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Long Course:  5K run, 20 mile bike, 5K run

Short Course:  2 mile run, 10 mile bike & 2 mile run

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Stillwater, MN

 

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   For 2012:

 

   

 

Overview

The Multi-Sport season begins early with Tri Fitness.  Cinco “Du” Mayo is a Duathlon: a Run-Bike-Run event held at Square Lake Park in Stillwater, MN.

Now, before you start reading too far into the name of our event, let us clear a few things up. We are not commemorating the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5th in 1862...with a Duathlon.

As happy as we are for General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguínwe and his army of 4,000 decisively crushing the (8,000 strong) French army, the best army at the time, and might we add, one that had not been defeated for almost 50 years (thanks Wikipedia!),  we really don’t see much connection between the two...so that would be weird.

This event isn’t even held on May 5th every year...It’s held on the first Saturday in May, no matter the date.

Here’s how it really happened: We have a race in early May. This race happens to fall somewhat close to Cinco De Mayo. the “De” sounds a lot like “Du” (you can see where this is going...) which is what Multi-Sport athletes say when they don’t want to expend the extra energy to articulate two more syllables (a true Multi-Sport athlete saves energy whenever they can!). Thus was born the, Cinco “Du” Mayo.

So we race. And then we eat tacos...tasty, tasty, tacos.

 

 

 

Registration

 

Why register?

  • It's a pretty setting with good roads.
  • Square Lake is a coveted training ground, less than 45 minutes from St. Paul and Minneapolis.
  • Get a long-sleeve performance race shirt.
  • Be prepared with on-site bike support courtesy of our friends at Penn Cycle.
  • Sip on coffee and more from the great folks at Caribou Coffee.
  • Relax with a pre- or post-race rubdown from Barr Chiropractic.
  • Groove to the tunes of a classically-trained guitarist at the 1 mile mark on the run.
  • Enjoy a post-race taco party courtesy of Casa Lupita.
  • Be informed and entertained with race-day announcements by the incomparable Jerry MacNeil.
  • Win group awards that are perfectly in tune with the holiday...etched cactus-stemmed margarita glasses!
  • Be assisted by our sombrero-wearing volunteers.
  • Snack on bananas, granola bars and more.
  • Get lucky and win one of dozens of door prizes like water bottles, headbands, shirts, shorts, hats, bags and whatever else we can find! 

Click here to register online or click here to print the registration form.

The race fees are as follows:

  • Long Course Individual - $60 before April 21st, or $70 through May 2nd, or $80 on race day
  • Long Course TEAM - $85 before April 21st, or $95 through May 2nd, or $105 on race day
  • Short Course Individual- $60 before April 21st, or $70 through May 2nd, or $80 on race day
  • Long Course TEAM - $85 before April 21st, or $95 through May 2nd, or $105 on race day

 

 

Packet Pick-up

Your race packet will include all the materials you need for your race, such as your timing chip and race bib, and some fun stuff like your complimentary race shirt and special offers.  The race will be chip-timed by Final Stretch.

Pick up your race packets at our retail store at 2193 4th Street in White Bear Lake (get directions).

Construction Notice:  MnDot is closing the Hwy 96 exit off of northbound 35E, likely until early May. If you're coming to Tri Fitness from the south, use the exit for County Road E and then take US 61 north to 4th Street for the store (take a right on 4th St). If you're coming from the north, then you should still be able to use the Hwy 96 off ramp.

The first 75 athletes to pick up their packet in the store will receive a water bottle courtesy of our friends at Caribou Coffee!

STORE HOURS:

Thursday, May 3rd, 2012   10am-8pm


Friday, May 4th, 2012   10am - 6pm

 

Race Location

Cinco Du Mayo is held at Square Lake Park near Stillwater (get directions).  The address is 15450 Square Lake Trail North, Stillwater, MN  55082.

Parking on race day will be available within the park. Signs and volunteers will direct the participants and volunteers.

 

 

Schedule of Events

 

7:00 am - Park and parking lots open

7:30 am - Transition area opens for race participants

7:30 am - Bike support will be on hand from our friends at Penn Cycle

7:30 am - Race day registration begins

8:00 am - Race announcements begin

8:30 am - Race day registration and packet pick-up closes - no more cars allowed into the park

8:45 am - Transition area closes

8:55 am - Final course updates (Start line)

9:00 am - Long Course begins!

9:30 am - Short Course begins!

11:30ish - Awards ceremony

There is no time limit - we’ll stay out until the last person finishes :)

SEVERE WEATHER POLICY:  There is a chance of inclement weather. The safety of our participants, volunteers, spectators, police and everyone else is our top priority, so we may need to make race-day adjustments.

The race director will have NOAA weather alerts via phone and walkie-talkie, and will monitor any severe weather alerts.  All volunteers will watch for lightning and alert the director immediately if they see it.  We will be following a 30-30 policy, which is: if we witness a flash of lightning, and hear thunder within 30 seconds, then we will delay the race by 30 minutes. Everyone should avoid any metal objects or tall, solitary objects and head to their car if possible. There is a very small area near the beach where people can gather, but there is no shelter per se.

The roads will almost certainly be wet in that case.   Please watch for slick roads and standing water, especially on the bike course!

In the case of lightning during the course of the event, we may have to cancel and pull participants off the course. This will be the responsibility of the sag wagon and other volunteers as we can afford.   We will work to notfiy all participants currently on the course that the event is being canceled.

There are no refunds or transfers in the event we have to cancel the race, though we reserve the right to issue a transfer via email to registered participants. It is the absolute last option, but we have to have everyone's safety in mind.

 

 

Course Profile

You are responsible for knowing the course, so please study the maps and directions.  We'll have volunteers on the course, but still...please know your stuff.

Both courses include an “out-and-back” run that starts within the park but keeps the majority of the distance on the scenic avenues outside of the park boundaries.

The bike course for this event features rolling hills that traverse through some of the most beautiful terrain in the Stillwater area. The short course is great for beginners, while more seasoned duathletes will find it to be moderately challenging.

The long course features double the amount of rolling hills (2 loops on the bike course...) and just seems to be a little more demanding. The weather in early May is often cool; the longer exposure times for the long-course athletes can take its toll.  Please dress accordingly.

RUN COURSE

Both runs begin within the park, but make their way quickly to the roadways outside of the park. Runners take a left out of the park and head left on Paul Ave.  Runners continue straight until they reach the turn-around point (approx. 1.0 mile for short course and 1.55 miles for long course) and then they head back to the start/transition area.  Long course athletes - DO NOT turn around at the short course turnaround marker!  You have another 1/2 mile or so to go.

Fluid replacement (water and HEED) will be available at the turn-around point.

RUN/BIKE TRANSITION

To help with the congestion that often happens within the transition area, only participants and volunteers will be permitted in the transition area.

Bikes must be walked/run in the transition area. Mount/Dismount Zones are located just outside the transition area.  You must wear a helmet while with your bike.

For teams, please transfer your chip at your bike transition area.

BIKE COURSE

The Bike section of this course follows a clockwise route around Big Carnelian Lake and Little Carnelian Lake.  Participants will begin the bike course by leaving the transition area and taking a right out of the park on Square Lake Trail N.  Directional signs, mile markers, and volunteers will be posted on the course during the race to assist with navigation...but it always helps to know your course.

Remember, Long Course athletes make a second loop around the lakes before heading back in to transition. Please consider giving these maps a look ahead of time, or even better, give it a ride, and you'll be good to go on race day.

The entire bike route is open to traffic; please be aware of vehicles and plan on following all traffic rules when traffic control is not present. The road surface is asphalt and course volunteers(armed with brooms) are stationed at all turns.  This should be a nice, clean course...please help us keep it that way by holding on to your empty gel packs or other littler.  All bikes are required to display a bike number.

Tri Fitness will provide pre-race and on-course bike support.

 

Finish Area

The finish area is located on the road, inside the park, adjacent to transition area.  Volunteers will assist in removing race numbers and/or timing chips.

Bottled water, HEED, fresh fruit and other post-race snacks will be provided.  In order to keep them as warm as possible, the tacos should arrive by 10:30 or so.

 

Awards and Prizes

Every participant receives a long sleeve performance race shirt.  These are UNISEX shirts, and may run a little bit large, so please order accordingly.

Additional awards are given to:

  • Top overall Male & Female athletes
  • Top 2 Male & Female athletes in each age group (19 & Under, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60+)
  • Top 2 relay teams (we allow Male, Female, or Mixed teams)
     

Overall winners will receive a trophy.  In keeping with the race's theme, age group 1st and 2nd place winners (and teams) will receive an etched margarita glass with the Cinco logo and your 1st or 2nd place accomplishment.  A fun way to celebrate the holiday later that day...and keep on your shelf to show off to visitors!

We will also be calling out random race numbers to give away a bunch of fun door prizes, so stick around after your race (must be present to win door prizes).

 

Results and Pictures

See the race results page for past years' results.  Click here for more photos from 2011's event!

 

 

For More Information

Please contact us at  races@trifitnesswbl.com.

 

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