IM ABLE Foundation's Got the Nerve? Triathlon

ATHLETE EMAIL ON 5/16/2024

We are excited to say that race week is here! We have been putting this event on for 20 years now, and we love the direction that it has taken, and the support that you have shown to the Got The Nerve Triathlon, and the IM ABLE Foundation!!! Please be sure to check out the other programs that we offer by visiting our website (https://imablefoundation.org/) 

We wanted to discuss a few last minute details and a couple of tweaks. 

WEATHER

First and foremost, the weather. We are optimistic in that the potential for rain on Friday and Saturday has decreased, with a 50/50 chance starting around 11am. We hope that most of you will be done by that day, and that we can all have a comfortable morning together!! Fingers crossed!

PACKET PICKUP

Don't forget that we will start packet pickup tomorrow (Friday) from 4pm to 7pm, for anyone who wants to come by and pick up their materials. We will be at the fields at Timber and Oak Road, but if you need directions, just head towards the Mt Gretna Lake and Beach (130 Lakeview Drive, Lebanon, PA 17042) to find us. When you arrive for packet pickup Friday, you will receive your bib, stickers, shirt, but you will not get your timing chip until race day (in case you get a last minute change of heart). If you need to change your distance/event, that is the time to do it. Just let us know. Everything will be set up, but you will NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE YOUR BIKES OVERNIGHT. Additionally, there is no option to practice swim on Friday, and it will be limited on Saturday. 

SATURDAY PACKET PICKUP

Packet Pickup starts at 545 and goes until 715am for EVERYONE. Even if you are doing the Sprint, or Super Sprint, we want EVERYONE checked in and ready to go by 715. We don't want athletes coming in to the field, when other athletes are on the race course!!!  At this packet pickup, you will receive EVERYTHING, including your timing chip, that you need for the day. 

PARKING

Parking will also be in the big field, at Timber and Oak, right near transition. 

BIKE RACKING/TRANSITION

We attempted to move Transition down to the entrance to the lake, but we are unable to do so. Transition will be up in the large field, at Timber and Oak Road. Bike racking will be first come, first serve, though we will be setting up special areas for our adaptive athletes. We are attempting to rack all of the Olympic, Sprint and Super sprint, in similar locations, so watch for signs. 

So what does that mean for you? It means that there is a .2 mile run (which is part of your transition time, not your swim time) to get up to your bike. There is grass along the path, but if you want to bring a pair of shoes down and line them up on the asphalt, to wear for your run up, you will be able to do that. We will have a designated area for that. Once again, this run is part of your T1 time, not your swim time. 

SWIM

Olympic swim. The swim will be a beach start, with pulses of swimmers entering the water (6 people at a time, every 5-10 seconds). You will swim around the buoys, and when you come out of the water, you will run along the beach (Australian style) and RE-ENTER the water for Laps 2 and 3. You should keep all buoys on your left hand side, and the course is counterclockwise. Your total distance is .9 miles

Sprint swim. You will also have a beach start, with the pulses of swimmers entering the water. You will swim around the buoys ONCE and exit the water. Your total distance is .3 miles. 

Super sprint swim - You will have a beach start, but will be doing a shorter course (about .15 miles). You will swim on the outside of the PVC pipes that are in the lake. We will discuss this and point them out to you before you start. 

DUATHLON START

Our duathlons start, with their appropriate distances, when the first athletes enter the water. The start area will be designated and a representative will be there to make sure that you start on time. 

BIKE

Olympic Bike - 2 loops of the course, totaling 22 miles. This is in line with the Olympic distance distances (40km or 24 miles). YOU are responsible for keeping track of how many loops you have made, but having only 2 makes this easier. 

Sprint Bike - 1 loop of the course, totaling 11 miles. Remember, when you re-enter Mt Gretna, you will be turning right on Timber Road

Super sprint bike - You will be doing 3 loops around Timber and Valley Road, which is different than what you originally saw on the course map. You will be responsible for counting how many times you have gone around, but each loop is a little over a mile. Total distance is 4 miles. 

RUN

Olympic Run will be on the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. You will enter the trail and turn LEFT. You will go past the Sprint Distance Turnaround and aide station, and go all the way to the end of the trail (where we will have water for you) and return. BE SURE TO TURN AROUND AT THE OLYMPIC TURNAROUND, NOT THE SPRINT!!!

Sprint Run will also be on the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail. You will enter the trail and turn LEFT. Your aide station is approximately 1.55 miles out, and will have a SPRINT TURNAROUND sign. Turn around there and return. 

Super Sprint Run will be on the roadway, around Valley and Timber Road. Your total run distance will be 1 mile. 

We will have our awards ceremony as soon as we are able to, with 5 year age groups categories in the Age Group Triathlons, and top 3 awards for Male and Female in any specialty categories. 

Got The Nerve? Race Distances

TRIATHLON

Super Sprint                Swim - .15 miles (@250 meters)

                                    Bike – 4 miles (3 loop bike course)

                                    Run – 1 mile

Sprint                          Swim - .3 miles (@500 meters)

                                    Bike – 11 miles (1 loop)         

                                    Run – 3.1 mile

Olympic                      Swim - .9 miles (@1450 meters)

                                    Bike – 22 miles (2 loop)

                                    Run – 6.2 mile

DUATHLON

Super Sprint                Run 1 – 1/2 mile

                                    Bike  – 4 miles (3 loop bike course)

                                    Run 2 – 1 mile

Sprint                          Run 1 – 1 mile

                                    Bike – 11 mile (1 loop)

                                    Run 2 – 3.1 mile

Olympic                      Run 1 – 3.1 mile

                                    Bike – 22 mile (2 loop)

                                    Run 2 – 6.2 mile

AQUABIKE

Super Sprint                Swim - .15 miles (@250 meters)

                                    Bike – 4 miles (3 loops bike course)

Sprint                          Swim - .3 miles (@500 meters)

                                    Bike – 11 miles (1 loop)

Olympic                      Swim - .9 miles (@1450 meters)

                                    Bike – 22 miles (2 loop)

 

Should you have any questions, please reach out to Race Director Jason Chance at info@tcreventmanagement.com and we will be happy to help! Be sure to check out the ATHLETE GUIDE on our main page, and we can't wait to see you on Saturday!!!!

RACE WEEKEND SCHEDULE – ALL EVENTS AT MT. GRETNA LAKE

Friday, May 17th: 

• 4pm to 7:30pm 

  • Race Packet Pickup & In Person Registration

  • Must have Valid PHOTO ID.

  • Someone else can pick up your packet, but they must have a copy of your ID AND written authorization that you may do so. This can be either physical or digital

  • Wrist bands must be put on at registration

• 6-7pm – Event Briefing

  • Walk through

  • Q&A

Saturday, May 18th   

• 5:45am - 6:45am – Race Packet Pickup

  • Must have Valid PHOTO ID

  • Someone else can pick up your packet, but they must have a copy of your ID AND written authorization that you may do so. This can be either physical or digital

  • Wrist bands must be put on at registration

• 6:00am - 7:35am - Transition Opens

• 7:15am - 7:25am - Mandatory Pre-Race Briefing in Transition Area

• 7:40am - Adaptive Olympic Triathlon/Duathlon Start

• 7:45am - Olympic Triathlon/Aquabike/Duathlon Start

• 8:05am - Adaptive Sprint Triathlon/Duathlon Start

• 8:10am - Sprint Triathlon/Aquabike/Duathlon Start

• 8:40am - SuperSprint Triathlon Start

• 9:30am – Post Race Food Service Begins

• 11:00am - Proposed Awards Ceremony (Times subject to change) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20th Anniversary!

Join IM ABLE Foundation for the 2024 Got the Nerve?

New This Year - Super Sprint Race Distance and an Adaptive Athlete Category

 

EVENTS - Choose to tackle a race solo or grab some buddies and do it as a relay!

• Triathlon

• Duathlon

• Aquabike

DISTANCES (approximate) 

• Super Sprint - Swim:250m, 4 miles, Run 1.2 miles

• Sprint - Swim: 550m, Bike: 11 miles, Run: 3.1 miles

• Olympic - Swim 1600m, Bike 22 miles, Run 6.2 miles

RACE REGISTRATION INCLUDES

• Awesome 20th Anniversary Swag!

• Course options for all levels - Beginner, Elite, & Adaptive Athletes!

• Vendors

• Post Race Grub

• Awards

 

PRE-RACE CLINICS

Join IM ABLE Foundation for our Got the Nerve? Triathlon preview clinics!

• Saturday, April 20th, 8:00am - Mt. Gretna

• Saturday, April 27th, 8:00am - Mt. Gretna

• Saturday, May 4th, 8:00am - Mt. Gretna

• Saturday, May 11th, 8:00am - Blue Marsh

These clinics are geared towards the beginner athlete looking to do their first triathlon or intermediate athletes seeking to improve their performance or gain insight on a particular course. Your clinic coaches will help you feel more confident, prepared and excited for race day. 

For more information or to register, please visit GTN Race Clinics