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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 

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PLEASE NOTE EARLIER START TIME FOR 2025

 

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

5:30am    Transition area opens

6:00am     Volunteer check-in at tent

6:30am     Racer Meeting

7:00am     Race Start

11:00am    Party begins when last racer finishes.  

11:30pm   Awards ceremony 

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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. 

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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.  

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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 2025 Cue Sheet

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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 - watch for downhill onto Henderson - cross at crosswalk with police

1.6 mi TWO WAY TRAFFIC on Centennial Trail from Henderson to Country Club Rd  - stay on the right side of trail

1.6 mi Turn slight right onto single track ay Montana Wild and 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 (Head Lane is the road in front of you)

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

Course Maps

MISS AN EMAIL? HERE IT IS:


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7/15/25

🌧️ Hello Triathletes!

The weather is perfectly rainy in Helena today, and the forecast looks great for Sunday – high of 78°F!

Please note: the race starts an hour earlier this year to avoid the heat. Expect a cool morning, but as always in Montana, be prepared for anything.

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🏊 SATURDAY @ MEMORIAL PARK POOL

2:00–4:00 PM – Packet Pick-up (ID required)
Includes: timing chip, bib number, helmet sticker, t-shirt, swag
3:00 PM – Racer MAP Review Meeting
4:00–5:00 PM – Volunteer Meeting (pick up t-shirts, get assignments, ask questions)

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🚴‍♀️ SUNDAY RACE DAY

📍 Parking: YMCA Lot across from Memorial Pool
5:30 AM – Transition Area Opens
6:00 AM – Volunteer Check-In
6:30 AM – Racer Meeting
7:00 AM – Race Start
11:00 AM – Party starts when last racer finishes
11:30 AM – Awards Ceremony

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🏁 SWIM START ORDER

  • Heat 1: Top 14 times

  • Heat 2: 14 & Under + Title IX athletes

  • Then by age group (see order below)

  • Swimmers enter one at a time over the timing mat

Age Group Order:
15–19, 70–74, 30–34, 35–39, 65–69, 60–64, 45–49, 40–44, 55–59, 50–54, 20–24, 25–29

First Heat Racers: Appel, Patterson, Phillips, Kelley, Burt, Pecarina, Kirklin, Zheng, J. Roberts, Bailey, Flint, Harris, Coggins, Reed

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💧 HYDRATION

Saturday + Sunday: Hydrate early and often.
Your race packet includes Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes Extreme + Fizz tablets. Learn more: hammernutrition.com
Bike: No aid station – bring your own water.
Run: You'll pass the water station 4 times.

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🔥 SMOKE + AIR QUALITY

In the event of poor air quality (AQI ≥151), the race will be canceled by 4:30 AM.
Virtual race options will be available.
Deferral option: 25% race credit for 2026 or donate to support future races.

AQI Key:

  • 0–50: Good

  • 51–100: Moderate

  • 101–150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups

  • 151+: Unhealthy or worse

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🗺️ COURSE MAPS + RULES

  • Bike Course: View Map

  • Run Course: View Map

  • Bring a spare tube! Get your bike checked before race day.

Important Notes:

  • No headphones on bike OR run = Disqualification

  • Helmet required any time you're on the bike = No helmet = DQ

  • Stay RIGHT on shared trail sections; follow all traffic laws

  • You must use the bike path beside Custer Rd – riding on Custer Rd = DQ

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🎉 POST-RACE PARTY + AWARDS

Starts at 11:00 AM at Memorial Park
Awards begin after last racer finishes.
Age group awards: 1st–3rd = charms
Overall winners: Beautiful ceramic pieces by local artist Tara Wilson

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🙏 THANK YOU!

Huge thanks to:

  • Helena Police + L&C County Sheriffs

  • Lifeguards at Last Chance Splash

  • All our volunteers and sponsors!

Sponsors include:
St. Peter's Health, St. Peter's Health Orthopedics, Mosaic Architecture, Waypoint Realty, Christensen & Prezeau, Great Divide Cyclery, Mt Ascension Physical Therapy, Hammer Nutrition, Girls Thrive, Cobblestone Clothing, Leah Hathaway and Margie's Vintage, Montana Book Company, and Vigilante Runners. THANK YOU! 

You are SO close to the start line — get ready, have fun, and race smart!

See you this weekend,


Ann 

 

 

 

6/27/25

MTWTri Update: To beat the heat on July 20th, we’re starting the race earlier this year!  First swimmers will hit the water at 7:00am.  Age group swim order will be posted the week of the race. Everyone gets an earlier start this year!

Race Day Schedule: 

  • 5:30 AM: Transition area opens

  • 6:15 AM: Volunteer check-in at Memorial Park

  • 6:30 AM: Transition area closes 

  • 6:35 AM : Racer meeting

  • 7:00 AM: Race Start

  • 11:00 AM: Party begins when the last racer finishes

  • 11:30 AM: Awards ceremony

Training for race day means training for the heat as well as the swim, bike, and run. Run in the heat. Practice hydration when you train.  Find what works for you before race day. Hammer Nutrition is a race sponsor and  Fizz and Endurolytes will be in in your swag bag. HEED will be on the course. Check out https://hammernutrition.com/ for training and race day  hydration strategies.

For more information and any missed emails, please visit: https://www.mtwomenstri.com/information

Safe holidays to everyone and see you soon!

Ann

 

3/28/25

Welcome to MTWTri '25! Thanks for signing up early and talking the race up with your friends. A few updates to encourage the endorphins to emerge from hibernation......

First, thanks to our 2024 sponsors for keeping our race alive and affordable to all. This is our 11th year and we wouldn't be here without our amazing sponsors and volunteers. The success of our race allows us to give back to community organizations who share our passion to improve physical and mental health to women of all shapes, sizes, ages, colors, and abilities. These organizations include Girls Thrive, Running for Montana's Future/the Angel Fund, Helena Regional Sports Association/ARC promoting our dream for a community pool in Helena, the Helena Lions and Dolphins swim teams, Helena Cyclones Youth Mountain Bike team, and YMCA youth programming.

 

The New Year started with a bang.....MTWTri was chosen by Triathlete Magazine as #5  2025 Best Triathlons for Beginners in the US.  We remain one of the most affordable and FUN multisport events in the region. Thanks for signing up, getting your friends to sign, and we're looking forward to seeing you in 12 weeks for the race!

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Who are we?  Women of all ages and abilities wide and far - MT, WA, MI, WY, PA, SD, FL, TN, ID, MO, OR, AZ.   Outside of Helena Missoula is leading the pack with Butte and Great Falls running a close 2nd and 3rd. The youngest racer is 15 and the most experienced is 73. Largest age groups are 30-39 followed by 50-64.  We like to keep it mixed up!

 

How to connect with the race and each other:

https://www.instagram.com/mtwtri

https://www.facebook.com/mtwomenstri/                                           https://www.facebook.com/groups/38324247    

https://www.strava.com/clubs/MTWTri

 

Training information:   https://www.mtwomenstri.com/training

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First triathlon? Find some friends, make a schedule, plan to meet, and hold each other accountable. Most cities have masters swimming. Masters is not for former Olympic athletes. All levels of swimming are welcomed and encouraged. Most groups have experienced coaches who love to make swimming easier for you. Check them out. Share your local group on the FB group connection for others to connect.  ie: "Hey I live in Ryegate and would love to train with a buddy. Anyone close by?

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MTWTri Boutique:  The boutique has been set up at registration in past years. Everything is now available online.  New in 2025 are Ouray Sun Hoodies  and sleeveless crew tanks.  Check out the new gear here: https://www.mtwomenstri.com/shop 

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Scholarships: :Applications will be accepted until July 1 for the Molly Hayes Spirit and BIPOC Scholarships.  mtwomenstri.com/scholarships   Please share. 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. 

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Accommodations:  Hotels close to the race start:

  • Great Northern Hotel - 406-443-2200. 

  • Lamplighter - 406-442-9200 

  • Budget Inn Express 406-442-0600

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Montana 2025 Triathlon Schedule:

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 2025 Montana Women's Triathlon.

 

Cheers to good weather and fun training!

Ann 

Rules
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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.

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