PARENTS, PLEASE READ! - Safety Comes First Policy
Race Oro Valley (ROV) abides by the Safety Comes First policy established by USA Triathlon. Your child's safety will always be our first priority. Our events are fully supported by ROV staff and volunteers and are sanctioned by USA Triathlon and there are specific safety guidelines we must follow as part of the sanctioning process.
Sportsmanship
Sportsmanship applies to the participants, parents, friends and spectators.
It means treating your co-racer with respect, following the rules of the sport, respecting the race officials/volunteers, and simply having a good attitude on race day.
Volunteer Crew
Volunteers are stationed throughout the entire race course and are there to ensure that the kids have fun in a Safety-Comes-First evironment. Please respect their guidance and don’t hesitate to ask for their assistance. Please considering Volunteering. On Your Left Fitness and Timing has graciously agreed to provide a FREE entry into one of its 2017 adult events to anyone who volunteers at an ROV Youth Event for at least 4 hours. Please email trioyl@me.com if you wish to take part in this program.
Bike and Helmet Inspections
ROV requires all bikes and helmets to be inspected by a ROV-designated bike shop partner. The inspection is free by the bike shop and ensures that your child's equipment is safe to race. Registered participants will be notified at least three weeks before race weekend what bike shops they can visit to have their equipment inspected.
Bikes must be in good working order adhering to USA Triathlon’s Bicycle Equipment Rules for youth racing. If the bike shop determines repairs are required in order to pass the inspection, they will discuss with you directly all associated fees. Repair fees are not the responsibility of ROV.
NO TIME TRIAL BICYCLES OR BICYCLES WITH AERO BARS ARE ALLOWED!
If you intend to purchase a new bike for your athlete, we strongly recommend you do so at least 30 days in advance of race weekend so they can practice and become comfortable riding. Having athletes race on a bike they just recently were given is not safe for your athlete, or the safety of athlete’s around them.
Helmets should not have any cracks and must fit your child’s head correctly, as outlined by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. If the bike shop determines your child’s helmet does not pass inspection, another helmet must be presented for inspection or a new one purchased. Helmets must be CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Council) approved, as outlined in USA Triathlon’s competitive rules.
When your athlete's bike and helmet pass the safety inspection, the bike shop will place a specially designed waterproof race sticker on each piece of equipment. These stickers are required to enter transition on race day and are only provided to the bikes shops three weeks prior to race weekend. NO Sticker, NO Race, NO Exceptions!
Race Day Safety
Transition Area
Only registered athletes are permitted in transition on race day. Every athlete will be permitted access to transition as long as they have:
- Current Race Inspection Sticker on their bike and helmet
- Race wristband
- Body Marking
- Bike Frame number on their bike (top tube or bike post—not on the handlebars)
Swim Course Rules
Athletes will line up by bib number order. The 5-8 year-old athletes will swim first. Floaties and foam tubes will be allowed, but only with the assistance of one parent in the pool with the athlete, and the equipment must be inspected and approved by the Lifeguard before use. If your athlete plans to use any floaties or tubes, you MUST notify the Race Director to allow proper lineup in the swim. All athletes using any equipment will be placed at the end of the swim lineup. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME A PARENT WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE RACE COURSE. Once the child exits the pool, the parent must step off the course. If your child needs assistance to and in transition, a course volunteer will assist them.
There will be two lifeguards positioned at the pool, as well as 4 volunteers to assist the athletes with entering and exiting the water.
There will be a 10-minute break before we start the 9-12 year-olds' swim. This is to allow ample time for the younger athletes to clear their bike course.
Bike Course Rules
Athletes must buckle their helmet before removing their bike from the bike rack. Athletes will safely walk or run their bikes from the Transition area to the bike mount line, where they will be directed by Volunteers when and where to mount their bikes.
Athletes shall have closed-toed shoes only and no areo helmets are allowed!
Volunteers are placed along the bike course for athlete assistance, and "sweepers" will be on the course following the last cyclist.
5-8 year-olds will ride ONE LOOP of their course.
9-12 year-olds will ride TWO LOOPS of their course.
Please review the Course Maps for each age group to understand the course.
Athletes will dismount at the dismount line, as directed by Volunteers.
Run Course - Rules
After dismounting at the dismount line, athletes will walk/run their bike into Transition to re-rack their bikes before starting the run leg. Athletes 5-8 years-old will run one loop of their course and 9-12 years-old will run two loops of their course. There will be a water station on the course right outside of transition, where athletes can obtain water. Volunteers will be placed along the run course for athlete assistance and direction.
Again, please review the Course Maps for each age group to understand the course.
Finish Line
Once an athlete crosses the finish line, he/she can be released to his/her parent/guardian after a staff member comfirms matching wristband IDs. No Wristband, No Athlete, No Exceptions!
Spectators
Spectators MUST REMAIN OFF THE RACE COURSE and within spectator-friendly areas. The course is closed to vehicle traffic, which means no one may leave the area/course while athletes are still participating. Once you have parked your car, you must remain at the race venue until ROV staff determines the bike course is free of all athletes.
Parking will be in the dirt lot just southwest of La Mariposa Resort. Please review the course maps to orient yourself to the course.
