2022 Columbia River Triathlon Pre-Race Instructions

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Columbia River Triathlon & Endurance Sports Festival with Girlfriends Triathlon Pre-Race Instructions 

Welcome to the Columbia River Triathlon Festival and Girlfriends Triathlon weekend! It has been a fantastic triathlon season, and here we are at the end of the 2022 triathlon season. 

There is a lot of important information in your PRE-RACE INSTRUCTIONS for you to review. It’s a long instruction list, but we want to answer all your questions so you can enjoy a stress-free race. So sometime this week, sit back, relax & review the material and start to get excited about Frenchman’s Bar. 

Note: Online registration is still open so tell all your friends they can still join in the fun! Forward this email and let them know they can register on the Columbia River Triathlon Website or Girlfriends Triathlon Website Page, and maybe you’ll inspire them to TRI or DU it! ☺  Use the link to register your Kids for the FREE Kids Triathlon on FRIDAY and Sunset 5K & 10K. That’s one of our favorite parts of the whole weekend! Get your pals together and show them this amazing sport we all LOVE!

BEAST MedalAre you one of those people?! You know, someone who is always looking to do an incredibly insane, seemingly impossible task.  Well, if so, and if you are planning on participating in a race on Friday & Saturday at Columbia River Sunset 5K/10K or the Kids Tri and then race one of the Columbia River Triathlon events, you will earn a special WHY RACING BEAST Medal. But that is not all! If you ladies race Friday, Saturday, and Girlfriends Tri on Sunday – you will earn the Beast Coin, Triple Headed Beast Medal and the a Girlfriends Necklace! WOW, that is a lot of Beast awards happening!  

VOLUNTEERS:  We still need a number of good volunteers. If you have family or friends who are coming to support you, ask them if they’d like to volunteer and get front-row seats to all the action. They can email marla@whyracingevents.com if they are willing to help. Also, did you know that you could also race one day and volunteer on the other day and earn credits for future races? We love having athletes volunteer because you understand the needs of those racing and always take the role seriously. If you are racing on Sunday, it would be wonderful for you to come and help support the Kids Tri and Sunset 5K on Saturday, which will have many new and junior athletes racing. It would be a fabulous way to assist them and give them a great experience with our sport. If you volunteer or recruit a volunteer for us, you can earn a $20-$25 race credit towards a future race or a donation to a club/team/non-profit! Maybe some of our Tri Clubs would like to earn some $$ for a team party?! Remember, there’s no way we could put on this event without the help and support of our volunteer team, so please be extra nice to our course marshals, aid station helpers, body markers, and anyone helping out, including our Flaggers, Police Officers and Motorcycle Safety team. Thank them as often as possible because we want them to all come back next year! ☺

 

PACKET PICKUP/REGISTRATION

Thursday, August 11th, 10 AM to 7 PM at: 

Foot Traffic Vancouver

305 SE Chkalov Drive, #122

Vancouver, WA 98683

Friday, August 12th, 2 PM to 7 PM

Frenchman’s Bar

9612 NW Lower River Road

Vancouver, WA 98660 

Saturday, August 13th, 6 AM to 2 PM

Frenchman’s Bar

9612 NW Lower River Road

Vancouver, WA 98660

Sunday, August 14th, 7 AM to 10 AM

Frenchman’s Bar

9612 NW Lower River Road

Vancouver, WA 98660

Your bib has a 10% off tag that you can use at Foot Traffic if you need to pick up some gear. It also has a $30 coupon at Elements Massage, perfect for after your race! Let’s support our partners for all they do for our multi-sport community! Be sure to have your ID or USAT Membership card with you!

If you cannot pick up at the times listed above, we will still accommodate you on race morning but be sure to get to the site very early to avoid delays. Try not to wait until Race Day, if possible, to make it a more manageable, stress-free race day for all.

NOTE: USAT sanctions our events and you are required to pick up your own packets. In the event you cannot make it to Packet Pickup, USAT is pioneering a program with us that allows you to have someone else pick up your package, but you must sign and print this form and send it with them as well as a copy of your ID, this is an insurance requirement helping to assure that athletes don’t give their Bib to someone else to race – an act that would be strictly prohibited for safety reasons.   

LOCATION & PARKINGRace festivities & transition areas are located at Frenchman’s Bar – 9612 NW Lower River Road, Vancouver, WA 98660. Note – you will not be able to access the park entrance after 8 AM on Saturday, August 13th, once the Sprint event starts. You will not be able to access the park entrance after 9 AM on Sunday, August 14th, once the event starts. 

 ***PLEASE NOTE*** The road from Frenchman’s Bar to Vancouver Lake will be closed until all the cyclists from both the Sprint and Olympic are off the course on Saturday (roughly around 11:30) and Sunday for Girlfriends Sprint Tri (roughly around 11:00), this is for the athlete’s safety, NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.  If you need to leave the park early or do not wish to wait until the road opens, please park at Vancouver Lake and ride or walk your bike into Frenchman’s Bar, as you will not be able to leave the park until the road opens. ***NO EXCEPTIONS***  

Frenchman’s Bar charges a parking fee of $3 per vehicle. To keep the lines to a minimum on race day, we are providing parking passes for you to purchase during packet pick-up.  You can purchase parking online HEREParking passes will be available at the gate on race morning; they will not be in your race packet.  Try not to come in too late, or you will experience significant delays trying to get into the park. There is only one way into the park, and there will be a line to get in; please allow for this time. 

 

START TIME & WHEN TO ARRIVE: 

Friday Kids Tri starts at 5 PM 

Please arrive and have your kiddos’ transition setup by 4:45 PM. We will start the 6 & Under at 5:00 PM with 7-10-year-olds approx 5:20 PM and 11-15 years old approx 5:40 PM. Parents – PLEASE READ THE KIDS TRI LETTER before heading to the event site, so you know what to expect when you arrive.

Friday Sunset 5K/10K Starts at 7 PM 

Please arrive prior to 6:45 PM to allow for parking. 

Saturday Columbia River Triathlon at 8 AM

Saturday races will start at 8:00 AM with wave starts for the Triathlons & AquaBike, and Mass Starts for the Duathlon. The transition area will open at 6:00 AM; we suggest you plan to arrive between 6:00 – 7:15 AM at the latest to allow enough time to get situated and organized in the transition area, use the restroom, warm up and get yourself mentally and physically prepared. Pre-race announcements will begin at approximately 7:45 AM. You have a ½ mile walk up the sand/path to get to your Sprint Swim Start. Please allow for this time to get to the start line. 

ALL Duathlon start at the Black Why Racing Finish Line Arch. 

 

FRIDAY SCHEDULE:

  • Registration and packet pickup open at 2 PM at Frenchman’s Bar.
  • Kids Tri Races – Start at approximately 5 PM.  See Details below in the Kids Race section. (Online registration closes 15 minutes before the event start, you can skip the line and register at home, then pick up a packet.) 
  • Sunset 5K & 10k – Starts at 7 PM

 

SATURDAY SCHEDULE (SPRINT & OLYMPIC WAVE CHART):

  • Sprint Triathlon: ½ mile Swim, 12 Mile (11.77 Miles) Bike, 5K Run (Start Time – 8:00 AM in waves)
  • Sprint Duathlon: 5k Run, 12 Mile (11.77 Miles), 5k Run (Start Time – 8:00 AM mass start)
  • Sprint AquaBike: ½ mile Swim, 12 Mile (11.77 Miles) (Start Time in Sprint AQUABIKE WAVE)
  • Olympic Triathlon:1.5K Swim, 22.8 Mile Bike, 10K Run (Start Time – 8:30 AM in waves)
  • Olympic Duathlon: 5k Run, 22.8 Mile Bike, 10K Run (Start Time – 8:30 AM mass start)
  • Olympic AquaBike: 1.5K Swim, 22.8 Mile Bike (Start Time – in OLY AQUABIKE WAVE)

 

SUNDAY SCHEDULE (GIRLFRIENDS WAVE CHART):

  • Sprint Triathlon: ½ mile Swim, 12 Mile (11.77 Miles) Bike, 5K Run (Start Time – 9:00 AM in waves)
  • Sprint Duathlon: 5k Run, 12 Mile (11.77 Miles), 5k Run (Start Time – 9:00 AM mass start)
  • Sprint AquaBike: ½ mile Swim, 12 Mile (11.77 Miles) (Start Time in Sprint AQUABIKE WAVE)

Columbia River & Girlfriends Triathlon Festival Wave Starts 2022

SATURDAY SPRINT WAVE STARTS – ATHLETES NEED TO WALK ½ MILE UPSTREAM

  • Wave #1 (8:00 AM) Paddle Triathlon – NO Cap
  • Wave #2 (8:00 AM) SPRINT DU – ALL PARTICIPANTS
  • Wave #3 (8:03 AM) Males 39 years and under – GREEN CAP
  • Wave #4 (8:06 AM) Females 39 years and under – ORANGE CAP
  • Wave #5 (8:09 AM) Males 40 years and over and Clydesdale– WHITE CAP
  • Wave #6  (8:12 AM) Females 40 years and over, including Athena, Friends & Family, ALL SPRINT RELAY TEAMS & ALL SPRINT AQUABIKE ATHLETES– NAVY BLUE CAP

SATURDAY OLYMPIC WAVE STARTS – ATHLETES START AT THE ORANGE ARCH

  • Wave #7 (8:45 AM) Paddle Tri – No Cap
  • Wave #8 (8:45 AM) OLYMPIC DU – ALL PARTICIPANTS
  • Wave #9 (8:48 AM) Males 39 years and under – YELLOW CAP
  • Wave #10 (8:51 AM) Females 39 years and under –PINK CAP
  • Wave #11 (8:54 AM) Males 40 years and over and Clydesdale– BLUE CAP
  • Wave #12  (8:57 AM) Females 40 years and over, including Athena, Friends & Family, ALL OLYMPIC RELAY TEAMS & ALL OLYMPIC AQUABIKE ATHLETES – GREY CAP

GIRLFRIENDS SWIM WAVE STARTS – SUNDAY – ATHLETES NEED TO WALK ½ MILE UPSTREAM

  • Wave #1 (9:00 AM) – GIRLFRIENDS DU – ALL PARTICIPANTS
  • Wave #2  (9:00)  – CHARITY WAVE   (PINK CAPS)
  • Wave #3  (9:05)  – Ages 29 and under    (RED CAPS)
  • Wave #4  (9:08)  – Ages 30-39   (NAVY BLUE CAP)
  • Wave #5  (9:11)   – Ages 40-49   (BLUE CAP)
  • Wave #6  (9:14)  – Age 50+ & ATHENA (PURPLE CAP)
  • Wave #7 (9:17) ALL AQUABIKE & ALL RELAYS & FRIENDS/FAMILY (GREY CAPS)
  • 5K – Starts at 9 AM

MANDATORY ATHLETE DEBRIEFING – All athletes must have their transition set up and be out of the transition area by 7:45 AM for Sprint Distance, 8:30 AM for Olympic Distance on Saturday, and 8:45 AM on Sunday. Once the timing mats go live just prior to 8 AM, if you cross them, it will start your timing and negatively affect your results. Athletes arriving at the park after 7:30 AM will not have time to set up and be at their race start by 7:45 AM and may not be allowed to participate due to safety issues. We ask all participants to be at their race start location in time for the final athlete de-briefing at 7:45 AM (Duathletes to the start line at the WHY Racing Black Finishing arch START/FINISH; Triathletes and AquaBike athletes to the beach). 

Sprint Athletes – will walk .50 mile up the Columbia River to the Sprint Swim Chute – for your 7:45 AM Debriefing. 

Olympic Athletes – will walk down the Swim Chute to your swim start at the Oly Swim/IN and All distances Swim/Out – for your 8:30 Debriefing. 

IN YOUR RACE PACKET – In your packet, you will find your Bib Number (this must be worn on your front during the run and visible when you cross the finish line), your Helmet Number (put on the front of your helmet), bike number (place on your bike before entering the transition to set up), and a recyclable timing strap (must be worn on your left ankle throughout the race). *Please note that the timing strap number and the bib number will not match, this is 100% ok.  Your race will be tracked by your bib #, not the # on your timing strap.* At Packet Pickup, you will also receive a swim cap (color designates your start wave – always pay close attention to the specific wave start announcements as, on occasion, an athlete may have been given an incorrect cap color) View Wave Charts Here, and your finisher’s shirt.

BEFORE ENTERING TRANSITION AREAFor the safety of your bike and equipment, only athletes are allowed in the transition area.  You must have your body marked, helmet, and bike number stickers on your bike & helmet before you will be allowed in. When you enter/exit, you will be asked to show your Bib number and your Body Marking, and it must match the number on your bike.  Please don’t get upset at the volunteers for enforcing this rule – it’s in your best interest.  A triathlon transition spot would be a prime location for bike thieves!  Also note, when setting up your transition spot, please set up your bike based on your bib number – Relay teams and Friends & Family athletes are in a separate location. Also, be sure not to take up too much space – we have to fit a lot of triathletes into the area.  Set up your bike, and then right beside or under your bike, set up a small towel with all your stuff on the towel. A good rule of thumb is not to use any more than 1.5 feet of space beside your bike.  Also, make a mental note of your transition area location to help you remember where to find your bike when you exit out of the water as well as the Bike Out and Run Out exits – it’s really easy to get disoriented. It is important that you understand the flow of the transition area because timing mats are set up at these specific exits/entrances to collect your separate event splits. 

BODY MARKING: When you arrive, volunteers will mark your body with a marker for safety reasons. 

Left Calf – Your event will go on your Left Calf; that way you can easily see if you are racing another athlete in the same category.

  • “O” for Olympic or “S” for Sprint
  • “T” for Triathlon
  • “D” for Duathlon.
  • “AQ” for AquaBike
  • “P” for Paddle

Right Calf – Your age will go on your Right Calf – that way you can easily see from behind if that athlete is in your age group and whether you need to speed up! 😉 If you are on a Relay Team, let us know and we’ll place an R on your right calve too.

Both Arms – Your Bib # will go on both arms.  

COURSESThe courses are fast, flat, and scenic, with magnificent views of the Columbia River & Mt. Hood. If you would like to study the courses for each distance, please go to the course details link.  Remember that although we will have course signage and volunteers directing you, all athletes are still responsible for understanding the course. A couple of important notes:

 

  • Sprint Bike Courses are one-loop course
  • Olympic Bike Course is a two-loop course
  • The Olympic cyclist will turn around just north of the BIKE IN/BIKE OUT along NW Erwin O Rieger Memorial Hwy. We will have signage and volunteers directing you but be sure to pay attention. The Sprint cyclists turn into the BIKE IN and their portion of the cycle will be done. PAY ATTENTION so as not to go into the wrong chute at this point. Volunteers will direct you.  
  • RUN COURSE – The Sunset 5K, as well as the 5K/10K for Multi-Sport events, travels out of Frenchman’s Bar Park along the paved path for an out and back for all distances. Make sure to watch for what distance you are running and look for your turn-around sign.  

 

AQUABIKE ATHLETES: This race category is perfect for non-runners and those suffering from an injury. Once you have completed your Swim and Bike distances, your race is over. However, rack your bike and make your way to the finish line so you can cross it, receive your medal and have your name announced just like everyone else.  We want to celebrate your accomplishment!

 

WATER STATIONS: There is one water station on the Sprint Run Courses and two water stations along the Olympic run, including water and energy drinks. Cyclists will need to carry their own hydration and fuel on their bikes.

There is one water station along the Sunset 5K course and 3 water stations along the 10K course. 

BATHROOM FACILITIES: We’ve ordered Porta-potties for the start/finish/transition area. There are public restrooms at Frenchman’s Bar as well as Vancouver Lake Regional Park for our Olympic athletes as they run their 10K. 

 

BIKE TROUBLE: Dialed Cycle Lab will be available at the transition area to assist you with any bike issues. If you have a mechanical failure and are unable to fix it along the course, flag down a volunteer, motorcycle team, or event crew so they can help you get back to the finish line.  If you need pre-race assistance, please call Jake and his team at 360-474-7275.  

RULES OF THE ROAD AND THE RACE: All athletes will be competing under the USAT Rules of Competition. You need to be familiar with these rules. Important rules include:

  • No Drafting or blocking – you can’t ride right behind another cyclist or right beside another cyclist because it offers an unfair advantage.  So if you come up to another cyclist, you must pass them in a timely manner, and they must drop back and not draft off of you.  
  • You must wear a helmet, and it must be strapped before you leave the transition area.
  • ABSOLUTELY NO PERSONAL MUSIC DEVICES/IPODS/EARBUDS during the Bike course.  Because of the safety risk, this is grounds for immediate disqualification.
  • Do not ride your bike inside the transition area. Watch for the Mount and Dismount signs. 

RULES FOR MUSIC ALONG THE RUNS: During any running segments, we prefer athletes NOT use music devices to maximize safety, assure a fair competitive environment and assure athletes can hear all course marshal instructions. With that said, we also understand that many athletes rely on music to help endure the challenge of running.  To accommodate the needs of our athletes while still assuring maximum safety and a fair, competitive environment, here is the arrangement that we can accommodate.
•    If you choose to use a personal music device, you must always keep one ear open for instructions so only one ear-bud can be used at any time.
•    If you are using a personal music device with two earbuds, you will be immediately disqualified. Trust us, we don’t want to have to enforce a disqualification but in order to assure the safety of all athletes, this is a very important rule.  
•    We also request that if you choose to use a personal music device that you keep the volume to a minimum to assure all instructions can be heard.  

RELAY TEAMS: Teams are a great way to bond with friends, family & co-workers in a fun and active way! After having your body marked, please place your gear and bike at the designated RELAY area in transition. Each Relay member will receive a timing chip. The swimmer will wear the designated Swim cap for Relay Teams (not their age group), the Biker will place the Bike Stickers on their bike and helmet and the Runner will wear the Running Bib. After body marking, please place your gear and bikes at the designated “Relay” area in the Transition. During the competition, the swimmer will complete their swim and then will tag the cyclist in the relay zone who will then un-rack their bike and walk/run through transition to mount their bike. Once they return from their ride, they will rack their back and then tag the runner who can then take off for their running segment. Once your relay segment is complete, remove your timing strap and leave it in transition so you can freely walk around without it inadvertently affecting your team splits. We encourage all Relay Members to meet their runner at the finish line and run across together to collect your finishers’ medal as a team.

WETSUITS are optional for this event but will provide warmth and buoyancy. 

SAFETY BOATS – Boats & kayaks will be positioned around the swim course for your safety. If you need help during your swim, simply move towards the inside of the course, raise your arm, and yell. You may hold onto the side of the boat and take a break if needed. If you choose to be pulled into the boat, you will be transported to the shore and disqualified. If you are nervous about the swim, let the rest of the athletes in your wave go and then start in a more relaxed fashion without getting kicked or hit.

MEDICAL & FIRST AIDWestern States University will be overseeing our Non-Emergency Medical needs and will be located at the finish line.  We will also have an Ambulance onsite for any Emergency Medical needs. If you witness or are having any type of medical issue, immediately seek out a race official or volunteer who will get help and/or call 911. If you discontinue the race for whatever reason, please notify a race official immediately. 

TECH-SHIRTS:  Due to the lead time necessary to order shirts prior to the race, shirts/sizes are only guaranteed to participants who registered a month prior to race day. Late registered participants or those wanting to swap t-shirts can check the T-shirt swap on Sunday from 9-Noon if they did not receive a shirt at Packet Pickup. 

CHANGE OF CLOTHES: Please be sure to bring a change of clothes so you can get out of your racing gear and enjoy the post-event festivities. It will make all the fun activities so much better if you aren’t sitting around in cold, wet clothes.

POST-RACE MEAL & FESTIVITIESFestivities include DJ, FREE Crux Fermentation Project and NoMO, and a post-race meal. Here’s a glimpse at your post-race meal:

Friday

  • Hot Dogs 
  • Chips and Cookies
  • Fruit
  • Gatorade, Bang, and Water provided by Corwin
  • And of course, Crux Fermentation Project / NoMo  #WILLSWIMFORBEER #WILLRUNFORBEER #WILLBIKEFORBEER #TRANSITION3

 

Saturday

  • Pancakes, Syrup, Butter  (Gluten Free option)
  • Sausage
  • Fruit 
  • And of course, Crux Fermentation Project / NoMo  #WILLSWIMFORBEER #WILLRUNFORBEER #WILLBIKEFORBEER #TRANSITION3

Sunday

  • Pancakes, Strawberries and Cream, Syrup, Butter (Gluten Free option)
  • Sausage
  • Fruit 
  • Mimosas  
  • And of course, Crux Fermentation Project / NoMo  #WILLSWIMFORBEER #WILLRUNFORBEER #WILLBIKEFORBEER #TRANSITION3

 

FINISHER MEDALS: After you finish the race, you will receive your finisher’s medal.  Congratulations! You did it! They look super cool!  

RESULTSCascadia Timing will be timing the event, and they will have kiosks available right at the finish line where you can view your results immediately. If you notice any errors, please alert the Timing van immediately – sometimes people change race distances and don’t let us know, which negatively affects results, or sometimes there is a timing chip malfunction. If we can be alerted to these errors prior to the Awards Ceremony, it helps a ton!  Results will be posted online post-event at the Columbia River Triathlon Results Link or Girlfriends Triathlon Results Link

 

AWARDS/PRIZES: The awards ceremony will be held as soon as enough athletes have finished allowing for a full set of awards – approximately 6:45 pm on Saturday for the Sunset 5K and 10:30 AM-Noon on Saturday & Sunday for the Multi-Sport events. Awards will be available for the Top 3 Overall Male & Female and Masters Male & Female (these will be taken out of age groups – no double-dipping!).  If you finished 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in your age group or division, you can pick up your Age Group medal besides the stage at the Awards Table. 

CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP:  Club Champions will be awarded at the end of the entire 2022 Why Racing multi-sport racing season. Clubs will receive points for performance at each race, the total # of people from their club participating at each event, and volunteer hours. The big question is, who is going to get bragging rights?!  Is it Portland Tri Club, O2 Endurance, Tri PDX, Willamette Triathlon Club, Multnomah Athletic Club, Deschutes Multisport Club, TRIumph, OSU Tri Club, Dialed Tri Club, or another emerging club? The key is making sure that each member of your team who is racing has submitted that they are racing for your team. Please email registration@whyracingevents.com with a list of club members who are racing so we can make sure they are listed under your club for results. Let us acknowledge you and your Clubs’ efforts at helping more people cross the multi-sport finish line!

WHY RACING MULTI-SPORT EVENT AWARDS:  This is your last weekend to earn points for the MULTI-SPORT Awards Series. Who is the Best in the Northwest amongst the Why Racing Triathletes & Duathletes? We created an annual Why Racing Event series in order to acknowledge both speed AND the ability to endure within the sports of Triathlon & Duathlon locally. Winning one race or your age group is extremely impressive but can you sustain that type of performance throughout the entire season? You can check out the Olympic Point Series and the Sprint Point Series to see where you stand.  Athletes have already started accumulating points at Spring Classic, PDX Triathlon, Pacific Crest, and Hagg Lake; this is your last chance to earn points for the series! 

LOST & FOUND: Any equipment that is unmarked will be returned to the stage during the event. After the event, we will take any remaining items to the Why Racing office and you can contact us to locate them. Please come to the event with all personal belongings well marked with your name. 

FREE RACE PHOTOS – Thanks IQ Credit UnionRace photographers will be on-site to capture your event performance. Be sure that your sticker is on the front of your helmet and your bib number is visible on your front during your run so your photos can be matched to your race number.  Watch for the cameras en route and give us a big, cheesy smile, a thumbs up or a goofy jump – those are always the most fun! Once photos are available, you will receive an email, and they will be posted on the Columbia River Results / Photos or Girlfriends Triathlon Photo / Results tab. You will be able to download them for FREE, courtesy of IQ Credit Union!

KIDS TRIATHLON: Remember to sign your kids up for the Kids Tri! Most kids love to swim, bike, and run – so we say, why not give them a chance to put it all together in one fun and fantastic race! There’s nothing more fun and exciting than to see happy, proud, young faces crossing the finish line – you might just see a future superstar triathlete blossoming into the sport! Kids Tri race entry includes a t-shirt, cool medal, body marking, bike stickers, and crossing the same finish line as the adults so they get the full experience and the kids can brag about their well-earned accomplishment. All details about the Kid’s races are on our Columbia River Tri Page

SPORTS & FITNESS EXPOThere is absolutely no way we could have pulled this event together without the support from our Sponsors. So please check out their displays, sample products, learn about these great companies, and join us in thanking… 

PEACEHEALTH * IQ Credit Union 

Foot Traffic * Northwest Personal Training

Franz Bakery * Corwin

McCord’s Vancouver Toyota *

Crux Fermentation Project * NOMO* Dialed Cycling Lab * XTERRA* PowerBar Sport* Dr. Jared Bowyer

Our City Cares * Harper’s Playground * Fred Meyer

Waste Connections * AMR 

 

Vendors

Bring your wallet! We have several wellness vendors and a Lululemon pop-up store, Why Merch Tent and so much more!!

Kona Ice * KM Body Works * Nutri Gardens * Wellness Tradition * Discover Balance

Cycle Bar * Northwest Personal Training * IQ Credit Union * Lululemon * Evolution Health Care * Dutch Bros * Renewal by Anderson * Body Mechanics School * Therapydia * Stretch Zone * Mindful Proteins * Injections & Infusion Center * Pink Lemonade Project 

The best way to thank these companies is to do business with them because you appreciate the support they give to athletes like YOU and all the schools and clubs which will benefit from the event.

SPECTATORS:  The best approach for your family, friends, and cheerleaders is to park and watch you swim.  Then they can watch you transition onto your bike. Then they can walk over through Vancouver Lake Regional Park to watch you on your bike and run. Then they can head to the finish line to watch you cross the finish line. Be sure to tell them to make signs for you, bring cowbells, and bring you flowers for the finish. Especially if this is your first Triathlon, Duathlon, or AquaBike, you’ve got to celebrate! It’s a big accomplishment! 

BENEFICIARIES:  Why Racing Events Inc.is proud to support and feature at the Columbia Triathlon and Girlfriend’s Triathlon: Our City Cares, whose mission is to unite communities to combat suicide and Harper’s Playground, which inspires vital communities by creating inviting playgrounds for people of all abilities.  We also support High School Sports programs and various local non-profits. As a result of your participation in these events, over $3,000,000 in donations has been raised for various local clubs, teams, and non-profits. Some of the sports programs we support rely completely on our donations for their yearly funding. We want to thank all of you for participating in this event and allowing us the opportunity to extend this support. 

FACEBOOK: Can we be friends?!  If you haven’t yet, please like our Why Racing Events Facebook pages for all event updates, tips, and inspiration. 

https://www.facebook.com/WhyRacingEvents Also be sure to join the Columbia River Triathlon Facebook Event page and the Girlfriends Triathlon Facebook Event Page where we will post photos, results, and any essential event updates 

REMEMBER YOUR WHY:  We all have a common WHY for 2022 and that is COMMUNITY! You are all racing for different reasons as well. Some of you are super competitive and are racing to win overall or in your age group or division. Some of you will just be ecstatic to cross the finish. Some of you are racing to reach for your personal best or to get into great shape. Some of you race to be able to eat whatever you want. Some of you do it for energy, to help you look and feel better, some do it for fun or to meet new people. Some of you do it so you can have a beer or a glass of wine. Regardless of your WHY, let us congratulate you on pushing your limits, and by doing so remember that you will inspire so many others! One of the best things you can do immediately to help support running, multi-sport, and your fellow athletes of all ages, fitness levels, shapes, sizes, and abilities, is to offer lots of support and praise to each other on race day. As you pass someone, tell them how great they’re doing! And as you’re getting passed, tell them how strong they look. Cheer each other on, it makes the time pass by quickly and empowers you and everyone else on the course! Have fun, be safe and enjoy the entire experience!  You’re already a winner just by showing up!

Last, I’d like to give a big shout-out to our team at Why Racing Events for working so hard as a team to pull this event off!  I feel so honored to work with a team that is so passionate about helping others get to the finish line and giving back to our community. 

See you soon and keep training hard and smart!

 

Karissa & Rod Schoene and the entire Why Racing Event Crew 

Ps. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR OUR ROOKIES:  You probably have a lot of questions!  We pulled together some tips that you can access here to help you know what to bring, how to set up your transition, nutrition tips, and other important race day info. Take your time reviewing it to help assure a fabulous race day experience!