Pre-Race Information

Thank you for entering the Bala Falls Triathlon or Give It A Tri. Before every race the HSBC Triathlon Series will be sending all registered participants an email with last minute news, changes and sponsor information. If you do not wish to receive a pre-race email please let us know.

Weather Forecast, Water Temperature and Quality

The forecast is for sunny skies with the chance of some showers and a temperature of 21 degrees. Water Temperature In Bala Falls was 72F (23C). Please check the Weather Network for the latest forecast.

The Water Quality is Excellent at less than 10 parts per million eColi on June 24, 2008. We are the only race series to have a Water Quality Guarantee. The Water Quality Guarantee Page has all the details.

• HWY 400 North to Barrie

• Continue North on HWY 11 towards Orillia

• HWY 11 North to Gravenhurst

• Exit on Muskoka Rd 169/Bethune Drive

• Travel 2km North on Bethune Drive to Brock St

• Turn LEFT (West) on Brock St

• Travel 750m WEST on Brock/Bay St to Austin St

• Turn RIGHT (North) on Austin St

• Turn LEFT (West) on Bay St/Rd 169

• Travel 25km along Rd 169 to Bala

• Once in Past the Bala Bay Inn and Under the Railway Tracks, Look for the Parking Signs & Marshals

 

HSBC and MCP "Shot Of The Race"

Everyone one has a "best side" and every race has a best shot. Make sure to "show the love" when you see me with the camera. You never know if you will win the shot of the race! At each race, John Salt and I will select a shot of the race which will be the photo that best shows the fun and enjoyment of sport that the series is all about. The winner will get a FREE 8x10 plaque mounted photo of their "shot of the race" mailed to them at no cost. This is over a $40 value prize and is a great way to show off your love of the sport.

For more information on the HSBC Shot Of The Race courtesy of Mike Cheliak Photography please visit the Mike Cheliak Photography website.

The Gears Bike Course Technical Support Crew

Gears Bike Shop is proud to be the official Bike Mechanical Support Provider for the HSBC Triathlon Series for 2008. You can expect to see Gears at HSBC races in the expo area to assist you with last minute mechanical issues. They will not be set up as a retail area but will have limited parts on hand should you need any parts to get your bike fixed. Gears will also be out patrolling the courses at select races for support during the bike leg.

If you are interested in learning more about bike maintenance, changing flats, and have your bike questions answered, Gears will be hosting short seminars at a few races as well as their store located at 176 Lakeshore Rd. W. in Mississauga. Expect to see a schedule of these seminars soon as well as through The Link - The Official Newsletter of Gears Bike Shop. You can subscribe to The Link by visiting www.gearsbikeshop.com. Be sure to stop in and say hi at the next race.

Medical Support

Our Medical Co-ordinator Catherine Cabral will be onsite along with St. John Ambulance. Absolute Endurace will also be onsite to help you with those post-race aches and pains.

Race Times, Registration, Awards and Post-Race Food

THERE WILL BE NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION

Date	Sunday July 27, 2008
Race Kit Pick-Up at the race site	Give It A Tri: 6:45AM to 7:45AM Triathlon: 6:45AM to 8:45AM
Race Start Times	Give It A Tri& Relays: 8:00AM Triathlon & Relays: 9:00 AM
Awards Ceremony	Give It A Tri: 9:30 AM Triathlon: 12:00PM
Post Race Food	Available from 9:00AM until 1:00PM

Full race details are on the Event Page

Washrooms: There will be plenty of portable toilets at the race site.

Retail Expo

We are happy to tell you that the following retailers with us this weekend.

D'Ornellas Bike Shop

Durham Swimwear

The Long Run in Mississauga

 

 

Race Kit Pick-Up

At every race we have a few athletes who have not left themselves enough time to get their race kit and set-up in Transition. We ask that you please make sure you arrive at the race site at least an hour before your race. As promised we have new signage in registration this year, which should help you get through race kit pick-up quickly. Here is what you can expect.

Step #1 - Please go to the large (8ft) HSBC Triathlon Series BIB Number Sign. The lists here are in Alphabetical order. Please find your BIB number and proceed to Step #2. If you cannot find your name please go to the HELP DESK.

Course maps will be displayed on signs adjacent to the BIB Number signs.

Step #2 - Please go to the next step where you will pick up your actual BIB number and sign a waiver if you did not do so with your earlier registartion.

Step #3 - Proceed to Race Kit Pick-Up in the HSBC Tent. Pick-up your race kit, T-shirt and swim cap. Your T-shirt size will have been selected by you when you registered and this is the size that will have been set aside for you. If you want to change the size this can be done AFTER the race, if there are any extra t-shirts of that size available.

Step #4 - Get Body Marked. Look for the Body Marking sign. The Body Marking area will be adjacent to the HSBC Triathlon Series Registration tent. A volunteer will write your BIB# on your left arm and age will be on your right calf.

Step #5 - Pick-Up your Timing Chip. Look for the Timing Chip sign. The Chip Time timing chips will be located adjacent to the Body Marking area. The Timing Chip is worn around your ankle. If you are on a Relay Team the Chip Exchange is completed in Transition beside your bike rack.

Wave Starts and Swim Cap Colour

Fastest Swim Split Draw Prizes and Overall Winners Awards

This year we will be collecting the fastest swim times for each of the FIVE-YEAR increments for both Men and Women. The names of those fastest swimmers will go into a draw and a winner will be picked. The winning name will receive a ZOOT Zenith Wetsuit (Retail Value of $660).

 

We will also be awarding the Top Overall Male and Top Overall Female in the Triathlon each with a Timex Heart Rate Monitor!!

Sunday July 27, 2008

Give It A Tri - By Wave
Waves	Age Group(s)	Swim Cap Colours
8:00	All Men's Age Groups	Red
8:03	Women's Age Groups	Light Blue

 

Triathlon - By Wave
Waves	Age Group(s)	Swim Cap Colours
9:00	Pro Men and Women, Men and Women 29 and under	Black
9:04	Men 30 to 39	Yellow
9:08	Women 30 to 39	White
9:12	Men 40 to 49	Red
9:16	Men 50 to 54, Women 40 to 49	Light Blue
9:20	Women 50 and over, Men 55 and over, Relays	Purple

VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE BIKE RACKS AMD RACKING YOUR BIKE

Historically the Bala Falls Triathlon has had open racking, meaning that there are no signs designating certain racks for specific age groups. Given the small size of the transition area and the need to accommodate as many racers as possible we have decided to keep this tradition going. There is a limited amount of space in this transition area and we ask that you please also review the bike rack guide in our Training Resources section

Please review the race site graphic below. Just click on the graphic and you will see a larger version.

 

Technical Directors Notes for Bala Falls

Sunday July 29th

Give It A Tri

Transition

Grass covered in Beautiful Jaspen Park.

Swim Course– 400m

The Give-it-A-Tri Swim will start at the beach in Jaspen Park. The swim is Triangular in shape and you will keep ALL of the buoys to your LEFT.

Bike Course – 10km

The bike course takes place almost entirely on Muskoka Rd 38. Though the road is partially closed (local traffic is permitted) cyclists are asked to ride with the same care as they would on open roads. This course also has it’s share ups and downs and a few long bends. Athletes are required to stay to the right most side of the road at ALL TIMES unless you need to pass the cyclist in front of you.

Rules of Triathlon You MUST Know:

Drafting – Drafting is when you are riding closer than 5m behind the athlete in front of you. You are allowed 30sec to move past the rider in front of you. Once you have completed the pass it is the athlete behind’s responsibility to drop back to the 5m spacing.

Blocking – Blocking is where two athletes ride side-by-side. This inhibits any athlete coming up from behind’s ability to pass. This may tempt even to most experienced athlete to cross the centre line of the road, see next rule

Centre Line Violation – Crossing the Centre line of the road (i.e. into the opposite lane), even on a section of road where perhaps there is no painted line, is a very serious safety concern. As many courses are out-and-back; this puts any athlete (experience or otherwise) at risk of a head-on collision. You must not cross the centre line of the road at any time.

Run Course – 2.5km

The course take the runners back out onto Muskoka Rd 38 for the first 500m before turning off onto Centre Rd. The turn-around point is near the end of Centre Rd. When on Muskoka Rd 38 you MUST run on the North side of the road (Right-hand side on the way out and Left-hand side on the way back) at ALL times. Crossing over to the opposite side of the road will be considered cutting the course and may result in a disqualification.

When you are on Centre Road, run on the left hand side of the road both on your way out to the turn-around as well as back. Once you have returned to Muskoka Rd 38 you will run back towards Jaspen Park, past the point you first entered Rd 38 starting the run and all the way to the main entrance to the Park. You will then follow the cones and barriers to the finish.
There will be an Aid Station with Water and Hammer H.E.E.D. (High Energy Electrolyte Drink) at 800m & 1.7km.

Triathlon

Swim Course– 750m

The swim will start at the beach in Jaspen Park. The swim is Triangular in shape and you will keep ALL of the buoys to your LEFT.

Bike Course – 30km

The bike course takes place almost entirely on Muskoka Rd 38. Though the road is partially closed (local traffic is permitted) cyclists are asked to ride with the same care as they would on open roads. This course has it’s share ups and downs and a few long bends. Athletes are required to stay to the right most side of the road at ALL TIMES unless you need to pass the cyclist in front of you.

Rules of Triathlon You MUST Know:

Drafting – Drafting is when you are riding closer than 5m behind the athlete in front of you. You are allowed 30sec to move past the rider in front of you. Once you have completed the pass it is the athlete behind’s responsibility to drop back to the 5m spacing.

Blocking – Blocking is where two athletes ride side-by-side. This inhibits any athlete coming up from behind’s ability to pass. This may tempt even to most experienced athlete to cross the centre line of the road, see next rule

Centre Line Violation – Crossing the Centre line of the road (i.e. into the opposite lane), even on a section of road where perhaps there is no painted line, is a very serious safety concern. As many courses are out-and-back; this puts any athlete (experience or otherwise) at risk of a head-on collision. You must not cross the centre line of the road at any time.

Run Course – 7.5km

The course take the runners back out onto Muskoka Rd 38 (West) for the first 2.65km to the first turn around. Runners will then return East on Muskoka Rd 38 for 1km before turning off onto Foord Dr. The 2nd Turn-around point is at the end of the road. On Foord Drive you will scale the hill for which the run course is renowned. It is not long (only 75m), but it is STEEP.
Runners will then return back to Muskoka Rd 38 and again head East (back towards Jaspen Park) turning off on Centre Rd. for the final short out-&-back at 6.1km. Again, the turn-around is at the end of the road.

Both Foord Dr. and Centre Rd. are both quiet shaded soft-dirt cottage roads. Apart from the large hill on Foord, the roads have steady gradual gradients. When you are on Foord Dr. and Centre Road, run on the left hand side of the road; both on your way out to the turn-arounds as well as on your way back to Muskoka Rd 38. When on Muskoka Rd 38 you MUST run on the North side of the road (Right-hand side on the way out and Left-hand side on the way back) at ALL times. Crossing over to the opposite side of the road will be considered cutting the course and may result in a disqualification.

Once you have returned to Muskoka Rd 38 you will run back towards Jaspen Park, past the point you first entered Rd 38 starting the run and all the way to the main entrance to the Park. You will then follow the cones and barriers to the finish.
There will be an Aid Stations with Water and Hammer H.E.E.D. (High Energy Electrolyte Drink) at the Run Exit, 1.65km, 2.65km, 3.65km, 4.75km, 6.1km & 6.7km.

Course Maps

Are found on the Event page. Just click on View Details for your race

Jason Vurma - HSBC Triathlon Series Technical Director

 

Post Race Food

Country Harvest Bagels	Post-Race Nut Snack	Ocean's Snack Packs
	Also: watermelon, bananas, pop and water	Post-Race Fruit and Nut Snack

Draw Prizes This Weekend

• A Zoot Sports Gear

• Timex Watches

• Fuel Belts

• $100 Gift Certificates from Yakima

• Hats and Visors from Head Sweats

• 26oz Bottles of Hammer Gel

• Free 8 x 10 race day picture from Mike Cheliak Photography

FOR ALL ATHLETES

Rules of the Road to Know:

Drafting – Drafting is when you are riding closer than 5m behind the athlete in front of you.  You are allowed 30sec to move past the rider in front of you.  Once you have completed the pass it is the athlete behind’s responsibility to drop back to the 5m spacing.

Blocking – Blocking is where two athletes ride side-by-side.  This inhibits any athlete coming up from behind’s ability to pass.  This may tempt even to most experienced athlete to cross the centre line of the road, see next rule

Centre Line Violation – Crossing the centre line of the road (i.e. into the opposite lane), even on a section of road where perhaps there is no painted line, is a very serious safety concern.  As many courses are out-and-back; this puts any athlete (experience or otherwise) at risk of a head-on collision.  You must NOT cross the centre line of the road at any time.  Be especially careful when corning such that you don’t end up in the opposite lane, even if you believe the lane is clear.

 

General Information

Race Hydration

HEED Official Sports Drink of the HSBC Triathlon Series. HEED and water will be provided at all aid stations.

Race Day Awards - You Get To Personalize Your Award

 

We have developed a new format this year for our race day age group awards. The basic premise is that you get to design your own award by choosing the race picture you want on your award. Please go to our Awards Page for all of the details.

Hi again to all! I am happy to once again be prowling the courses of the HSBC series and snapping your photos when you least expect it. As was the case last year; we are again offering age group awards to those who qualify. You will be identified at the awards ceremony and will be given a business card with my website. Please follow these directions below to claim your award.

Last year again resulted in numerous “left over” awards that were requested to be printed but were never picked up. Please consider the email option as your primary option. This will ensure that you have a high resolution copy that can be printed anywhere in any quantity for years to come. Most labs print these 5x7 photos for less than a dollar and they can be ordered right online. These are some of the sites that offer this direct online service: (http://costco.pnimedia.com/home.aspx, http://walmart.pnimedia.com/home.aspx, http://photolab.ca/home.aspx, http://blacks.ca/print.asp, http://www.kodakgallery.ca).

See you at the races......and smile.

Mike Cheliak

To collect your award you must follow these directions:

1. BROWSE TO THE GALLERY
2. LOCATE THE PHOTO AND CLICK TO ENLARGE
3. ADD HSBC RACEDAY AWARD TO CART FROM DROP DOWN MENU
3. PROCEED TO CHECKOUT AND SELECT "CHEQUE OR MONEY ORDER"
4. INCLUDE YOUR RACE INFO IN THE COMMENTS SECTION (TIME, AGE...)
5. THE PHOTO WILL BE EMAILED TO YOU UNLESS YOU REQUEST FOR IT TO BE
a) mailed at a cost of $6 payable by PayPal invoice
b) printed and brought to an upcoming race at no cost to you

PLEASE NOTE:

Make sure your BIB number is facing front when you finish. Racers who can not be identified at the finish line due to the misplacement of their bib numbers will not receive their award until they can contact Mike Cheliak with a specific photo number from the race. It is too difficult to cross reference and identify every racer especially at the large venues.

In Lakeside athletes in the Triathlon and Sprint Triathlon will receive medals and a finishers picture in five year age groups. The Duathlon, Sprint Duathlon and Give-It-A-Tri had under 150 registered two (2) weeks prior to race day and will have medals and pictures for the top three (3) finishers in 10 year age categories.

The Awards Pictures from all earlier races this season will be ready for pick-up.

Here is a sample of the personalized picture award.

Mike Cheliak Photography

Mike Cheliak Photography is happy to be the official series supplier of photographic services for the HSBC Triathlon Series. We will be providing on site event photography for the entire series and will be capturing time line action photos throughout each race as well as finish line photos. Our service will allow for near real time viewing of the action shots. We will also be able to provide on site high quality photo printing and CD ROM creation.

We are also providing an exciting custom line of 5 x 7 personalized finishers pictures and have agreed to offer these competitors a discounted rate to “upgrade” from the 5 x 7 to a larger print.

We will be offering all competitors the opportunity to purchase event photos online in a completely secure online environment. Our galleries are extensive and will provide browse, search, view and purchase options with similar pricing to our on-site services.

Thanks To All Of Our Sponsors

As you all know there would be no race or series without sponsors. We extend our thanks to each and every sponsor starting with the HSBC Bank Canada or the local bike and running shops in the communities where you race. We hope that you all take a moment to visit the sponsors page and see what they do and look at the products they sell. Please thank them for supporting the sports of triathlon and duathlon by trying and using their products. If you do visit them please take a moment to thank them for supporting triathlon and duathlon.

A Message From The HSBC Bank Canada

HSBC Bank Canada is extremely proud to be the title sponsor of Canada's fastest growing triathlon series. HSBC, both here in Canada and around the world, has a strong tradition of supporting both local and national events. Health, fitness and a balanced life is important. Many of the initiatives we support are based on this premise. Whether its our sponsorship of HSBC Stars on Ice (skating), the HSBC Calgary Marathon, The Vancouver Sun Run, HSBC Childrun, HSBC Triathlon Series, the ITU Brampton Pan American Cup, or the 2007 Ford World Curling Championships, presented by HSBC we believe our presence in communities across Canada should extend far beyond meeting the financial services needs of our customers.

About HSBC Bank Canada

HSBC Bank Canada, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, has more than 180 offices and is the leading international bank in Canada. With around 10,000 offices in 83 countries and territories and assets of US$2,354 billion at 31 December 2007, the HSBC Group is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organizations.

Our Title Sponsor

We are extremely happy that HSBC Bank Canada is our Title Sponsor for a fourth year and appreciate all of the support they give to Triathlon, Duathlon and other mass participation sporting events. Here is a complete list of the HSBC sponsored mass participation athletic events

Transition Zone, Volunteer and GT12.9 Series Sponsor

GoodLife Fitness has taken a bigger role with our series in 2008 and is now the GT 12.9 Series Awards Sponsor in the HSBC Triathlon Series

Series Sponsors

Please support all of our sponsors. You can visit their website by clicking on their logo on the left side of the page.

	Zoot Sports is the Official Swim Course and Wetsuit Sponsor of the HSBC Triathlon Series
	Zoot Sports is the Official Run Course and Running Shoe Sponsor of the HSBC Triathlon Series
	Zoot Sports is the Official Apparel Sponsor of the HSBC Triathlon Series
	Hammer Nutrition is the Official Nutrition and Hydration Sponsor of the HSBC Triathlon Series Look for HEED at all of our aid stations and Hammer Gel at selected races.
	Timex is the Official Watch And Heart Rate Monitor of the HSBC Triathlon Series
	Adidas is the Official Eyewear Sponsor of the HSBC Triathlon Series
	Quintana Roo is the Official Bike Course Sponsor of the HSBC Triathlon Series
	Breyers Ice Cream is a major food sponsor to the HSBC Triathlon Series. Look for Breyers Ice Cream at selected races.
	Ocean's is a major food sponsor to the HSBC Triathlon Series. Look for Ocean's products at ALL of our races.
	Motrin is the Official Pain Relief sponsor to the HSBC Triathlon Series.
	CompuTrainer is the Official Bike Trainer to the HSBC Triathlon Series.
	Fuel Belt is the Official Hydration System to the HSBC Triathlon Series.
	Mike Cheliak Photography is the Official Photographer to the HSBC Triathlon Series.

Silver Level Sponsors

Post-Race Bagels	Hats and Headwear	Post-Race Prizes
	Post-Race Fruit and Nut Snack

Local and Retail Sponsors

Gears Bike Shop Our Bike Course Technical Support Sponsor Located in Mississauga
	Toronto Locations in Leaside and the Beach		GTA - Markham
	GTA - Toronto		Located in Orillia
	GTA - Scarborough		Located in London
	Located in London		Located in London
Located in London