Nationwide Better Health Columbus Int'l Triathlon & Sports Festival

Time:

See schedule below

Status:

Open

Date:

Saturday, July 17, 2010 - Sunday, July 18, 2010

Participant List:

Not Available

Place:

Antrim Park

Course Maps:

Swim Course
Bike Course
Run Course 5k + 10k
Run Course 10 miler

Location:

Columbus, Ohio

Athlete Instructions

Distances:

Saturday			Sunday
Running & Walking	Open Water Swims	Sprint Triathlon	Sprint Duathlon	International Triathlon
5K run/walk	0.75K swim	0.75K swim	2.0 Mile run	1.5K swim
10K run/walk	1.50K swim	25K bike	25K bike	40K bike
10 Mile run/walk	3.00K swim	5K run	5K run	10K run
Youth Fun Run
Walk Around the Lake - 1 mile

EVENT DESCRIPTION

2009 Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon Kickoff Weekend.

The 30th Annual Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon and ½ Marathon will take place on October 18, 2009. In order to kick your training into high gear, The Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon is hosting a Marathon Kickoff Weekend in conjunction with the Columbus International Triathlon & Sports Festival at Antrim Park on Saturday and Sunday, July 18 – 19.

The Kickoff Weekend of events will include the following:

Saturday, July 18:

Youth Fun Run
1 mile Walk Around the Lake (Free)
5K Run or Walk
10K Run or Walk
10 Mile Run or Walk
Columbus Open Water Swims – 0.75K, 1.5K, & 3.0K swims

Sunday, July 19:

Columbus International Triathlon
Columbus Sprint Triathlon
Columbus Sprint Duathlon

The kick-off weekend takes place in the heart of Ohio’s capital city – Columbus, Ohio. The event is staged at Antrim Park and features one of the favorite courses among Ohio and regional athletes. From the swim in the spring-fed Antrim Lake, to the blazing fast bike course down S.R. 315, to the scenic run along the Olentangy River and around Antrim Lake.

Part of your entry fee goes to the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s park fund to help support and maintain the park’s facilities and conservation programs.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The water portion of the open water swims and triathlons begins on the south side of the deck on the west side of Antrim Lake. Triathlons, (not the duathlon which will be a mass start) will start in a time trial format with competitors entering the water one or two at a time.

As participants exit the Transition Area for the bike portion of their event, they will head out of Antrim Park and begin what will be a series of right hand turns that will take them on multiple loops of the bike course through Columbus, Worthington, Sharon Township and Perry Township. The excitement begins about 1 mile into the ride as the bikers turn off of northbound Olentangy River Road, onto eastbound S.R. 161, to southbound S.R. 315 and fly down the highway approximately 2.5 miles where they can view the other portions of the event in Antrim Park and Lake. Cyclists get off the highway at the Henderson Road exit and proceed back North on Olentangy River Road back past Antrim Park. The total bike loop is approximately 5 miles. International distance participants will complete 5 loops on this course before heading back into the Transition Area (T2) in Antrim Park. Sprint distance participants will complete 3 loops on this course before they head back into the transition.

The course is a closed course except for SR 315 where two lanes will be closed and cordoned off from traffic. The Bethel Road and Henderson Road exits will be closed to SR 315 traffic.

For The Run / Walk events on Saturday:
The start is at the Deck at the Lake for all distances. The 10 Mile race will start first... and head down the Olentangy bike trail south of the lake to 1st bridge crossing the river to the left. Runners will go across the bridge and go to a 'turn around' and then head back across the bridge, turning right on the path to the lake and turning right to take the limestone path around the lake. Once on the north end of the lake the athletes will turn right and get back onto the Olentangy bike path and proceed North until reaching the Worthington Hills Trail Head. At that point the athletes will return back the same way along the Olentangy Bike Path, to the lake, go around the lake on the limestone path, and proceed directly to the finish (without heading south of the lake again) The 10k will not head south of the lake, but go directly on the limestone path at the south end of the lake, and follow the same route as the 10 mile Run with the exception of turning around at a 'turn around' marker and then returning the same route to the finish (this is referred to as an 'Out and Back' course). The 5k will follow the same route as the 10 with a 'turn around' at the 1/2 way point of that race. There will be 8 aid stations for the 10 mile, 4 for the 10k, and 2 for 5k.

For the Multisport events on Sunday:
The Runs begin at the end of transition area and athletes will head from their bikes, under the 315 bridge and turn right onto the Olentangy Bike Path. They will connect with limestone path turning left, at the south end of the Lake, go round the lake, turn right, reconnecting with the Olentangy Bike Path turning right at the north end of the lake. Athletes will follow this path to their respective 'turn around' signs. For the 10k Olympic run this will take them north of SR 161 and along the path to a 'key hole' 'turn around' where they will leave the asphalt bike path turning left onto a trail and following this trail briefly until it reconnects with the Olentangy bike path. The Athletes will then return to the lake, turn left onto the limestone path and go around the lake to the finish. The 5k Sprint run will take the same route as the 10k with a 'turn around' north of the lake on the Olentangy Bike Path. There are 5 aid stations for the 10k and 3 or the 5k.

The triathlon will use a unique ‘time trial’ start that is rarely used for these types of competitions. What makes it interesting is that one never knows how one places (either overall or in an age group) until the last competitor crosses the line. The first person to finish is not necessarily the winner… and the last person to cross the finish line is not necessarily in last place in the event. In addition, the swim portion is very comfortable and controlled for all competitors regardless of their swimming ability… and safety is maintained, as the field will be spread out throughout the course.

The youth run will be started from the deck on the lake with the runner doing one loop on the path around the lake. The start will be on the north side of the deck and the finish on the south side of the deck.

EVENT SCHEDULE

Friday, July 17
Registration/Packet pick-up	1:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Saturday, July 18
Registration/Packet pick-up at Antrim Park	6:00 am - 3:00 pm
Nationwide Better Health 10K & 10 Miler	7:30 am
Nationwide Better Health 5K	8:00 am
Nationwide Better Health Youth Run	10:00 am
Step By Step Challenge Walk Around the Lake - 1 mile (Free Walk)	11:00 am
Open Water Swims
1.50K Swim (Beach)	12:00 pm
0.75K Swim (Beach)	1:00 pm
3.00K Swim (Beach)	1:30 pm
Sunday, July 19
Triathlon & Duathlon Schedule
Multisport Packet pick-up ONLY	5:00 am - 6:30 am
Transition Opens	5:15 am
Transition Closes	6:45 am
Event Formation Begins	6:30 am
Triathlon START	7:00 am
Duathlon START	7:15 am
Course Closing
Swim Course	8:00 am
Bike Course	10:00 am
Run Course	11:30 am
Award Ceremony	TBD

TIMES are subject to change to inclement weather

EVENT RULES

Participants must wear assigned number on the front of your shirt or shorts. Your number must be visible to checkpoint recorders at all times. Attach timing chip to your ankle with the provided strap. You will not be scored at the finish line unless your number is visible and your timing chip is attached when you cross the finish.

For multisport events, Bike Helmets are mandatory. No exceptions. IF bike helmet and bike numbers have been assigned, they must be secured to equipment. Once the transition closes you will be required to display assigned race number to enter and exit the transition or remove any equipment.

Swim Caps colors and numbers will be assigned and must be worn. You will not be able to start the swim without your swim cap.

Non-participants are not permitted in the transition area for any reason.

Transition closes promptly at stated time. No entrance into transition will be permitted after stated time.

Participants after completion of the event are NOT permitted back on the bike course (i.e., to ride the course again).

Step By Step Challenge Walk Around the Lake - 1 mile (Free Walk) participants must be part of a registered team in the Step by Step program and complete a liability release on site.

AWARDS

Triathlon & Duathlon
The top three overall finishers by gender and the top three division finishers by gender will receive an award commemorating their experience. Each member of the top three relay teams will receive a commemorative award.

Running/Walking
The top three overall finishers by gender and the top three division finishers by gender will receive an award commemorating their experience.

Open Water Swims
See Open Water Swim for award and division structure

All athletes must be present to receive awards. No awards will be mailed, delivered, or dropped-off. If you must leave the event before receiving your award please make arrangements with a friend or family member to get your award or discuss with finish line management. Participants contacting us after the event to claim award will be referenced to the award policy.

Award Availability – Awards are ordered 10 days prior to the event and based on registration. For the smaller participated race divisions, it is important to sign up as soon as possible to ensure an award is ordered.

DIVISIONS

Event division available to participants:

Running/Walking/Triathlon/Duathlon Age divisions – Male & Female: Under 19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, etc...
Walking – Top 5 finishers each walk
Triathlon/Duathlon - Clydesdale (Men 200 lbs +) and Athena (Female 150 lbs+)
Triathlon/Duathlon - Relay Teams – 1 category only

Note: Reference age-up rules for all age division participants

ENTRY FEE

(Applicable to Triathlon, Duathlon & Open Water Swims Participants ONLY)

Entry Fees below do not reflect $10 one-day license fee for multisport athletes who are NOT members USA Triathlon or for swimmer who are NOT members of USA Swimming or USMS license ($15 fee with USA Swimming). We are required to collect these license fees and pass them directly to the appropriate event sanctioning body. ALL non-members are required to pay the one-day license fee.

Reference Technical Shirt and Amenities for technical shirt guarantee and sizing policy.

	By April 1	April 1 - July 17	Race Day
Nationwide Better Health 5K	$ 18	$ 25	$ 35
Nationwide Better Health 10K	$ 20	$ 30	$ 40
Nationwide Better Health 10 Mile	$ 30	$ 40	$ 50
Nationwide Better Health Youth Fun Run (no shirt)	$ 10	$ 10	$ 10
Nationwide Better Health Youth Fun Run (with shirt)	$ 15	$ 15	$ 15
Triathlon & Duathlon - SPRINT	$ 60	$ 80	$ 95
Triathlon & Duathlon – SPRINT Relay	$ 90	$ 110	$ 125

Triathlon – INT’L	$ 80	$ 100	$ 115
Triathlon – INT’L Relay	$ 115	$ 150	$ 165

COWS -1 distance	$ 25	$ 30	$ 35
Each additional distance	$ 5	$ 5	$ 5

Part of your entry fee goes to the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department’s general park fund to help support and maintain the park’s facilities and conservation programs. Additionally, all volunteers are members of various fundraising non-profit organizations. For their support of the event, the organizations receive a contribution.

For Triathlon, Duathlon and Open Water Swims you must present active membership card and valid photo I.D. for all events at packet pickup or pay one day Membership fees. Participants who paid their one-day license fee on-line or via mail-in registration MUST fill out license registration form, which will be available at athlete check-in.

REGISTRATION

There are two ways to register for your event:

Register Online:

Pending
Download an entry form and mail-in entry form N/A

POLICIES AND REFUNDS

Transfers – Event transfers within 10 days of event are subject to a $15 transfer fee + the incremental increase in Fee. There are no entry fee refunds for transferring from a longer distance to a shorter distance.

All transfers must be received in writing at register@fatrabbitracing.com

Click here for Athlete Safety and Fat Rabbit Racing event policies.

TECHNICAL SHIRTS AND AMENITIES

(Technical Shirts Not applicable to Youth Run Participants)

Fat Rabbit Racing and Brooks (www.brooksrunning.com) have partnered in 2008 to provide participants with quality technical shirts. No more cotton! Please review the Brooks’ sizing chart to make certain you select the right size during registration. Also, please read the shirt guarantee and sizing policies.

Athletes must be registered 15 days from the event date to be guaranteed an event shirt. Athletes registering within 15 days of the event date will need to sign an event shirt waiting list at athlete check-in and then check back after the race for shirt availability.

Shirt size selected during registration will be the shirt size given you at athlete check-in. If the shirt size selected by you during registration is the incorrect size, you will need to complete a shirt size transfer list at athlete check-in. You will be required to check back after the race for size availability.

LODGING AND ACCOMODATION

Please visit www.experiencecolumbus.com.

DIRECTIONS

From the Cleveland to host venue – Take Route 71 South Columbus to I-270 West. Take I-270 West to S.R. 315 South. Exit S.R. 315 at S.R. 161 – Turn Right on S.R 161 – get in Left Lane – Turn LEFT at Olentangy River Road (1st light). Park is located about 2 miles on Left.

From Toledo to host venue – Take S.R 23 South to I-217 West. Stay in Right Lane to S.R. 315 South. Exit S.R. 315 at S.R. 161 – Turn Right on S.R 161 – get in Left Lane – Turn LEFT at Olentangy River Road (1st light). Park is located about 2 miles on Left.

From Cincinnati to host venue – Take Route 71 North to S.R. 315 North, go North on S.R. 315 to S.R. 161. Turn left - cross over S.R. 315 to 2nd light. Turn left onto Olentangy River Road. Turn LEFT into Antrim Park.

From Dayton to host venue – Take I-70E toward Columbus to OH-315 North. Take OH-315 to SR-161. Turn Left - cross over US-315 to 2nd light - turn LEFT onto Olentangy River Rd. Turn LEFT into Antrim Park.

For Directions from your location: