Great Falls Triathlon 2015

[KA2ODP/7]

We are providing radio communications support for the adult bicycle ride portion of the Great Falls Triathlon. The event will start with a swim, transition to a bike ride, and then transition to jogging. We are not involved in the youth bicycle routes, or the swimming/jogging portions of the triathlon. Our only concern is the adult bicycle route that extends over 6-miles south of Great Falls, on county roads that will NOT be closed to vehicle traffic.

Location: Electric City Water Park
21 River Drive South

Date: Sunday, 2 August 2015

Show Time: 6:30 AM at the Communications Trailer, in the parking lot of the water park, near the Start/Finish line.

Parking: At the Civic Center. Walk over to the water park from there. The water park parking lot will be closed off for use as the bike transition
area. There will be NO parking available at the water park itself.

Comm Check: 6:55 AM on the 147.300 MHz repeater

Event Start Time: 7:00 AM

Frequency: All check points will operate on the 147.300 MHz repeater.

Radios: Most radio operators should be able to park their vehicles at their check point and
operate their mobile radio if needed. However, use of portable radios will allow a better
view of the participants as they pass by. There is no parking available at the
Start/Finish line, so a portable radio will be required for that location.

Gear: ARES yellow safety vest (a limited number of loaner vests are available in the
Communications Trailer), clipboard with note pad for recording participant numbers,
folding chair, cooler with water & snacks, HT radio with spare battery & speaker/mic.

Event Duration: 7:00-11:00 AM (adult bicycle ride)

Event Time-Line: The triathlon features a staggered start. At 7:00 AM the first participant will dive into the pool and begin swimming. Thereafter, at 30-second intervals, the next participant will dive in and begin swimming. Each adult participant must swim the equivalent of 500 meters. Participants are racing against the clock for best time.

After completing the swim portion of the triathlon, participants will climb out of the pool, change clothes in the pool building, and continue out to the bike transition area in the pool parking lot. They will then get on their bicycle and start the adult bicycle course by riding out of the parking lot and onto River Drive South. Upon their return, they will park their bicycle in the same parking lot, change sneakers, and begin the jogging portion of the triathlon. The jogging course runs in the opposite direction of the bicycle course.

The last adult participant is expected to dive into the pool to start their swim around 8:15 AM. The last adult bike rider is expected to finish the 12.6-mile course around 10:30 AM. There will be a Sag wagon following the last rider. Our portion of the event will end after the Sag wagon completes the sweep.