Contacts and Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions:What are the distances for each age division? Children ages 6-15 compete in age-appropriate distances with an emphasis on fitness, fun and safety.
What is the cost to enter an IronKids event? Registration for the IronKids National Series is $50, and $35 for the Hy-Vee Series. Every participant will receive an IronKids T-shirt, a goodie bag, a finisher's medal and the pride of calling themselves an IronKid. What kind of bike should I use? Are training wheels allowed? Any type of bike can be used for an IronKids events, provided that the bike is pedaled and propelled by the athlete. We allow training wheels, however, please let the transition staff and volunteers know that your child will be using training wheels during the event. Does the Swim Course take place in Open Water or in a Pool?: The following IronKids swim courses take place in open water: Orlando, Lawrence, Waterloo, Boulder, Kansas City, Lincoln, Columbia, West Des Moines, US Championship The following IronKids swim courses take place in a pool: Sioux Falls, Quad Cities, Rochester, Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, Madison Are wetsuits permitted? The IronKids staff will test the temperature and conditions of the water to determine if wetsuits will be permitted. Athletes will be notified before the event if wetsuits are allowed. USA Triathlon (USAT) Competitive Rules For a comprehensive list of USA Triathlon (USAT) Competitive Rules & Regulations, please visit http://www.usatriathlon.org/resources/about-events/rules. 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. USA Triathlon Membership Policy It is mandatory that all participants within any IronKids event have a current USAT Youth Membership. A one-day license is $10.00 per athlete. You can also purchase a on-year youth membership for $15.00. If you currently do not have a USAT Youth Membership, you may purchase one on site at registration, or an easier method is to go through USAT directly online at http://www.usatriathlon.org. USAT Youth One-year Memberships are valid for one year (until December 31, 2012). If you currently have a USAT Youth Membership, you must show your identification card upon picking up your packet at registration. Packet Pick-Up Packet Pick-Up will take place both the day prior to the race, as well as on race morning. 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: -IronKids goodie bag -Race Bib Number (to be worn on the front of the shirt or on a race belt). -Colored Swim Cap corresponding to the athlete’s division: Junior division: yellow Intermediate division: red Senior division: blue -Bike frame sticker -Helmet sticker -IronKids T-Shirt -Timing Chip: all athletes will receive a timing chip and ankle strap (to be worn on either ankle) from Ironman timing. · 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. 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. · Merchandise: A variety of IronKids merchandise will be available for purchase at the merchandise table, including hats/visors, t-shirts, sweatshirts, key chains, triathlon training books, stickers, necklaces, and stickers. 2012 Hy-Vee IronKids US Championship presented by Dole Qualification Information, Registration Procedures, and Roll-Down Information The top five athletes within each age category (e.g., six year-old females, nine year-old males, etc.) qualify for the 2012 Hy-Vee IronKids US Championship presented by Dole, which will take place on September 1, 2012, in Des Moines, Iowa. At the awards ceremony, each of the top five athletes will receive a 2012 Hy-Vee US Championship presented by Dole qualification packet. The Hy-Vee IronKids US Championship qualification packet received at the awards ceremony will contain detailed instructions about how to complete the registration process for the US Championship on http://www.active.com. When registration opens for the 2012 Hy-Vee IronKids National Championship presented by Dole, you will have a *two-week only* window (the e-mail will specify the specific dates) during which to reserve your spot to compete. You do not have to complete the registration process during this two-week window, however you will be required to submit information to reserve your spot. This process is called “Pre-Registration.” If you do not reserve your spot and pre-register during this two-week window, you are therefore indicating that you will not be competing at the 2012 US Championship. Therefore, your spot will be “rolled down” to the next athlete within your age category. Athletes who receive a roll-down spot will also be notified via e-mail that they are eligible to register for the National Championship, and have a two-week window during which to reserve their spot. Roll-down will only occur *once*. If you wish to compete at the 2012 Hy-Vee IronKids US Championship presented by Dole, please make sure you pre-register during your designated window. If you have any additional questions about the 2012 Hy-Vee IronKids US Championship presented by Dole, the registration process, or roll-down procedures, please contact IronKids Race Director, Patrick McGee at (813) 868-5928 or e-mail Patrick@IronKids.com Course Talk A course talk will be held by the IronKids Race Director the day before each IronKids race during packet-pick/registration. 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. The course talk time and location will be provided within your athlete letter e-mail, as well as will be posted on each individual event page. Important Race-Day Rules Please read the following rules thoroughly. It is imperative for all participants to be aware of the following policies and precautions prior to participation in any IronKids Triathlon for the safety of all of our athletes. -Designated swim-caps must be worn throughout the swim portion of the race. -Upper torso must be covered during the bike and run portion (shirt or full swimsuit)- no athlete will be allowed out of transition and onto the bike course without the upper torso being covered -There is no nudity allowed in transition. -Each athlete must be body marked prior to checking-in for the swim start. -Bike helmets must be put on-and strapped- before an athlete is allowed out of transition and onto the bike course. -Athletes are not allowed to mount or ride their bikes within the transition area. Athletes must mount and dismount their bikes at the respective mount/dismount lines located outside of transition. -Race numbers (Bibs) must be worn at all times during the bike and run portion of the race. These may be attached either with a race belt, or fastened with safety pins to the athlete’s apparel top. -Cyclists must stay two bike lengths behind the participant in the front, except when passing. -Cyclists must make passes on the left, with slower cyclists remaining to the right. -Parents are not allowed in transition during the race. Parents are only allowed in transition during designated set-up times, and upon completion of the race to retrieve belongings. -Timing chips must be worn throughout the duration of the race. If your timing chip comes unfastened, damaged, and/or lost, notify Ironman Timing immediately upon the completion of your athlete’s race. Teams Division An IronKids “Team” is defined as a group of five or more youth triathletes representative of a sports club, sports team, school, or vendor. All athletes within the Teams Division compete as individuals, contributing to an overall team point total based on his or her finishing place. The top three teams with the highest point totals receive a trophy that is awarded to the team coach. Team points are awarded as follows: · First place: 10 points · Second place: 8 points · Third place: 6 points · Fourth place: 4 points · Fifth place: 2 points · Each participating team member earns one point regardless of placement. Therefore, your athlete can be assured that he or she will be rewarded as contributing to team point totals for completing the race. Coaches: Please provide your complete list of athletes to registration (regardless if you have completed the Team registration process online), including each athlete’s full name, date of birth, and emergency contact information. If you have any specific questions or concerns in regards to the Teams Division, please contact IronKids Race Director, Patrick McGee at (813) 868-5928 or e-mail Patrick@IronKids.com Athletes: If you are a member of a team and had not previously registered with your coach to compete under the Teams Division, please notify registration prior to the race. Athletes with Disabilities Please contact IronKids Race Director, Patrick McGee at (813) 868-5928 or e-mail Patrick@IronKids.com to discuss any special accommodations that may be required for your athlete on race-day. Before You Leave for the Race: Triathlon Equipment Checklist Note: This list is a general guideline for equipment. Your athlete may not require or utilize some of the items listed below: Swim: -Swim Cap -Goggles (2 pairs) -Swim suit, Tri-Suit (One piece or two piece) -Noseplugs, Earplugs Bike: -Bicycle -Helmet -Cycling Shoes -Socks -Race number belt with attached Bib number -Bike & helmet stickers -Water bottle -Floor pump Run: -Running Shoes -Running Shirt -Socks -Hat/Visor Other: -Registration packet and/or materials -USAT Card -Towel for transition area -Safety pins -Sunscreen -Sunglasses -Eyeglasses -Water bottles -Change of clothes -Watch -Camera Medical Information Each race site is staffed with a team of highly-trained and highly-qualified medical personnel to meet the needs of any athlete who may require assistance. An ambulance will also be present on site to respond to emergency transport needs. A medical tent will be located at the finish line. If your athlete requires medical attention, please check-in at the medical tent or notify a race official. Timing Each IronKids athlete will receive a timing chip (with an included ankle strap) that corresponds with his or her registration information. Timing chips not only allow each athlete to receive a finishing time and course splits, but also are incredibly vital for athlete safety in order for all athletes to be accounted for at the conclusion of the race. All timing chips must be worn around the athlete’s ankle (does not matter which one). *Each participant must wear a timing chip at all times during the race. Failure to wear a timing chip throughout the duration of the race will lead to disqualification.** Once the participant has crossed the finish line, volunteers will remove the athlete’s timing chip from the ankle. All timing chips must be returned to Ironman Timing. Please direct any questions or concerns about timing to Ironman Timing immediately at the conclusion of the race. Results Post-race results will be available on site at the conclusion of the race, as well as on http://www.IronKids.com. Please pay *very* careful attention to the results board, as there will be “unofficial,” as well as “official” results. Unofficial results are not set-in-stone, and are subject to change based on forthcoming data (e.g, if an athlete is found to have missed one loop on the bike course). Unofficial results tend to posted and updated periodically as the race progresses. Official results will be provided at the conclusion of the race, and are considered the “final” results. Awards are based on the official, final results. Any questions about timing should be directed to Ironman Timing immediately after results are posted. We encourage all athletes and families to remain on site and evaluate results at the conclusion of the race. Awards The top three athletes within each age category (e.g., 6 year-old females, 9 year-old boys, etc.) will receive a placement trophy. The top five athletes within each age category receive an official Hy-Vee IronKids US Championship presented by Dole Qualification packet. We encourage all athletes, families, and spectators to remain on site to view and participate in the awards ceremony, which will take place approximately a half-hour upon the conclusion of the entire race. All participants within each race will also receive a commemorative medal upon crossing the finish line. If you are unable to stay for the Awards Ceremony, please contact IronKids Race Director, Patrick McGee at (813) 868-5928 or e-mail Patrick@IronKids.com as soon as possible in order to make arrangements for your athlete to receive his or her trophy. If you are aware that your athlete placed within the top five of his or her age group, it is recommended to remain for the awards ceremony not only for the positive experience, but also to guarantee the timely receipt of the athlete’s earned award(s). Parent/Guardian Conduct & Disputes The IronKids environment is a safe and fun place for kids to participate in the great sport of triathlon. In order to ensure that all athletes 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 not only result in a disqualification of their own child, but also a ban from all IronKids races. Bad conduct constitutes the following (but is 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. If you have a dispute, it is mandatory to notify an IronKids race official within 30 minutes of the completion of the race, which will then be addressed by either the IronKids Director or Race Director. We will not address any disputes after this time. Please do not discuss issues with volunteers or anyone other than IronKids staff. The IronKids staff is committed to resolve your issue swiftly, and to discuss your concern in a calm and constructive manner. Please also keep in mind your audience as you are addressing your dispute. We will not tolerate foul language, extreme outbursts, or aggressive attitudes in front of our young athletes. Please address any timing disputes directly with Ironman timing immediately after the completion of the race. Contacting IronKidsAll inquiries can be directed to Info@IronKids.com or please call (813) 868-5940. |
