A sprint tri offering a bike and run course closed to traffic, spectacular water views and a fabulous finish in historic Fort Taber Park.
Registration for the 2013 Whaling City Triathlon is now open. Click here to register.
The Whaling City Triathlon is a sprint distance triathlon to be held on Sunday, July 7, 2013 in New Bedford, MA, the world's most famous whaling era seaport and the number one fishing port in America.
The Whaling City Triathlon is a terrific race for beginner and seasoned triathletes alike. The 0.25 mile swim takes place in Buzzards Bay on the southeast side of the city in the Clark's Point section. After completing the swim athletes will transition to a flat, fast and scenic bike course closed to traffic. The bike course is 2-loops of a 6-mile course (12 miles total) and roughly 10 miles of the course is along the shoreline of Buzzards Bay and Clark's Cove offering you incredible water views. Once the bike leg is finished athletes will run a 3.1 mile loop that is all on sidewalks and walking paths (no cars to worry about!) which offer gorgeous water views, a sea breeze to keep you cool and a fantastic finish in historic Fort Taber Park. With multiple opportunties to see athletes on the swim, as they ride the bike course, and complete an out and back run course, this is one of the most spectator-friendly triathlons in New England!
The 2013 Whaling City Triathlon will also host the 2nd annual TRI TEAM CHALLENGE offering prizes worth thousands of dollars including $500 cash to the 1st place team and all official teams receive $100 rebate. NEW for 2013 is the addition of the SPLASH 'N DASH (swim-run only) and FAMILY FRIENDS and BEGINNERS category (details below).
Complete details on the Whaling City Triathlon are below...
Event Date, Location and Start Time:
The Whaling City Triathlon will be on Sunday, July 7, 2013 in New Bedford, MA. New Bedford is located about 60 miles south of Boston and 30 miles northeast of Providence, RI. The first wave of the race will be started at 8:00AM.
Registration Fees and the Registration Fee Reimbursement service
The registration fee for individuals participating in the triathlon regardless of race category is $80 through 5/31/13 and then increases to $85. The registration fee for Relay Teams participating in the triathlon is $130 through 5/31/13 and then increases to $140. The fee for individuals that participate in the Splash 'n Dash (swim and run only; details below) is $45 ($50 after 5/31/13). Note that the Whaling City Triathlon is a USAT sanctioned event. USAT Annual members will need to have a valid USAT license on race day. If you are not an annual member, you will be required to purchase a 1-day USAT license for $12. Click here to register.
As a service to paid registrants in the 2013 Whaling City Triathlon, Sun Multisport Events is providing you with the opportunity for registration fee protection -- absolutely free through 365Competitiors, LLC. This service offers you 100% reimbursement of your registration fee and related online processing fee if you get sick or injured and can't race. This service is subject to terms and conditions including submission of a claim form signed by your doctor within 3 days prior to the event. The coverage is applied automatically and effective immediately when you register, however, it's a limited-time offer that is only valid until March 31, 2013. Click here for important coverage details. Please note the registration fee protection service will NOT be available if you register AFTER after 3/31/13.
The TRI TEAM CHALLENGE -- $100 just for entering and a chance to win $500 more!
Attention teams! Designed to build team spirit, facilitate bonding and generate some friendly competition among teams, the Tri Team Challenge invites clubs to come together and compete to win some terrific prizes including $500 cash to the first place team. Enter an official team and you will receive a $100 cash rebate! Click here for complete details.
Splash 'n Dash (NEW for 2013!)
No bike? No problem! New for 2013 will be the introduction of the Splash 'n Dash category which offers athletes the opportunity to swim the 0.25 mile swim course in Buzzard's Bay and then run a 5k. The swim and run courses are the exact same courses utilized by athletes that are participating in the triathlon. Athletes in the Splash 'n Dash category will be grouped in a single wave that will be started after all the waves with athletes in the triathlon have been sent.
Families, Friends and Beginners (Also NEW for 2013!)
Just getting started in triathlon? More interested in participating in the race with a friend or family member? This is the category for you! Athletes in the Families, Friends and Beginners category will be grouped together in the same wave so you and start the race together. Athletes in this category will be sent off in the last wave and timed, but will not be eligible for any age group awards. Note that we are offering this category to give people an opportunity to start the race together and athletes in this category are welcomed to stay together throughout the event, but all USAT rules remain in effect and drafting on the bike is still not allowed. Question? Email Mark at info@SunMultisportEvents.com.
Event Distance and Course Maps:
The Swim: The swim will be 0.25 miles in Buzzards Bay.The swim is located on the east coast of the southern most tip of New Bedford, just outside the entrance to Fort Taber Park. After exiting the water, athletes will run transition inside Fort Taber Park. Click here to see a map of the swim and transition including the swim in and bike out.
The Bike: The bike course is 2 loops of a 6 mile course (12 miles total). Click here to see a map of this bike course that will be closed to traffic and offer water views throughout the ride. Spectators that position themselves along East Rodney French Blvd will have an opportunity to see their favorite athlete 4 times as they ride the course. After completing the bike course athletes will return to Fort Taber Park through the main entrance and rack their bike in transition. From there they will head out onto the run. Click here to see a map of transition including the bike in and run out.
The Run (pictured at left): The run course is 3.1 miles. Athletes will exit Fort Taber Park, go west (left) on the sidewalk of South Rodney French Boulevard which then turns north on West Rodney French Boulevard. At about the 1.2 mile mark, athletes will come to a turnaround and then head south on West Rodney French Boulevard back towards Fort Taber Park. Athletes will re-enter Fort Taber Park at the west entrance and run along the coastline to the finish. The run inside the park offers incredible views. The entire run is on sidewalks and walking paths and is flat and fast. Click here to see the RUN course.
Entry Fee:
TRIATHLON (swim-bike-run): Individual: $80 through 5/31/13 ($85 thereafter); Relay Teams: $130 through 5/31/13 ($140 thereafter); SPLASH 'N DASH (swim-run): Individual: $45 through 5/31/13 ($50 thereafter).
Categories and Awards:
Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers in each Age Group and the Open/Elite category as well as the top 3 in the Athena (females 165+ lbs), Clydesdale (males 220+ lbs), Beginner and Splash 'n Dash categories. All 3 members of the 1st place Mixed, Female and Male relay teams will also receive an award. The Beginner category is for athletes that are new to the sport of triathlon and prefer to start in a wave with other novice triathletes. The Splash 'n Dash category is for athletes that swim and run (no bike).
Standard USA Triathlon age categories in five year increments (e.g. 19 and under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc.). Your age group is determined by your age on December 31, 2013! MINIMUM AGE: 16 years old as of race day.
USA Triathlon Membership:
The Whaling City Triathlon is a USAT sanctioned event managed by a USAT certified Race Director. All athletes must (a) present a valid, current USAT Annual Membership Card at registration OR (b) purchase a 1-day USAT license ($12). If you are an annual member, but forget to bring your card you will be required to purchase a 1-day license.
Event Check-in and Race Start Time:
Racers can check-in on Saturday, July 6th from 2:00PM to 5:00PM and Sunday, July 7th from 6:00AM to 7:30AM. Check-in will be at the Community Center which is immediately on your right as you enter Fort Taber Park. All racers must be checked in by 7:30AM on race day. The first wave will go off at 8:00 AM. The mandatory pre-race meeting will be 7:30AM near transition on the grounds of Fort Taber Park.
Swim Waves:
The Open/Elite wave will be the first wave sent to start the race. The Beginner wave will be the last triathlon wave sent. Athletes registered in the Splash 'n Dash category will follow the Beginner wave. All other wave details will be announced within 2 weeks of the race date.
Wet Suits:
All participants may wear a wet suit and be eligible for rankings and prizes if the water temperature is less than 78 degrees F. If the temperature is between 79 and 84 degrees F, participants wearing a wet suit will not receive a ranking or be eligible for awards (they will still receive split times). If the temperature exceeds 84 degrees F, no participants will be allowed to wear a wet suit. Water temperatures are expected to be less than 78 degrees F. As race day draws near, an exact water temperature read will be communicated to registrants.
Swim Caps:
All participants will be given a swim cap that must be worn during the swim.
Race and Recovery Nutrition:
Hammer Nutrition and Muscle Milk are nutrition sponsors for this year's Whaling City Triathlon. Water, Hammer Nutrition Heed energy drink and Hammer energy gels will be available at aid stations at miles 1 and 2 on the run course. The Muscle Milk Rejuvenation Startion will be located in an area adjacent to the finish line and will feature free bottles of Muscle Milk to all participating athletes. Muscle Milk is the Official Performance Protein Drink for all 2013 races produced by Sun Multisport Events.
Timing:
"Winning Time Chip" timing to be provided by Bay State Race Services. Athletes will receive time splits for the swim, transition 1, bike, transition 2 and the run.
2012 Results:
CLICK HERE to see results from the 2012 Whaling City Triathlon.
Pledge of Sustainability
Sun Multisport Events has made a commitment to implement more environmentally responsible practices at our events. To that end, we have taken the Pledge of Sustainability administered by Athletes for a Fit Planet. As part of this committment we will implement a comprehensive recycling system, the use of eco-friendly port-o-potties, athlete t-shirts made of recycled material and more.
Accommodations:
The recommended host hotel for the 2013 Whaling City Triathlon is the Hampton Inn Fairhaven. Located about 6.5 miles from Fort Taber Park (the site of the race), you can reserve a room with 1 King bed or 2 Queen beds at the rate of $129 plus tax by using the Group Code WCT when booking online. Or, you can call them at 1-800-Hampton (1-800-486-7866) and mention the Whaling City Triathlon to get this rate.
Volunteers:
Do you have family or friends coming to cheer you on? Consider asking them to volunteer! Volunteering makes you a part of the action while cheering on athletes and helping ensure a successful event experience. There are a variety of volunteer jobs and all volunteers get a free t-shirt. All volunteers get a free t-shirt. CLICK HERE to see a list of volunteer jobs, the time commitment required and a link to register.
Rules:
USA Triathlon rules will apply. Please review the rules at www.USATriathlon.org. There will be USAT Officials present at the event. Three areas of common violations are (1) Drafting, (2) Blocking and (3) Centerline. To avoid drafting violations you must stay at least 3 bike lengths behind the competitor in front of you. When attempting to pass you must do so within 15 seconds. Blocking violations are assessed for failing to ride to the right (except when passing). Centerline violations can be avoided by not crossing the yellow centerline of the road. HELMETS ARE REQUIRED. Chin strap must be buckled at ALL times you are on the bike even in the transition area. Handlebars/aerobars must have bar-end plugs securely inserted into the bar. Taping over bar ends is not permitted. Lack of bar end plugs will result in disqualification.
Directions and Parking:
From Boston, MA and points north: Take I-93 South to Rte 24 South. Take exit 12 off Rte 24 South to get on Rte 140 South. You'll travel on Rte 140 South for about 18 miles and then merge onto I-195 East via exit 2A towards Cape Cod. After traveling on I-195 East for 1-2 miles you will get off at exit 15 for downtown New Bedford which puts you onto Rte 18 South. Rte 18 South becomes John F Kennedy Memorial Blvd. Continue south on John F Kennedy Memorial Blvd for 1-2 miles and then turn left at the intersection for Cove Street (this left is at a traffic light). Cove Street becomes East Rodney Frendch Blvd (the beach and Buzzards Bay will be on your left). Take East Rodney French Blvd to the entrance to Fort Taber Park.
From CT and RI: Take I-95 North to exit 19 for I-195 East. Take I-195 East to exit 15 for downtown New Bedford which puts you onto Rte 18 South. Rte 18 South becomes John F Kennedy Memorial Blvd. Continue south on John F Kennedy Memorial Blvd for 1-2 miles and then turn left at the intersection for Cove Street (this left is at a traffic light). Cove Street becomes East Rodney Frendch Blvd (the beach and Buzzards Bay will be on your left). Take East Rodney French Blvd to the entrance to Fort Taber Park.
Parking: Limited parking will be permitted within Fort Taber Park, but this lot will be closed when full (we expect by 7am) and will not re-open until the conclusion of the race (est. 10am). If the Fort Taber Park lot is full there are public parking lots just outside the park along East Rodney French Blvd.
Policies:
Event cancellation: If a race is cancelled due to inclement weather, acts of God, or unforeseen circumstances beyond the control of Event Management, refunds will not be given; however, a partial credit will be offered to the following year’s race. A significant amount of time, effort and expense is invested by the day of a race (e.g. shirts, medals, awards, signage, supplies) that can not be recovered and for this reason a 100% refund is not possible.
Please note: We love what we do and what we do is put on events. After months and months of planning, coordinating and making our very best effort to create a race experience that we consider the best in New England the last thing we ever want to do is cancel a race. We also understand that athletes devote a significant amount of their time, money and effort preparing for a race. So, if we need to make the difficult decision to cancel a race it’s a great disappointment for us and we know it’s a great disappointment to you. Unfortunately, though, that is the risk we share. You may feel you are entitled to a full refund if we cancel a race, but this is not feasible given the costs incurred by race day. If you can’t accept the terms of this partnership, we respectfully ask that you don’t register for our events.
Course changes: Event Management reserves the right to alter, cancel or eliminate any portion of a race at any time in the interest of athlete safety or for other reasons beyond our control. No refunds will be issued if changes are made to a race due to these circumstances.
Injury or sickness: Athletes have the option to purchase the Registration Fee Reimbursement service when registering for all SME events. Administered by 365 Competitors, this is an insurance-based service that allows a participant to receive a 100% refund of their registration fee if he/she is unable to participate in the event due to sickness or injury. Click here for the Terms & Conditions associated with the Registration Fee Reimbursement service and a list of FAQs.
Exchange and transfer of entries: The exchange or transfer of entries to other athletes is strictly prohibited.
Refund or deferral requests: Refunds will not be issued. Deferral requests must be submitted in writing to info@SunMultisportEvents.com no less than 60 days from the date of the event. Deferrals may be granted under certain circumstances (e.g. pregnancy, military transfer) at the discretion of Event Management. Any deferral granted will require the athlete to pay $20 to cover administrative fees.
