Rules & FAQ

Cherry Creek State Park has added a water circulation system to their Reservoir which is known as a "SolarBee". SolarBees are the most effective, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly approach to reducing the negative ecological consequences of excess plant growth and decay in ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. They provide beneficial water circulation which has proven consistently effective at disrupting blue-green algae's habitat so that blooms do not form. In short, the purpose of this circulation system is to increase the clarity of the water and reduce the amount of blue-green algae in the water.

Coach Melissa suggests wearing tri shorts over a bathing suit or a tri suit or tri shorts with a swimable top. You could wear your run clothing under the wetsuit, then simply bike and run in this outfit. Pick an outfit that is simple and that you do not need to do a lot of changing. Most importantly, be sure to swim, bike and run in the clothing you want to wear in the race. Practice before hand to know if this will work or if you need to make changes. As for your sports bra, you can swim in this and wear it under your bathing suit. Then you will have it on for the whole race.

Set your race-day goals and choose your ability level when registering. Within the your ability wave, you will be grouped with other racers in your same age group - ages 19 and under, 20 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, 45 to 49, 50 to 54, 55 to 59, 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 & above.

Please note, if you and a friend are in the same ability group and the same age group, you may or may not be assigned to the same wave. If participating together is important to you, register in the Buddy Wave.

• Buddy Wave: Racing with your friends, regardless of your age or ability, is your goal.
• Survivor Wave: You are a cancer survivor and want to race with other survivors.
• Beginner: This is your first or second triathlon, and support and safety are among your top priorities.
• Intermediate: You consider yourself an athlete among your peers, and your race time is important to you for training and other triathlons.
• Competitive: You're ready to race! You have finished the Tri in under 1 hour and 30 min, or in the top 20% of any other triathlon.
• Elite: You have finished top ten of the Tri or any other triathlon in the last year.
• Relay Teams: Choose your best event, then sign up with one or two other racers to complete your team. You'll assign one team member per event.

The first wave (Elite) starts at 7:00am. The last wave will enter the water at approximately 9:00am. You may not transfer to another wave and each wave will be designated by swimcap color. A wave sheet along with your assigned wave and cap will be provided to you at the mandatory Expo on Saturday before the race. Race categories will go off in the following order:

• Elite
• Survivor
• Competitive
• Intermediate
• Beginner
• Relays
• Buddies

The transition area opens at 5:00 am. If you arrive before 5:00 am, you will not be able to access the transition area. However, we suggest you arrive two hours before your scheduled start time. Start times will be assigned the week before the event. All athletes MUST be set up in the transition area by the time the first wave begins at 7:00am.

We ask that all athletes be in the transition area and set up by 7:00am because the roads close and access to the transition area is not possible after 7:00am. The good news is that you can set up in the transition area, then come and go as you please. Spectators may arrive at any time, however, the access road to the transition area is not open after 7:00am.

The ground next to the bike racks in the transition area will be labeled by wave number. You will receive your wave number at the Race Expo in your race packet. You can set up your transition spot anywhere on a bike rack labeled with the number of the wave to which you are assigned. Look for the labels on the ground next to the bike racks. Please be considerate of all the athletes by using a reasonable amount of space.

Do not hang your bike on the outside edge of the rack - you will obstruct the wave labels on the rack.

It's common for athletes to lose track of their spot among 3,000 bikes… especially when you are focused solely on your race. Consider bringing a bright balloon with a unique design and tie it on the bike rack designating your space. We also suggest walking the transition area to become familiar with the path you would follow to the race start.

Transition Area Checklist:

• Two towels (large and small)
• Water bottles
• Food (bars and/or gel)
• Swim goggles
• Swim cap (you must wear the cap issued in your race packet)
• Timing chip and band
• Race belt and bib (or use safety pins)
• Watch or heart rate monitor
• Bike
• Shoes (both biking and running if using two pair)
• Socks
• Helmet
• Glasses
• Floor pump
• Seat pack (tube, patches, tire levers, multi tool, co2)
• Running hat

Parking for both athletes and spectators will be at Cherry Creek High School east of Union and Yosemite or at Greenwood Commons located at the intersection of Dayton and Union Blvd. No vehicles are allowed in the park. After parking, you will walk your bike and gear into the park. Parking volunteers will be on site to direct you. Special Needs parking is available at Cherry Creek High School; golf cart transportation is available at the intersection of Dayton and Union.

If you can't make this year's race, please email us at info (at) triforthecure-denver dot com.

There will be a designed area specifically for spectator viewing. Parking for spectators will be available at Cherry Creek High School. Spectators should consider bringing food, portable shade umbrellas and blankets/portable chairs. The race site is offers limited shade. The Tri provides free beer for participants and spectators alike!

The race is limited to 3,000 participants.

Toilets for participants are available in the transition area. There are also toilets near the post race party area on Hobie Hill.

Water is available for spectators at a water table in the post race area on Hobie Hill, and there is free beer for anyone ages 21 years and older. The food in the post event area is provided for athletes only. Remember to bring your own food according to your training and day-of-event plan. Urge your friends and family members to bring their own snacks and drinks since there will be no other source for food.

No one will be permitted to cross the bike portion of the course. The run portion of the course will have crossing areas with course marshals alerting you as to when you are permitted to cross. For your own safety, cross ONLY at the designated areas and ONLY when the course marshal indicates it is safe.

The only place to watch the swim portion of the event is from Hobie Hill. You may view the other portions from the designated spectator viewing areas only. Spectators are asked not to climb any of the fencing. Spectators are also cautioned not to climb any of the rocks leading up to Cherry Creek Dam Road.

No, spectators may only view the swim portion of the race from Hobie Hill.

Anticipated water temperature is 71-74 degrees. We recommend that you swim without a wetsuit since the water is warm. A wetsuit will cause your body temperature to rise and you risk overheating since the weather is typically very warm at the park in late August. If you have been training with a wetsuit and are comfortable competing in a wetsuit, feel free to wear it.

Medical personnel are stationed throughout the race course and the park for your safety. Our medical tent is located on the south side of the post race area, near the finish line. Emergency Medical Technicians and vehicles are located in key areas for each event. Every measure is taken to ensure the safety of all athletes. The red Medical Tent is fully staffed with medical professionals for both participants and spectator needs.

Most everyone is anxious about the swim. It is your responsibility to train prior to the race and be able to swim at least ½ mile (750 meters) without straining yourself. The following tips will help you feel relaxed and confident in the water:

• YOU MUST KNOW HOW TO SWIM If you don't know how to swim, hire a swim coach and learn. Do not show up for the event if you haven't dipped a toe in the water!
• YOU MAY NOT USE ANY FLOTATION DEVICE OR OTHER ASSISTANCE DEVICE No floaties, no noodles, no kickboards, no lifevests, no flippers, no snorkeling masks or breathing devices. Simply remember-when you enter the water you'll be wearing your designated swim cap, goggles, your suit and nothing more.
• YOU MUST PRACTICE SWIMMING IN OPEN WATER PRIOR TO RACE DAY Do not attempt to participate in the triathlon without swimming in open water at least once for ½ mile (750 meters). Practice at any one of the area reservoirs such as Chatfield, Cherry Creek, Boulder, Aurora, etc. Contact the park nearest you for details on swim areas.
• SWIM BUDDIES WILL ASSIST YOU IF NECESSARY Tri for the Cure provides a group of swimming experts to help you along if necessary. They will have swim noodles that you may rest on, but you may not use the flotation device to propel yourself forward in the water. Swim Buddies will swim the distance with you, but will not physically assist you in any way. The Swim Buddy tent is located at the swim start….alert a Swim Buddy if you require assistance.
• THE SWIM COURSE IS SAFE The course is monitored by experts during the race. You will see kayaks and motorized vehicles along the course. There will be lifeguards to assist you if you need to rest.

Cherry Creek State Park is located east of I-225 between Parker Rd. and S. Yosemite St. The race takes place in the west side of the park at Hobie Hill. To access the west entrance of the park, travel from the intersection of S. Yosemite St. and E. Union Ave. Go east on Union Ave. to the west entrance located at 4700 S. Dayton St.

You are strongly encouraged to visit the site prior to race day. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the drive from your home to ease stress on race morning. Train at the park whenever possible. The bike course is marked with Tri for the Cure kilometer markers to guide you on your training rides.

You may ride a bike from any category, ie., mountain, hybrid, townie, road or tri bike. You may not ride a recumbent bike or a tandem bike. If you plan to use a bike that has not been ridden for an extended period of time, make sure it is in top working condition before you begin training with it.

• DO NOT ride a new or different bike for the first time on race day.
• DO NOT arrive at the event with a bike that is not in excellent operating condition, including the tires.
• YOU MUST know the basics of bike maintenance.
• YOU MUST know how to change a tire or fix a flat. Be aware that there is no bike maintenance or assistance on the course and if you get a flat, you have to fix it yourself in order to continue the race.

Each Bicycle Village location maintains a fleet of rental bikes for the Tri for the Cure. Rates are $60 for 24 hours and can be rented from any Bicycle Village location.