ice bath…) But don’t wait too long, because you still need to collect everything you left behind during the race, namely:
- Finisher’s medal and t-shirt – you will only have the size you indicated at registration
(changing the size is not possible)
Green bag with your casual clothes and personal items - Pick up your bike and Blue+Red transition bags in the Transition Area – please follow the opening and closing times
- Return your timing hip while exit the Transtition area with your bike and bags
You will have access to all areas thanks to the ID band on your arm, so don’t lose it! Go for it! See you at the finish line.
