AUSTIN

Race Distance: Swim - 1/2 mile, Bike - 12 miles, Run - 3.1 miles

PLEASE CHECK BACK PERIODICALLY AS NEW INFORMATION AND UPDATES ON RACE SPECIFICS ARE MADE ON AN ONGOING BASIS

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RACE VENUE GUIDE (as of May 6, 2008)

Join us as we celebrate our 14th anniversary in Austin! The Danskin Women's Triathlon in Austin is the largest triathlon in the state of Texas. Come and watch your family and friends as they swim, bike, and run their way to the finish line! We thank you in advance for understanding that our primary goal is to ensure that the entire course is safe and secure for the athletes. Be prepared for some limitations on where you can watch the action. Portions of all three legs can be viewed easily from within Walter E. Long Park at Decker Lake. Use the guide below, along with a map of the park, to help maximize your viewing pleasure while supporting family and friends!

Swim
The swim takes place in Decker Lake. The start is organized into more than 20 waves with 100 to 125 athletes per wave. If you're planning to watch for a particular athlete, it's necessary to know her wave number, race number, cap color, and start time. (Athletes will be given this information on Saturday at Packet Pick Up). There's a hilly, grassy area along the lakefront that offers a perfect spot to lay out a blanket and watch as the waves go off. All athletes will enter the water at the main boat ramp and exit along the shoreline.

Transition 1
The transition area is fully fenced and easy to find with thousands of bikes racked together awaiting their riders. Spectators are not allowed in the transition area before, during, or after the race. If your athlete's spot in transition is close to the fence line, you might be able to see her easily while she completes her transitions.

After exiting the swim, triathletes will follow a fenced path to the transition area. There will be two pedestrian crossings - one halfway up the path and one at the top of the hill (for wheelchairs and strollers). Crossing this path is carefully controlled to minimize impact on the athletes during the race. If you need to cross to the other side of the path, please follow the instructions of the volunteers manning these crossings - they will tell you when it is safe to cross over. Please do not cross this path except at the locations specified by volunteers.

Bike
After the first transition, the athletes will exit the transition area and turn left along the park entrance road, then they'll exit the park and turn right onto Hog Eye Road. The bike course takes the athletes on a 12-mile loop around Decker Lake.

It can be difficult to get to the bike course from the swim finish, so be aware that it will take a while to make the trip there and back. You might be better off waiting near the transition area or making your way toward the run course before your triathlete returns.

The bike course is closed except for race participants and race volunteers. Please do not attempt to pace or ride with your athlete.

Transition 2
After completing the bike course, athletes enter transition, rack their bikes, put on their running shoes, and exit transition to begin the run course.

Run
Part of the run course will take athletes through the grassy area of the park, behind the tree line. There are a few good spots that are easy to for spectators to get to. One is at the end of the first out-and-back loop, where the turnaround is very close to the transition area. After watching your athlete in transition, you can walk over to the end of this loop and wait for her there until she makes the turnaround. Another good spot is at the second pavilion, where we will have a water stop. And athletes can't wait to hear your cheering and shouting along the road as she runs the final quarter mile of the race.

Finish Line
The finish line is a great place to watch your favorite athlete finish, but the finish zone is the most crowded part of the race. If you want a good spot at the finish line, plan to arrive early. Or you can walk along the course just east of the finish line until you can find a clear spot. Bring your camera! Once athletes cross the finish line, they will be directed through a chute to receive their finisher's medal and water for rehydration, and then they'll be directed through the food tent. The food tent is restricted for athletes only. You may meet your athlete at the exit of the food tent.

Food and Refreshments
Food and refreshments for the spectators will be provided by Dr. Taco. Look for their tent inside the park, where they will be selling breakfast tacos, coffee, soft drinks, bottled water, and snacks.

Other Tips

-	Tell your athlete where you'll be on the course so they can look for you as well.

-	Know the course. Look over the map in advance so you know what to expect on race day.

-	Know your athlete's start time & projected times for each leg of the event. This should give you a good idea of when they'll arrive at any point on the course (give or take a few).

-	Leave plenty of time to park and get to the race site from the Expo Center.

-	Be careful along the course. Stay behind fencing (both hard and soft), cones, flagging and any other means of delineating areas that are "OFF LIMITS" to spectators.

-	The only people allowed on the race course are race participants and race volunteers. Please do not plan to pace your athlete.

-	Don't get in the way of athletes and if you need to cross the course, make sure you're in the clear and obey the instructions of all volunteers, police, and race officials.

-	Designate a meeting spot with your triathlete for after the race.

-	Remember your essentials: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bottled water, snacks, and a folding chair.

-	Please do not bring dogs to the race.

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Have Questions? We've got the Answers

Tri Hotline: 800-452-9526
e-mail questions to: triathlon@danskin.com