Comfort Inn - 33 Centre Street., Smiths Falls Ontario

It's the 29th anniversary of Canada's first triathlon!  We had another strong year for participation in 2007 thanks to the great community work by our Race Director Wendy Hillier. We are really looking forward to building on our success in 2008.  We hope you come back, and bring a friend, for another go at it with our streamlined swim start and the uniqueness that is Smiths Falls - Canada's original swim-bike-run triathlon.

The new 26Km cycle course was a hit, and now that the highway bridge construction is completed, we hope we will have an unobstructed ride in 08. The Try A Tri and Super Sprint are back, as is the newest member of the event, the Sprint SwimCycle.

Wendy and the whole Somersault Race Crew invite you to join us in Smiths Falls on June 22nd! Be sure to note the new Race Kit Pick Up right on site at the T-Zone and Finish Line - not at the Comfort Inn as in years past.

race director

Wendy Hillier -wendyhillier@sympatico.ca

The Champions Challenge program is for those of you who participate in more than one Somersault Triathlon & Duathlon Series race, and might be interested in seeing how you stack up against others in overall, gender, and age group categories in the Somersault Duathlon & Triathlon Series world.

Each 2008 Somersault Triathlon or Duathlon Series race is part of the Champions Challenge. If you are in one of these races, you automatically score points in the Champions Challenge.Check out the Champions Challenge program at http://www.somersault.ca/championshipstri.htm.

event highlights

• Medals to all finishers - at the finish line
• Personalized participant bib numbers
• The 26Km loop cycle course
• The SwimCycle
• Super Sprint and Try A Tri
• RedHawks BBQ on site
• Clydesdale & Athena Categories in Tri & Du

tourism information
Smith Falls Tourist Information
Lanark County Tourism

red hawks athletics - the official charity of the event
We are pleased to announce that the Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute athletic program is the official charity of the 2008 Figure Eight Run. A portion of the entry fees, and 100% of the funds collected through the associated pledge program go directly to the Smiths Falls D.C.I Red Hawks Athletic Department.

The Red Hawks Athletics Department is dedicated to enriching the lives of young people through the values of dedication, cooperation, and integrity. Its mission is to promote lifelong healthy active living through sport. Funds collected through the Figure Eight Run benefit the entire school athletic program. Items such as school uniforms, referees fees, equipment, and tournament playing costs are greatly assisted by these fundraising efforts.

We urge you to consider downloading the Pledge Form, and generate even more funds for this super community program through the triathlon and duathlon, for the benefit of Smiths Falls and area youth. For more information on the Red Hawks , please contact Bill Wheeler at bill.wheeler@ucdsb.on.ca.

red hawks online donation/pledge forms
You may find it easier to make a donation or solicit pledge support, using the online event entry form

Red Hawks Online Donations

1. Donations can be made to the Red Hawks during the online entry process.
2. The donation amount will be added to your entry fee. 
3. The amount in the donation box will be directed to on your behalf.

Red Hawks Online Participant Pledge Support

1. You can only solicit online pledges once you have entered the event.
2. Your email entry confirmation will include a URL link to your personal pledge page.
3. Email your friends asking them to make a pledge on your behalf, using that link.
4. State the name of the Red Hawks in your email.
5. Pledge funds will be forwarded to Red Hawks as they are received.

red hawks bbq on site

A new feature this year for participants and spectators, is the BBQ with hotdogs, and hamburgers, in support of the Red Hawks.  Bring some coin and relax over a lunch by the river.

events & distances

Sprint Triathlon & Relay  - 500M Swim / 26Km Cycle / 5Km Run
Sprint Duathlon - 2.2Km Run / 26Km Cycle / 5Km Run
Try A Tri - 200m Swim / 26Km Cycle / 2.2Km Run
Super Sprint Triathlon  - 200m Swim / 26Km Cycle / 5Km Run
Sprint SwimCycle - 500m Swim/26Km Cycle

start time

• 9:30 a.m. - Start Time

participation categories

relays
Triathlon Relays are a fun feature of The Classic.  It's a great way to ease into the season or go 'all out' at one discipline. Get a threesome (or a twosome) together for some fun and fitness! 

try a tri challenge
It's back - and its for anyone who has always wanted to "Try a Tri" or those who don't want to be too competitive or go too long. Mountain Bikes and Hybrid Bikes are welcomed in this event.

super sprint triathlon
This category will have the same distances as the Try A Tri, but will be run separately from the Try A Tri Challenge. The Try A Tri is intended for the first timer, once a year novice, or recreational participant. The Super Sprint is geared to those who are a bit more serious but only want to go short and fast.

sprint swimcycle
The Sprint SwimCycle is back, as a result of participant demand.  for those whose knees, ankles and/or hips are not handling the running very well, or who just don't want to run. If you are one of those, this race is for you.

The SwimCycle consists of the swim and the cycle portion of the Sprint Triathlon.  Those that enter this category, will start with the Sprint Triathlon participants, and then head to the Finish Line after racking their bike after the cycle leg.

teen try a tri, super sprint, and sprint
Come on out and tri one you teenagers - bring your mountain bike if you don't have a road bike - its fun!

early season entry fee discounts
As a courtesy to those of you who enter many Somersault events, who plan well ahead, or who are just thrifty, we have a generous early season entry fee discount program. The discount schedule is outlined below. For more information on the early season discounts, please go to http://www.somersault.ca/earlydiscounts.htm.

free change of event if entered by january 31
Each early season entry received by January 31, 2008, is eligible for one free change to another event in the same calendar year - if the event change request is made by the Sunday June 15th.

Each entry received after January 31, 2007 and before March 15, 2008 is also eligible to change to another event in the same calendar year - if the event change request is made by Sunday June 15th - but for an an administration fee of $15 for the privilege.

Please Note: There are no partial refunds if the event change request is to a less expensive event. There will be an additional charge if the change is to an event with a higher entry fee.

early season discounts and deadlines

entry fee schedule after discount deadline

entry fee conditions
There are no refunds for any reason - this includes event cancellation or event changes. Credit cards are accepted for online entries only, up to Sunday June 15th.  All entries received after Sunday June 15th, must be made at a Race Kit Pick Up time and location and must be paid in cash. Souvenir shirts are included free with your entry up to Sunday June 15th - no exceptions. Entries received after Sunday June 15th do not receive a souvenir shirt.

accreditation, officiating, safety, and medical surcharge
In addition to the entry fee, a surcharge of $5 per entrant and $8 per relay team is being levied to cover the costs of retaining race officials, safety, and medical personnel , and for the club of event program.

enter online ering online is recommended
We encourage you to enter online. That way you receive an immediate confirmation of payment. Avoid the hassle of writing a cheque and mailing or dropping off your form.  Remember it costs more after Monday June 9th, and that you can only enter online and receive a souvenir shirt, up to Sunday June 15th.

entry drop-off locations

• PECCO'S, 86 Murray Street, Ottawa
• Somersault Promotions , 411 Lefebvre Way, Ottawa
• Sport X , Chambers St. , Smiths Falls, ON

race kit pick up & late registration
Friday June 20th
Aviation Museum
Aviation and Rockcliffe Parkways, Ottawa
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday June 21st
Lower Reach Park - at the T-Zone
on River St., Smiths Falls
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday June 22nd
Lower Reach Park - at the T-Zone
on River St., Smiths Falls
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

important deadlines

t-zone orientation

We will have attendants in the T-Zone beginning at 7:00 a.m.  They will be there to answer your questions and direct traffic once the event starts. They will also provide a short race orientation session at 8:45 a.m. Race instructions will be given and your race questions will be addressed at this session.

awards & prizes
Everyone
All participants receive a completion medal at the finish line of their race.

Race Winners
The first place male and female winner of each race, receives a merchandise prize.

Top 3 Overall
The first three overall finishers in each race - male and female - will be honoured in an award presentation ceremony that will take place in the Awards Area shortly after they finish.

Category Top3 Finishers
All Age, Weight, and Relay Category top 3 finishers, are eligible for a Gold, Silver, or Bronze Place Medal 'Add On'. This 'Add On' must be picked up on race day, any time the results are posted, at the Awards Table. The 'Add On' cannot be claimed after race day - sorry.

Award Medal "Add On" Must Be Picked Up on Race Day
The Award Medal "Add On' must be claimed on race day. 'It will be available to you at the Awards Table with 20 minutes of your race finish. Just check the official results to see if you finished in the top 3 in your category, and then claim your 'Add On' at the Awards Table.

official performance certificate
We are pleased to offer each race finisher, the opportunity to download and print an official certificate of their event performance. That's right, by Wednesday after each event you will be able go online to the event web site, punch in your race number and obtain a certificate that highlights your race, finish time and place in the race.

souvenir shirt
If your entry is received by Sunday, June 15 you will receive a free souvenir T-shirt if you attend the event. There are no exceptions to this deadline, so enter early. 

You are eligible for the souvenir shirt only if you attend at Race Kit Pick Up to pick it up. If you do not pick up your race kit, you are not eligible for the souvenir tech t-shirt.  Please do not request a shirt after the event. 

tech shirt option
We invite you to upgrade your souvenir event t-shirt to a high quality Tech T-Shirt for an extra $15. The Tech Shirt comes without the sponsor logos on the back, so it makes a first class casual wear shirt.

You are only eligible for the souvenir Tech T-Shirt

• if you upgrade to the Tech Shirt when entering online, and
• if you pick up your race kit by event day.
  

You are not eligible for the souvenir tech t-shirt after event day.

Men Please Note: When ordering a Tech T-Shirt, men should order a shirt 1 size smaller than you wear in a cotton T-Shirt.

pecco's wetsuit sales and rentals

The water may be cool on race day, so you may be interested in renting or buying a wetsuit.  PECCO's is offering both sales and rentals this year, so call them at 1-800-378-7747 and ask for Eric or Martin.  Cost of the rental is $30.

pecco's bike tech stop
PECCO's has been an awesome cycle sponsor for many years and we are honoured to have them back with us again. The boys will be on site for those last minute bike repairs.

zoomphoto.ca photography photography

We are pleased to be able to offer a photo program for participants in the Smiths Falls Triathlon & Duathlon.  Zoomphoto will be offering you classy photos commemorating your participation.  Just go to http://www.somersault.ca/results.htm the day after the event for your photo.

food and refreshments
There will lots of fruit, bagels, water, and Gatorade for all participants and volunteers at the finish line.

championchip timing 
We use ChampionChip Timing at all Somersault races.  This timing system requires that all participants wear a ChampionChip Bracelet on your ankle (Anklet) during the race.  This bracelet contains a computer chip that allows you to be timed. You are responsible for obtaining your ChampionChip Bracelet on race morning from the timing people at the Sportstats Tent near the Finish Line.  Do this at least 30 minutes before your race - earlier is better!  Races will not be held up waiting for those who forgot their bracelet. You must return your ChampionChip Bracelet immediately after you cross the finish line.  You are responsible for the cost if it is not returned - and it is expensive.

your results (Age is as of December 31, 2008)
Your personal results will be posted within 20 minutes of your finish. Check the results as soon as you can,. If you have finished in the top 3 in your age, weight, or relay category, go immediately to the Awards Table to claim your Award Medal 'Add On'.

If you find mistakes in the results, go to the Sportstats van near the Finish Line and provide them with the information you think is correct.  Have the results people make changes before you leave the event site, because they may not be able to do it after race day.

Results will be posted at http://www.somersault.ca/results.htm the evening of the race.

race day schedule

directions & parking
Smiths Falls is on Hwy. 43 between Ottawa and Kingston - check the MapQuest Map at www.somersault.ca Race Kit Pick is in the upper part of Lower Reach Park, off River St. (check the map).  Parking will be located in Lower REach Park, or where it is legal to park nearer the race site on the side streets. 

t-zone location and toilets
There is a 500 metre walk from the parking lot at the Comfort Inn to the event site - Transition Zone and Finish Line.  The T-Zone is located on River St. beside the Rideau River adjacent to Elm St. E. and Oak St. 

Washrooms are located at the Comfort Inn and at the race site.  There will be 6 portable toilets located in the T-Zone, but you may want to avoid the line ups and go at the hotel!

race kit pick up & late registration
Friday June 20th
Aviation Museum
Aviation and Rockcliffe Parkways, Ottawa
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Saturday June 21st
Lower Reach Park - at the T-Zone
on River St., Smiths Falls
3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday June 22nd
Lower Reach Park - at the T-Zone
on River St., Smiths Falls
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.

course and site map

For a view of the site and course map, please click here.

Triathlon Swim - Start Procedures
The swim is the traditional swim. It is an out and back triangle course starting in the Rideau River adjacent to the Comfort Inn just below the Combination Lock at the Beckwith St. Bridge.  The course is marked by large swim buoys and is supervised by qualified marshals. Swimmers swim out 250 metres make a sharp right turn and return to the swim exit at the Block House on the shore opposite the Comfort Inn. There is a 100 metre run from the river's edge to the Transition Zone.

Swimmers must wear a swim cap - either the one provided or your own. Wetsuits are allowed.

2.2 kilometre Run
The run begins at the Finish Line (Duathlon first run) adjacent to the T-Zone on River St., or in the T-Zone (Tri a Tri) Runners proceed towards Lower Reach Park on the recreational pathway (firm gravel) and complete a loop around the park, returning to the Transition Zone.

26 kilometre Cycle Course
The cycle begins at the Transition Zone on River Rd. It follows River St. to the corner of Jasper Ave. where it turns left onto Jasper. It then follows Jasper Ave. and Old Slys Rd. to Highway 43., where it turns right onto Highway 43. the course then proceeds along Highway 43, to Kilmarnock Rd. It turns right here and travels along Kilmarnock rd. to Jasper Highway, where it turns right again, and continues along Jasper Hwy to Jasper Ave. It turns left onto Jasper Ave. and returns to the T-zone via River St., on the same route as it took on the way out.

5Km Run
Runners exit the T-Zone onto the recreational pathway and head along the river pathway to the Beckwith St. Bridge. They pass under the Beckwith St. Bridge and continue along the Canal to Abbot St.  Runners turn right on Abbot and cross the canal bridge and then turn immediately right onto the recreational pathway again. The pathway leads runners across three pedestrian bridges onto Confederation Dr. They turn right on Confederation Dr. and continue on it until they turn right and cross the canal again just before the Beckwith St. Bridge.  They cross the canal and turn left back onto the recreational pathway and head under the Beckwith St. Bridge on the pathway. After passing under the bridge, the runners turn immediately right across the pedestrian bridge and right again up a sharp hill onto the Beckwith St. Bridge.  They cross the bridge and continue on Beckwith St. to the corner of Chambers St.  They turn right on Chambers and follow Chambers to the corner of Elmsley St. where they turn right.  Runners follow Elmsley St. to Old Slys Rd. where they turn right.   They follow Old Slys Rd. across the canal and turn right into Lower Reach Park. They then follow the recreational pathway to the finish Line on River St.

All entrants are required to be familiar with the "General Information", and the "What's New" information sections.  There is  information in these sections that is not on this event information page, so please click and read the appropriate buttons on the left - even if you are familiar with the event.  It is a good idea to re-read event information the week before the event to be sure nothing has changed.

rules & regulations
Click here to go to the Rules & Regulations site.  Remember it is your responsibility to know and adhere to the rules.

your first tri
Click here to go to our beginner and novice site for assistance.

volunteers
If your kids, spouse, family members or friends are spectating, why not volunteer them as officials/volunteers and have some fun too!  Email us ahead of time if you will help, so we can assign you - info@somersault.ca. For more information on our volunteer program, go to http://www.somersault.ca/volunteers.htm.

Clubs, teams and non-profit organizations are invited to inquire about our volunteer donation program - a donation in return for a group of members volunteering for the day.

race info updates
We will email 3 weekly Smiths Falls Newsletters to participants with the latest updates prior to the race.  These newsletters are very important as they will identify  changes, answer your questions and recommend race day procedures that will make your event day a better one. 

Please provide an accessible email address on your entry form if you wish to receive these Newsletters. You may want to use a personal email address rather than your work email, because many employers utilize filters that will not let the Newsletter through.