UnitedHealthcare IronKids Boulder

IronKids Boulder will bring families to the outdoor recreational mecca of Colorado. Taking place on Aug. 3 at 7 a.m., the event will take participants on a swim in the Boulder Reservoir, followed by a bike and run on closed roads around the scenic Boulder foothills.

Schedule of Events

COMING SOON!

 * Timing Chips will be picked up at swim start before each division.

Boulder Reservoir

5565 N 51st St.  

Boulder, CO 80301

For a Google map of the venue, please click here: Google Map: Boulder Reservoir

Parking

Friday: Parking is available throughout the Reservoir on Friday. 

Saturday:   Parking will be available at the front of the Reservoir on Saturday morning.  There will be parking attendants who will direct you to the correct parking lot.  The Reservoir park fee has been waived for all athletes on Friday and Saturday.   

Keeping with the traditions of the Boulder Tri Series, the IronKids Boulder event will include an age division for athletes between the ages of 3 and 5 years old.  The race will begin at approximately 10:15 a.m. and will consist of a 25 yard swim, a .35 mile bike, and a 250 yard run.   The cost to enter the 3 to 5 year old division is $35.  Registration is available online at Active.com.  Athletes will be able to have one (1) parent or guardian run with them along the bike course and run course. 

IronKids will adopt and follow the new USAT Supplemental Youth Rules.

For a full list of USAT rules, please click here

USAT has implemented new membership rules and fee's for all youth sanctioned events.  All youth ages 17 and under are required to either purchase an annual membership or one-day license. The cost of an annual youth membership is $15 per year. Youth also have the option of purchasing a one-day license for $10.  All membership money, forms and event waivers for youth membership purchases must be submitted to USAT after the event for processing.  For more information on the Youth Annual Membership, please visit the USAT membership section of the web site.

For a comprehensive list of USA Triathlon (USAT) Competitive Rules & Regulations, please visit http://www.usatriathlon.org/about-multisport/rulebook.aspx#supplemental.  We ask that you please take the time to read through the rules carefully prior to event participation.  If you have any specific questions about USAT rules and regulations and/or need clarification, please direct all inquiries to charlie@usatriathlon.org. 

Remember:

If you have any of this equipment, you will not be allowed to race!

 USA Triathlon “Age-Up” Policy

In accordance with USAT rules, an athlete’s official race age is his/her age on December 31, 2013. Athletes will be classified by their race age into the following divisions:

Junior: Ages 6-8 (50 yard swim/2 mile bike/500 yard run)

Intermediate: Ages 9-11 (150 yard swim/4 mile bike/1 mile run)

Senior: 12-15 (300 yard swim/8 mile bike/2 mile run) 

SWIM START AND SAFETY

The IronKids Boulder swim will be held in the Boulder Reservoir.  We will have multiple courses set up for the the different age divisions. 

We will have Ironman, Ironkids staff, parents, volunteers and Boulder Reservoir lifeguards stationed at mulitiple locations along the swim course. The water safety team will be positioned on kayaks and paddle boards to ensure the safety of all athletes. If an athlete needs to rest or needs assistance, they are allowed to hold on to the kayak or board.

Wetsuits are allowed however not necessary since the water temperature is in the high 70’s.The Seniors and Intermediates will be required to swim a portion on the course.  The Juniors will be able to stand in most places.  The 3-5 year olds will be able to run the entire course.  We will have Ironman and IronKids staff and Boulder Reservoir lifeguards stationed at multiple locations along the swim course.  They will be positioned on kayaks and paddle boards to ensure the safety of all athletes.  If an athlete needs to rest or needs assistance, they are allowed to hold on to the kayak or board.  We will send approximately 4-8 athletes into the water every 30 seconds.  The swim portion will have plenty of staff members and volunteers to ensure the safety of the athletes.

Registration Information

Registration for the 2012 IronKids National Series is available online at http://www.IronKids.com until Thursday, August 2, 2013 at midnight.  Additional on-site registration is available during packet pick-up, which will take place on Friday, August 3, 2012 from 3:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.

 We will not offer registration on race morning, only packet pick-up.

If you are completing on-site registration, please allow yourself extra time to acquire and fill out all mandatory documents.  To register on site, you will need to complete the following:

• IronKids Event Registration Form
• Athlete Waiver
• USAT membership form (if needed)
• Medical form 

Packet Pick-Up

Packet Pick-Up will take place on Friday, August 2, 2013 from 3:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m., as well as race-morning on Saturday, August 2, 2013 beginning at 5:30 a.m.  All athletes must check-in at packet pick-up in order to receive their race materials.  IronKids staff as well as volunteers will be present to assist you throughout the process.   Please remember to bring your online registration confirmation (if pre-registered), as well as your USAT youth membership card. 

The Packet Pick-Up format includes:

•  Athlete Check-In:   Athlete Check-in is your first stop.  Here, you will provide your athlete’s name as well as receive a *mandatory waiver* that must be filled out on site.  Even if you pre-registered online and previously accepted the IronKids waiver, you must fill out an additional waiver on site.  If you are completing a new registration, you will receive all required forms here. 
• After initial athlete check-in, proceed to the corresponding tables to gather mandatory race materials.  All athletes will be given the following: 

ü  IronKids goodie bag

ü  Race Bib Number (to be worn on the front of the shirt or on a race belt).

ü  Colored Swim Cap corresponding to the athlete’s division:

• Junior division:  yellow
• Intermediate division:  red
• Senior division:  blue

ü  Bike frame sticker

ü  Helmet sticker

ü  Athlete Wristband (a numbered wrist band that must be worn by athlete)

ü  Parent/Guardian Wristband (a numbered wrist band that must be worn by the parent/guardian)

• Athlete & Parent/Guardian wristbands are provided for identification purposes.  Please make sure you are wearing your wrist band at all times throughout the race.

ü  2013 IronKids Shirt

• USA Triathlon (USAT) Membership Check:
  • Please remember to bring your USAT youth membership card.  If you are not currently a member of USAT, you must fill out an application form.  We will offer a $10 one-day license or one year memberships.  The cost for a one-year membership is $15.00, which is good for the entire year.  Please retain the copy of the USAT membership form for your records, as it will be proof of your youth membership until you receive your official card from USAT. 
  • If you forget your USAT card, and we do not have your number on file, you *will* have to purchase a new USAT membership.  No exceptions.  

Course Talk

A course talk will be held by the IronKids Race Director on Friday, August 3, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. at the packet pick-up/registration site.  Although attendance at the course talk is not mandatory, it is highly recommended.  During the course talk, the IronKids Race Director will reiterate much of the information that is included within this handbook, however will also go over the various aspects of the course in more detail.  This is also a wonderful opportunity to ask specific questions or address any concerns about the course in order to make your athlete feel more at ease, especially if it is his or her first race.  

AGE DIVISIONS:

Distances for the IronKids Triathlon will vary, depending on the age of participants:

• 3 to 5 year old division: 25-yard swim, .35 mile bike and a 250-yard run
• Junior (ages 6 to 8): 50-yard swim, 2-mile bike and 500-yard run
• Intermediate (ages 9 to 11): 150-yard swim, 4-mile bike and 1-mile run
• Senior (ages 12 to 15): 300-yard swim, 8-mile bike and 2-mile run

BODY MARKING:

Participants will have a race number marked on their arms and legs by our staff and volunteers and will take place in the transition area before the races. Each participant will have their age marked on the back of their leg.

Transition:

Transition and bike check-in will be open from 5:30-6:45 a.m. on race-day *only* in order to set-up athlete equipment.  It is recommended to arrive as early as possible to allow your athlete enough time to set-up his or her transition area and to provide assistance if needed. 

All athletes must be body marked prior to the start of the race.  An athlete’s race number will be written vertically on the top of both arms, and race age will be marked on both calves with a black sharpie.  Please see a transition volunteer to be body marked prior to making your way to the swim start.

IronKids follows an open bike-racking format, with spots chosen on a first-come first-serve basis.  However, your bike must be racked according to division (Junior, Intermediate, Senior).  On the end of each bike rack, there will be a written, colored sign (Junior = yellow, Intermediate = orange, Senior = blue) that correspond to the correct age division.  For example, if you have a Junior athlete, you would look for a yellow “Junior” end-sign, and proceed to place your belongings to the place of your choosing.  

 There will be 7 bikes per half rack.  Please set-up your transition area neatly, and with respect to other athletes’ space.  If you have any questions about how to set up your transition area, please see the transition coordinator or a volunteer for assistance.  IronKids staff and volunteers reserve the right to move or modify your transition set-up to accommodate other athlete’s equipment if your area is not set up correctly. 

 Parents are not allowed in transition during the active race.  Volunteers are available to assist all athletes in transition with racking/re-racking their bikes, tying shoes and/or helmet straps, etc.   Before exiting transition from the swim to the bike course, all athletes must have his or her upper torso covered, as well as must have their helmet securely on and fastened.  All athletes also must attach their numbered race bib to their torso either by having it fastened with safety pins or a race belt prior to proceeding to the bike course. 

We will re-open transition between the Intermediate and Junior division for approximately 10 minutes.  This will give athletes the opportunity make last minute adjustments to equipment.  Please do not interfere with other athlete’s equipment and transition space. 

 If you are seen tampering with other athletes equipment, you will be immediately disqualified and potential banned from further IronKids events.

Volunteers will monitor the removal of bikes from transition at the conclusion of the race by comparing bike frame sticker numbers to either the bodymarked athlete or the parent/guardian wristband.   Please be prepared to show your parent/guardian wristband number upon removal of equipment from transition if your athlete is not with you.    

BIKE COURSE:

The bike course will be on roads closed to motor traffic however there will be a single lane designated for cars to enter the park. Each division will be on the same two-mile, out-and-back course, with loops of the course for the Senior and Intermediate divisions. The 3-5 year olds will be on the same course however will do an out-and-back instead of the entire 2-mile course.

We will have volunteers and signs directing participants, however please make sure your child knows which division they are in, as we will be referring to the course based on divisions (Junior, Intermediate and Senior). Mile markers (large signs) will be along the course.

RUN COURSE:

The run course will be on paved walkway and grass.  Please make sure your child knows what division he/she is in, as we will be referring to division to help direct participants along the course.  On the run course, the directional signs will be color-coded: yellow for Junior, orange for Intermediate and light blue for Senior.   

AID STATIONS:

There will be one aid station in the transition, no aid stations on the bike course and one aid station on the run course.  Aid stations will have water. 

TIMING:

The 3-5 year division will NOT be timed.  If participants in the Junior, Intermediate or Senior division do NOT wish to be timed, they do not have to.  Simply let us know at registration.

Our race will be chip-timed.  EACH PARTICIPANT MUST WEAR A TIMING CHIP AT ALL TIMES DURING THE RACE OR HE/SHE WILL NOT RECEIVE A TIME RESULT AND WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP OR FOR THE AWARDS.  Once the participant has crossed the finish line there will be volunteers retrieving the timing chip.  ALL TIMING CHIPS MUST BE RETURNED.  Timing results will be posted on the IronKids website.

MEDALS AND AWARDS:

The primary mission of IronKids is to deliver a high quality youth triathlon experience for the entire family that is focused on fitness, fun and safety. In keeping with this mission, all finishers will receive commemorative medals. Top performances are recognized by qualification for the IronKids National Championships.

Trophies will be awarded to the Top 3 finishers in each individual age group per gender (i.e. Top 3 Boys age 6, Top 3 Girls age 6). Top 10 in each individual age group will receive an invitation to the Hy-Vee IronKids National Championship. The 3-5 year old division will not have qualifying slots to the National Championship nor receive trophies.

The awards ceremony will take place approximately 15 minutes after the final finisher crosses the line. Award ceremony will be held at the finish line.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIER:

Each IronKids event in the Series serves as a qualifier for the National Championship.  The top ten male and top ten female finishers in each age group will qualify for the National Championship.  Athletes will know if they qualified by looking at the results at the end of the race.  Additionally, everyone who qualifies will be notified electronically by IronKids Team in the week after the race.  The 3-5 year old division will NOT be eligible for qualification. 

RULES: 

IronKids follows all USAT rules and regulations.  For a complete list of rules, please visit the USAT Website listed below

 http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/about-events/rules 

• Designated swim caps must be worn
• No nudity in the transition
• Upper torso must be covered during the bike and run portion (shirt or 2 pc swim suit allowed)
• Bike helmets must be worn at all times on the bike with the chinstrap buckled
• No riding bikes in the transition area
• Timing chip must be worn at all times during the race if you want to receive race results
• Race numbers (bibs) must be worn on the front at all times during the bike and run portion
• Parents are not allowed in the transition during the race (except during open set up times and for the 3-5 division during the race)
• No drafting:  Cyclists must keep back two bike lengths behind the rider in front, except when passing
• Pass on the left, slower riders stay on right

WHAT TO BRING (EQUIPMENT): 

• Swim suit
• Goggles
• Towel
• Bike
• Helmet
• Sunscreen
• Shirt
• Shorts
• Running shoes
• Hat

TEAMS:

A trophy will be awarded to the coach of the top finishing team. If you are on a triathlon team and did not register as part of a team, please let our registration team know.

 Team Points are as follows:

First place – 10 points

Second place – 8 points

Third place – 6 points

Fourth place – 4 points

Fifth place – 2 points

1 point per participating team member.

PARENT CONDUCT:

The IronKids environment is a safe and fun place for kids to participate in the great sport of triathlon. In order to ensure that our children walk away with the best experience, we need to uphold a positive and supportive atmosphere at all times. Parents are asked to be supportive of all the children that are out there trying their best to achieve their goals.

Bad conduct from a parent can result in a disqualification of their own child and ultimately a ban from all IronKids races. Bad conduct constitutes the following (but not limited to): Negative comments to your own child or another child; yelling at volunteers, race officials, other parents or participants; interference with participants or race officials, etc.,

Any disputes must be taken up with a race official (not a volunteer). The protocol for a dispute is to go to the registration booth and ask to have a race official be notified. Once the race official is with you, please calmly explain your dispute. It is our goal to have everyone walk away with a great experience so we will do our best to resolve all issues in a timely and pleasant manner.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

General Inquires: Patrick@IronKids.com

We look forward to a safe and exciting IronKids Boulder event!