Au Sable Valley Triathlon

GENERAL:  

Registrations:  Online registration available at runsignup.com.  Registrations may also be mailed to PO Box 96, Fairview, MI 48621, using one registration form for each team or individual.  One person will be the team contact.  Contact and emergency information must be completed for each team member.  If one team member must cancel before the event, another may substitute, but must fill out a registration form and waiver.  No one else may substitute during the event.  If for some reason a participant is unable to finish their leg, the team will be disqualified.  Only registered participants are allowed on the course.  

Waivers: Each participant must sign a waiver.  Note that youth under age 18 must have a parent also sign the waiver.

Entry fee: $35 per person by April 15, $40 per person by May 15 and $45 per person after May 15, 2023. On-site registrations the day of event will also be received for $45 per person.

T-Shirts:  Early registration is helpful to order the right sizes.  A T-shirt is not guaranteed after May 20 registration.

Awards:  First place Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed Teams and the top three Individuals in each of 7 categories will receive a medal.  Participation medals given to each finishing participant.  The award ceremony will be held at Boney Park in Fairview when all teams have completed the event and after lunch, usually 12:30pm

Refunds:  Your registration fee goes to support Love INC to help those in need in Oscoda County and also to make this event possible.  Thank you for your donation, even if you are unable to participate in the Triathlon this year.

Lost or Stolen Property:  No one is responsible for your lost or stolen property but yourself. You must secure your kayak, bike and other equipment when not in use.  Lost & Found items will be held at the Info tent.

Pets:  Dogs are not allowed to join the participants on any leg of the event or at Boney Park due to safety and security reasons.

Headphones:  For your safety, we highly recommend that headphones NOT be worn during the event.   

Restroom facilities are located at the boat launch and Boney Park.

Parking:  Limited parking is available at the Boat Launch.  Teams/Individuals, please be advised that the Triathlon Parking Lot near the Boat Launch locks at 10:30am.  This year we are offering transportation back to the Boat Launch for individual participants needing it.  A van will leave Boney Park after lunch and awards and will only make one trip.  Please notify Love INC as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.

SPECIFICS: 

Check-in Place and Time:  Everyone must check-in or register at the Boat Launch location on Pond Drive in Mio.  Pond Drive is just north of the Au Sable River on M-33.  Look for a sign. The Boat Launch is .4 miles down Pond Dr.  Check in time is from 7:30-8:30am.  Briefing is at 8:30am and everyone must attend.  Following the briefing, runners may stay until the bikes take off, or leave for Boney Park in Fairview.                                                                        

Bibs:  Each team member/individual must wear a bib on their front torso as identification using ALL 4 pins!                                                                                           

Kayakers must have a life-saving device in each kayak.  Use your own kayak or rent one for $25 from Hinchman Acres, who will deliver the kayaks to the boat launch.  Call them at 989-826-3267 to reserve prior to the event, paying by credit card.  Kayakers will paddle to and line up against the spillway.  On signal, they will paddle to and around a buoy and back to the launch.  They will pull their kayak out of the water, moving out of the way as quickly as possible. Cyclists may take off when the kayak is out of the water.  Rented kayaks should be moved to the designated area for Hinchman’s to pick up.  Personal kayaks should not be left at the public boat launch.   

Bicyclists MUST wear a buckled helmet.  Road bikes will be more helpful than fat tire bikes for speed along the hilly route. Cyclists may be mounted with back wheel to the start line ready to leave when their kayak member is out of the water.  Cyclists will pedal to M-33 where police will have traffic stopped, but cyclists should still be cautious and observant when crossing the highway to take the first right onto McKinley Rd. Road curves as it follows the River. Cyclists must stay on the right side of the road, not crossing the center line and are not allowed to ride side-by-side.   

Cyclists will turn north on Abbe Rd and continue towards Fairview, turning right at the blinking stoplight, heading east a block to Boney Park’s Maple Drive down to the designated line near the staging area where the 3rd team member will begin running their leg.  If a cyclist is also running, the bike may be propped along the fence, or a friend or family member may care for the bike.  Bike racks will not be available.

Runners: The course is two laps, marked with direction flags and signs. Water is available at the end of the first lap.  Finish line is at the end of the second lap, marked with flags.

Refreshments:  Water will be available at the check-in at the Boat Launch and at Boney Park.  Refreshments for participants will be at the info tent at Boney Park.  Lunch will be served at the Park starting around 11:30am.

First Aid: The Oscoda Co. Ambulance and patrol car will be on call or at the Mio Pond, and along the bike route.  A Triathlon volunteer driver will follow the last bike on the route and can call for assistance if needed.  A volunteer in a golf cart will be stationed on the Run course and a nurse will be on hand at Boney Park.

Outside Assistance:  Event participants may not receive any assistance outside that offered by event volunteers. For example: biking or running alongside active participants.  Friends and family may cheer all they want, but not offer you anything or give any assistance other than call for help if needed.  

Thank you for participating in the Au Sable Valley Triathlon!  

If you have further questions, please email:  ausablevalleytriathlon@gmail.com or call Love INC at 989-848-2020 or check out our Au Sable Valley Triathlon Facebook page.  We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, June 8th!

Mark your calendar for next year! The Triathlon is always held the 2nd Saturday of June.

There are many fun things to do in Oscoda County after the Triathlon, including Boney Park’s excellent tennis and pickle-ball courts, mini-golf, and basketball court; the Nor-East’r Music and Art Festival is also always held the 2nd Sat. of June at the nearby Fairgrounds, and another festival in downtown Mio is scheduled for its 3rd year.  Or you can take a trip down the AuSable River or hike a trail beside it!