LIFE TIME FITNESS SERIES AND US OPEN QUESTIONS
Q: What is the Toyota US Open?
A: The US Open is the Championship race for the Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series. Over time, it will become one of the most important Olympic distance races in America. It is the only true Open Triathlon Championship in the US at the Olympic Distance.
Q: What is the Life Time Triathlon Series?
A: The LTF Series links five of America’s largest Triathlons including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Minnesota and Dallas’ Life Time Fitness Triathlons. Points are awarded for pros thus qualifying them for a $200,000 year end bonus pool and the US Open in Dallas.
Q: What is the Elite Age Group Championship?
A: Each of the four participating races has an elite age group wave. The top five finishing men and women from each race automatically qualify for the US Open’s Elite Age Group Championship. Qualifiers receive free air, hotel, and race entry.
RACE QUESTIONS
Q: How big is the field in 2008?
A: The race capacity is 2,000 including the Olympic and Sprint distances.
Q: How can I qualify for the Elite Age Group National Championship?
A: Enter and race elite age group division at any of the other 2008 Life Time Series races (Minneapolis, New York, Chicago or LA) and place in the top five male or female category.
Q: What if I finish in the top five in my age group in Dallas?
A: The 2008 US Open will qualify five men and five women for the 2009 Championships regardless of where the qualifiers are from. The five fastest age group men and women receive an automatic entry into the 2009 Elite race.
Q: How do I get my registration packet on race weekend?
A: Packets are only available at the registration center at the expo at the Hilton Anatole. No registration packets will be mailed. First, you must attend a race briefing at the Hilton. Second, after the briefing you pick up your race packet, receive a wrist band (this must stay on at all times and throughout the event), a goody bag and race t-shirt. You must check your bike into Transition Saturday between 2:00 – 8:00 pm at Joe Pool Lake. YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO CHECK YOUR BIKE IN SUNDAY MORNING. Sunday morning, beginning at 4:30 am, transition opens and you get body marked. You will receive your ChampionChip at swim start.
Q: What is the expected water temperature in Joe Pool Lake?
A: Approx. 74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Q: Are wetsuits allowed?
A: Wetsuits are allowed in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event if the water temperature is 78 degrees or below. The USAT Officials will test the water temperature on race morning.
Q: Will there be a bag drop-off at swim start for personal belongings?
A: NO. Make sure to leave all personal belongings in Transition prior to it closing at 7:15am. DO NOT TAKE IT WITH YOU TO SWIM START.
Q: Is there a warm up swim or ride on Sunday morning?
A: You can go in the Lake before the first wave begins. Once the race begins you may not go in the Lake until your wave begins. Bikes may not be removed from transition once you have checked your bike in Saturday.
Q: Do I have to go to the briefings before I check my bike into transition?
A: Yes, all participants MUST attend the mandatory briefing in order to pick up their packet. Your bike number will be inside your race packet and you will then attach it to your bike. Everyone goes to briefing, including you.
Q: When are the briefings?
A: Briefings are every hour on the hour during expo hours Friday and Saturday.
Q: Do I have to check in my bike on Saturday?
A: Yes, there is a MANDATORY bike check in on Saturday from 2pm - 9pm. There will be overnight security in transition. There will be NO bike check in on Sunday morning. All bike spots are numbered.
Q: How many water stations are on the run course?
A: One per mile.
Q: Can members of a relay team pick up all of their team members packets? Can I pick up my friend's packet?
A: NO! Every participant must attend a briefing, pick up their own packet and sign their own waiver.
Q: Are race briefings mandatory?
A: Yes, briefings are mandatory! All participants that will compete in the Triathlon must attend a briefing before picking up their packet. The briefing will review the course, event rules, and includes a Q&A.
Q: What if I cannot attend the briefings?
A: No briefing, no race, no refund.
Q: Do I have to wear the wrist band given to me at packet pick-up?
A: Yes, all participants are required to wear the wristband until Sunday afternoon when your bike is removed from transition. Race staff will put these on your wrist when you pick up your packet. This will serve as your identification for entering into the transition Sunday morning, as well as, receiving your ChampionChip at swim start.
Q: Do I have to wear the swim cap?
A: Yes, the swim cap MUST be worn. The color given to each athlete is specific to your wave, so you cannot switch colors.
Q: Is transportation provided from the Hilton to swim start?
A: There will be a free shuttle transporting athletes from the Hilton Anatole to Reunion Arena beginning at 3:30am. Free shuttles are then available from Reunion Arena to Joe Pool Lake. You must have your wrist band on to take advantage of this.
Q: Where is the best place for spectators to watch the race?
A: 1. Swim Start – Joe Pool Lake
2. Swim Exit – Joe Pool Lake, about 200 yards from the start.
3. Transition – Next to swim exit.
4. Race Finish – You can watch your friends on the run and at the finish.
Q: How do I know if I am registered?
A: A start list will be posted on the website that will be updated throughout the registration period. If you register online, it will take 3 weeks to be processed and put on the website start list.
Q: Are there any refunds, transfers or deferrals?
A: There are NO refunds, NO transfers, NO EXCEPTIONS. If you are unable to do the Triathlon you can defer online via active.com. You will receive an active.com confirmation and will be automatically removed from the 2008 race. The guaranteed deferral will allow you to register for the 2009 Triathlon one week before on-line opening. Your deferral is not guaranteed if you do not enter during this exclusive one week period. Your 2008 entry fee will not be transferred.
Q: What is the minimum age to participate in the Toyota US Open Triathlon?
A: All athletes must be at least 16 years old to participate in this event.