When: Sunday, May 26, 2013 - 9:00 a.m.
Where: Carrier Park - Asheville, NC
Length: 1.5 mile Run, 2.5 mile Paddle, 11 mile Bike, 2.9 mile Run
The race will once again be part of the Mountain Sports Festival. The race will start and finish inside the track at Carrier Park in the heart of the festival.
Racers will run a 1.5 mile course that includes a portion of the French Broad River Greenway to the boat launch at the Asheville Outdoor Center and then paddle the 2.5 miles downstream to Jean Webb Park where the Transition Area will be set up for bikes and run gear. The bike course is an out-and-back route up and down Riverside Drive. Following the bike leg, racers will run back to Carrier Park.
We will have two relay categories: 3 person where one person completes the first run and paddle, one person completes the bike course and one person completes the final run leg. In the two person category, both team members will complete the intiial run leg and paddle leg (in the same boat) and split the bike and final run legs.
To alleviate congestion at the boat put-in at the Asheville Outdoor Center, we will have wave starts this year.
Registration
Registration opens on January 1, 2013 and is limited to the first 150 registrants. Registration will be on-line only at IMAthlete.
Entry Fees:
- Early entry (January 1, 2012-February 28, 2013) - $46 Individual/$67 Relays
- Regular entry (March 1-May 14) - $56 Individual/$77 Relays
- Late entry (May 15 to Race Day) - $66 Individual/$92 Relays
You must be a current USA Triathlon member and present a current USAT membership card at packet-pickup. Those who don't have their card or who are not USAT members, must purchase a one-day membership for $12. You will be able to purchase one-day and annual USAT memberships through the on-line registration process.
Course
Run 1 - The race begins with waves start on the track at Carrier Park. Everybody will run one-half lap before exiting the track to and out and back on the Greenway before entring the Asheville Outdoor Center. This leg is 1.5 miles long.
Wave Schedule
Wave 1 - 9:00 a.m. – Male & Female 40-54 (Green Dot)
Wave 2 – 9:05 a.m. – Male 39 & Under (Blue Dot)
Wave 3 – 9:10 a.m. - Female 39 & Under (Pink Dot)
Wave 4 – 9:15 a.m. - Male & Female 55 & Over, Relays (Yellow Dot)
Paddle - Athletes will pick up their boats, paddles and pfd's at the Asheville Outdoor Center and paddle downstream 2.5 miles to Jean Webb Park where the main Transition Area will be set up. This is where bikes will be parked.
Ride - The bike course is a 11 mile out-and-back along Riverside Drive.
Run 2 - After parking their bikes, athletes will run the final 2.9 miles to Carrier Park. The course is a mixture of dirt and paved trails that goes through French Broad River Park to Carrier Park and the finish line inside the track.
Click HERE for the course map.
Minimum Age
You must be 13 years old to participate in the French Broad Challenge Triathlon.
Packet Pickup/Late Registration
Saturday, May 25 - 4:00-6:00 p.m. - Mountain Sports Festival, Carrier Park
Sunday, May 26 - 7:00-8:30 a.m. - Asheville Outdoor Center
* Please follow the directions of the race staff when parking and off loading your boats.
Awards
Overall awards will be presented to the top 3 overall male and female and top 3 masters (40 & Over) male and female and top 3 relays in each class. Age group awards will be awarded to the top 3 male and female in the following age groups:
- 13-15
- 16-19
- 20-24
- 25-29
- 30-34
- 35-39
- 40-44
- 45-49
- 50-54
- 55-59
- 60-64
- 65-69
- 70-74
- 75-79
- 80-84
- 85 & Over
- Clydesdale (Males 200 pounds and over)
- Master Clydesdale
- Athena (Females 150 pounds and over)
Note: Your age group will be determined by your age on December 31, 2013.
Race Shirts
Glory Hound Events is partnering with Recover Brands of Asheville to provide race participants with a high-quality race shirt made from recycled plastic bottles. The shirts are 50/50 and will be available in men's and women's sizes.
Refunds
Entry fees are non-refundable. If you cannot race, 50% of your entry fee can be deferred to another Glory Hound Events race with registstration at IMAthlete.com. Deadline to defer your entry fee is April 10, 2013.
Race organizers reserve the right to alter, postpone or cancel the race in the interest of participant and/or public safety.
Cut-Off Time
All participants must complete the race in 3 hours or less. The race director reserves the right to pull anybody from the course race if it is determined they will not complete the race in 3 hours.
Timing
The race will utilize chip-timing. Three splits plus an overall time will be proved.
Equipment
You are responsible for providing your own boat, personal flotation device (PFD), paddle, bike and helmet. The boat may be a canoe, kayak or any other non-powered vessel. The bike course is held entirely on roads so road or triathlon bikes (time-trial) are advised although mountain bikes are allowed.
PFD's must be worn, not just positioned in the boat. While this may seem strange to experienced boaters and exceeds the requirements of the French Broad River, Glory Hound Events is assuming that not all those racing in this event are experienced boaters.
This race will be governed by USA Triathlon rules which states that helmets must be worn and buckled anytime you are on a bike. Failure to comply with this rule will lead to automatic disqualification.
For complete USAT rules, please click here.
Kayak Rentals/Camping
The Asheville Outdoor Center has a limited number of kayaks available to rent for the race. Click here to go the AOC web site for more information.
The AOC now has tent camping on 12 spaces. This is right next to the first transition area and only a short walk to Carrier Park and the Mountain Sports Festival.
Lodging
Special room rates have been arranged for participants at the Mountain Sports Festival, including the French Broad Challenge Triathlon. Click HERE to see the wide range of properties and rates being offered.
Transition Area
The paddle-to-bike and bike-to-run transition area will be at Jean Webb Park on Riverside Drive. Boats, paddles and pfd's must be positioned at your numbered area at the Asheville Outdoor Center by 7:30 a.m. on race day. Bikes must be positioned in your numbered spot at Jean Webb Park by 7:30 a.m. on race day. Bikes and boats must be picked up from the transition area by 1:00 p.m. following the race.
Each participant or relay team will have a numbered spot in transition. In order to bring equipment in and take equipment out, you must show race staff the numbered wrist band you will be provided. Only those with wrist bands will be permitted in the transition area.
Post Race
Back by popular demand are those great noodles from Doc Chey's. Proformance, the new electrolyte replenisher from local Arcadia Farms will be introduced at the Mountain Sports Festival and will be awaiting all athletes at the finish line.