SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SATURDAY - MEMORIAL PARK POOL
2:00-4:00p Packet pick-up - ID required.
Your packet will have your timing chip, bib number, helmet sticker with number, t-shirt, and swag items.
4:00-5:00p Volunteer meeting for t-shirts, assignments, questions
SUNDAY
Please park at the YMCA parking lot across from Memorial Pool
6:30am Transition area opens
7:00am Volunteer check-in at tent
7:30am Racer Meeting
8:00am Race Start
11:30am Party begins when last racer finishes.
12:00pm Awards ceremony
Transition area: Areas for your gear will be marked off in the transition area. Pick your spot and set up your gear. Metal bike racks will be provided this year. Basics for the transition area: goggles, cap, bike, bike shoes, socks, helmet (mandatory), sunglasses, water on your bike, running shoes, running hat, shirt or race belt with number on it, and sunscreen. Athletes only in the transition area. We’ll have volunteers there with baby blue shirts on who will help you set up and answer questions. Race captains will be available as well to answer questions. race t-shirts and can answer questions also.
Swim: NO DIVING into the pool. This will be automatic disqualification. Preliminary swim order will be sent out Thursday night. Final swim order will be posted at pool Sunday morning.The swim starts with a heat of 16 swimming 2 to a lane.You have half a lane until you are done. Swimmers line up behind the timing mat and enter the water in numerical order when a lane becomes available. You will be positioned with other women in your age group (unless they are in the first heat). You have half a lane until you are done. There will be lap counters. Please volunteer to count for someone else while you wait. Bring your suit, goggles, and cap. It is REALLY hard to get disqualified in the pool. Unless you dive in head first.
Bike: You cannot leave the transition area unless your helmet is on your head and buckled. Walk/run with your bike to the mount line and then get on the saddle and start pedaling. Stay on the designated bike course. Ride on the path along Custer. DO NOT RIDE ON THE ROAD ON CUSTER OR YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. Stay on the path. There will not be water on the bike course so take your own. Course will be marked with arrows and course guards will be at turns. It is the responsibility of the racer to know the course. There will be mechanical assistance throughout the course. Please carry your own spare tube and know how to change it. No promises on how long it will take before help arrives.
Run: Run course will be marked with MTWTri blue tape. Course goes behind pool near ball park - stay on the sidewalk until crosswalk to Centennial Trails. You will go under tunnel toward carousel, around carousel then back to water station staying left and running North alongside Carroll dorms. Follow arrows and complete this loop twice. On the second loop past the bike park you will head toward tunnel under Last Chance and back to transition area to finish.
MTWTri Bike 2024 Cue Sheet
Leaving transition area, turn Right toward mount line and get on bike
Turn right through parking lot 0.1 mi
Turn right at end of parking lot
Turn left across road toward Centennial Trail then sharp Left onto trail -go under bridge and UP THE HILL- stay right at top with Paws Park on your right.
0.2 mi trail turns to gravel/sand
0.5 mi Turn right at crosswalk with police
1.0 mi Turn left onto Centennial Trail 1.0 mi watch for downhill onto Henderson - cross at crosswalk with police
1.6 mi TWO WAY TRAFFIC on trail - stay on R side
1.6 mi Turn slight right onto single track beside Broadwater Avenue.
2.8 mi Exit single track with slight left toward 10 Mile Park at volunteer station
2.9 mi Cross bridge for
0.3mi on Creekside Loop
3.0 mi Turn right onto William Gruber Memorial Trail
3.3 mi Turn left onto William Gruber Memorial Trail
3.6 mi First loop turn left onto William Gruber Memorial Trail (you will be here again and exist park due North)
4.2 mi Keep left onto William Gruber Memorial Trail
4.6 mi Turn right 4.9 mi Turn slight right onto Creekside Loop
4.9 mi Turn left onto Creekside Loop 5.1 mi Turn sharp left onto Creekside Loop
5.5 mi Turn right onto William Gruber Memorial Trail 5.8 mi Turn right onto Country Club Avenue 6.1 mi Turn left back on to Centennial Trail - CAUTION-TWO WAY TRAFFIC
7.0 mi Turn slight left at bottom of hill entering Henderson - stay on road until Brady Street where you will get on bike path
7.9 mi Get on bike trail at Brady
8.0 mi Straight - obey all traffic rules - turn Right on Villard onto bike path beside Cedar St.
8.8 mi Turn right when bike path ends to path back into Centennial Park - go around flag then up path to crosswalk and FINISH! 10.7 mi
MISS AN EMAIL? HERE IT IS:
MTWTri Updates 6•15•24
MTWTri is closing in on FULL for 2024. Thanks to everyone for signing up, coming back, and spreading the word about this awesome community that comes together the third Sunday of every July. We look forward to getting together and want to share some updates with you.
The most important thing you need to know RIGHT NOW is please tell your potential race buddies to 1) sign up before it fills up and 2) enter before prices go up June 1. Last year we had to close registration early and current numbers indicate this might happen again. The word is out - this is a FUN race.
We can't do this without the support of our sponsors and the Helena Community. Tom and Molly Hayes, St. Peter's Health, Way Point Realty and Breena Buettner, Amy Christensen and Cherche Prezeau at Christensen and Prezeau Law Firm, Mt Ascension Physical Therapy, The Great Divide Cyclery, Hammer Nutrition, Girls Thrive, and The Vigilante Runners MTWTri is organized by A Fine Balance Multisport Coaching and Racing in Helena. Thank you!
Course updates: No changes to the bike course from 2023. Runners have the same two loop course with both loops going through the tunnel to the Great Northern town center. Maps can be found on the links below or search MTWTri 2024 on Ride with GPS.
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Bike Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42701176
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Run Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42798759
Accommodations: There are lots of great options in Helena. Hotels close to the race start:
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Great Northern Hotel - 406-443-2200
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Lamplighter - 406-442-9200
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Budget Inn Express 406-442-0600
Scholarships: Applications will be accepted until July 1 for the Molly Hayes Spirit Scholarship and the BIPOC Scholarships. Please share if you know someone who would love either. If you are having trouble getting to the race, locating a bike, or finding a team please email the race director and we'll figure out a way to get you on the course. More information on scholarships here: mtwomenstri.com/scholarships
Finally....Volunteers: Urban races are a brutal challenge with the multitude of turns, crossings, trains, planes, and automobiles. Safety is the main concern in planning the courses and volunteer stations. If you have signed up for a team consider signing that team up for a volunteer slot as well. We'll get you close to the action and you can rotate through the duties. If you're racing, fill in a spot for relief for someone who was out there cheering you on. If you are bringing your family and have a few members to share a corner on the course please sign them up. Volunteers get a shirt and food at the end of the day. Volunteers are my BIGGEST WORRY of race production. But they always come through! Thanks for helping early. Volunteer here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/MT/Helena/MTWomensTri
If you have triathlon questions or need help with triathlon training please contact me at agilbert601@gmail.com or Matt Parks (our race announcer) at matthewbryanparks@gmail.com in Bozeman. We are both triathlon coaches and would love to help you train for the tenth (almost) annual Montana Women's Triathlon.
See you soon
Ann
JULY 3, 2024
Good morning Triathletes!
Happy Independence Day and please be safe tomorrow!
There are 225 participants registered this year with 10 states represented across the country from Alaska to Pennsylvania! As we get closer to July 21 please remember our priority is safety for everyone at the race- volunteers, spectators, and athletes. Please be familiar with the courses and review the USAT rules
We can't do this without the support of our sponsors and the Helena Community. Tom and Molly Hayes, St. Peter's Health, Way Point Realty and Breena Buettner, Amy Christensen and Cherche Prezeau at Christensen and Prezeau Law Firm, Mt Ascension Physical Therapy, The Great Divide Cyclery, Hammer Nutrition, Girls Thrive, and the Vigilante Runners. The race is organized by A Fine Balance Multisport Coaching and Racing. THANK YOU!!
BE READY FOR THE DAY:
July weather in Montana is unpredictable and uncontrollable. YOU can control how your race day goes. Be prepared for heat. Train in heat, use the Hammer Nutrition Endurolyte capsules and Fizz that will be in your swag bags. These are electrolytes and they will help you in the heat. Drink water and test these products when you train. HAMMER HEED will be on the run course and you'll pass this aid station FOUR times. HEED is a mix of complex carbs and electrolytes. USE IT! Hammer Gel will be in your swag bag as well. Whatever product you use be sure to test it while training before race day.
COURSE MAPS and UPDATES:
Road rehab is planned on Country Club Road near Spring Meadow Park. This is the section leaving Ten Mile Park back to the bike trail. Bridge work is planned to begin July 8th and pavement is planned to be finished by July 19th. Weather happens and we will keep you updated. Chip sealing will be done after the race. phew. Look forward to smooth beautiful pavement for this very short section of the race. And many thanks for Lewis and Clark County Road Department for smoothing out the road before the race!
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Bike Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42701176
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Run Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42798759
VOLUNTEERS:
Volunteers are crucial to the race. Please ask your friends and family to help. If you have an early start consider signing up for a late volunteer slot. The link for volunteers to sign waiver and get correct t-shirt size is: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/MT/Helena/MTWomensTri Thank you!
RACE DAY INFORMATION:
FAQ: "Can I pick up my packet Sunday morning?" Yes. But please remember that race morning is hectic for the registration crew, the timing company, the volunteers, and the race director. Please arrive early (6am-7am) and get your bag and gear lined out. ID must be present when you pick up your packet.
SATURDAY - LAST CHANCE SPLASH POOL
2:00-4:00p Packet pick-up - ID required.
The packet will have your timing chip, bib number, helmet sticker with number, t-shirt, and swag.
You can not pick up a packet for someone else. We have to know it is YOU racing.
4:00-5:00p Volunteer meeting for t-shirts, assignments, questions
SUNDAY
Please park at the YMCA parking lot across from LAST CHANCE SPLASH POOL
6:30am Transition area opens
7:00am Volunteer check-in at tent
7:30am Racer Meeting
8:00am Race Start
11:30am Party begins when last racer finishes.
12:00pm Awards ceremony
Please look at the website for more information: https://www.mtwomenstri.com/information
Swim Start: Age Groups and first heats will be announced the week of the race. The top 32 swim times submitted will be in heats one and two. Age groups will line up behind the fence and enter one at a time as a lane opens. Low stress-your lane is yours until you're done. Our premium Title IX athletes will lead the line and age groups will follow in random order. We mix it up every year. Remember the songs you entered on registration? You'll be standing in line with the people who appreciate your generational picks. Personally I'll be waiting for the country line-dance to break out....
Post race awards, bike raffle, and party: The party doesn't start until the last racer is in. Bring your noise makers and line the finish chute. Awards will be given to overall top 3 and age group 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Age groups are 5 years beginning with 14&U, 15-19, 20-14, etc. You don't want to miss these! If it's your first charm for your triathlon necklace or your 10th you'll love it. Results are not final until the last racer is in and awards will not be mailed so please stick around and cheer for your new friends as they cross the finish line.
We have THREE bikes to raffle off at the awards ceremony. Tom Hayes is donating Molly's race bike. Molly raced with great success on her Bike Friday for years! Also, tri bike from last year has been re-donated and we may have another road bike. More information coming on these!
Pizza party post race at the awards ceremony for athletes and volunteers. .
USAT Rules:
MTWTri Rules: When you are on your bike YOU MUST HAVE YOUR HELMET ON. Anywhere, anytime, or automatic disqualification. NO HEADPHONES.
Do not ride on Custer Avenue. You MUST STAY ON THE TRAIL. Automatic disqualification.
That's it for now. Keep training. Email with questions.
Thank you. Ann
MTWTri July 18 Updates
Hi Triathletes!
A short note with a few reminders for Sunday. Volunteers will be getting assignments later today and they will be finalized Saturday at the volunteer meeting from 4-5pm at the pool.
We are all thinking about the same things.....
Heat, smoke and having a great race. Two we can manage better than the other.
HYDRATION: The mornings have been gorgeous and heat hasn't hit 90 degrees until mid afternoon. You'll be sipping a cold drink at the finish line well before that. Please be sure and hydrate all day Saturday and Sunday morning and through the race!. HAMMER NUTRITION is an amazing sponsor and your packet will have Endurolytes Extreme AND Fizz tablets in it. Look them up here: https://hammernutrition.com so you know what you are drinking. Please use these during the race if you don't have another plan for electrolyte replacement. Hammer HEED (carbs and electrolytes) will be in the jugs at the water station. Carry your own hydration on the bike - there are no water stations on the ten mile mile bike ride. You will pass the water station on the run FOUR times. Please stop and hydrate.
SMOKE: Wildfire conditions are variable, unpredictable, and can change daily in Montana. In the event of an active wildfire posing a threat to MTWTri participants and volunteers the race organizers reserve the right to cancel the event. MTWTri uses the Montana Air Quality index to determine safe air quality. The race will be canceled by 4:30am if AQI reaches 151 (red). If you have health issues that might be compromised by air quality under 151 please consider a virtual race at a later date. Virtual times will be added to the results. If the race is canceled due to smoke participants will have the option to defer their registration at a 25% value to 2025 or to donate registration fee to help cover costs for 2024.
Guideline per U.S. AQI EPA’s index for reporting air quality:
0 to 50 = Good
51 to 100 = Moderate
101 to 150 = Unhealthy for sensitive groups
151 to 200 = Unhealthy
201 to 300 = Very unhealthy
301+ = Hazardous
Packet pick-up is Saturday 2-4pm. Sunday morning pick-up will be available for those traveling from out of town. Please have an ID card with you at packet pick up. You can not pick up your friend's packet.
Parking Racers, friends, and family please park Sunday morning at the YMCA across from the pool on Last Chance Gulch.
Transition area opens at 6:30 and closes at 7:30am when pre race meeting starts. Race begins at 8am.
Course maps: Any bike can do this race. They have all been tried. Bring an extra tube that fits your tire in case of a flat. Get your machine checked for safety before race day.
Maps:
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Bike Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42701176
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Run Course: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42798759
Bike Course Basics: Centennial Trail to Ten Mile Park (beside Spring Meadow Lake), exit 10 Mile Park (right turn) on to Country Club Road and go .25mi and get back on Centennial Trail to Henderson where you will ride on Henderson Street until the light at Brady and get on the Henderson Bike Path that goes around Capital High to Villard - head back to the pool on Villard , right on Cedar/Last Chance Gulch. The detailed cue sheet can be found on MTWTri web page in a format you can copy. We will have volunteers and four bike captains roaming the course but, ultimately, per USAT rules, it is the responsibility of the rider to know the course. - CAUTION: there will be two way bicycle traffic from Country Club road to Henderson on the trail - be careful and stay on your side (R) of the trail. Bicyclists are required to follow all rules of the road - stop signs and lights - unless waived through by Helena Police or a volunteer watching traffic for you.
YOU MUST USE THE BIKE PATH BESIDE CUSTER ROAD
RIDING ON CUSTER ROAD = DISQUALIFICATION
YOUR HELMET MUST BE ON YOUR HEAD AT ALL TIMES WHEN YOU ARE ON YOUR BIKE - BEFORE THE RACE, DURING THE RACE, AND AFTER RACE.
NO HELMET = DISQUALIFICATION
NO HEADPHONES ON THE BIKE OR RUN = DISQUALIFICATION
SWIM START ORDER: First heat will be the top 14 times and the second heat will be (14&U) and Title IX athletes. Age group order then takes over and swimmers enter one at a time crossing the timing mat to enter an empty lane. Age group order changes every year with teams mixed in the middle. Line up in ascending order according to your bib number.
Age group order: 25-29, 20-24, 15-19, 50-54, 55-59, 65-69, 60-64, 40-44, 45-49 ,35-39, 30-34
First heat: Patton, Caudill, Crawford, Warstler, Sherley, Stokes, Espanaub, Alvey, Kirklin, Reed, Bailey, Zheng, Pecarina, Flint
Post Race Party for racers and volunteers will commence at 11:30 and awards will start when the last racer is finished. Age groups are mixed and first place might actually be the last person in. Don't count your chickens before they hatch and stick around for awards (another cool charm for your necklace) - AND a chance to win a top end tri bike (aero bars, clipless pedals, fast wheels, and premium Campy component set) at the awards.
We still need a few more volunteers. Thanks for helping with keeping our race safe and friendly. Sign up here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/MT/Helena/MTWomensTri
Many thanks to the Helena Police Officers and Lewis and Clark County Sheriffs who will be helping us with traffic at busy intersections. Thank you also to the lifeguards at the Last Chance Splash Park keeping us safe. Please be sure and thank all the volunteers standing out there helping and cheering us all on.
Please support our sponsors for the race. We believe in them and they believe in what we are doing to promote participation of women in sports. Thank you!
SPONSORS Tom and Molly Hayes, St Peter's Health, Waypoint Realty/Breena Buettner, Christensen and Prezeau Attorneys at Law, Great Divide Cyclery, Mt Ascension Physical Therapy, Hammer Nutrition, Girls Thrive, Helena VIgilante Runners and A Fine Balance Multisport Coaching and Racing.
You are almost at the start line! Have a great race and most importantly a FUN day!!
Ann
RULES
The Montana Women's Triathlon is sanctioned by USA Triathlon. Sanctioning means that we are insured by USAT and we follow rules to keep everyone safe and to have a fair race. Sanctioning also mean you can get ranked as a triathlete but for now let's focus on the rules.
The 10 most commonly violated rules are:
1. Helmets: Only helmets approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) may be used in USAT sanctioned events. Helmets must be worn at all times while on your bike. This means before, during, and after the event.
2. Chin Straps: Chin straps must be fastened at all times when on a bicycle. DO NOT unbuckle your chin strap unless you are off your bicycle. This includes riding from your car to the transition area.
3. Outside Assistance: No assistance other than that offered by race and medical officials may be used. Triathlons and duathlons are individual tests of fitness.
4. Transition Area: All equipment must be placed in the properly designated and individually assigned bike corral. The wheel of the bicycle must be down on the side of the assigned space. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in their designated bicycle corral. No person shall interfere with another participant’s equipment or impede the progress of another participant. All bar ends must be solidly plugged. No participant shall bring ANY glass containers into the transition area.
5. Drafting: Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds.
Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing.
Illegal Pass-- cyclists must pass on the left, not on the right.
Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and impeding other cyclists attempting to pass.
Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again.
6. Course: All competitors are required to follow the prescribed course and to stay within all coned lanes. Cutting the course is an obvious violation and going outside the course is a safety issue. Cyclists shall not cross a solid yellow
center line for ANY reason. Cyclists must obey all applicable traffic laws at all times.
7. Unsportsmanlike-Like Conduct:
Foul, harsh, argumentative or abusive language or other unsportsmanlike conduct directed at race officials, USA Triathlon officials, volunteers, spectators or fellow athletes is forbidden.
8. Headphones: Headphones, headsets, walkmans, ipods, mp3 players, or personal audio devices, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race.
9. Race numbers: All athletes are required to wear race numbers at all times during the run. Numbers must be clearly visible at all times. Numbers may not be altered in any way that prevents a clear identification. DO NOT transfer yourumber to any other athlete or take a number from an athlete that is not competing.
10. Abandonment: All personal equipment and belongings taken out onto the course must stay on the athlete the entire time. No garbage, clothing, etc. shall be thrown on the course.