Tenderfoot
Mountain Duathalon /Triathlon FAQ
Tenderfoot
Mountain Kids Triathlon FAQ
 Q.
What is there to do in Salida?
A. Salida has plenty of everything. There are lots of restaurants
for the varied palates. Motels and bed & breakfast are abundant.
Varied merchants can be found throughout the historic district.
Hiking, camping and fishing are everyday occurrences in the Tenderfoot
Mountain Triathlon area. Visit Salida.com for some more ideas.
Q. Where can we get information on where to stay and what
to do?
A. First, try our sponsors’ page.
Next, try Chamber of commerce at www.salidachamber.org
or call 719-539-2068
Q. What is the length and size of the Pool?
A. 25 meters and six lanes.
Q. How warm is the pool on race day?
A. Our water is a natural Hot Springs and we have an up to date
regulating system, however, water temp can vary. We will try to
keep it in the 80-83 degree range for the Triathlon.
Q. How is the swim portion of a Triathlon swum in a Pool?
A. There are six lanes with 3 people assigned per lane. We match swimming abilities (speed) with lane partners. Therefore
is is imperative that you predict your swim time as accurately
as possible. The starter will start each lane sperately. No heats.
Q. How does timing work?
A. Ankle chips are provided to each entrant. Times are kept via
the chip. Times are broken down into sections of the race including
transitions. Best overall times in each age bracket will be
declared the winner.
Q. What is the Bike course like?
A. Bike route is a 25-mile ride, broken into 12.5-mile loop done
twice. Road bikes are recommended.
Most of the loop is on city or county roads that are not heavily
traveled. However, there is a section along highway 285 that
is mainly downhill and fast. A wide shoulder along the highway
offers some comfort before ending with a very sharp and dangerous
right hand turn onto a county road. Check out
the map.
Q. Is the Bike course flat?
A. No, it starts out on Holman, which is flat. You turn on to CR 140 and start a flat to gradual up hill, very slight. Then you reach a short, but steep hill. At the top it gets flat again. You will reach Hwy 285, turn, and go for a flat short distance to a long screaming downhill. You will then come to CR 160 and SLOW way down for a sharp right turn. That road goes down hill for a couple of miles then turns to flat road. There is one more very short, med. steep hill, and the rest is flat or downhill. That is one loop.
Q. Is there water on the Bike course?
A. No! Most people use camel backs or water bottles on the Bike
ride. There are course marshals along the route but no aid stations.
Q. What is the running course like?
A. The course is a 10K out-and-back run. Runners leave the Aquatic
Center and follow the same route for the first half mile as
the bikes did. The course then follows along a concrete pathway
for about a mile and a half towards the Arkansas River. Cross
over the river and you will be on dirt and gravel. The river
is the lowest elevation on the route. The next half mile is
steep and grinding. The last three quarter of a mile is mainly
downhill. Then, you turn around and bypass the steep part on
your way back towards the river. Once at the river it is the
same back as going out. Check out the map.
Q. Will there be aid stations along the run?
A. Yes! We will have 3 aid stations with water and HEED. The aid station at the boat ramp in downtown Salida (which you will pass by twice) will also have food.
Q. What kind of weather can I expect?
A. Anything! Salida is located at 7100’ in a gorgeous valley.
We are surrounded by high peaks. As with any mountain weather be
prepared for anything. We have had races where it’s been 75
degrees and we have had snow, so be prepared!
Q. Can I participate in two events and a friend in the
third?
A. Yes, however, you will be counted as a team and scored as a team.
Q. Are there refunds?
A. No! If you don’t show, change your mind, bad weather cancellation
or get injured there is no refund. That is the policy and will
be enforced, a lot of time and effort go into this race, months
before race day.
Q. If I’m getting an award but I can’t stay
for the ceremony, will you mail it to me?
A. Yes, you will have to give us a shipping address and leave $7.00
for shipping.
Q. What time do I start the triathlon?
A. There will be a pre-race meetings Friday night
or early Saturday morning. First swimmers will start at 7:00
am. You will be assigned a swim heat according to your anticipated
swim time listed on your entry form. When you estimate your swim
time try and be as accurate as possible.
Q. What time do I have to secure my Bike in the transition
area?
A. All Bikes need to be secured by 7:00 am.
Q. Is the bike area a secured area?
A. We will have volunteers watching the area for security; however,
ultimately you are the person who is responsible for your equipment.
Q. When and where does the duathlon start?
A.
The duathlon will begin at 8am at Centennial Park (adjacent to the Aquatic Center) with a time trial start. The duathlon course consists of the bike and then the run portion of the triathlon course.
Q. Are any roads closed during the triathlon?
A. NO. All roads on the triathlon/duathlon bike and run course remain open to traffic throughout the race. It is your responsibility to follow all traffic rules and to remain alert to other vehicles/road users during the race.
Q. Where should I park?
A.
There is ample parking in the lot in front of the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center and in the dirt lots behind the pool. Please do not park on the side of the road on Holman Avenue; this is where our bikers and runners enter and exit from the transition area at Centennial Park.
Q. What if I have more questions?
A. Send an email to salidaraces@gmail.com
Tenderfoot
Mountain Kids Triathlon FAQ
Q. Are parents allowed in the transition area?
A. One adult per child is allowed in the transition area for kids ages
5-7. Parents are not allowed in the transition area for competitors
who are 8 or older. We will have volunteers from Absolute Bikes in Salida stationed in
the transition area to assist your child with his/her bike, remind
him/her to wear a helmet, etc. This arrangement has worked very well
in the past and we please ask all parents to respect this rule.
Q. What kind of bike should my child use?
Kids have used all sorts of bikes in the past. The bike course begins
and ends in a dirt parking lot but otherwise takes place
on paved roads (all ages) and a concrete bike path (11-14 year olds).
Q. I have two kids who plan on competing in the triathlon. Can they use
the same bike if they are in different age groups?
A. No, we strongly discourage this. Although we start the different age
groups separately, there is no guarantee that one child will have the
bike back in time for the next child to use for his/her race.
Q. How is the race timed?
A. We use chip timing technology. Each competitor will wear a
timing chip around his/her ankle during the race. The timing chip
will record your child's time at 5 different points of the race -
total swim time, transition 1 time, total bike time, transition 2 time
and total run time/finish. We will distribute chips to athletes the
morning of the race immediately before the swim. Volunteers will
assist athletes with this process.
Q. What age group begins first?
A. The Tenderfoot Mountain Kids' Triathlon begins at 10:00am on Sunday,
September 5. We will start with the oldest age group first and then
work our way down. Within age groups we start with the oldest
competitors first. So the 13-14 year olds will begin at 10:00am,
immediately followed by the 11-12 year olds. After a 20 minute break, we will begin the 8-10 year olds. After another 20 minute break, we will begin the 5-7 year olds.
Q. How do you organize the swim?
A.
The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center has a 6 lane lap pool which is
25 meters in length. For kids' ages 8-14, we will run the swim with 2
kids per lane. Competitors will line up at the side of the pool; once
a spot opens up in a lane they will be motioned over by a volunteer.
Competitors will begin their swim with an in-water start (no jumping
or diving) once the timer has given them the go-ahead. Competitors
are responsible for keeping track of their own laps. Once they are
finished they exit the pool and head to a side door which leads to the
tennis courts/transition area.
Kids' ages 5-7 head to the far end of the pool to begin their swim, which is one length of the pool. We will only use one end lane for their swim and will start kids one
at a time, 5 or 10 seconds apart.
Q. Are swim aids allowed?
A. No, we do not allow swim aids. Kids are welcome to stop and rest at the ends of the pool if needed and can complete the distance using any combination of swim strokes. However they must be able to complete the distance without assistance and without the use of swim aids.
Q. Our family has never been to a triathlon before. What can we expect?
A.
A fun and supportive race for kids from throughout Colorado! There will be a pre-race meeting for all competitors at 9:15am the morning of the race where we will go over all of the important details of the race. If you have any questions, we will be more than happy to answer them at that meeting or any time before that. The race begins at 10am and awards will follow once all the competitors have finished. If you live in Chaffee County or just plan on visiting sometime before the race, come on over to the Aquatic Center to check out where the
race takes place. Personnel with the Aquatic Center and the Salida Recreation Department are more than happy to explain the course and how the triathlon works with anyone who has questions. Please contact Kristy at salidaraces@gmail.com or at 719-539-6738 if you
would like to schedule a time for race personnel to explain the race
to your child in person.
Q. What equipment/clothes should I bring to the race?
A.
(Required equipment is marked with an asterisk)
Bathing suit *
Bike *
Helmet*
Sturdy closed toed shoes for the bike and run *
Towel
Goggles (We will provide a new pair of goggles for all competitors but
if your child has a favorite pair, please bring those along as well.)
Shirt and shorts for the bike/run
Sunglasses
Warm clothing for before/after the race
Sunscreen
Water bottle (We will have also have aid stations set up at the
transition area.)
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