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TriFREAKS is excited to announce that we will be producing the 2012 TriFREAKS Kirkland Triathlon. This will be the 10th year a triathlon will be held in the beautiful city of Kirkland.

The TriFREAKS Kirkland Triathlon offers Pacific Northwest locals, as well as visitors, a great day in beautiful Kirkland. Among all the wonderful local activities and sights to see, we are delighted to feature a sprint distance triathlon, duathlon and aquabike, a Try A Tri, as well as a Tri for Kids at the beautiful Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland Washington. The TriFREAKS Kirkland Triathlon will also feature a pre-race expo, post-race food, and more. Temperatures for September typically range in the 60s to 70s, and we’ve designed a bike ( 2 laps ) and run course that will have a little bit of everything. Expect some uphills, downhills and flat sections on both the bike and run. In general we’ve done our best to minimize the number of turns you have to take and are doing our best to work with the city to make this a fun, challenging and safe course.

The event will be supporting the Hope Link Organization. Since 1971, Hopelink has served homeless and low income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities. Hopelink’s mission is to promote self-sufficiency for all members of our community; we help people make lasting change. We are excited about working with Hope Link!

TriFREAKS Kirkland Triathlon Events:

• Individual Sprint Triathlon (.5 Mile Swim, 13.9 Mile Bike, 3.11 Mile Run) *
• Relay Team Sprint Triathlon (.5 Mile Swim, 13.9 Mile Bike, 3.11 Mile Run) *
• Individual Sprint Duathlon (3.11 Mile Run, 13.9 Mile Bike, 3.11 Mile Run) *
• Relay Team Sprint Duathlon (3.11 Mile Run, 13.9 Mile Bike, 3.11 Mile Run) *
• Individual Sprint Aquabike (.5 Mile Swim, 13.9 Mile Bike) *
• Relay Team Sprint Aquabike (.5 Mile Swim, 13.9 Mile Bike) *
• Try A Tri (.25 Mile Swim, 6.45 Mile Bike, 3.11 Mile Run)

* Note: Military Discounts Available ( Valid Military ID Required)

The courses are great and we will offer all of you some great swag, post race food, and trophies. We’re working hard with the community to make this a fun, rewarding, competitive as well family centric event.

We’re super excited about The TriFREAKS Inc. Kirkland Triathlon, and about seeing all of you there! To register and get some great early bird rates click on the register now button!

Where is the Kirkland Triathlon Held:

The Kirkland Triathlon is held in beautiful and newly updated Juanita Beach Park.  Juanita Beach Park is a popular place for families and individuals alike, with an expansive beach front with large grassy fields, a beach and docks for boats to drop off and pick up passengers. For families there is a playground, swing set, beach with shallow-end swimming and picnic areas. Juanita Beach is also a social hang-out that’s good for sunbathing, docking the boat in the water just off shore, and beach volleyball games.  And in our case of course, a great location to base a triathlon out of.  The address for the park is: 9703 NE Juanita Dr., Kirkland, WA 98034.  For a map of the park and to get directions to it click here.

Event Cost & Registration:

For event registration fees please visit our registration provider by clicking on the “Register Now” button.   Athletes can register late during Packet Pick-Up times and  on RACE DAY morning from 5:30 on with a $10.00 increase to price.  Registration fees and a list of participants can be found by clicking on the “Register Now” button below.  To get a list of all participants when you get there and select “Search Participants”, just leave the search box blank.

Weekend Schedule:

• Saturday, September 29th, 2012:
• 1:00 pm: Packet Pick-Up & Late Registration opens at Every Day Athlete in Kirkland.
• 5:00 pm: Packet Pick Up Closes for the day.

• Sunday, September 30th, 2012:
• 5:00 am: Transition area OPENS FOR ALL EVENTS at Juanita Beach Park
  
• 6:40 am: Transition area CLOSES FOR ALL EVENTS
• 6:45 am: Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting at Swim Start
• 7:00 am: Triathlon & Aquabike Swim Waves Start Every 3 Minutes
• 7:00 am: Duathlon Mass Start Begins
• 7:45 am: Post Race Brunch Opens at the “Finish Line Area”
• 9:30 am: Awards Ceremony Starts at the “Finish Line Area”
  
• 11:00 am: Adult Post Race Brunch Closes
  
• 11:30 pm: 12:45 pm: Packet Pick-Up & Late Registration for Kids Triathon
• 12:00 pm: 12:45 pm: Transition Area Opens for Kids Triathlon
• 12:45 pm: 1:00 pm: Mandatory Pre-Race Meeting for Kids Triathlon
• 1:00 pm: Kids Triathlon Starts
• 2:30 pm: Kids Triathlon Finishes

Swim Waves:

All swim waves will be self select and will start in 3 to 5 minutes increments based on how many participants are in each category.  Waves will be up to 75 people large.  By self select we mean that you decide what wave you want to go in.  The system is designed to let the competitive swimmers go first, then the not so competitive swimmers.  It provides a safe environment where nobody has to get swam over like some events have happen a lot.  It works great, and allows both men and women that are faster swimmers to compete against each other.

Course Cut Off Times:

Cut Off Time for each section of the event are as follows:

• Swim Cut Off: 8:15 am *
• Bike Transition Cut Off: 8:30 am **
• Bike Course Cut Off: 10:00 am **
• Run Cut Off: 11:00 am **

* Note: Swim cut off times are subject to change. They are based on 45 minutes after the last swim wave starts.
** Note: This time may change as it is based on when the last swim wave starts.

Packet Pickup Information:

Please review the above event schedule for specific packet pickup times and locations.  All participants can also pick up their packets the day of the race morning at the specified times in the weekend schedule.   Pre Race Packet Pickup location will be at Every Day Athlete in Kirkland, WA from the dates and times also posted in the above weekend schedule.

Start Area Check In:

Transition Area Check In: opens on Sunday, September 30th at Juanita Beach Park from 5:00 am until 6:40 am.

TRANSITION AREA SECURITY: All athletes will be cross checked for their bib numbers and body markings and security wrist bands issued for the race  for permission to enter the transition area. Non participants, and/or anyone not wearing a security wrist band will NOT be allowed inside the transition area.  Absolutely NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE!

ATTENTION: Please do not check your bike in until you are ready to leave it there for the race. For security purposes absolutely no bikes will be allowed out of the transition area once they have been checked in until the events start. If you feel you need to warm up on a bike, bring your commuter bike, or another bike to ride, or warm up on your bike before you check it in. Just make sure you leave yourself enough time to get ready for the swim if you are doing the triathlon or aquabike. You will be able to enter the transition area before your event to check your tires, etc…

HELMETS: Helmets are required at ANY TIME you are on a bike! Not wearing your helmet, even if you are just riding your bike to the transition area to check it in, or riding another bike to warm up, is grounds for DISQUALIFICATION! These are USAT RULES and they are there to protect you and us from injuries and/or any results thereof.

Event Parking:

Please note parking instructions for race day!  TriFreaks is not responsible for your vehicles should they be towed. And if they block the race they WILL BE TOWED!  Plan ahead, park smart and leave yourself enough time take care of everything you need to take care of the morning of the race.  There will be NO PARKING INSIDE Juanita Beach Park.  Parking will be available across the street, just north of NE Juanita Dr on the grass fields.  There are also many Parking spots on the local roads outside the park.  As of this time there is no drop off area before the event, however we are considering making the round about accessible the morning of the race for folks to be dropped off with their bikes.  Parking here, even for a couple of minutes will not be an option.  Violators will be ticketed!  We’re not trying to be difficult.  On the contrary, we’re trying to make sure everyone can have a good experience, so this is enforced to keep things moving for everyone.

Medical Aid Information:

While we will do our best to make sure there are no injuries and emergencies, life does sometimes happen this way. In order to make sure we can protect you as best as we can, we have provided the evacuation route to the right for our emergency crews. Particularly for the swim section, all boats will be instructed to take emergencies to the NE section of the boardwalk, where we can safely avoid the majority of activities in the park to safely get anyone out that needs to be evacuated.  Emergencies will be taken to: Evergreen Hospital Medical Center (12040 NE 128th Street, Kirkland, WA 98034 | Tel. #: 425.899.3000).  For first aid and other minor issues, please report to the check in / registration area close to the finish line, where we will have first aid supplies available as well as an EMT.

Before we cover the course info, please note the following:

For the TriFREAKS Kirkland Triathlon all events will start out of the Juanita Beach Park. Late registration, packet pickup, post race food and awards will also be at the Juanita Beach Park. Please review the “Event Details” tab for more info. For directions to the park click here.

Kirkland Triathlon Transition Area:

Transition Area Layout

The transition area for the event is a short flat run from the swim start/finish area and is located on the west most paved parking lot area of the park.  There will be water bins that you can step in and out of to clean off your feet before slipping into your biking shoes to start the bike course after finishing your swim.  The image to the right shows the layout for the transition area.  There will be both porta potties right by the transition area as well as the facilities that are in the park.

Swim To Bike Transition Flow

Note: The park facilities provide outside showers that can be used to rinse off after the race.

When you are done swimming, you will exit through the Swim Out arch at the beach.  The short path from the water exit to the paved path that leads to the transition area will have outdoor rug on it to protect your feet.  The path will be closed off to keep spectators out to allow you a clear transition to your bike.  As long as spectators stay off the path this is a great area for them to cheer you on.  The image to the left shows the swim to bike transition flow.Our transition areas are laid out according to USAT rules, making sure everyone travels the same distance to get from one area to the next.

Kirkland Triathlon Swim Course:

Kirkland Triathlon Sprint Swim Route

The Sprint swim course is one counter clockwise lap (.5 miles) around the course.  The Try a Tri will be half that distance (.35 miles) For details on direction to swim, where to turn, etc… please click the image to the right for a larger view of the swim course or review the interactive swim course map by clicking the link below.  Note that while the last .10 miles are considered part of the swim the water is relatively shallow there, so it is likely that you may be able to walk.  Whether you do so is your choice.  Often walking is slower than swimming if you are a average to good swimmer.

All swim waves are self select seating. Meaning, you select what wave you are in. If you are a faster swimmer you should be in the first waves, and if you area a slower swimmer you should be in the later waves. If you intend to make an attempt to win the event, or place, then you should pick the first wave. We will provide further instruction, as well as create the waves on the spot during race day.

The following open online maps for the Sprint and Try a Tri swim:

• Sprint: .5 Miles (860 Yards) – Interactive Sprint Swim Course Map
• Try a Tri: .35 Miles (600 Yards) – Interactive Try a Tri Swim Course Map

Kirkland Triathlon Bike Course:

Kirkland Triathlon Bike Route

The Kirkland Triathlon bike course is either a two lap or one lap course depending on what event you do.  We have chose this course to minimize the number of times you have to turn as well as cross major intersections.  The course is of course hilly ( It’s impossible to find a flat course in Kirkland ), however you’ll enjoy both the up and downhill sections.  The work you put in to go up will be rewarded on the downhills.  The Sprint bike course is two laps for a total of 13.93 miles.  The Try a Tri is one lap of the same course, so 6.97 miles.  There are no aid stations on the bike course, although we will have one right outside the park where you initially enter the bike course.  Make sure you carry enough water with you if you need water during the ride.  For detailed maps please review the interactive bike course maps below or please click the image to the right to get a larger view.  The interactive course maps offer the best level of detail and information, so make sure you look at them.

The following open online maps for the Sprint and Try a Tri Bike Course:

• Sprint: 13.93 Miles (Two Laps) – Interactive Sprint Bike Course Map
• Try a Tri: 6.97 Miles (One Lap) – Interactive Try a Tri Bike Course Map

Note: If you’d like elevation gain information for the bike course make sure you click the “Elevation” button at the bottom of the screen while viewing the online interactive maps.

Kirkland Triathlon Run Course:

Kirkland Triathlon Run Route

The run course is 3.11 miles for all events and is about as flat as a course gets within Kirkland. Total elevation gain for the run is 184 feet.  For the duathlon participants will run the run loop first, then do the bike course, and then do another lap on the run course.  The aquabike participants will ride the bike course and then finish one lap on the run course before finishing.  Participants of the Try a Tri do the same 3.11 mile run distance as all the other participants.  There will be an aid station at the half way mark on the run.

For detailed maps please review the interactive bike course maps below or please click the image to the right to get a larger view.  The interactive course maps offer the best level of detail and information, so make sure you look at them.

The following is an online map for the Sprint and Try a Tri Run Course:

• Sprint & Try a Tri:  3.11 Miles – Interactive Sprint Run  Course Map

Event Flow Within the Park:

For a better idea of how the event will flow within the park please see the image to the right.  You will note how the runs leave and enter the park, as well as how the bike out and in works and where the finish line will be located.  If you have questions you can always ask them at the mandatory pre-race meeting.

Hammer Aid Station Info:

There will be aid stations with water, Hammer Heed and Gels at the following locations:

• Right before entering the transition area.
• Right after leaving the transition area with your bike.
• Right at the area that marks one lap on the bike course.
• Right after leaving the transition area for your run.
• At the half way mark for the run course.

The course maps have the aid stations marked if you’d like to review them. All aid stations will have Water, Hammer Heed^TM and some gels as well as light snacks.

More information coming soon….

More information coming soon….

More information coming soon….

Athletes instructions will be available closer to the date of the event.  We will also notify all registered participants via email when they are available.

TriFreaks is delighted to announce that Sammamish Valley Cycle is providing bike support for the Federal Escape Triathlon.  In their own words:

Ever since its founding in 1981, Sammamish Valley Cycle has been about a passion for the sport of cycling. Over the years, we’ve evolved into one of the Pacific Northwest’s best bike shops, with extensive experience and expertise in road, mountain, triathlon, track and randonneuring. All owners and employees are avid cyclists and we take your cycling seriously.

Although we have a reputation for being one of the premier road and triathlon shops, we still endeavor to excel in all aspects of cycling to help you find the right hybrid, mountain, or children’s bike, explain the latest in generator lighting systems, and help with the myriad of clothing and accessories you might need.

Through the years of working with the Seattle International Randonneurs (SIR), Team in Training, various local racing teams and our loyal customers, we’re driven to offer you the best bicycles, accessories, service and advice to make your cycling experience the best it can be. We only offer products that we use and endorse, and will always strive to give you our best in service or sales. We’re about quality and that goes for both our product offerings as well as our personal interactions. Cycling is fun and we want to share our enthusiasm with you.