Lake Evans Triathlon, 5k & 10k

NOTE:  The date has changed from 10/12 to 10/18

If you have registered and can not attened on the 18th, Click HERE for transfer options

What will you find at the Lake Evans Triathlon?

+ Finisher's Medal
+ Event T-Shirt
+ Prizes and Giveaways
+ Finisher's Meal
+ Music
+ Largest Team Competition

We went to Shaver Lake on Saturday (10/3) to assess the course.  The run course and bike course are mostly unaffected, except for some areas that have been cleared to prevent fires from spreading.  There is still lingering smoke, but has been improving. However, SoCal Edison is working to restore power and services in the area, and are using the parking lots at Camp Edison to stage equipment which forces us to go to Plan B.  We have scouted multiple venues, checked with local authorities for each, and tested water quality at available lakes. 

We have selected Lake Evans in Kern County as our best option.  Lake Evans is part of the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreation Area, a man-made lake which is at the edge of the former Buena Vista Lake, once the second largest lake in the Tulare Basin.

The course will be fast and flat and at lower altitude making this a great course for PRs.

Water Quality  Per USAT requirements, water quality is tested at each of our races.  We had samples from multiple venues tested by BSK Analytical Laboratories.   Test results indicate the water is safe for swimming.  Results are available on request.

Location  Lake Evans is South West of Bakersfield, CA near Taft

Preliminary Maps

800 Yard Swim  1600 Yard Swim  3.1 Mile Run  6.2 Mile Run  12 Mile Bike  24 Mile Bike

We know that the new location and date will not work for all participants so we have several options for registered athletes. By default, all current registrations will be at the new location.  

Other options:

• Transfer race entry to the virtual event and get your swag: Click for Instructions.
• Defer to an event next year: Click for Instructions.
• Donate your entry fee to the Shaver Lake Volunteer Fire Department
  (this is done as a transfer to an event called "donate")  Click for Instructions.

The water temperature on 10/12 was 76F. The water temperature on race day is expected to be low 70s and should be wetsuit legal. Air temperature  during the race is expected to be 65-75F.  While athletes will be encourage to leave the finish line area, there are lots of grassy areas and picnic tables throughout the Lake Evans area where you can relax after the event.

2021 Athlete guide.  Updated 2022 guide is coming soon

Your safety is our highest priority. We have included USAT, CDC, and health department recommendations in plans to safely return to racing. 

The COVID measures are subject to change based on current guidelines. The current measures listed below are our current plans for the event base on current guidelines and information.

Packet Pickup and Registration

• There will be no in person or paper registration. Online registration will remain open until race start.
• Early packet pickup will be drive up.

Race Day

• Masks are not required if you have been vaccinated.
• Where a mask based on your comfort and risk level.
• Face masks are available at registration, transition, and the finish line. 
• Pre-recorded race briefing will play in key locations such as transition and start line.
• Water Starts will be in a time trial start. Starting time will be recorded as athletes cross the start. 
• Duathlon, 5k and 10k runs will be a time trial start. Starting time will be recorded as athletes cross the start. 
• While aid stations will be provided, athletes are encouraged to bring their own water to limit contact
• Race tattoos will be provided in race packets and are recommended to be applied prior to arriving at the race venue.

Refund Policy Update

• If an athlete has a fever, suspects Covid symptoms, or is concerned about racing at this time they can defer or transfer their registration to another race. 

Return to Racing

We are transition back to "normal" racing including:

• Age group awards and podium.
• Up to 8 athletes per bike rack. Additional bike racks will be set up as space at the venue allows.
• Team bike racks! Contact the race to request a bike rack. Minimum of 5 team members to be eligible for a bike rack. If a team bike rack is requested, all athletes  registered as a team member must rack at the designated team racks. 
• Face masks are optional and will be available at the race.

Q: Is the Lake Evans Triathlon USAT sanctioned?
A: Yes, the race is USAT sanctioned!

Q: Are spectators allowed?
A: At this time, spectators are allowed, however we will need to follow any additional conditions as given by the Kern County Health Department. If you have family or friends that would like to see you race, volunteering is a great way to be able to be on site and cheer while helping make the event happen. Each volunteer who signs up online earns 50% off of a future multisport event, or 100% off of a 5k or 10k run.

Q: What is your refund policy if I am sick?
A: If an athlete Is sick, suspects Covid symptoms, or has been in contact with someone with Covid-19 we encourage them to stay home. Athletes can defer, transfer their registration to another race, or opt to receive swag and race as a "virtual" upon request. Athletes  have the option to purchase registration insurance which will provide a refund in the event of being sick, injured, or scheduled to work.  

Q: Triathlons keep getting canceled, what are my risks for signing up for this race?
A: If the race is canceled for any reason athletes will have the option to defer to a race in 2022, transfer to another Sierra Cascades event, or receive a refund. 

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Are you part of Triathlon Club? Running Club? or just a group of friends? Create a team and compete for the largest team award.  Our goal for our events is to make them team friendly even if you are not ready to race in person again. What does this mean? Virtual races count towards our largest team award! So if you are not ready to race again sign up for the virtual and help your group win largest team. 

The Largest Team award will be based on total number of registered athletes for each team and will be awarded at the race.

Please use the bellow form to self evaluate if you should participate in the upcoming event.  These will not be collected by the event. Please contact us at info@activitynut.me if you decide you will not participate for deferral options or to change to a virtual race

Sierra Cascades gives back to local charities, groups, and clubs who provide volunteers.

Volunteers who register online for an open position before the event recieve a volunteer card when they check out with the volunteer coordinator at the race.   These cards are transferable and can be used for 50% off of one over our Multisport Events, 100% off of one of our 5k/10k runs, or exchanged for a $50 donation to a non-profit organization or a triathlon/running club.

If you volunteer at one of our events and wish to donate your code, click here:

USA Triathlon Sanctioning

All Multisport events are USA Triathlon sanctioned and follow USAT rules. These rules do not apply to the 5K and 10K events.

Need to print a USAT membership card? Click HERE.

Check out complete USAT rules here: teamusa.org

USAT Wetsuit Rules

• If the water temperature is below 58F degrees a wetsuit will be mandatory for any competitor.  Any person who is not wearing a wetsuit will not be allowed to compete.
• If the water temperature is 58F-65F degrees a wetsuit is recommended for any competitor. 
  Wetsuits may be worn if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower.
• If the water temperature is 78.1F – 83.9F degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards or USAT points. 
• If the water temperature is 84F degrees or above, participants may NOT wear wetsuits.
• Water temperatures will be posted at the top of the event page at least 24 hours before the event.

Youth Specific Rules

Youth athletes 15 and under may have one accompanying parent or guardian prior to the race. Please check in with a race official at transition if you would like to accompany a youth athlete in transition.  Parents may not enter transition after transition is cleared and can not run or bike portions of the event with an athlete.

Athletes 16 and older must follow normal USAT rules, this includes athletes only in transition. 

Overview of USA Triathlon Rules in Common Language

Note: Every athlete is responsible to know USAT rules and should review the official USAT rules before race day.  Check out complete USAT rules here: teamusa.org

General USAT Rules:

• Only athletes and race officials are allowed in transition. This includes dogs, kids, parents, and coaches.
• Age Group Rule: All age group athletes must participate and compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete’s age on December 31 of the year of the event.
• Know the Course & Stay On Course: Participants must cover the prescribed course in its entirety. It is the participant’s responsibility to know the course.
• Upon leaving the course, a participant shall re-enter the course and continue at the same point of departure.
• Be a Good Sport: Participants shall refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct, including the improper use of language or conduct directed toward an official. 
• This is Not A Contact Sport: Participants shall refrain from intentionally or accidentally blocking, charging, obstructing, or interfering with the forward progress of another participant. No participant shall use his body, head, arms, or legs to gain an unfair advantage, or to push, pull, hold, strike, or force through one or more participants. 
• No Unfair Advantage: No participant shall accept from any person (other than a race official) physical assistance in any form, including food, drink, equipment, support, pacing, a replacement bicycle or bicycle parts, unless an express exception has been granted and approved, in writing, by USA Triathlon.
• No participant shall use any equipment which the Head Referee determines to be improper, including but not limited to equipment which might provide an unfair advantage or endanger other participants. 
• Race Numbers & Body Marking: Participants shall plainly display their race numbers at all times, and shall maintain the race number in an unaltered, unobstructed and readable state at the start and finish gates, in the transition areas, and on the course except at designated areas. 
• Do Not Shed Your Gear or Trash: No participant shall leave any equipment or personal gear on the race course except at designated disposal areas such as aid stations. 
• No Audio Devices: No participant shall, at any time during the event, use or wear a hard cast, headset, radio, personal audio device, or any other item deemed dangerous by the Head Referee. 
• Glass is Bad for Feet & Bikes: No participant shall utilize any glass bottles or glass containers at any time during the event. 
• Keep Your Clothes On: Public nudity at any time during the event is prohibited.

Swim Specific USAT Rules:

• All Strokes Allowed: Swimmers may use any stroke to propel themselves through the water and may tread water or float.
  Resting Or Touching the Bottom: A participant may stand on the bottom or rest by holding an inanimate object such as a buoy, boat, rope or floating object.
• Excluding the bottom, a participant shall not use any inanimate object to gain forward progress. 
  In Case of An Emergency: A swimmer experiencing difficulty and in need of assistance shall raise an arm overhead, and pump it up and down, and call or seek assistance. A swimmer can hold onto buoys, kayak, or other assistance as long as they do not forward progress from the assistance. 
• Wet Suits: Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wetsuit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified. 
• Wear Your Swim Cap: If provided by race management, a swimmer shall wear the proper official swim cap corresponding to his wave. The penalty for an infraction of this rule is a variable time penalty. For safety reasons if no official cap is provided, all swimmers should wear their own brightly colored swim cap.
• Goggles are Optional, But Highly Recommended: Swimmers may wear, but shall not be required to wear, swim goggles or face masks.
• You Cannot Use a Boat or Flippers: Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.

Transition Specific USAT Rules:

• Mount and Dismount line: Athletes must walk bike to the designated mount line.  Athletes must dismount at the designated dismount line and walk bike to designated transition spot. Failure to do so can result in a variable time penalty.
• All Gear Goes in the Transition Area: All participants shall place equipment only in the properly designated and individually assigned bicycle corral and shall at all times keep their equipment confined to such properly designated areas. All participants must return their bicycles to an upright position in the properly designated bicycle corral after completion of the cycling course and before beginning the next segment of the event. Any violation of this Section shall result in a variable time penalty.
• Watch Out for Others in Transition: No participant shall impede the forward progress of another participant or interfere with another participant's equipment while in the transition area. 
• Hand on Bike, Helmet on Head: The helmet must be fastened before the participant first mounts the bicycle, at all times when the participant is on the bicycle, and must not be unfastened until the participant has dismounted. 
• Glass is Bad for Feet and Bikes: Any participant who brings any glass container into the transition area shall be disqualified.

Bike Specific USAT Rules:

• Human Power Only & Push It If Necessary: All bicycles shall be propelled only by human force and human power. Other than pushing a bicycle, any propulsive action brought on by the use of the hands is prohibited. Participants shall not make any forward progress unaccompanied by their bicycle. If a bicycle is rendered inoperable, a participant may proceed on the cycling course, running or walking, while pushing or carrying the bicycle, so long as the bicycle is pushed or carried in a manner not to obstruct or impede the progress of other participants. 
• Obey the Traffic Laws: All participants must obey all traffic laws while on the cycling course unless otherwise specifically directed by a USA Triathlon official, race monitor or designee with actual authority. Unless otherwise directed in accordance with the preceding sentence, all participants shall come to a complete stop when required by a traffic sign or traffic control device and shall not proceed through any intersection unless such intersection is clear of oncoming traffic. In no case shall a cyclist cross a solid yellow line indicating a no passing zone.
• Hand on Bike, Helmet on Head: The helmet must be fastened before the participant first mounts the bicycle, at all times when the participant is on the bicycle, and must not be unfastened until the participant has dismounted. 
• You Cannot Draft Bikes or Cars: In accordance with the Rules as set forth in this section, a participant is not permitted to position his bicycle in the proximity of another moving vehicle so as to benefit from reduced air resistance.  While on the cycling course, participants shall not work together to improve performance, efficiency, or position by teamwork or other joint conduct. 
• The Drafting Zone: The term "drafting zone" shall refer to a rectangular area seven (7) meters long and two (2) meters wide surrounding each bicycle. The longer sides of the zone begin at the leading edge of the front wheel and run backward parallel to the bicycle; the front wheel divides the short side of the zone into two equal parts. With respect to a moving motor vehicle, the "drafting zone" is a rectangular area extending 15 meters to each side of the vehicle and 30 meters behind the vehicle.
• After Being Passed Move from the Drafting Zone: When the leading edge of the front wheel of one cyclist passes beyond the front wheel of another cyclist, the second cyclist has been "overtaken" within the meaning of these Rules. A cyclist who has been overtaken bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul and must immediately move to the rear and out of the drafting zone of the passing cyclist. The overtaken cyclist shall first move completely out of the drafting zone of the other cyclist before attempting to re-pass the other cyclist.
• No Blocking or Crowding; This is Not Football: Cyclists must not block or obstruct the progress of another participant. A participant is generally entitled to assume any otherwise proper location on the cycling course provided that the participant arrives in the position first without contacting another participant.
• When taking a position near another participant, however, a cyclist shall not crowd the other participant and shall allow reasonable space for the other participant to make normal movements without making contact.
• Stay to the Right: Except for reasons of safety and when no advantage is gained, all cyclists shall keep to the right of the prescribed course unless passing.
• Pass on the Left: A participant who approaches another cyclist from the rear or from another unfavorable position bears primary responsibility for avoiding a position foul even if the cyclist being approached alters speed. A participant must not attempt to pass another cyclist unless adequate space is available and the athlete is confident of his/her ability to pass the other cyclist. All passing is to be done to the left of the cyclist being overtaken unless otherwise specified.

Run Specific USAT Rules:

• Run or Walk The Course: A participant must run or walk the entire portion of the run course. Except for reasons of safety and when no advantage is gained, all runners shall follow and remain within the prescribed course. A participant who gains forward progress by crawling or otherwise violates this Section shall be disqualified. The responsibility of knowing and following the prescribed course rests with each participant.
• No Glass or Audio Devices: We already covered this.

Where Do I Set Up Transition? 

Typically, you set up transition next to your "down tire". You have the width of your handlebars on either the left or right of your bike to set up your transition. This allows your fellow athletes to also have space in transition.

Super Sprint 

Sprint

Olympic

Run/Walk Only

Preliminary scheduled and subject to change.

6:00am Park Gate Opens
6:30am Race Day Packet Pickup Until 8:30am
6:30am Transition Opens
7:45am Olympic Athletes Clear Transition
7:50am Mandatory Olympic Meeting at boat dock
7:50am Mandatory Duathlon Meeting Outside of Transition “Swim In”
8:00am Olympic Triathlon Begins
8:10am Duathlon Begins 
8:10am Sprint Athletes Clear Transition
8:20am 5k and 10k Run Begins 
8:20am Mandatory Sprint Meeting at Boat Dock
8:30am Sprint Triathlon, Aquabike, and Aquathlon
8:45am Super Sprint Triathlon

Have your confirmation email with barcode ready for a quick packet pickup.
Picture ID is required for multisport events. 

The location originally scheduled for early packet pickup (Sole 2 Sole) is now closed.  We will only have race day packet pickup at Lake Evans.

Lake Evans

Southwest of Bakersfield, CA
13601 Ironbark Road, Bakersfield, CA
GPS: 35.233972, -119.291028
Sunday, October 18, 6:30am-8:00am
Enter through the east entrance

• Super Sprint - 400 Yards (Out and back)
• Sprint - 800 Yards (Around the Island)
• Olympic - 1600 Yards (2 Loops of Sprint)

• Super Sprint - 5.77 Miles
• Sprint - 12 Miles
• Olympic - 24.24 Miles

• Super Sprint Turns at .8 Miles
• Sprint Turns at 1.55 Miles
• Olympic Turns at 3.1 Miles

Custom Finisher's Medal and T-Shirt Designs coming soon.

Updated 2021 Athlete guide.

Your safety is our highest concern at the race.  

• 5+ Kayaks/Paddleboards/Lifeguards in the water.
• Blackwolf Medical EMT on site.