A sprint tri offering a bike and run course closed to traffic, spectacular water views and a fabulous finish in historic Fort Taber Park. One of New England's most spectator friendly triathlons!
The Whaling City Triathlon is a sprint distance triathlon to be held on Sunday, July 1, 2012 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 (no cars to worry about!) which also offers 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 2 loop bike course, and complete an out and back run course, this is one of the most spectator-friendly triathlons in New England! See below for more course details. 
AT LEFT: Aerial view of Fort Taber Park located in the Clark's Point section at the southern most tip of New Bedford. Athletes will run along the walking paths that line the perimeter of this historic park.
Additional details on the Whaling City Triathlon are below...
Event Date, Location and Start Time:
The Whaling City Triathlon will be on Sunday, July 1, 2012 in New Bedford, MA. New Bedford is located about 60 miles south of Boston and 30 miles southeast 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 regardless of race category is $80. The registration fee for Relay Teams is $150. Click here to register now.
New for 2012, Sun Multisport Events (SME) is offering athletes the Registration Fee Reimbursement service in partnership with 365Competitors. This is an insurance service that allows a participant to receive a 100% refund of the registration fee if he/she is unable to participate in the event due to sickness or injury (subject to terms and conditions). SME will cover the cost of the Registration Fee Reimbursement program for all athletes that register by 12/31/11. After that date the service will be available as an option to athletes for an 
incremental fee during the online registration process. Click here for additional details on the Registration Fee Reimbursement service and click here for FAQs. IMPORTANT: You will need to have a physician complete the Registration Fee Reimbursement Claim Form and it must be dated within 72 hours of the event to qualify for reimbursement.
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 300 yards to transition inside Fort Taber Park. Click here to see a map of the swim and click here to see a map of 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 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 far west entrance and run along the coastline of the park to the finish. The run inside the park will offer 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:
Individual: $80; Relay Teams: $150
Awards:
Awards will be given to the top 3 male and female finishers in each age group as well as for the top 3 Athenas and Clydesdales. All 3 members of the 1st place Mixed, Female and Male relay teams will also receive an award.
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. If you are an annual member, but forget to bring your card you will be required to purchase a 1-day license.
Age Groups and Special Divisions:
Standard USA Triathlon age divisions in five year increments (e.g. 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, etc.). Your age group is now determined by your age on December 31, 2011! MINIMUM AGE: 16 years old as of December 31, 2011. There will be Clydesdale (Men, 200+ lbs), Athena (Women, 150+ lbs), and Open divisions. The Open category will be the first wave sent to start the race.
Event Check-in and Race Start Time:
Racers can check-in on Saturday, June 30th from 4:00PM to 7:00PM and Sunday, July 1st 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:
Swim waves for the 2012 Whaling City Triathlon will be announced a week before the race.
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 gles 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.
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.
2011 Results:
CLICK HERE to see results from the 2011 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.
Highlighting this year’s green effort is a Shoe Recycling Program. Clean out your closet and bring your used shoes to the Athletes for a Fit Planet booth on race day. Our shoe recycling partner, Sustainable World Fund, accepts all types of men’s, women’s, and kids’ shoes -- not just running shoes! To learn more about what we're doing and what you can do to support us in these efforts visit our Sustainability page.
Accommodations:
Detials to come.
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.
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.
Refund Policy:
Refunds are not permitted. Be sure you can and will race prior to registering. The exchange of entries is strictly prohibited. See USAT Rule #3.5. If the race is canceled due to weather conditions or other acts of God no refunds will be issued.
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.
