- International (Olympic) Distance: 0.93 swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 mile run
- Age group competitors
- Relay teams
- Professionals
- Sprint Distance: .47 mile swim. 13.6 mile bike, 3.1 mile run
- Age group competitors on road/racing bikes
- Mountain bike division, bike with tires 1.75 inches or more
Transition area
- Open from 4:15am, closes at 5:45am, and they really mean 5:45am
- Must rack with your bib number grouping; racks will be labeled
- Transition area open only for competing athletes until approximately 11am
- Retrieve gear between 11am and 1pm
Swim Waves (groups or racers that start at different time intervals)
- Typically between 80 and 150 athletes
- First wave starts around 6am
- Four (4) minutes between waves
- Last wave may depart as late as 9am or later
- Mandatory: must swim with your wave or DQ
- Wave schedule: finalized on race weekend; see lists at the race Expo
The Swim
- Wetsuit: not mandatory, but helpful
- Deep water -- treading water -- start
- Swim stroke: any one you want
- Stopping for rest or breath: hang on guard boats or pier
- Water conditions: may be choppy, variable temperature, may smell like boat engine oil
- Gear check at swim start
- You can leave shoes at the water's exit if desired
Bike
- One lap for Sprint racers, two laps for International Distance
- Turnaround to begin second lap tends to be just short of Navy Pier
- No aid stations
- Bike breakdowns: assistance may be available, but it may be a long wait
- Best bet: carry a spare tube and pump or CO2 cartridge, know how to change your tire
Run
- Aid stations on the course
- Pretty straightforward, follow markings
- Pass on left if possible
- Keep going until you finish -- then celebrate
For more, return to our Chicago Triathlon coverage.
