General Race Information

Date: Saturday - Sunday, July 12-13, 2008 (Both races take place on Sunday, July 13th).

Where: West End Beach of Donner Lake, Truckee, CA
Truckee is approximately 2 hours east of Sacramento, 1/2 hour west of Reno, 3.5 hours east of San Francisco and 1/2 north of North Lake Tahoe.

Times: Sunday, July 13th - Sprint Triathlon starts at 7:00 a.m.
      Sunday, July 13th - Int’l Triathlon starts at 7:30 a.m.
      Packet Pick Up is Saturday, July 12th from 11 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
      NOTE: Packet Pick Up will take place at the West End Beach.

Race Distances:
Sprint Triathlon: 1/4 mile swim, 6 mile bike, 2 mile run
Int’l Triathlon: 1.5K swim (0.9 miles), 40K bike (24.8 miles), 6.5 mile run

Elevation:
Donner Lake: 6000’. Donner Summit: 7200’.

Course Information

Swim: The swim courses are rectangular-shaped courses in Donner Lake. Corners are marked by large buoys and kayakers/boats are along the course to ensure your safety. The average water temperature of Donner Lake in July is 64-69 degrees. Wetsuits are optional. The swim course maps are posted on our Course Maps page.

Bike: The bike course takes place on Old Highway 40. The entire course is paved. 
The sprint course is 6 miles total- 3 miles each way up to Donner Summit and back. The total climb on the bike for the sprint course is about 1000’. The turnaround point is at the view area on Rainbow Bridge (will be well marked and staffed on event day). There is no aid station on the sprint bike course and athletes are encouraged to bring a full water bottle with them on their bike.
The international course is 40K (24.8 miles) and is also an out-and-back course. Cyclists start their ride with a climb up to the top of Donner Summit (about 1200’). This portion of the bike course is closed to all vehicular traffic (except emergency vehicles). Upon reaching the summit you will have a great view of Donner Lake and the Truckee Valley. You continue westbound along Old Highway 40, passing Sugar Bowl and Donner Ski Ranch, cabins, ponds and other wonderful scenery. This portion of the course is relatively flat with small rolling hills. Upon reaching I-80, you will cross over the freeway and continue towards Kingvale. This portion of the coures is surrounded by trees. The turn-a-round point will include an aid station where you can toss your water bottle in exchange for a new one (either filled with water or fluid replacement). The course concludes with the descent down Donner Summit where we remind you to use extreme caution. 
The Foot Down Stop: Whether you are competing in the sprint or international distance, you will be required to perform a foot down stop at the bottom of the descent, before continuing on to re-enter the transition area. A foot down stop means one of your feet comes out of your bike clips (or off your pedal) and rests on the ground while your bike is at a complete stop for a minimum of 3 seconds. The reason for the foot down stop is a purely a safety issue. Should the foot down not be enforced, we would be cleaning up cyclists’ carnage as they attempted (unsuccessfully) to make the 130 degree turn back into the transtion area at 55 mph. Everyone has to do the foot down stop so there is no advantage/disadvantage for anyone. Failure to comply will result in a DQ and there are absolutely no exceptions.
Mount/Dismount Area: At the Donner Lake Triathlon, you are not permitted to ride your bike in the transition area. There is a mount and dismount area outside of the bike start / bike finish tents.

Run: The sprint course features a 2 Mile out-and-back run on South Shore Drive. Triathletes leave the transition area on the South side of the parking lot. You will pass two aid stations while on the run: one as you leave the transition area and the other at the turn-a-round point. 
The international course includes a 6.5 mile run. Triathletes head out of the transition area on the North side (same as bike in/out) and turn right on Donner Pass Road. Athletes travel along Donner Pass Road with views of the lake to their right for about 3 miles. This portion is relatively flat. Then participants turn right and head into Donner Memorial State Park. Here a slight portion of the course is on a trail (the rest is on paved (asphalt).roads. As participants exit Donner Memorial State Park, they will start the final portion of the run course on South Shore Drive. South Shore Drive features three hills. Both courses conclude at the finish line at the West End Beach’s Pavilion Area (southernmost portion of the West End Beach). There will be four water/fluid replacement stations along the international run course. 

Transition Area

Where: The transition area for both distances will be located on the grass area located in between the main parking lot and the lake shore, at the West End Beach of Donner Lake.

What: The transition area is where you rack your bike and keep all your race gear. After completing the swim, you return to the transition area for your bike and helmet; upon conclusion of the bike portion, you return and rack your bike before starting your run. Rack spaces are not pre-assigned and are available on a first come, first serve basis. Relays must rack in the relay pen. Each row will be labeled. There will be separate areas for the Sprint and the Int’l participants. The transition area will open at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday and will be a secure athlete-only area. Spectators will not be permitted. Riding of bikes is not allowed in the transition area; you must mount/dismount past the bike in/out area. See the Transition Area section on our FAQs page for additional information.

Pre-Race Meeting

The pre-race meeting (conducted by one of our Race Directors and our Race Announcer) will be held at 4:00 pm on July 12th, at the Pavilion at the West End Beach, near the packet pick up. If you have not participated in the race before, or if you have any questions, you should plan on attending the meeting.

Awards & Age Divisions

Sprint Triathlon: Awards will be presented to the top three overall male and female finishers as well as to the top three finishers in the following age divisions: 19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, ..., 65-69, 70-74, 75+. The top three relay teams in each category will also receive awards. There is no athena/clydesdale division in the sprint distance.

Int’l Triathlon: Awards are presented to the following categories:

• Age Group Overall: Awards presented to the top three overall male and female finishers
• Age Group: Awards presented to the top three overall male and female finishers per age division (19 & Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, ..., 65-69, 70-74, 75+.)
• Clydesdale/Athena: Awards will be presented to the top three clydesdale and top three athena finishers.
• Relays: Awards will be presented to the top three teams in each of the following divisions: All Male, All Female, Mixed Sex.

Race Photography

Brightroom.com will be at the event taking photos of athletes at the swim finish, race finish and on the bike course. Be sure to wear your bib number visibly on the front of your body during the run so that it is visible at the finish line for photo opportunities. Photos will be posted on brightroom.com following the event.

 

Race Results & Timing

ChampionChip timing will be used to time and score this event. Your timing chip must be worn on your ankle during the entire race in order for you to be timed properly. Finish times and splits will be posted at the event, as well as on this site by 9:00 pm on Sunday, July 13th.