Find A Triathlon Race Site Contest

One of the most difficult things to do is find a good race site. Over the years we have had many requests or suggestions on how to improve various race sites and we thought some of you would like a challenge. If you think you have that "perfect" race site, and it matches the criteria we use in looking for a site, you could be rewarded for your suggestion.

All you need to do is send us your race site selection using the criteria below and, if your site is chosen, we will pay you $3,000 CDN and give you a full season of racing (value of up to $750). Even if you do not have that ideal site you might be interested in some of the high level criteria used in selecting a race site.

Not Sure?

If you are not completely sure if you should spend the time putting together a Race Site Proposal and need to talk with someone first. It may be as simple as asking if we have considered a location in the past or if we have ruled a location out previously. Please email John Salt or Jason Vurma with a phone number and time for him to call you. John or Jason will discuss things with you and you can then decide if you wish to enter.

Submitting Your Proposal

The initial submission need only contain the high-level description of the proposed site using the Criteria below. Detailed maps are not required on the first submission but we wil require rough drawings and measurements.

The Criteria

The following criteria has to be used in order for a race site to be considered:

Race Site and Date

1. The race site must be available from June 1 to September 21, starting in the following race season.
2. A Race Site map is required and must include a high level overview of: location of the Transition Area, the Swim course, Bike course, Run course, Registration Area and Post-Race Awards Area
3. MultiSport Canada must be able to obtain permission and a contract for use of the site for a minimum of five (5) years. This may be conditional based on the local municipality reviewing the impact of the first year race.
4. Must be within a 175km radius from the GTA (Ontario only). Sites beyond that distance will be considered individually.
5. Parking for up to 500 cars within 500m of the race site and/or 1,000 cars within one kilometre of the race site.

Transition Area and Finish Line

1. Swim Exit and Run Start must be located on one side of the Transition Area. The Bike In and Out must be located on the opposite side of the Transition Area.
2. Transition Area - Flat Grass or pavement area within 150m of the water's edge
3. Transition Area - Minimum of 75m x 100m
4. Finish Line - Separate, or adjacent, flat grass/pavement area
5. Finish Line - Minimum of 75m x 15m

Swim

1. Rough drawing or map showing swim course and location as it relates to the Transition Area
2. Water temperature must be equal to or greater than 18 degree Celsius = 64.4 degree Fahrenheit based on historical data.
3. Body of water that has a minimal possibility of poor conditions (i.e. high winds and rough waves), based on historic weather data.
4. If the body of water is prone to high wind and/or rough waves a back-up swim location must be within 400 metres of the Transition Area.
5. Body of Water with capacity for up to 2,000m loop (approx 300m x 1,000m at minimum)
6. Minimal to no watercraft traffic depending on the size of the swim course. For larger bodies of water an area must be available where watercraft can be kept out.
7. Excellent Water Quality (less than 10 eColi/100ml of Water) during proposed race time
8. Entrance/Exit from the water to Transition Area no more than 150 metres away

Cycling

1. Rough drawing or map showing the Mount/Dismount Line and the overall bike course as it relates to the Transition Area
2. Easy Access from Transition Area to roads for cycling that are quiet on a weekend morning
3. Minimal vehicular traffic preferred
4. Less than eight intersections that require police control
5. Preference to a looped course with right hand turns (exception being the final turn back into Transition Area.
6. For an out and back course must be a minimum of 20km
7. The bike course must not have:
   • Significant Rough Patches
   • Active Rail Lines (Anytime can be train time)
   • Other active business on a weekend morning (Golf Courses, Garden Centres, Paintball, etc.)

Running

1. Rough drawing or map showing run course and location as it relates to the Transition Area and the Finish Line
2. Easy access from Transition Area to roads for running
3. Run cannot be on the same road that is used for the cycling portion of the race. If run is on the same road as the cycling portion it must be in the opposite direction or on a road that is adjacent to the cycling portion and the Transition Area.
4. Run must be on a quiet road with minimal vehicular traffic and preferably wide enough so that a lane can be dedicated to the run course.
5. Minimum 5km Out-&-Back

Other

1. Local Accommodations of 300+ Rooms
2. Potential local volunteer support of 50+ Volunteers must be included with submission (i.e. Relationship with Service Clubs, local schools etc.)
3. Local municipal support including the possibility of in-kind services, such as road sweeping, use of barricades for crowd control etc.

The Selection Process

1. MultiSport Canada will review all entries and determine if the site location is suitable using MultiSport Canada criteria and standards
2. MultiSport Canada will contact the person who submitted the potential race site and review initial proposal by phone
3. All local permissions and authorizations must be granted and obtained by MultiSport Canada
4. The race site must make sense financially.
5. Once a race site is established it will be added to the MultiSport Canada race schedule as soon as possible in the following race year.
6. The winning contributor will be presented with a cheque for $3,000 and a pass for a season of free racing at the Awards after the inaugural race.

The Rules

1. All entries must be submitted to MultiSport Canada electronically to the contest email address: racesite@multisportcanada.com
2. Sites that currently host a race or have recently hosted a race will not be eligible. Exceptions will be considered after MultiSport Canada contacts the applicant.
3. The first year of the race there must be a minimum of 25 volunteers.
4. If a race site is submitted it cannot be used by MultiSport Canada for three years unless payment is awarded to the individual who submitted the site proposal and plan. If it is used, MultiSport Canada will award the $3,000 to the person who submitted the proposal