Presque Isle Sprint Triathlon

PI TRI  will take place exclusively on Presque Isle State Park. All segments of the triathlon - the swim, the bike and the run - will start, transition and finish at BEACH 10. The triathlon course design features a nearly complete and scenic tour of beautiful, historic Presque Isle State Park, one of 121 state parks within the state of Pennsylvania and is a National Natural Landmark for about four million visitors each year. 

The sprint triathlon will consist of a swim in beautiful Lake Erie, a bike ride around the full peninsula, and a run along a portion of the paved trail. 

AGENDA

Friday, July 31

5 – 7 p.m. Packet Pick-up at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, 301 Peninsula Drive, Erie, PA

Photo ID is required to pick up your packet; each athlete must pick up their own packet

Saturday, August 1 Race Day

6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Check-in, chip pick-up, and race day packet pick-up at BEACH 10. Please note it is about a 15-17 minute drive from the park entrance to Beach 10!

All athletes must check in on race day. No day-of registrations will be accepted.

7:15 a.m. Mandatory pre-race meeting for all triathlon entrants

7:30 a.m. Race begins

9:30ish a.m. Awards presentation

TIMING. RESULTS. AWARDS. PRIZES. PREMIUM

Timing services will be provided. Awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd places will be given in all individual categories and 1st and 2nd places in relay team categories. The awards presentation will be held immediately following the race at the race site. All PI Tri entrants will receive a custom-designed long-sleeve T-shirt, swim cap, and generous post-race food and beverages. (Note: Entrants after 7/12 are not guaranteed a T-shirt.) Finish times will be posted near the timing area as results become available. Complete race results can be accessed by the next day.

ALL REGISTRATIONS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE & NON-TRANSFERABLE
 

13.0 Mile Bike. One counter-clockwise loop on the main road that encircles PISP, beginning and ending at the transition area located at Beach 10 It will be flat and fast. Highest elevation on PISP is 7’.

RACE RULES AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SWIM:

o   The PI Tri swim cap, provided in your race packet, must be worn throughout the triathlon swim.

o   Before crossing the swim start timing mat, all swimmers must pass through the designated chute to be counted individually.

o   Swimmers will be counted as the exit the water. Being counted is absolutely essential for the safety and accounting for all swimmers.

o   Swimmers are permitted to hang on to a kayak to take a break, however, no forward motion may be made. There is no penalty for resting.

o   Per USAT, "Swimmer must not use or wear any artificial propulsion device, fins, gloves (except when the use of wetsuits is deemed mandatory and must comply with Section 4.7(f.), paddles, or floating devices of any kind, any safety inflatable device (tube) which has been deployed (inflated) or any clothing containing rubberized of buoyant material in a non-wetsuit swim."

o   No floatation devices, or listening devices of any type are permitted.

o   Wet suits are permitted up to water temperature of 78 degrees.

BIKE:

o   Safety-approved helmets are required. No exceptions!

o   Helmets must be fastened before you get on your bike and must remained fastened until you are off your bike.

o   Bike numbers must be attached your bike top tube so it is clearly visible to race officials.

o   Headphones and other audio devices including cell phones are not permitted to be used during the bike (or run) segment of the race.

o   When beginning the bike segment, you must walk or run your bike through the Transition Area until you reach the designated Bike Start point. When completing the bike segment of the race, you must dismount at the designated point before re-entering the Transition Area, then walk or run your bike back to your bike rack.

o   Drafting and/or blocking on the bike course is not permitted at any time and will be monitored. Confirmed reports of violations will result in disqualification from the race. The PI Tri bike course is a relatively short distance and bunching up is certainly a possibility. Everyone’s honesty, fairness, and safe racing strategies are needed and expected.

o   No assistance at any time will be permitted in the Transition Area or on the bike course by anyone other than a race official.

o   The triathlon course is not closed to vehicular traffic. DO NOT cross the center line at any time.

o   Bikers should ride on the right side of the right hand lane at all times.

o   Motor vehicle traffic throughout is controlled but do keep your head up and be prepared to stop. Please use common sense!

o   If you see another athlete having serious difficulty, do notify the next race volunteer or race official.

o   Race officials reserve the right to disqualify any athlete found to have a faulty bicycle or equipment.

RUN

o   Bib number must be worn on the front during the run. Not wearing the bib number may result in disqualification.

o   Headphones, earbuds and other listening devices including cell phones and wireless boomboxes are not permitted to be used during the run (and bike) segment of the race.

o   No friends / family may accompany triathlon runners by car, bicycle or on skates throughout the run course.

o   If you see another athlete having serious difficulty, do notify the next race volunteer or race official.

o   Turn in your timing chip and band to the race officials immediately after you cross the finish line. Failure to do so will result in a charge of $30 to the entrant to whom the chip was assigned.

Special rules for relay teams

All team swimmers must wear their chip on their ankle throughout the swim, then hand off their chip and band to the team cyclist at the designated relay team location (near the Transition Area) before the cyclist gets on their bike. Cyclists bands should be worn on the left ankle with the chip side out.

All team cyclists must stay in the designated team area until handed the chip and band by team swimmer. Team cyclists must wear the chip / band on the left ankle throughout the bike.

Team cyclists must place their bikes in their designated spot on the bike rack before handing off their chip / band to the team runner.

All team runners must stay in the designated team area until handed the chip / band by team cyclist.

All team runners must wear the chip / band on one ankle throughout the race. Turn in your chip / band to the race officials immediately after you cross the finish line. Failure to do so will result in a charge of $30 to the entrant to which the chip was assigned.

Headphones and other audio devices including cell phones are not permitted to be used during any part of the bike (or run) segment of the race.

All other rules for the swim course, bike course and run course must be followed. Please familiarize yourself with these rules before the start of the race.

Additional Information

Based on past performances, the first finisher could finish the race in approximately one hour. The final finisher could finish in approximately 2:30 hours.

Post-race food / beverages will be available for triathlon entrants near the initial check-in site.

Time Requirements

It is our hope that every single  athlete has a safe, enjoyable, and strong race from start to finish. Please understand that time requirements are essential for our emergency & safety teams and volunteers to effectively monitor the course and provide support for athletes. The course will close at 11:00AM.

Bike Start Cut Offs: Athletes must begin the bike leg by 8:30AM (1 hour after race start), otherwise they may not continue the race.

Run Start Cut Offs: Athletes must begin the run course by 10:00AM, otherwise they may not continue in the race.

If you choose not to advance to the next leg of the event, that is okay. We want you to feel safe and confident proceeding through the event. If you voluntarily pull yourself from one of the legs, or are pulled for any medical reason, you may not continue with the race. We appreciate your cooperation. Please be sure to bring your timing chip to our timer and notify the Race Director – thank you for your cooperation!

IMPORTANT WEATHER-RELATED INFORMATION

If weather, water or road conditions are unfavorable for the total swim-bike-run event to take place safely for everyone (competitors and volunteers), race officials are prepared to shorten the distances- or- to conduct a run-bike-run event -or- a bike-run event, .

A delay of 30 minutes is the maximum race start delay time.

If conditions warrant, a cancellation of the entire race is possible.

Should this situation arise, the race will not be rescheduled. After race expenses are covered, all proceeds will be donated to the Presque Isle Partnership and the Presque Isle Lifeguard Association. If this should occur, please remember there are no refunds and no deferrals.

Weather / water-related decisions will be made and announced on race day morning. With that, everyone’s cooperation and understanding will be appreciated.

REFUNDS AND TRANSFERALS

Please note: There are no refunds or transferals to future races for personal reasons, such as athlete injuries or schedule changes. 

3.1 Mile Run. Out and back, mostly flat, west of the transition area, finishing at Beach 10.

0.35 Mile Swim. Well-marked, guarded, open-water swim course in Lake Erie, off Beach 10.

So, you’ve signed up for your first triathlon—congratulations! Whether your goal is to set a personal record or simply cross the finish line, your first race is an exciting (and slightly nerve-wracking) experience. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to feel confident and prepared on race day.

 
1. What Exactly Is a Triathlon?

A triathlon is a multisport endurance race made up of three parts:

Swim
Bike
Run

Most beginners start with a sprint-distance triathlon, which usually includes:

0.47-mile swim (750 meters)
12.4-mile bike ride (20 kilometers)
3.1-mile run (5 kilometers)

You complete all three segments in order, with no stops in between. Your overall time includes your transitions—the time it takes to switch from one sport to the next.

 
2. What Happens on Race Morning: Arrival, Check-In & Setup

Expect an early morning! Most races recommend arriving 1.5–2 hours before the race begins. Here’s what to do:

✅ Parking: Follow signs and volunteers to the designated parking area.
✅ Check-In: Head to the registration tent. You’ll typically receive:

Your bib number (to be worn on the run)
A swim cap (color-coded by wave or gender)
A timing chip (worn on your ankle with a Velcro strap)
Helmet and bike stickers (for identification and safety)

✅ Body Marking: Some races will write your bib number and age on your arms or legs with a marker.
✅ Timing Chip: Make sure it’s securely fastened on your left ankle (and moved if you're part of a relay—more below).

 
3. Setting Up Your Transition Area

After check-in, head to the transition area—this is where you’ll keep your gear for the bike and run. Look for your designated spot (by bib number or open racking, depending on the race).

🔁 How to Set Up:

Lay down a small towel to define your space.
Rack your bike by the seat or handlebars.
Place your helmet (with race stickers), sunglasses, and cycling shoes together.
Next, set your running shoes and race bib belt or shirt.
Keep a small water bottle and energy gels if you plan to refuel.
🛑 Important: You cannot ride your bike in the transition area. You must walk or jog your bike to the mount line, then start riding.
 

 
4. Relay Teams: How It Works

Doing a relay? Awesome! Relay teams are typically 2–3 athletes who each complete one leg of the triathlon (swim, bike, or run). Here’s what you need to know:

Only one timing chip per team—it gets passed off in the transition area.
The next athlete cannot begin until the previous athlete passes the chip to them.
The chip must always be worn on the left ankle.
The transition area often has a designated relay zone for handoffs.
Communication and timing are key—practice your transitions if possible!
 

5. Swim Start: Rolling vs. Wave

There are two common ways to start the swim:

Wave Start: Athletes are grouped (by age, gender, or division) and start in separate groups at timed intervals.
Rolling Start: Athletes enter the water one at a time every few seconds, based on self-seeded swim pace.
Ask at check-in which format your race uses and plan accordingly. Either way, stay calm at the start—it’s normal for the swim to feel a bit crowded. Keep your breathing steady and find your rhythm.

 
6. Bike Segment & Rules

Once you exit the water, head into transition (T1), dry off quickly, and gear up for the bike.

🚴‍♂️ Key Reminders:

Helmet must be buckled before touching your bike.
Walk or jog your bike to the mount line before hopping on.
No drafting—keep a set distance from the rider ahead.
Always pass on the left.
Know the course and follow volunteer or police instructions at intersections.
 

7. Time to Run!

After biking, you’ll return to transition (T2), rack your bike, remove your helmet, and switch to running shoes. Your legs may feel heavy—this is normal. Start easy and build your pace.

🏃‍♀️ Pro Tip: If you're using a race belt with your bib number, snap it on while jogging out of transition.

 
8. How Timing Works

You’ll wear a chip that tracks your total race time, plus split times for each leg and both transitions. Timing mats are placed at key points (like entering/exiting the swim, bike, and run), so your time is accurate and complete.

 
9. After the Finish Line

Celebrate! You’ll receive your medal, grab post-race snacks (bananas, water, granola bars, etc.), and enjoy the atmosphere.

Stick around for:
🏅 Awards
📸 Photos
🙌 Community fun

 
10. Final Tips for First-Timers

✅ Bring a gear checklist (so you don’t forget shoes, helmet, or goggles)
✅ Practice transitions at home
✅ Hydrate well before and during the race
✅ Study the course maps in advance
✅ Arrive early and give yourself time to breathe
✅ Smile and have fun—you’re doing something amazing!
 
Triathlons are a challenge—but they’re also incredibly rewarding. Whether you’re racing solo or on a relay team, showing up and giving your best is a victory in itself. See you at the start line!

Please click here to learn about volunteering for the PI Tri, as well as choosing your desired area to volunteer. All questions about volunteering should be directed to Torie Shapter, tshapter@alfaendurance.com.