Q. Do you still need volunteers?
A. YES!!!! Click Here and get in on the action!
Q. I have family coming that would like to volunteer where you need help. How can they get involved?
A. Have them click the same link above and tell us how they’d like to get involved. If some of them are kids, please let us know that so we can make the best use of their skills!
GENERAL RACE/REGISTRATION QUESTIONS
Q. Is your credit card site secure?
A. Yes
Q. Do you give discounts for Students?
A. Yes, there is a $30 discount for Students. Make sure you bring either an extremely youthful appearance or, better yet, a student ID card.
Q. Is the Lake Meridian Triathlon a USAT sanctioned event?
A. Yes. So.....If you aren’t a member of USA Triathlon, you’ll need to pay a $10 one-day membership fee. This race will count toward USAT’s 2011 rankings
Q. I signed up and now I can’t come! What are my options? Do you give refunds?
A. View our Cancellation/Refund Policy. We try to be reasonable and fair -
Q. May I give or sell my slot to someone else?
A. Entries can be transferred to another athlete for $20. But NOT on race day. Contact Kathy
Q. Are there any benefits to registering early?
A. Definitely, there is a fee increase as the race date approaches. TRY to get your entry in by 8/18 to guarantee a shirt and a medal.
Q. May I register my friend on-line with my credit card?
A. No, each person must register on-line for themselves. They may register using your credit card number and expiration date with your approval.
Q. Are there rules?
A. Yep. Because this is a USAT sanctioned event, Standard USAT rules apply. You’ll stay out of trouble as long as you complete your entire swim/bike/run course, don’t draft on the bike or block other bikers trying to pass you, and aren’t paced by a spectator on the run. There are one or two other rules and you can read them HERE.
Q. What do I get if I win?
A. Well, a lot of self-satisfaction for starters! If you are the overall male or female winner in any of the 3 distances, you’ll get a free entry to an RTB event in 2012, and a prize. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd man or woman in each age group will get a pint glass to help you celebrate
Q. Do the Super Sprinters win awards?
A. Yes, we learned our lesson last year! 1st, 2nd, 3rd in each age group get an award and everybody gets a neat medal and a shirt.
Q. What do I do with my Timing Chip if it is not returned at the finish line?
A. There is a $20 fee for all chips not collected within 10 days. Please mail the Timing Chip, and a paper with your name and race number in a padded envelope to the address below:
Raise the Bar Events
29425 201st Pl SE
Kent, WA 98042
Q. What do I need for Registration/Packet Pick Up?
A. You MUST bring a photo ID to packet pick up. REALLY. REALLY REALLY. If you are a USAT member, you must bring your current USAT card. If you do not have your current USAT card, go to the USAT website and print out a copy. If you do not show the USAT card, you will need to pay the $10 one day fee.
-Each participant must pick up his/her own race packet. Friends/Family CAN NOT pick up race packets for each other.
*Each member of relay teams must pick up his/her race packet. One relay member CAN NOT pick up all of the packets for the entire team.
We don’t make these rules up - USAT does. They are in place to protect you if something were to happen to you on race day. Thanks for your patience.
Q. Where do all of the race numbers go?
A. At registration you will receive several race numbers, bike ties and safety pins. There are no numbers or tags for the swim portion of the event but you must wear the issued swim cap. The bike number is secured to your bike frame using bike ties (mountain bike numbers must be visible from the front), Bib numbers should be worn on the front of the body and worn during the run portion of the event either pinned on to the shirt or on a race belt.
Q. How can I contact Raise the Bar if I need additional help?
A. Kathy Morrisson is our Athlete Services Director. Email her here
Q. If my wetsuit or any gear is lost in the transition area on race day, what should I do?
A. Check the lost and found dept. at Registration area. Please leave your name and where you can be reached with a Raise the Bar staff person, if it has not already been turned in so we can reach you. Under no circumstances should you take someone else’s wetsuit. You may also email (info@weraisethebar.com) or call us after the race to receive more help finding your item. 206-779-7727
Q. Are wetsuits allowed?
A. Yes, full and sleeveless wetsuits are allowed, but not required.
Q. What is the water temperature at Lake Meridian?
A. It will be in the low–mid 70’s. Lake Meridian is beautiful, clean, and seaweed free on the swim course!
Q. Where does the swim start?
A. The swim starts about 50 yards out from shore. It’s a deep water start! Our race announcers will help you get to the right place at the right time. Be sure you’re in your wetsuit (if you’re wearing one) and ready to leave shore 15 minutes before your wave starts. You’ll be in the water for approximately 5-10 minutes before your start in addition to your warm-up if you wish to do one.
Q. Can I warm up in the lake?
A. YES. There’s plenty of room for your warm-up. Just be sure to keep track of your start time and get to the start when you need to!
Q. Is the Lake Meridian Swim a looped course?
A. Yes, - you’ll swim clockwise around large buoys color-coded with your race distance. Sprint is YELLOW, Olympic is ORANGE, Super Sprint is GREEN. See a map here
Q. Is the bike course closed to traffic?
A. No - the bike course is OPEN to traffic. Police Officers & volunteers will be stationed at intersections where bikes will be crossing traffic though. The shoulders on the roads are wide and will definitely accommodate you. Obey all rules of the road when riding your bike - including staying as far to the right as possible.
Q.What kind of bike can I ride?
A. Any bike with 2 wheels works for us - except for recumbents. Recumbent bikes are not permitted at USAT Sanctioned races.
\Q. What if I have a mechanical problem before or during the race?
A. Bike Mechanics will be onsite before the race starts to make minor repairs or adjustments for bikes in rideable condition. Please bring a bike to the race that is ready to go. But just in case something comes up, they’ll be bike mechanics close to transition. There will also be race support on the bike course to help you out if you run into trouble out there. If we can’t get you up and going again, we’ll give you a lift back to transition.
Q. Will there be any aid stations on the bike course?
A. Nope! Bring what you’ll need with you on your bike!
Q. Is the course hilly?
A. Um....well....that depends on what you mean by hilly. There are some rolling hills on the course - primarily on the Lake Holm/Lake Moneysmith loop. There’s a pretty good climb each direction on Kent-Black Diamond road too. Raise the Bar athletes train out there all the time and conquer them daily. Don’t worry!
Q. Is the course hilly?
A. Um...well....that depends on what you mean by hilly. :) There is one very good hill on the Soos Creek Trail that you’ll arrive at .5 miles into the run, called the “PLUNGE”. It’s a very nice steep downhill. Since the course is out and back, it will also occupy your attention when you’re .5 mile from the finish. We have some special volunteers on the run course who are there solely to give you some extra encouragement on your way up.
Q. Is the course paved?
A. Yes. The whole way.
Q. Part of the course is on the road - is it open to traffic?
A. Yes - the first and last .25 mile outside the park is on the shoulder of an open road. There will be City of Kent Police Officers and volunteers positioned there to keep everybody in the right spot though.
Q. Do I have to run the whole way?
A. Heavens no. Walk if you like.
Q. How do relay teams compete?
A. For a complete list of Relay rules and instructions - Click HERE
Q. What do I need for Registration/Packet Pick Up?
A. Prior to race weekend, verify that your registration information is correct on the Participants Lists (follow the link on the left side of the screen). You must bring a photo ID to packet pick up. (If you are a USAT member, you must bring your current USAT card). Each participant must pick up his/her own race packet. Friends/Family CAN NOT pick up race packets for each other.
*Each member of relay teams must pick up his/her race packet. One relay member CAN NOT pick up all of the packets for the entire team.
Q. Where do all of the race numbers go?
A. At registration you will receive several race numbers, bike ties and safety pins. There are no numbers or tags for the swim portion of the event. The bike number is secured to your bike frame using bike ties (road bike numbers must be visible from the sides, mountain bike numbers must be visible from the front)Helmet stickers should be placed accordingly: 1 sticker - front of the helmet, 2 stickers- front and back of helmet, 3 stickers- front, back and side of helmet. Bib numbers should be worn on the front of the body and worn during the run portion of the event.
Q. Will there be food, vendors, or other activities at the Lake Meridian Triathlon?
A. Yes, there will be a full Pancake Breakfast for $4 a person - $10 a family. (registered athletes eat for free) Proceeds for the pancake breakfast go to helping the needy folks in Yakima. The park has a kids play area with a pirate ship to climb on, and a nice beach and dock available to enjoy. There will also be vendors in the park to chat with. Please remind your friends and family that only athletes are allowed in the transition area.
Q. Where do participants and spectators park?
A. Parking is TRICKY and will require some patience. You can take a look at the parking map HERE to get some ideas on where to park. Plan on walking a fair distance from where you park to the venue. There will be a drop-off area from park entrance on Kent-Kangley road if you would like to drop off any of your family, friends, or gear.
Q. Is Raise the Bar offering any instructional clinics for the Lake Meridian Triathlon?
A. Yes. Please visit www.weraisethebar.com/lakemer.html to find swim/run workouts at the Lake Meridian Course. The RTB triathlon team often rides the course on Saturday morning. Check it out on the RTB Calendar.
Q. I’m interested in having an expo booth at your event, what is my first step?
A. Great! Email Patty Swedberg - patty@weraisethebar.com - to make arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions