Triathlon Race Day Information

Race Start: Sunday, October 1st, 2023 at 7:30am
Race Start Location: Front beach, east of the Sanctuary Hotel. In the event of a change in the ocean current, swimmers will be notified race morning of an alternate swim start.
Race Venue: Night Heron Park (body marking, chip distribution, bike check-in) at TA entrance at Night Heron Park (near bridge)
Event Finish Line: Night Heron Park
Facebook: Kiawah Island Triathlon

Parking

Off Island Athletes & Spectators
All athletes and spectators staying off-island will be directed to the parking area at the Night Heron Park soccer field.

On Island Athletes & Spectators
Those who are staying close to Night Heron Park are encouraged to walk or bike to the race venue. Island Maps are provided at the front desk of the Nature Center. All other athletes and spectators will be directed to the parking area at the Night Heron soccer field.

Athletes’ Race Day Prep

Kiawah Triathlon run course

1) Packet Pick-up

5:30am – 6:30am
Location: Pavilion at Night Heron Park
All athletes must have a valid government issued photo ID to pick up their packet.

2) Body Marking and Chip Distribution

5:30am – 6:45am
Location: Pavilion at Night Heron Park
Race bib is required for body marking. Do not apply sunscreen until after body marking.
Chips: Timing chip is to be worn at all times during the race. Volunteers will remove chips in the finish chute after the race. All chips must be returned! There will be a $30 fee for un-returned chips.
Bibs: During the run, your bib number must be on the front of your body. You can use the pins you were given to pin it to the shirt you’ll be wearing during the run or you may use a number belt.

3) Bike Drop-off and Stage Equipment

5:30am – 6:45am
TA at Night Heron Park Parking lot (ocean side)
As an amenity to our athletes, we are providing an optional bike check-in on Saturday (during packet pick-up hours). Overnight police security will be provided.
Only athletes will be allowed in the TA.

4) Confirm Your Race Numbers Are Ready

At Packet Pick-up you received two race numbers:

Your running bid. Use provided safety pins to attach to the front of running shirt.
Long piece has self-adhesive and should be attached to the cross bar of your bike.

5) Restrooms and Final Fueling

Restrooms, water and Gatorade are available inside the TA. Additional restrooms are also located on the Night Heron Park Deck.

6) Getting to the Race Start

Walking

We encourage participants and spectators to enjoy the .7 mile walk on the beach to the swim start. Access the beach via Boardwalk 18 (adjacent to TA). Once on the beach, simply follow the ‘Race Start’ signs.

Shuttle (athletes only)

6:30am – 7:10am
Pick up shuttle on Sea Forest Drive outside TA (athletes only).
Shuttles will transport athletes from Night Heron Park to the boardwalk nearest the race start.
Don’t Forget your Swim Cap and Chip!

7) Article Storage

To use Article Storage, cinch bag will be available at swim start.
Clearly label the bag with your bib number
Volunteers will be on hand to collect bags.
At the completion of the event, bags will be available at the Nature Center in NHP.
Valuables, such as wallets and cameras, should not be dropped off in article storage as staff is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
You are welcome to keep the bag as a keepsake, otherwise please turn it back into the Nature Center front desk.

Bike Pick up

No athletes will be allowed back into transition to check out their bike until all participants have exited for the run (approximately 11 am). All bikes must be checked out of Transition Area by 1pm. All bikes removed from transition must have a bike number matching the athlete’s bib number. Only the athlete will be permitted to get their bike out of transition.

Rules & Regulations (Abridged)

Visit www.USATriathlon.org for a detailed explanation of all rules.

Transition Area (TA)

Only athletes will be allowed in the TA.

The Swim

Swim cap must be worn at all times.
Swimmers will start in waves.
If you miss your wave time, see our race staff. You will be placed in the last wave and you will have a penalty assessed.
All swimmers must circle the first and last buoy. However, in between you can swim on either side of the buoys.
If you experience trouble during the swim, roll over on your back and raise your hand and a lifeguard or kayaker will assist you.
Swimmers may stop and rest by holding onto kayaks, without penalty as long as, forward progress is not being made.

Swim Waves:

Wave 1 will begin at 7:30am. Waves will enter the water in chronological order every 3 minutes.

Wave 1: Male 34 & Under: Blue
Wave 2: Male 35-39, Male 50-54, & Clydesdale: Green
Wave 3: Male 40-49: Red
Wave 4: Female 44 & Under & Athena: Purple
Wave 5: Male 55 & Over: Silver
Wave 6: Female 45 & Over: Yellow
Wave 7: Relay & Novice: Orange

The Bike

Bike helmet must be on and buckled before you leave the transition area.
Do not mount your bike until you have passed the mount line, which will be outside of the transition area on Sea Forest Drive.
The entire bike course is open to vehicular traffic. The roads are coned and marked, but you must always be alert to traffic.
Stay as far to the right as safely possible and pass only on the left.
Drafting is not allowed.
There is one Aid Station (water only) on the bike course (mile 16).
You must dismount your bike before the dismount line.
Do not unbuckle your helmet until after you have dismounted your bike.
The dismount line is located on a bike path and will be clearly marked.

The Run

Bib number must be visible during the run.
The course is well marked (follow the cones and arrows) and volunteers will be there to help.
Four aid stations will supply both water and Gatorade. They are located at approximately mile 0.01, 1.5, 3 and 4.5.

Post-Race Information

Party: 9:30am-1:15pm | Awards: approximately 11:15am

Everyone is welcome to the Finish Line Celebration at Night Heron Park. It will feature live music, pasta and yogurt bar, and beer. Complimentary to bibbed athletes only – please keep your bib visible. Buffet is available until 12:30pm.

Spectator Beer Wristbands: $15 for beer. Wristbands can be purchased at any time at the front desk inside the Heron Park Nature Center, open daily 8:30am-5pm.

Finish Line Party Menu

Pasta Bar (9:45am – 12:30pm)

Penne Pasta, Tri-Color Tortellini and Steamed Quinoa
Grilled SC Range Chicken and Steamed Bay Shrimp
Grape Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Mushrooms, Steamed Broccoli Florets, Sliced Black Olives, Roasted Red Peppers and Julienne Sundried Tomatoes
Shaved Parmesan, Crumbled Feta Cheese, Green Goddess Vinaigrette and Golden Italian Dressing
Roasted Garlic Hummus, Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Kalamata Olive Hummus, Pita Chips, Celery, Carrot, and Cucumber Sticks
Fresh Baked Corn Muffins, Assorted Bagels, Sweet Cream Butter, Cream Cheese and Assorted Jellies

Lost and Found

For articles lost in and around the race venue or on the course, please check at the front desk at the Heron Park Nature Center or call 843.768.6001. Hours of Operation: 8:30am-5pm