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FAQs

1. What is a triathlon?
2. What is a USA Triathlon license and why is it necessary?
3. What is a Race Packet and why is it necessary that a parent of legal guardian be present at Race Packet Pick-Up?
4. What if I cannot make it on the day/time of Race Packet Pick-Up?
5. What should my child eat on race morning?
6. How early should my child arrive on race morning?
7. What time will my child start and finish by?
8. How deep is the water for the swim course?
9. What is the Transition Area?
10. Why aren’t parents allowed in the Transition Area?
11. What are bike plugs?
12. What is a mount/dismount line?
13. Can I run with my child on the bike or run course?
14. Can my child stop during the race?
15. Why are you limiting the number of entries to 350 participants?
16. I’m a parent of a participating athlete. Can I volunteer to assist on race day even if my child is entered to participate?
17. What is the Triathlon First Timer’s Clinics?

 

What is a triathlon?
A triathlon is an athletic event consisting of varying distances of swimming, biking and running. The MG Kids Triathlon is considered a sprint as it is relatively short in distance.

What is a USA Triathlon license and why is it necessary?
The MG Kids Triathlon is sanctioned by USA Triathlon, meaning the event has been carefully reviewed and approved by experienced staff at USA Triathlon; that proper insurance coverage is in place; that all participants will be either annual members of USAT or one-day license holders. Thus, the event is recognized as being a safe, fair and credible race. MG covers the cost of an Annual Youth License/Membership to USAT for every participant. This membership provides athletes with excess medical coverage during a USAT sanctioned event. This coverage only extends to their participation in an USA Triathlon sanctioned event and is only available after the injured party has filed with any primary insurance policies. A deductible does apply for this excess coverage.

What is a Race Packet and why is it necessary that a parent of legal guardian be present at Race Packet Pick-Up?
The Race Packet contains all the information you will need on race day as well as your race number for your bike. There will also be additional items in the packet that may be useful on race day. At Race Packet Pick-Up, we will require liability waivers as well as USAT membership forms to be signed and thus the child’s parent or legal guardian must be present. Without these forms your child will not be eligible to race.

What if I cannot make it on the day/time of Race Packet Pick-Up?
We strongly encourage that you reserve the date/time to attend Packet Pick-Up on the scheduled date of Sunday, April 27, 2008 from 10 am – 2 pm at McCully Bicycle and Sporting Goods. As mentioned, race forms must be completed by this date for your child to be eligible to participate as it needs to be submitted to USA Triathlon. We will make every effort to accommodate a time for you to come down on another day (must be before April 27) but we do not guarantee that an alternate day/time will be available.

What should my child eat on race morning?
Simple foods like toast, bagels, yogurt, fruit or a small bowl of cereal are some suggestions. It is important that your child eat something at least 1-1.5 hours before the start of the race. Avoid new or unfamiliar foods on race day.

How early should my child arrive on race morning?
The Registration Table as well as the Transition Area will open from 4:30 am. All athletes must be registered and have picked up their timing chips by 6 am. Please provide enough time to find parking and unload your equipment as well as check in your bicycle at the Transition Area. We would recommend coming at least by 5 am.

What time will my child start and finish by?
The race will start at 6:30 am and the start times will be staggered by age groups, starting with the 7-8 year olds, followed by the 9-10 and 11-12 year olds, and ending with the 13-14 year olds. Each group will go after the previous group has at least completed the bike course.  Athletes should “stand-by” near the swim start and be ready to go at any time.  Approximate end time is 7:30 am however it depends on the number of athletes participating.

How deep is the water for the swim course?
The water will be anywhere from 3 – 8 feet in depth, depending on the tide. There will be many lifeguards in the water to monitor safety of the athletes and the course.

What is the Transition Area?
The Transition Area is a place where athletes transition between the swim, bike and run portion of the event. The necessary equipment for each course (i.e. bicycles for the bike course, running shoes for the run) is stored in this area.

Why aren’t parents allowed in the Transition Area?
Individuals other than volunteers and athletes are not allowed in this area strictly for safety reasons. The Transition Area is a high traffic area. Rest assured that volunteers with race experience will ensure your child understands where to go and what to do in this area. We kindly request that you assist in making this a positive experience by waiting outside the Transition Area. Volunteers will strictly enforce who is allowed in this area and will make sure that athletes move in the right direction.

What are bike plugs?
Handlebars with open ends should have handlebar plugs fitted in the open ends for safety reasons. These can be made of metal, rubber or plastic. Without them, the end of the bar can cause serious injury upon hard impact with soft tissue.

What is a mount/dismount line?
The mount/dismount line is a safety measure designed to ensure that athletes are not riding in the Transition Area where accidents may occur. Athletes will be asked to walk their bicycle out of the Transition Area until they reach the mount line. Volunteers will inform athletes when to get on their bicycle and begin riding. Upon completing the bike course, athletes will be instructed to slow down and get off of their bicycles at the dismount line and walk their bicycles back into the Transition Area to be racked.

Can I run with my child on the bike or run course?
No. For the safety of the children, we ask that anyone other than participating athletes or volunteers stay off any part of the race course.

Can my child stop during the race?
Yes, resting is allowed during the race, however athletes will be asked to avoid moving forward in the water should they stop to rest on a rescue board or kayak. Children are also encouraged to “catch their breath” at anytime necessary, especially while transitioning from one sport to the next.

Why are you limiting the number of entries to 350 participants?
While we would love to open the event to as many children as possible, space, time and race course capacity cause us to limit the number of participants to 350 athletes-the number we feel is safe and optimal for all participating athletes.

I’m a parent of a participating athlete. Can I volunteer to assist on race day even if my child is entered to participate?
We are appreciative of any volunteer help at the event but we realize that most parents wish to observe and cheer on their child/children during the race. Due to this, we recommend that parents not volunteer and instead cheer and support their child/children.

What is the Triathlon First Timer’s Clinics?
The Triathlon First Timer’s Clinics are intended to familiarize first time triathlon participants with the triathlon process (i.e. transition area). We will be offering these FREE clinics on the same day/location as Packet Pick-Up at 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm. The clinics are approximately 15-20 minutes and will be taught by skilled triathletes and instructors from Team Core Hawaii and Kama’aina Kids-Elite Sports Academy. It is not necessary to bring any equipment to the clinic. We highly encourage first time triathletes to attend so they know what to expect on race day-this helps minimize some anxiety that young children may be feeling towards the event.