Athletes must be 16 years of age or older to participate individually or as a member of a team.

Participants who register in the Age Group category will be assigned to a wave based on age.  Please be aware that waves are made up of groups of 100 women.  Any given age group will have multiple waves depending upon the number of women registering in that age group.

Please note, if you and a friend in the same age group, be aware that you may or may not be assigned to the same wave.  If participating together is a necessity, please register in the Buddy category.

AGE GROUP CATEGORIES:

There is also a designated wave for Elite athletes and a wave for Breast Cancer Survivors.  The Relay Teams and Buddy waves will begin following the Age Group waves and will  approach the start in groups of approximately 100 women.

The first wave (Elite) starts at 7:00am. Each subsequent wave will start in three (3) minute intervals. The last wave will enter the water at approximately 9:00am. You may not transfer to another wave and each wave will be designated by swimcap color. A wave sheet along with your assigned wave and cap will be provided to you at the mandatory Expo on Saturday, August 1.

The waves go off in the following order:

01 Elite

02 Breast Cancer Survivors (including relay teams with a survivor member)

03 Age Group

04 Relay Teams

05 Buddies in mixed age groups of 100 per wave

The transition area opens at 5:30 am. If you arrive before 5:30am, you will not be able to access the transition area. However, we suggest you arrive between 5:00am and 5:30am to allow time to park and walk to the transition area. All athletes MUST be in and set up in the transition area by the time the first wave begins at 7:00am.

We ask that all athletes be in the transition area and set up by 7:00am because the roads close and access to the transition area is not possible after 7:00am.  Spectators may arrive at any time, however, the access road to the transition area is not open after 7:00am.

The bike racks in the transition area will be labeled by wave number. You will receive your wave number at the Race Expo in your race packet. You can set up your transition spot anywhere on a bike rack labeled with the number of the wave to which you are assigned.  Look for the labels on the bike racks. Please be considerate of all the athletes by using a reasonable amount of space.

Do not hang your bike on the outside edge of the rack - you will obstruct the wave labels on the rack.

It’s not uncommon for athletes to lose track of their spot among 3,000 bikes… especially when you are focused solely on your race.  Consider bringing a bright balloon with a unique design and tie it on the bike rack designating your space.  You’ll be less likely to get lost in the craziness of the transition area!

Transition Area Checklist:

Parking for both athletes and spectators will be at Cherry Creek High School east of Union and Yosemite or at Greenwood Commons located at the intersection of Dayton and Union Blvd. No vehicles are allowed in the park. After parking, you will walk your bike and gear into the park. Parking volunteers will be on site to direct you.

Special Needs parking is available. Please contact us prior to race day at 303.430.2969 to make the necessary arrangements.

If you can’t make this year’s race, please contact us at here.

There will be a designed area specifically for spectator viewing.  Parking for spectators will be available at Cherry Creek High School.

The race is limited to 3,000 participants.

Toilets for participants are available in the transition area. There are also toilets near the post race party area on Hobie Hill.

Water is available for spectators at a water table in the post race area on Hobie Hill.   The food in the Food Tent in the post event area  is provided for athletes only.  Remember to bring your own food according to your training and day-of-event plan.  Urge your friends and family members to bring their own snacks and drinks since there will be no other source for food.

No one will be permitted to cross the bike portion of the course. The run portion of the course will have crossing areas with course marshals alerting you as to when you are permitted to cross.   For your own safety, cross ONLY at the designated areas and ONLY when the course marshal indicates it is safe.

The only place to watch the swim portion of the event is from Hobie Hill. You may view the other portions from the designated spectator viewing areas only. Spectators are asked not to climb any of the fencing. Spectators are also cautioned not to climb any of the rocks leading up to Cherry Creek Dam Road.

No, spectators may only view the swim portion of the race from Hobie Hill.

Anticipated water temperature is 71-74 degrees.   We recommend that you swim without a wetsuit since the water is warm.  A wetsuit will cause your body temperature to rise and you risk overheating since the weather is typically very warm at the park in late August.  If you have been training with a wetsuit and are comfortable competing in a wetsuit, feel free to wear it.

Medical personnel are stationed throughout the race course and the park for your safety.  Our medical tent is located on the south side of the post race area, near the finish line.  Emergency Medical Technicians and vehicles are located in key areas for each event.  Every measure is taken to ensure the safety of all athletes.  The red Medical Tent is fully staffed with medical professionals for both participants and spectator needs.

Most everyone is anxious about the swim. It is your responsibility to train prior to the race and be able to swim at least ½ mile (750 meters) without straining yourself. The following tips will help you feel relaxed and confident in the water:

• YOU MUST KNOW HOW TO SWIM If you don’t know how to swim, hire a swim coach and learn. Do not show up for the event if you haven’t dipped a toe in the water!

• YOU MAY NOT USE ANY FLOTATION DEVICE OR OTHER ASSISTANCE DEVICE No floaties, no noodles, no kickboards, no lifevests, no flippers, no snorkeling masks or breathing devices. Simply remember – when you enter the water you’ll be wearing your designated swim cap, goggles, your suit and nothing more.

• YOU MUST PRACTICE SWIMMING IN OPEN WATER PRIOR TO RACE DAY Do not attempt to participate in the triathlon without swimming in open water at least once for ½ mile (750 meters). Practice at any one of the area reservoirs such as Chatfield, Cherry Creek, Boulder, Aurora, etc. Contact the park nearest you for details on swim areas.

• SWIM BUDDIES WILL ASSIST YOU IF NECESSARY Tri for the Cure provides a group of swimming experts to help you along if necessary. They will have swim noodles that you may rest on, but you may not use the flotation device to propel yourself forward in the water. Swim Buddies will swim the distance with you, but will not physically assist you in any way. The Swim Buddy tent is located at the swim start….alert a Swim Buddy if you require assistance.

• THE SWIM COURSE IS SAFE The course is monitored by experts during the race. You will see kayaks and motorized vehicles along the course. There will be lifeguards to assist you if you need to rest.

Cherry Creek State Park is located east of I-225 between Parker Rd. and S. Yosemite St.  The race takes place in the west side of the park at Hobie Hill.  To access the west entrance of the park, travel from the intersection of S. Yosemite St. and E. Union Ave.  Go east on Union Ave. to the west entrance located at 4700 S. Dayton St.

You are strongly encouraged to visit the site prior to race day.  Take the time to familiarize yourself with the drive from your home to ease stress on race morning.  Train at the park whenever possible.  The bike course is marked with Tri for the Cure kilometer markers to guide you on your training rides.