22st ANNUAL - Niles Triathlon
Saturday, September 5, 2009

8:30 am Start - Olympic Trii
9:00 am Start - Super Sprint Triathlon

Race Distances:
Sprint Triathlon: 200m Swim - 10K Bike - 2.5K Run
Olympic Triathlon: 1.5K Swim - 40K Bike - 10K Run

SPRINT COURSE MAP - See Map Page
OLYMPIC COURSE MAP - See Map Page

Date: September 5, 2009

Time: First wave at 8:30 a.m. EDT

Race Entry Fees:

Please see ON-LINE entry on Home Page

Non-USAT Add                  $10                  $10

Packet Pick-Up:
Friday September 4, 2009- 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Barron Lake Fire Department

OR
Saturday, September 5th, 6:30-8:00 am at the race site. 

Everyone must present a photo ID at packet pick up. Everyone MUST sign a waiver when you pick up your packet unless you are an annual USAT member! Each team member must pick up their own packet, show id and sign waiver: NO EXCEPTIONS.

Course: The swim will take place in beautiful Barron Lake. Participants will swim a triangular course. The bike course take you through the country side with one or two challenging hills and some flat. The run course offers rolling hills and some flat.
Course maps available on our Maps & PDF's page

Rules: Swimmers must wear swim cap provided / wetsuits allowed (if water is under 78°F). Bikers must wear a CPSC approved helmet. No drafting rule will be strictly enforced.

Shirts: Everyone registered will receive a t-shirt.

Aid Stations: One aid station will be provided on the bike course along with five on run course.

Contact Information:
Race Director - Tom Majerek
Email tom@triniles.com

Lodging: Holiday Inn Express
1265 S. 11th Street
Niles, MI 49120
269-684-3900

Age Groups: 12-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+

Awards: Awards will be given out at 12 noon. Awards to the first THREE overall Male and Female (Olympic and Sprint)  Awards are three deep in each age group category listed above and the top three M/F will be pulled out of the age group categories.
THERE WILL BE AGE GROUP SPRINT AWARDS IN 2009!

Race Day Activities: All activities on race day will take place at the Barron Lake Fire Department.

Location: Barron Lake Rd.
Niles, Michigan 49120

Direction to Barron Lake: View or download our printable maps on the the Maps and PDF's page. 

Frequently asked questions

By far the #1 question every year is...will wet suits be allowed?
Wet suits will be allowed if the water temperature is at or below 78 degrees on race day morning.
I have done this race for most of its 21 years and don't remember the last time that the water temperature didn't allow for wet suits.  But in the end, the water temperature is the deciding factor.

If wet suits are not allowed can I still wear one?
Safety is the most important factor in our event.  If wet suits are not allowed on race day and you feel that for your safety you need to wear your wet suit, simply tell a race official and you will be allowed to wear your wet suit and participate but you will not be placed in the overall or age group categories.

Safety on the lake:
The swim course will be monitored by both lifeguards and divers.

How far is 200 Meters?
A meter is slightly longer than a yard so 200 meters is 219 yards.  That makes the distance similar to swimming the length of a football field and back.

Was the Olympic swim short in 2008?
Yes it was.  The fog made it impossible to properly set the course in advance.  With the 30 minute fog delay it was decided to start the race as soon as possible. With athletes standing around in wet suits and traffic increasing on the roads safety had to be the overriding concern.  The course was about 900 meters.