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  Course Route
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The race features a single loop bike course, an under-the-Memorial-Bridge swim and a run finish on Pennsylvania Avenue at the Capital Building


Competitors in the 2008 Nation's Triathlon will race on a wide mostly flat fast course completely closed to traffic by the officers of the DC Metropolitan Police and the United States Park Police. The course combines long stretches perfect for the aerobars with turns and twists on the Avenues and Boulevards of downtown Washington DC. On our route you will race right by the White House, Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, National Mall, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Navy Memorial, Kennedy Center, Korean War Memorial, FBI Building, National Archives, National Treasury, Holocaust Memorial and more! It is a thrilling experience!

 

           Swim route in orange. Bike route in blue. Run route in red. More detailed maps below.

          

  • The Swim - 1.5k

Swimmers enter upstream from the transition, swim north, go under the first truss of the Memorial Bridge, turn west, swim to the 5th truss and turn left. They then swim downstream and exit via the Richardson Staircase. Triathletes will enter the water via a floating pier similar to 2007. The swim is supported by 15-20 kayaks plus the fine men and women from the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Harbor Division and the DC Fire and EMS
 

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Swim Start Schedule

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  1. 5am: Begin body marking and pick up race chip
  2. 7am: First wave enters the water
  3. 9am: Last swim wave enters the water

      Swim waves will be released two weeks prior to race day.

 

  • Swim Start Procedure

     

    1. Get your body marked BEFORE you put on your wetsuit!   The body marking area is on the way from the transition area to the swim start. Please don't forget your goggles and swim cap
    2. If you have one drop off your race day bag with us. We'll bring it to the finish line for you
    3. By 6:30am please be down at the swim start and ready to go. Don't forget your goggles, and swim cap
    4. All swimmers will que up in the area between the swim exit and the swim start. We will arrange you in swim waves inside the que up area.
    5. BE READY when your wave is up. Goggles on, swim cap on and ready to go
    6. Enter the water quickly. Move away from the dock QUICKLY and swim towards the swim start
    7. Be at the start line when the horn blows
    8. Keep all buoys on your left hand side
    9. In the event you need assistance roll over onto your back and waive your arms. We will come get you
    10. This is a USAT sanctioned race and we follow their Rules and Regulations please log onto usatriathlon.org for more information
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  • Swim Exit Procedures

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    1. Swim directly towards the Richardson Staircase
    2. Find an open lane swim towards it and be predictable in your path
    3. Ascend the stairs immediately – DO NOT DELAY
    4. Assist the person in front of you if necessary by helping them get onto the ladder or up the stairs. This is very important. DO NOT pull anyone away from the ladder or hinder their ability to go up the stairs. Anyone caught doing this will be immediately disqualified with NO REFUNDS.
    5. Run to your right at the top of the stairs
    6. Run through the misting tents.

  • The Bike - 40k

           Watch the bike course in full motion cross referenced to distance, elevation and time here:

 

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Bike Course Route

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Triathletes take Independence Ave eastbound, turn left on 15th, right on Constitution, turn around just west of 7th, head west on Constitution, turnaround just east of 17th, turn right on 15th, right onto Independence Ave westbound, onto Rock Creek Parkway, exit to Potomac River Freeway North, exit to the Whitehurst Freeway, left onto Canal Road, onto Clara Barton Parkway, turnaround prior to Glen Echo, east on Clara Barton, exit onto Whitehurst Freeway, exit onto Potomac River Freeway South, turn back onto Rock Creek Parkway heading north, turnaround south of Connecticut Avenue, south on Rock Creek Parkway, onto Independence Ave eastbound to bike finish.     

Bike Rules/Regulations

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  1. This is a USAT sanctioned race and we follow their Rules and Regulations please log onto usatriathlon.org for more information
  2. Do no mount your bike until you are out of the transition area and past the mount/dismount line
  3. ABSOLUTELY NO RIDING IN THE TRANSITION AREA
  4. Helmets must be on AND fastened before triathletes mount their bikes
  5. Do not litter
  6. If you have a flat move your bike completely off the course and onto the sidewalk
  7. There is NO bike support on the course. You must carry all spares and means of inflation yourself
  8. Emergency conditions may occur during race. Please pay attention to your surroundings for indication of the need to clear the course or take other instructed action.

 

  • The Run - 10k

Watch the run course in full motion cross referenced to distance, elevation and time here:

          

Run Course Route

Runners head south on Ohio Drive SW, turn around through the parking lot at Haines Point, north on Ohio Dr SW, onto the water side lanes of Ohio Dr, turn right on Basin Drive, cross Maine Ave, turn right onto 15th, turn right onto Independence Ave, immediate left onto 14th, right on Constitution, left on 6th, right on Pennsylvania Ave, turnaround just before 3rd, finish at 7th and Pennsylvania.

Water stations are placed every mile EXCEPT mile 6. There is an additional water station located in the transition area.

  • Run Rules/Regulations

    1. This is a USAT sanctioned race and we follow their Rules and Regulations please log onto usatriathlon.org for more information
    2. No headphones or devices of any kind that play music
    3. Always use respect when coming through the finish line chute and be aware of your surroundings you
    4. Course closes at 1pm. Runners not yet across the finish line will be picked up in a sag vehicle or required to move off the course and onto the sidewalk.
    5. Emergency conditions may occur during race. Please pay attention to your surroundings for indication of the need to clear the course or take other instructed action
    6. Respect the land. Do not litter. Trashcans are available at every aid station
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  • Aid Stations

  • There will be 5 aid stations on the run and one in the transition area. There is NO AID STATION on the bike and NO bottle exchange. All aid stations will serve hydration fluid, water, and bananas. Please be respectful of the land when you are done with water or a gel. If possible toss the trash as close to the trashcan as possible.

MU