Race Details - Freedom Springs park

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Sunday August 25, 2024

Freedom Springs Park

Hosted by the Greenwood Gators Swim Team

Greenwood, IN

Race Begins at 9:30 AM (1st Wave Start)

Thank you for checking out the August 25th race in the 2024 Kids TRI for Kids Triathlon Series at Freedom Springs Park in Greenwood hosted by the Greenwood Gators Swim Team!

The Greenwood Race will continue the Kids TRI for Kids Format!!

At all the KTFK 2024 races, there will be BOTH a TRIATHLON and a DUATHLON offered for your racing enjoyment. After the race, each athlete participating will be given a free pass to Freedom Springs to be used the day of race.

The Greenwood Kids TRI for Kids events will consist of a TRIATHLON with a 100 yard Swim/2.0 Mile Bike/1/2 Mile Run for the 10 and under age groups, or a 200 yard Swim/4 Mile Bike/1 Mile Run for the 11 to 14 age groups (distances are approximate). The DUATHLON will consist of a ½ Mile Run/2 Mile Bike/½ Mile Run for the 10 and under age groups, and a 1/2 Mile Run/4 Mile Bike/1 Mile Run for the 11 to 14 age groups.

This is the sixth year for the Kids TRI for Kids – Greenwood race and we are really excited to bring back this unique racing experience unlike any of the other races in the series! The swim will take place in the Freedom Springs “lazy river.” The Bike course is a 2-mile loop around the Freedom Park property, and the Run course is along Freedom Park’s inner loop. Below, you will find lots of important information pertaining to the race. Please take the time to review this information as it will make your experience (whether you are an athlete or a spectator) at the event much more enjoyable.

General Information

Location

Freedom Springs Park is located at 850 W Stop 18 Rd, Greenwood, IN 46143. The venue is located near downtown Greenwood, about 10 minutes away from I-65. Race day registration will be located on the sidewalk at the entrance to Freedom Springs. Look for signs directing you to the registration area.

USAT Membership

This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the national governing body for triathlons. All athletes need to be registered through USAT. Youth memberships are $10 for the entire year. Please visit the USAT website – www.usatriathlon.org to purchase your membership before the race. After you complete this process, you will be asked to print your temporary membership card. Please do so and bring this card with you to race registration.

Waiver

Greenwood Parks department requires all participants to sign a waiver to participate in the event. This form is available online to print and bring with you on the day of the race or it will be available at the registration table.

Parking

Free parking is available in the Freedom Springs parking lot. Please look for volunteer directions and/or signage. 

Volunteers

We love our volunteers! If you or anyone you know is interested in helping, please contact Race Director Sabrina Couturier via email at sjdavis32972@gmail.com.

Packet Pick-up & Registration

Packet pick-up for those pre-registered will be at the Registration area 7:30-8:45 AM. Race packets will include a t-shirt, race number, swim cap, and sponsor information. Day-of registration will open at 7:30 AM and conclude at 8:45AM. When athletes register, we will also body mark them – writing their race number on their arms and legs with a Sharpie. 

Pre-Race Timeline

Arrive at Freedom Springs, 850 W Stop 18 Rd, Greenwood, IN 46143 between 8:00- 8:45 AM. Entry drive to Freedom Park will close at 9 AM to allow for final course preparations. If you arrive after 9:00 AM you will have to park outside Freedom Park on the street and walk into the race area. This arrival time will allow your athlete plenty of time to set up his/her transition area and be prepared for the mandatory Pre-Race Meeting at 9 AM. 

Pre-Race Meeting

A mandatory pre-race meeting for all participants and a parent/guardian will take place at 9 AM. Racing will start immediately following the meeting, at approximately 9:30 AM. Specific race start times will be available the morning of the race.

Spectator Information

Please recognize that triathlon is notoriously NOT a spectator friendly sport. We have designed the course to make it possible to see your triathlete in each of the 3 disciplines and the finish, but please remember that it is not realistic to see your triathlete throughout the whole race. **It is absolutely imperative that all spectators stay outside of the corded off-areas and off the course. Also, please remember that the reason we are here is for the athletes. We appreciate your respecting the volunteers who will be directing people across the course by the transition area. Spectators also need to be respectful of the triathletes at all times and be cautious about moving in front of the athletes who are competing. You can easily see the transition area and the beginning of the bike and run courses by viewing the race from the paved parking area or grass on the parkside. No spectators are permitted in the transition area. When you can’t see your kids, one of our volunteers can. They will be encouraging them just like you would be! The finish line for both the long and short courses is located just outside the transition area in the parking lot. Once the racing is finished, the transition area will be opened and you will have plenty of time to load your bikes into your cars before the awards, if you so choose. The awards ceremony will take place after race is finished near the finish line.

Transition Information

Transition area

Only ONE transition area will be provided for the athletes, so bike and run attire must be placed in the provided transition area. Athletes will not be provided a transition area on the pool deck. The transition area maps will be provided at registration. Athletes are to be courteous in the transition area and keep their gear together in one small area. No throwing equipment. Bikes are to be placed back to the same position after the bike leg, so know where you place your bike in the transition area.

Helmets are to be worn AND FASTENED anytime the athlete is touching the bike. There is no riding in the transition area. Volunteers will direct athletes to the exits where they will then mount the bike. Athletes will also dismount their bikes prior to entering the transition area.

Transition Time

This time will be counted towards your overall race time, though there is no time limit.

Course Marking/Volunteers

The run course will be marked so the athletes will know what direction to head, but we will also have volunteers out on the course to help along the way.

DUATHLON -Run #1 Information

The FIRST run segment will take place at the transition area. ALL DUATHLETES will run approximately ½ mile as the first run leg. A run course map will be provided at registration. Once the DUATHLETES complete the first run and return to the transition area they will do the same Bike and Run course that the TRIATHLETES will complete.

Walking/resting on the run course

Athletes may walk or stop to rest on the run course, but again this time will be counted towards their final time.

TRIATHLON—Swim Information

The course

The swim will take place in the Freedom Springs lazy river. The race time will start on the Starter’s signal. The older kids (13-14 year old triathletes and 11-14 year old duathletes) will start first in the first wave followed by the younger kids in subsequent waves. The long course athletes (ages 11-14) will complete 1 full lap around the lazy river (200 yds). The short course (ages 7-10) will start half way around the lazy river (100 yds) and swim towards the zero depth entry/exit. All swimmers will get out of the pool at the zero depth entry/exit point and proceed to the transition area outside the north access gate. The swim course map will be posted on the website and provided at registration and reviewed during the athlete meeting. It is every athlete’s responsibility to know and follow the course in each of the disciplines.

Safety

Freedom Springs lifeguards will be positioned around the perimeter of the lazy river during the swim portion of the triathlon.

Race Attire

It’s fastest to minimize clothing changes. Try to wear something in the swim that you could bike and run in. For boys, it’s a swim suit or bike shorts. For girls, you may wear a swim suit, bike shorts and swim suit / other top for the swim. You may continue the race in this outfit or add clothing as necessary for the bike. As you begin the run, make sure you have your race number! You MUST have your race number on the front of your body at the finish of the race.

Strokes for the Swim

You can use any stroke you like during the swim. Freestyle or crawl is the most commonly used stroke, though it is not required.

Resting during the Swim

If you feel you need to rest, swimmers may grab the edge of the lazy river. Swimmers can use the wall at any time, however they cannot use it to propel themselves forward. Pool depth is 3 FT 6 IN except for the zero depth entry/exit. Lifeguards will also be available to assist with any problems.

Passing during the Swim

Go for it, but be careful! The swim area is a winding river that is approximately 10 FT wide and there is some room to pass. If possible, tap the swimmer ahead of you on the toes to let them know you are going to pass.

Equipment during the Swim

No fins, wetsuits, or floaties are allowed during the swim.

Flip-Turns

Flip turns are not necessary during the swim as you will be swimming from one end of the lazy river to the other.

Swim Caps

All participants (male and female) are required to wear swim caps. Swim caps will be provided for you in your race packet. Triathletes MUST wear the cap that is provided to them as the colors designate age groups.

Exiting the pool

The zero depth entry/exit will be used for the start and finish of the swim course for older kids. The younger kids will start half way down the river and swim towards the zero depth entry/exit.

Bike Information for all Athletes

Bike Course

Athletes will walk/run with their bike out of the transition area to the bike mounting area. Once on the bike, athletes will head north to access the Freedom Park trail. The bike will continue entirely on the Freedom Park trail around the Greenwood Middle School where bikers will then ride back towards Freedom Springs via the access road. Volunteers will provide traffic protection along the bike course access road. THE BIKE COURSE IS A LOOP. STAY AWARE OF OTHER ATHLETES AND POSSIBLE TRAFFIC and FOLLOW VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTIONS. The bike course will be sufficiently marked and staffed with volunteers and officers to keep the race safe for athletes. The 7–10 year olds will do 1 loop while the 11–14 year olds will do 2 loops then return to the transition area. Older athletes must be courteous of younger athletes as the courses trail is 8 FT wide and has a few sharp turns. Volunteers will facilitate mannerly riding. After the athletes have completed the bike leg of the course, he/she will then dismount the bike and walk/run it back into the bike to run transition area. The bike course map will be provided at registration.

Bike Safety

Please be aware of traffic and keep to the “coned off” course. Volunteers will be stationed at the corners to monitor bikers and vehicular traffic. Volunteers will also be stationed along the course and at all turns. We are not anticipating any traffic due to the course being contained within Freedom Park. Although the volunteers have been advised on the course, it is up to each athlete to know the course and distance.

Helmet

YES!!!! This rule is strictly enforced by both the USAT and the race organizers. You will be disqualified if you do not wear a helmet. You MUST wear a helmet correctly and the chinstrap must be buckled ANYTIME you are running or walking with your bike and of course while riding the bike. In the past, some athletes have put their helmets on backwards. For safety, athletes need to wear their helmets properly and we will stop any racers who are not wearing their helmet correctly. This includes before, during, and after the race. If you are riding your bike from your car to the transition area, you MUST have your helmet properly on and buckled. Same for after the race. Parents, you too! Set a good example! You will be disqualified if you do not properly wear a helmet! You are responsible for providing your own helmet.

Bike Equipment

In keeping with USAT regulations for all youth races, NO AEROBARS OR AERODYNAMIC HELMETS are permitted. These result in automatic disqualification.

“Fat-Tire” Bikes

Yes. Fat tire bikes are allowed at this race.

Bike Selection

Bike selection is a personal thing. However, if you are looking for an entry level road bike, please visit your local bike shop with your questions. Any kind of bike can be used, as long as it meets safety requirements. No training wheels are allowed. It must be in working order, and handlebar ends must be plugged. A volunteer will be checking bikes when you enter the transition area to ensure that your bar ends are plugged.

Kickstand

Bike racks will be provided. Athletes will have the option of using a bike rack or a kickstand. Athletes who have kickstands must position their bikes in the kickstand area of the transition area.

Flat Tires

There will be no bike support on the bike course. If an athlete encounters a flat tire, he will need to dismount the bike and run with the bike the remainder of the course.

Run Information

Run Course

The run segment is a loop for all age levels. The Run Course will take place on the inner loop trail at Freedom Park. Athletes will exit the transition area and run through the south parking lot to access the trail. There will be volunteers to direct athletes at the turns. The 7–10-year olds will run 1 loop (approximately ½ mile) while the 11-14 year olds will run 2 loops (about a full mile). A run course map will be provided at registration.

Walking/resting on the run course

Athletes may walk or stop to rest on the run course, but again this time will be counted towards their final time.

Course Marking/Volunteers

The run course will be marked so the athletes will know what direction to head, but we will also have volunteers out on the course to help along the way. 

Additional Information

Course Maps:

Click HERE for detailed maps of the course!

Water/Aid Stations

Water/aid station will be located at the transition area. At the finish, all athletes will receive a snack and there will be water available. There will be Registered Nurses trained in First-Aid/CPR available throughout the competition.

Weather

If there is thunder or lightning at the start of the race, we will be delayed 30 minutes from the last lightning strike. If thunder or lightning occurs in the middle of the race, the event is immediately cancelled. Athletes will be pulled from the course and directed to safe location within Freedom Springs Park. If the race is cancelled there will be no refunds.

Volunteers

An event of this type can only happen with the help of a crew of fabulous volunteers! Please be sure to thank the volunteers you see on race day! They have given their time to make the day the best for you and your triathlete/duathlete!

If you have any questions prior to the race, please feel free to contact Race Director Sabrina Couturier via email at sjdavis32972@gmail.com or 610-883-1200. We look forward to seeing you Sunday, August 25, 2024!