Information you need to know!

This will be a USA Triathlon-sanctioned race.

You must be a licensed USA Triathlon member or buy a one-day license to participate for $10. + $2. handling fee. For more information on USA Triathlon, call 719/597-9090. You are responsible for knowing race rules. ANSI-approved helmets are required for the bike ride and wet suits are being allowed.

Distances: 800 meters (about 1/2 mile); 30km bike (18.6 miles);5km run (3.1 miles)

Time: The Louisiana Triathlon at New Roads begins promptly at 8 a.m. in downtown New Roads at the Morrison Parkway boat launch. The field is limited to 400. There will be wave starts, which will be announced at packet pick up.

Packet Pick-Up: 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, April 18, 2009 on the porch of the Mayor's office at 234 West Main Street. On race day packets will be available from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. Sorry, no refunds. Event will take place rain or shine.

Course: We have a limited number of volunteers on the course, so it is all the more important to be familiar with the course, which is the same as it was the last two years. Don't assume lead vehicles or other volunteers know the course. Courses are not completely closed to traffic.

Swim: Water temperatures are expected to be as low as 65 degrees F. Use of wet suits are governed by the USA Triathlon rules. Don't enter the event unless you can healthily and safely swim 800 meters. A limited number of buoys and volunteers boats will be on the course to guide swimmers.

Information you need to know!

We have a limited number of volunteers on the course, so it is all the more important to be familiar with the course, which is the same as it was the last two years. Don't assume lead vehicles or other volunteers know the course. Courses are not completely closed to traffic.

Bike: Out-and-back course from downtown New Roads to Ventress (or the "Island"; as locals call it). The roads are very flat and medium to good surfaces.

Run: Point-to-Point Run Course

The 2008 run will be a point-to-point run, not an out-and-back one. Runners will head out of the transition area from the lake front and on to the top of the hill. As in recent years, runners, will take a left on to Main Street. All the post-race activities and post-race refreshments will be at the Pointe Coupée Parish Recreation Center. Triathletes will need to make arrangements to get back to their tranisition area equipment and bikes (about 1.5 miles from the new finish line area).

Directions to Race Site: Take U.S. Highway 190 (Airline Highway) to Louisiana Highway 1 headed north to downtown New Roads. At the intersection of Louisiana Highway 15, follow signs to downtown area.

You will proceed straight down what becomes Louisiana Highway 15 to Morrison Parkway boat launch, which is right across the street from Regions Bank.

Accommodations: Call Greater Pointe Coupée Chamber of Commerce at 225/638-3500. Call early since accommodations are limited and fill fast.

We also have a list here.

Awards: As of this date, awards will be given to male and female triathletes in the following groups:

overall, overall masters, 14 and under 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60 +

All awards not claimed on race day are forfeited.

Massage Therapists to be at Race
Kathie Lea and her band of massage therapsists will be on hand to give triathletes short (but powerfully substantive) massages after the race. The massages are free of charge, but some of the therapists may be allowed to take tips.

Please Don't Park on Main Street
There will be plenty of parking available to participants and spectators, but race directors are not allowing parking on Main Street on the morning of the event. New Roads policemen will be enforcing parking arrangements and directing traffic.

Awards Must be Claimed Race Day
Any awards presented to participants must be claimed on race day. Awards not claimed on race day will be forfeited.

Late Entrants Pick Up T-Shirts
After May 29 in Baton Rouge
Participants who register on or after Wednesday, April 16, 2008, may claim their t-shirts at Dunaway Realty at 2325 Weymouth Drive near Hammond Aire Mall in Baton Rouge after May 29, 2009 and through June 30, 2009. No t-shirt mailings will be made to late entrants.

Notify Officials If You Drop Out
If for whatever reason you have to drop out of the race, please notify officials for safety reasons. All entrants who begin the contest must be accounted for after the event. Medical professionals and Acadian Ambulance will be on-site for any services participants may need.

Bayou Haystackers Kayackers Helping
The Bayou Haystackers Kayackers will be on hand helping during the swim portion of the race. Among club leaders is Mike Murphy of Kenner. Bayou Haystackers, including members from throughout South Louisiana, has contributed members' time and energy for all three Louisiana Triathlons.

Swim Caps Made Available by Pedal Play Bicycles
Pedal Play Bicycles of Baton Rouge will be providing this years swim caps. Pedal Play is a fitness retailer owned and operated by Scott Mackey.

Bike Checkups Strongly Encouraged
A good, thorough bicycle check up is a good idea before racing. Limited mechanical help, will be on hand for some on-site inspections and adjustments.
But a real inspection needs to be done at least a week before the April 21st event. Bicycle inspections are optional, but participants should take advantage of area bike shops for help.
Some of the other bike shops experienced in such inspections include:
-- Pedal Play in Baton Rouge
-- Bicycle Shop in Baton Rouge
-- Capitol Cylery in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles;
-- GNO Cyclery in New Orleans;
-- Red River Cyclery on Jackson Street in Alexandria;
-- Joe's Bicycles on Tulane in New Orleans;
-- Bicycle Connection in Jefferson Parish;
-- The Spokesman in Mandeville;
-- Babib Tri-Sports in Kenner;
-- Precision Bikes in Lafayette;
-- Johnson's Bicycle Shop in Lafayette.

Make Sure to Have I.D. When Registering !!!
When you check in at the on-site registration area to pick up your race packet, make sure you have current, photo identification with you. USA Triathlon insurance is getting stricter and stricter and requires that events organizers confirm that triathletes are indeed whom they say they are when they participate.
Those who are already USA Triathlon members should have their USA Triathlon membership cards with them also and must present them when checking in to pick up their race packets.