Draft Legal Triathlon
The races begin Friday April 14th. Kicking off the weekend will be the Draft Legal Men’s & Women’s Races. The Draft Legal race features a calm water swim in Lake Lanier, followed by a 3 loop fast paced, spectator friendly bike which transitions to a two loop run finishing next to the Collegiate Team Zone Tents.
**The draft legal race will be capped at 75 participants per gender. Qualification for this event will be finalized by the conference commissioners.
As of March 15th 2023 the USA Triathlon Multisport Competition Rule went into effect. Moving forward, the rules governing all Draft Legal Events that are Sanctioned by USAT are these rules. These rules can be accessed by going to: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-triathlon/usat-for-me/officiating
Also the 2023 USAT Draft Legal Equipment and Rules Checklist is available by clicking here.
DRAFT LEGAL ATHLETES: Please make note, this is a 3-loop bike course for the Draft Legal Race and the lap out rule will be enforced.
MANDATORY DRAFT LEGAL RACE MEETING - BE ADVISED
Attention ALL athletes competing in the Draft Legal Race. The Athlete briefing scheduled for Thursday April 13th from 5:00-6:00pm is Mandatory, located at the Legacy Lodge Ballroom.
If an athlete (or team) can’t make this meeting they need to notify our Head Race Referee Mr. Russ Gold and the Race Director, Todd Gollnick ahead of time. Athletes who miss the Athlete Meeting without an excused absence will receive a :10 penalty in T1.
There will be a sign in sheet at the entrance to the briefing room, where athletes will check-in. Packets will be handed out after the meeting to those in attendance. Athlete’s that notified us that they would not attend the meeting will have their packets set aside and given to them (or their coach) at a later time.
For athletes that miss the meeting without notification, your packets will be handed to the head referee. The head referee will speak with the specific athletes and let you know about the :10 second penalty.
We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to a great race.
Todd Gollnick, Race Director (todd@empowermultisport.com)
The Grand Hall Parking Lot will play host to this year’s transition, expo, athlete zone with team tents and Finish Line.
Swim
In the Draft Legal Swim, athletes will line up at a designated number on the beach. Competitors will run into the waters of Lake Lanier and the “fast paced” swim leg of this epic event begins. The 750-meter swim features a loop around the boat docks before athletes exit the beach and begin their run to transition.
Bike
During the Draft Legal bike athletes will exit on the left side of the lot making a quick left turn onto Camellia Road. At the top of the road athletes will make a left turn on Lanier Islands Pkwy. Athletes will pass through the round-a-bout and continue onto Pine Needle Road toward the campground. At the entrance to the campground athletes will make a right turn and continue up-hill until their turnaround. Athletes will work their way back downhill and circle around the camper check-in building before heading back toward their turnaround, passing the beach and Margaritaville. At the top of Lanier Island Parkway and Camellia Rd athletes will make their turn and head back out on their second loop, following the same course. After the third and final loop athletes will make a right turn on Camellia Rd, go downhill and finish with a sharp right turn back up to transition.
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Lap-out rule will be enforced by USAT Officials.
3 loops, 4.1 mile course (12.3 miles)
Run
When beginning their run, Draft Legal athletes will exit on the right side of the Grand Hall Parking Lot. They will cross over onto Camellia Rd. running up the right side of the road in a designated runner lane. Toward the top of the hill, they will get on the pedestrian path. The pedestrian path runs adjacent to Lanier Islands Parkway. Shortly into the run the pedestrian path will cross underneath Lanier Islands Parkway up onto the other side of the road. Athletes will continue their run on the pedestrian path working their way to the turn-around. Athletes will then begin their run back toward transition. They will run just past the entrance to transition to their Lap 1 turn-around point.
From there, athletes will follow the same course back as they work to complete lap 2. At the end of lap 2 athletes will this time turn directly back into transition and head to the finish line.
