The Ottawa Early Bird Triathlon & Duathlon is a great early season warm up for the avid participant, and a super first time event for the beginner. The pool swim is safe and warm, and features a time trial start to help ensure you are not lapped. The cycle course is scenic and traffic-free along Colonel By Drive and single lane traffic along University Dr. The run courses are on traffic-free recreational pathways and mostly flat.

The "Try a Tri" event is for everyone, but is especially well suited for beginners and young participants. If you have always wanted to try one, this is a great opportunity.

bytown triathlon club - official charity

The official charity of the Early Bird is the Bytown Triathlon Club.  Please consider making a donation on race day or better still, you can download the pledge form and get your friends to pledge your support to the BTC.

event highlights

• Medals for all finisher at the finish line
• Personalized participant bib numbers
• Clydesdale & Athena Categories in Tri & Du
• Early season entry fee discounts

brightroom hotography

We are pleased to be able to offer a photo program for participants in the Early Bird events.  Brightroom will be offering you classy photos commemorating your participation.  Just go to www.brightroom.com several days after the event for your photo.

general participant information
All entrants are required to be familiar with the "General Information", "Rules and Procedures" 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.

events & distances

somersault's commitment to youth
Somersault Promotions is dedicated to providing support to children and youth in sport and physical activity. This year it is directed to the Bytown Triathlon Club.  

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

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

event day schedule

Ottawa Tourist Information

participation categories (Age as December 31, 2006)

pecco's bike tech stop
The Pecco's crew will be on-site to meet all your mechanical needs.

try a tri
This is for anyone, but especially for beginners and fit, healthy people who have always wanted to "Try a Tri". The more fit and competitive are encouraged to enter the regular Triathlon or Duathlon races. Mountain Bikes and Hybrid Bikes are welcomed in this event, and the roads are traffic-free for your safety.

teen try a tri and sprint

Yes, the first wave of the Try A Tri will be teenagers 14-15 years of age.  Come on out and tri one - bring your mountain bike if you don't have a road bike - its fun!

Juvenile and Junior teenagers, age 16-19 are encouraged to join us, for this event.

souvenir shirt - Up to Sunday May 14
Our colourful event shirts are popular.  If your entry is received by Sunday May 7th you get one free (those 18 and under must pay $10 in addition to their entry fee to get one). There are no exceptions to this deadline, so enter early.  You may want to upgrade to a "Tech" shirt for an extra $13. Note: 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, if you weren't there. 

ChampionChip timing 
We use ChampionChip Timing at all Somersault races.  This timing system requires that all participants wear a ChampionChip Bracelet on your ankle 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 Sportstats 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 bracelet. You must return your ChampionChip Bracelet to Sportstats 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, 2006)
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 Sportstats van near the Finish Line and provide them with the information you think is correct.  Results will only adjusted after race day, if it is our error.  Have the results people make changes before you leave the event site, or live with the results! Results will be posted at www.somersault.ca the evening of the race.

awards and prizes

• Medals for all finishers at the finish line
• Merchandise for first place overall in the Triathlon and Duathlon
• Medal Add Ons for the top three in all event categories
• Draw prizes for the lucky - if you are there!

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 place medals be picked up on race day.  If you want a medal after race day, you must mail a self addressed stamped envelope and $5 payable to Somersault Promotions.  Your medal will be mailed to you.  

entering 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.

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.

Each early season entry is allowed one event change, if the change request is made by the Monnday May 8.

entry fee discounts and deadlines

oat one day membership fee at race kit pick up
We are pleased to announce that this race is sanctioned by the Ontario Association of Triathletes (OAT). Each participant is required to pay a $5 one day membership fee to OAT at Race Kit Pick Up.  OAT members are not required to pay this fee but must show proof of membership. Should you wish to become an OAT member, please go to www.triathlonontario.com for more information and an application form.

entry fee conditions
There are no refunds for any reason - this includes event cancellation or event changes required by circumstances that are beyond our control, such as weather conditions.

Credit cards are only accepted for online entries. Entries received after Monday May 8th are subject to a late fee. Entries received at Race Kit Pick Up, are subject to an additional late fee and must be paid in cash.

Souvenir shirts are included with your entry up to Sunday May 14th only - no exceptions. Participants 18 and under pay $10 extra for a souvenir T-shirt.

race kit pick up & late registration

Pre Race Day - Friday, May 19th, 2006
Carleton University Athletic Building

3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Race Day  - Saturday, May 20th, 2006
Carleton University, Athletic Building
6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

food and refreshments
All participants and volunteers will enjoy fruit and bagels after the race. 

volunteers
If your kids, spouse, family members or friends are participating why not volunteer as an official and have some fun too!  Email us ahead of time if you will help, so we can assign you!

Thanks to the Bytown Triathlon Club for lending its volunteer support to this event.

Carleton University Athletic Building
You enter Carleton University from Bronson Ave. South of the Queensway in Ottawa. The Athletic Building is the first driveway on your left as you turn onto University Dr.

parking site & race kit pick up
Race day parking will be in the parking lots immediately to your right as you enter the University from Bronson Ave. You will be directed by marshals at this point.

It is a 400m walk to the Athletic Building from the parking lot.

Race Kit Pick Up: Registration is in the main Athletic Building which houses the pool, which is Building # 9 on the Campus Map below.

campus map

accommodations
Check out the websites on this site to locate a hotel or motel of your liking. Here are a few close to the University. We have not booked rooms or negotiated a rate for you, so you are on your own in making reservations.

Monterey Motor Inn
2259 Hwy. 16, Nepean, K2E 6Z8
(613)226-5813 or 1-800-565-1311
FAX (613) 226-5900

Rideau Heights Motor Inn
72 Rideau Heights Drive, K2E 7A6
(613) 226-4152 or 1-800-256-0825
FAX (613) 226-8655

Southway Inn
2431 Bank Street, K1V 8R9
(613) 737-0811 or 1-800-267-9704
FAX (613) 737-3207

course descriptions
500 & 100M Triathlon Swims
Swimmers complete a continuous swim over 2 (100M), or 10 (500M) lengths of the pool depending on their race distance. The swims feature time-trial starts - from fastest to slowest seed times - ensuring that few swimmers will be "lapped". Swimmers leave the pool as they finish the swim, and walk directly to the bicycle Transition Zone adjacent to the Field House.

2Km 1st Duathlon Run and 2nd Try A Tri Run
Runners start on Raven Rd. and run along Raven Rd., to University Dr. where they turn left.  They follow University Dr. to the 1Km turn around and retrace their steps to the T-Zone beside the Field House.

22.2 & 12.1Km Cycle
Cyclists leave the T-Zone and head directly to Colonel By Drive on Raven Rd. and University Dr. They turn right on Colonel By Drive and head North to the turn around at Pretoria Bridge. From there they travel South to the turn at the University entrance. Here the "Try A Tri" participants return on University Dr. to the T-Zone, while the Tri and Du participants do a second lap, turning at the corner of Colonel By Drive and University Ave. and return again to Pretoria Bridge. They make the turn at Pretoria and return to the University and the T-Zone at the Field House.

5Km Tri Run and 2nd Du Run
The 5Km run leaves the T-Zone and follows the path beside University Dr. to Colonel By Dr.  It turns right there and follows Colonel By to the 2.5Km turn around where it turns and returns to the Finish Line near the Field house.

race info updates:
On Wednesday before the race, we email all participants the latest update on the race - if you have provided a valid email address with your entry.  This info update is very important as it will identify  changes, and recommend race day procedures that will make your event day a better one.  Please provide an email address on your entry form , if you wish to receive the info update.  If you don't provide us with an email address, you can go to the "What's New" section at www.somersault.ca to obtain the information update.