Course and Competition
Age Groups and Medals
Finisher's Medal
All finishers receive a beautiful finisher's medal!
Age Groups (Male/Female/Nonbinary Divisions)
14-15, 16-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+
Olympic/Sprint/Mini-Sprint
1st Place Overall Male/Female/Nonbinary
1st Place Masters Male/Female/Nonbinary
Top 5 in each age group Male/ Female/Nonbinary
Aquabike & Duathlon
1st Place Overall Male/Female/Nonbinary
1st Place Masters Male/Female/Nonbinary
1st in each age group Male/Female/Nonbinary
Athena & Clydesdale Division Olympic/Sprint
1st Place Overall Male/Female/Nonbinary 39 & under
1st Place Overall Male/Female/Nonbinary 40+
Athena & Clydesdale Explained
Relay Awards
1st place team in each division
Notes:
A minimum of 20 participants is required in a division of each event for an overall prize to be awarded. There is no minimum participation requirement for age-group awards.
We know your time is precious, so we offer “Grab-n-Go” Awards. Check the results by the finish line or at the award table. If you finish overall in your division or top 5 in your age group, you win an award! Pick up your prize at the award table and get a photo on the podium before heading home.
If you miss this opportunity and would like your award shipped, fill out THIS FORM.
Aid Stations will have water and Gatorade
Aid Station locations:
Transition Area Swim In/Run Out
Run Course Mile 1.5 (Sprint and Olympic Only)
Run Course Mile 4.5 (Olympic Only)
Bibs, Chips, Timing Straps
You will be given a bib sheet and ankle strap. Please place the number on your bike and helmet and wear your bib for the run. The best way to do this is with a race belt that is available in our store.
Bike Support
Aberdeen Bike will be on-site to help you with any last-minute bicycle needs before the start of the race!
We also recommend visiting Aberdeen in Chelsea, MI before race day to make sure your bike is race-ready!
How to set up your transition area
Setting up a transition area can be a daunting experience! The transition area is the “hub” of the race and packed with participants.
Use the following as a guideline on how to set-up your transition area for all Epic Races’ triathlons, duathlons, and aquabikes. It is helpful to practice setting up and using your transition area.
Know exactly what items you will use for T1 and T2. Also, know the precise order in which you will use everything. Shoes, sunglasses, helmet, bike, hat, and anything else you may need or want. Remember to keep it as simple as possible!
Rack your bike: Find your number in the transition area. Standing behind your bike, lift the back part of your bike off the ground and place the front part of your bike seat over the bike rack.
Be sure to check your front and back brake pads to prevent rubbing on your wheel during the race.
Check tire pressure. (If you are unsure about this or the brake pads or anything else technical for your bike, head over to our bike support crew and ask for help!
Make sure your bike is in a comfortable gear. Small chain ring, as opposed to big chain ring, is a lot easier to pedal after getting out of transition area.
Use a bath towel or folded beach towel (preferably lightweight and small) and claim your territory beside your front wheel. This is your area to be used during the race. Remember, you have your spot but others need space as well. Your towel should hold only the belongings you plan on using during the race. Keep all other pre and post-race items outside of the transition area. Here is a general list:
Swim goggles
Swim cap
Bike helmet
Bike shoes
Run shoes/socks
Race number (and a way to wear that number, such as a race belt)
Nutrition and hydration (longer distance races)
Place your ankle strap (w/ timing tag attached) on your ankle.
Place your filled water bottles on your bike.
Set up your running shoes and bike shoes if you have them in a comfortable place to grab them quickly. Be sure to loosen laces and straps.
Place your helmet on the towel either next to or in front of your cycling shoes. Be sure the straps are unbuckled and the helmet will easily fit on your head. Your helmet should be upside down, with the front of the helmet (helmet number from race bag) closest to your feet.
Open your sunglasses and place the lenses inside the helmet with the sides of the glasses pointing up. Be sure your glasses are open so that you can grab the outside of the sunglasses and quickly put them on your face.
If you plan on wearing a hat/visor, place your visor on the very top of the towel, in front of your running shoes. Be sure the hat/visor is already adjusted to fit your head.
If you plan on using a race belt, unfasten your race belt (w/ race bib attached) and place the belt next to your running shoes. If you do not plan on using a race belt, safety pin your race bib to your running singlet.
If you have any additional nutrition items (gels, water) or miscellaneous items (inhaler, Vaseline, sunblock) keep those items on the back of the towel (away from your feet).
Click here for a video demonstration of Transition Area setup from our Race Director, Eva Solomon!
Here is a great photo from our friends at Feisty Triathlon:
Water Safety & Wetsuits
Time-Trial Swim Start
The race will be a time trial swim start. What does that mean? This means that swimmers line up on the beach and, at the race starter’s signal, enter the water individually 3 seconds apart. See the race schedule to know when to line up for your race.
Open Water Swim
ALL OPEN WATER SWIMMERS MUST WEAR A SWIM BUOY FOR IDENTIFICATION PURPOSES ! (If you do not have one, Epic Races will provide you with one.
Epic Lifeguards
Members of the Epic Lifeguard Team have American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding Certification in addition to basic American Red Cross Lifeguarding Certification. This means that they have all taken and passed an additional course in which they received training in the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to emergencies in non-surf, open-water areas. Our superbly trained lifeguards are yet another reason our races are so Epic!
If you or somebody you know is interested in joining our lifeguard team, CLICK HERE for an application.
USAT Rule 4.4 Wetsuits
Each age group participant shall be permitted to wear a wet suit without penalty in any event sanctioned by USA Triathlon up to and including a water temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water temperature is greater than 78 degrees, but less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, age group participants may wear a wet suit at their own discretion, provided however that participants who wear a wet suit within this temperature range shall not be eligible for prizes or awards. Age group participants shall not wear wet suits in water temperatures equal to or greater than 84 degrees Fahrenheit. The wetsuit policy for elite athletes shall be determined by the USAT Athletes Advisory Council. The AAC has set the wetsuit maximum temperature for elite athletes at 68 degrees for swim distances less than 3000 meters and 71.6 degrees for distances of 3000 meters or greater. Any swimmer wearing a wetsuit with a thickness measured in any part greater than 5 millimeters shall be disqualified.
