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somersault triathlon series events
The Somersault Triathlon Series is now in
its 18th season. This year the Series includes 11 triathlons/duathlons, in the Somersault Triathlon & Duathlon Series. The series
begins on May 3rd and ends on October 11th. Last
year we hosted 7200 participants of all ages and stages and look forward to attracting more than 8000 in 2008.
Each event will feature additions and improvements based on our experiences in 2007, and on the participant feedback we received during the season. These improvements are highlighted in each event information package on our site. Our goal is to continue to build the unique
character of each event, and to strengthen our relationships
with the communities in which they are held, for the benefit of you the participant.
The Try A Tri events for novice participants are back by popular demand, as is the Super Sprint Triathlon for those who like the short distance races but who don't qualify as Try A Triers. We think you veterans with speed will like them.
For those who are very fit and tough, we again offer two Half Iron races - the Graham Beasley 113, and the Canadian 113. And of course we feature Ontario's only Iron Distance race - The Canadian Iron 226, which culminates our season on August 30th.
We hope you can find something you like in our many event offerings, and that you give us a Tri in 2008!
somersault duathlon
series events
All the same great features above are offered as well in
the Somersault Duathlon Series events. In fact we offer more duathlon days than triathlon days in our program. Beginning in May and ending in October, we offer 9 great duathlons, including more than 15 races.
somersault kayak triathlon series
We are offering 4 kayak triathlons in the Somersault Kayak Triathlon Series, for those of you who would rather travel on the water than in it. Everything else is the same as a regular triathlon, but you paddle instead of swim that first leg. Our beach venues offer a great sites for this old, but new, race concept.
somersault swimcycle races
We have completely embraced the "SwimCycle" race concept and are offering at least one at each of our triathlon events. These races allow those whose legs are hurting, to test their fitness without running - and there seem to be a lot more of you with sore legs lately.
first
timers try a tri
In 2007, newcomers again made up a significant percentage of our total participants. Each of these newcomers received a finish medal and were welcomed into the multi-sport world enthusiastically. Our Try A Tri program again welcomes newcomers in 2008, with 9 races, many of them in shallow, friendly open water.
race
info updates
We are continuing our expanded pre-race Newsletter program this year. We will be distributing a minimum of 3 weekly newsletters for each of our events in 2008. These info packages are important as they
announce changes, recommend race day procedures, and respond to your questions in the weeks leading up to the event. Please
be sure you have a valid email (home) address on your entry form if you wish
to receive updated information.
somersault
tris for teens
Somersault offers three age group categories just for teenagers
in its Try A Tri's, Super Sprint Triathlons, Sprint Triathlons and Sprint
Duathlons. We also subsidize each teen entry
fee, in order to make the events more affordable for our youth participants.
university students
Our subsidy program for currently enrolled university students (up to 25 years of age) continues in 2008. University students only pay the 18 and under entry fee at each event. We hope
that this will encourage more young people to participate
in this great sport, more often.
somersault
club and school fundraising program
The Somersault FUNdraising program
allows any youth group or school in the region to raise
funds at Somersault events. This program has unlimited
potential for any group needing to raise funds while avoiding the organizational
effort and risk. Go to Charities at http://www.somersault.ca/eventsfundraising.htm for more information on this opportunity.
somersault
work crew
Somersault provides unique work experience and much needed
income to high school and university students each summer.
These students work primarily behind the scenes to make
our events successful.
Students
can also work off their volunteer hours in many of our races,
because charities do benefit from each of our events. Students
interested in this experience should contact
us at info@somersault.ca.
awards and medals
We provide medals for finishers in all races - at the
finish line.
Participants
in the top 3 in their age, weight, or relay category receive
a finisher's gold, silver, or bronze medal "Add On", which can be picked up from the Awards Table, immediately after the awards are posted. The medal 'Add On' must be picked up at the event,. It cannot be claimed after event day.
The
first place male and female in all events receives a merchandise
prize. All participants are eligible for draw prizes at
each event, but must be there to be eligible.
certificates of performance
We are offering a certificate to each participant. You will be able to access and download an official finisher's certificate, with proof of your performance, on Wednesday after the race from our web site. We are excited about this program because it is accessible to all of you, and it recognizes each individual effort and performance.
awards
not picked up on race day
Due to the administrative cost and time required to process
post race requests for medals, we require that all Medal Add Ons, be picked up on race day. If you want a medal "Add On" after race
day, you must mail a self addressed stamped envelope to Somersault Promotions, 411 Lefebvre Way, Ottawa,
K1E 2W5.
championchip
timing
We use Championchip Timing at all Somersault races.
This timing system requires that all participants wear a
ChampionChip Bracelet on their ankle (Anklet) during the race.
This bracelet contains a computer chip that allows you to
be timed. No chip = no time.
You are responsible for
obtaining your ChampionChip Bracelet on race morning from
the timing people at their 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 bracelets.
You must return your ChampionChip Bracelet
immediately after you cross the finish line.
You are responsible for the cost of your chip if it is not
returned - and it is expensive!.
your
results (age as of December 31, 2008)
Your personal results will be posted very soon after you
finish the race. Please check the results as soon
as you can, to be sure they are accurate. If
there are discrepancies, go to the timing van near the
Finish Line and provide them with the information you think
is correct. Have the timing people make changes before you leave
the event site. Results
will be posted on the http://www.somersault.ca/results.htm web site the evening of the race.
souvenir
shirt
Our colourful event T-shirts are popular and cool.
If your entry is received by Sunday, before each race, you
get a souvenir shirt free - including students! There are no exceptions
to this deadline, so enter early. You may want to
upgrade to a Tech Shirt for an extra $15.
Please Note: 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 shirt. Please do not request a shirt after the event.
zoomphoto.ca photography
We are pleased to be able to offer a photo program for participants in the Eastern Triathlon Series. Zoomphoto.ca will be offering you classy photos commemorating your participation. Just go to www.zoomphoto.ca the day after the event, to view and/or purchase your photo.
clydesdales & athenas
All Somersault Triathlons and Duathlons (except Try A Tri and Super Sprint) will have Clydesdale
(Men) and Athena (Women) categories. Clydesdale is for men who weigh 200 lbs. or
more and Athena is for women who weigh 150 lbs or more.
If you choose one of these categories when you enter, you
are not eligible for the age category. We weigh in
contestants at Race Kit Pick Up.
food
and refreshments
This year you will enjoy fruit, bagels, water, and Gatorade at the finish line - both participants and volunteers.
courses
and course measurement
All run courses are measured, and meet the generally accepted
criteria of the sport. Swim courses are measured by survey
instrument or GPS. Bicycle courses are measured by automobile
odometer and are guaranteed to be within 5% of the advertised
distance. Participants
are responsible to know and to stay on the courses at
all times. The courses are described on the entry information
and a map will be posted in the T-Zone on event day.
aid
stations on course
Water and Gatorade are available every 2.5Km or less, on all run
courses. This is supplemented in the longer endurance
races with energy bars and fruit - and in the case of
the Iron Distance Canadian, with several other nutritional items.
volunteers
All events are dependent on significant volunteer support.
We recruit volunteers locally, and also offer a donation
to clubs or groups that can bring a group of volunteers
to the event. In addition, we often accept volunteers
on the day of the race, to replace those who don't show
up. If you would like to help out, contact us at info@somersault.ca.
If you are accompanying a participant, it can be an interesting
way to enjoy your visit. Most
of the races also offer a souvenir T-shirt.
race
day age - Ages are as of December
31, 2008. Your
age on that day will determine the age category in which
you will be placed. As long as you enter your birth date
correctly when you enter, there won’t be any mistakes
on your results.
entry
fee conditions
Due to the nature of outdoor events and to the fact that
entry fees fund race operations, there are no refunds
for any reason in Somersault events.
VISA, Master Card, cheques and cash are acceptable up to
Sunday before each race. Credit cards are accepted
for online entries only, up to Sunday before each race. All entries received after Sunday before each race may only
be made at Race Kit Pick Up (cash only). Souvenir
T-shirts are only included with your entry if you enter by Sunday,
before each race - no exceptions.
officiating, safety, and medical surcharge
In addition to the entry fee, a surcharge of $4 per entrant and $6 per relay team is being levied, to cover the costs of retaining race officials, safety and medical personnel costs, and the club of the event program.
entry
deadlines
There are 5 Entry Fee Deadlines for each Somersault event.
1. December 31, 2007 - 20% off
on entry fees (online only)
2.
January 31, 2008 - 15% off entry fees (online only)
3. March 15, 2008 - 10% off entry fees (online only)
4. Monday at midnight two weeks
before each race is the Regular Entry Fee Deadline
5. Sunday midnight before each
race is the On-line, Mail In, Drop Off& Online Entry
Deadline
6. Sunday midnight before each race is the Souvenir Shirt Deadline
7. Morning of the race - Late
Entry Deadline
rules
and regulations
The event rules and regulations are set out in a separate section. It is every participant’s
responsibility to know and to adhere to the rules. Take
time to become familiar with them.
swim
waves
Decisions on how many and the order of swim waves will
be made on the day of the race. Swim wave starts will
be no more than 5 minutes apart.
event
day flow
It is important to know the flow on event day. This will
reduce your anxiety level and will contribute to a smooth flowing
event. Here are some Somersault tips that
will assist you in planning your event day.
- Arrive early - at the beginning of the Race Day Race
Kit Pick Up.
- Pick up your Race Kit before race day morning unless
it is absolutely impossible.
- Plan your drive and parking in advance.
- Read all the event rules, information, and tips before race
day.
- Go directly to the Race Kit Pick Up on race day.
(if you haven't already picked up!)
- Bring cash if you haven’t paid your entry fee.
No other form of payment is acceptable.
- Proceed to the T-Zone to set up and familiarize yourself
with the T-Zone flow.
- Go to the body marking station in the T-Zone to buddy up on the body marking.
- Pick up your ChampionChip Timing Bracelet at the
Sportstats tent and check out the start area, and plan your
route to the start.
- Listen carefully to morning announcements that may
announce changes.
- Arrive at the start line 10 minutes early.
contact
us
Contact us at info@somersault.ca
if you have any questions, that are not answered above. |
