The swim is a loop course beginning and ending at the San Francisco Yacht Club in Belvedere.  The Yacht Club is private property and we only have permission to enter on the morning of the Triathlon.  We do not set up the swim course until that morning.  The best place to view the course in advance is from the seawall on Beach Road. From there you can see Belvedere Cove in which much of the swim occurs.

 

We divide participants into five waves.  All the hot dogs go in the first wave, which may have at many as 100 swimmers.  Like bigger triathlons, you can expect to be treated roughly in the first wave with feet and elbows furiously flying.  It’s not pretty.  Some people live for that stuff.  Participants seed themselves into the first wave by telling us why they should be there.  Triathlon or open water swimming experience is preferred.  “Because I am slow” will not quite make it.

 

All relays go in the second wave, along with anyone who requested but missed the first wave.  You can request a wave or request to be in the same wave with someone else or a group of friends.  Make it easy for us by mailing those applications in together.  Beyond that, we assign people somewhat randomly to the waves.  We try to concentrate less experienced swimmers and youths in the last wave, which has the fewest people.  Our age cutoff is ten years old, but we may be able to accommodate younger swimmers and participants with special needs, provided you make satisfactory advance arrangements with us for someone to monitor the swimmer while not compromising the safety and comfort of others.  Check with us first.

 

After you emerge from the water, you will run across a timing pad to record your chip.  From the Yacht Club, you run on pavement about two blocks to the Park.  Bear left into the Park for the shortest run and the quickest return to grass.  Jump on your bike, cross the timing pad, and head out the other (i.e., north) end of the bike transition area.  Please wear your helmet.

 

When riding stay right except when passing.  Give a cheery “On your left” when passing.  Obey the police and the California Vehicle Code.  All intersections should be controlled by the police to enable you to proceed without stopping.  The bike path will likely have some pedestrians to dodge.  You will share the roads with traffic, although it should be light.  Do not cross the centerline on Paradise Drive. 

 

Leaving the bike transition area, you will ride briefly on Community and Leeward Roads before turning right on San Rafael Avenue to leave Belvedere.  Just before Tiburon Blvd., you will make a sharp left onto the bike path.  After the water treatment plant, the bike path takes a sharp, gravelly right turn where we regularly have road rash to treat.  It is not a race, so do not take unnecessary risks just to meet our paramedics.  The bike path stops at Tiburon Blvd. where you will cross onto Trestle Glen.   The only climb on the course is a half-mile rise to Hacienda.  From there you will turn right on Paradise Drive which will take you back to Tiburon Blvd., Beach Road, and Belvedere Community Park.

 

You can, and should, preview the bike course, particularly if you plan to push your pace.  In addition to the sharp turns already noted, there are several tight corners on Paradise Drive that can be tricky.  We do not monitor drafting, but strongly recommend against it here.  On a road full of crazed strangers, the last thing you want is to be committed to somebody’s wheel.

 

You will need to dismount to cross the timing pad and return to the transition area.  The run course begins in the same bike transition area.  Follow the bike course out onto San Rafael Avenue, making sure to stay to right to avoid cars and any bikes that may still be on the course.  Before Tiburon Blvd., turn right on Lagoon Road, which then becomes Cove Road.  At Beach Road, turn right.  Runners should duck through Teal Lane to avoid the bikes on the tight corner coming into the finish area.

 

After you finish, have some refreshments, pick up your T-shirt, and rest on your laurels.  Many participants end up celebrating with brunch at one of the fine restaurants in downtown Tiburon. 

 

We will post preliminary results at Sam’s Anchor Café on Main Street and Mike and Dave’s Restaurant on Tiburon Blvd. (across from the fire station) by 11:00 a.m. We will post final results at www.buzzwordproductions.com.