Frequently Asked Questions

YWCA Women’s Triathlon is better organized and more enjoyable when participants know as many details as possible.

If you don’t see an answer to your question, please email us.

How can I contact YWCA Minneapolis?
Mail:
YWCA Minneapolis Women’s Triathlon
2121 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55407

Email: triathlon@ywcampls.org

Registration

  • There is no wait list available in 2023. Please join our Facebook page. Participants can post if they would like to transfer before August 3, 2023.

  • Our race does not offer deferrals or refunds. We cannot offer refunds if the race is canceled due to situations beyond the control of YWCA Minneapolis.

    We know unforeseen medical circumstances occur. Please purchase race insurance if you would like to protect your race. You may also opt to transfer your bib to another racer on or before August 3, 2023. Transfers not completed by this date will not be valid.

  • All registration changes are due by August 3, 2023 at 11:59 pm. No exceptions. These include:

    Category changes: Click here for a tutorial. You may change your category in your race registration (i.e. individual to a buddy group). It is $5 per change, and you may change as many times as you prefer. This applies for distance changes as well.

    Transfers to another athlete: Click here for a tutorial. You may transfer your race to another participant at any time in your race registration. It is $5 per transfer. The transfer must be complete by August 3, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Transfers initiated but not completed will not be valid after August 3, 2023.

  • Packet pickup is Saturday, August 12, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at 5001 Lake Nokomis Pkwy, Minneapolis MN 55417.

    If you cannot pick up your packet in the Saturday time window, please add on “Day of Packet Pick Up” to your registration. Click here for a simple tutorial. If you choose this option, we will make sure your packet and bib are assigned and ready on race day. Packet pickup on the morning of race day (August 13, 2023) is 6:00 – 7:00 am. If you did not choose this option prior to August 12, you may have to wait longer and will also be charged $20 on the day of. If you arrive later than 7:00 am, you risk not receiving your race number and chip.

    You cannot pick up packets for other racers. Relays will be assigned a designated captain. This is typical for triathlon, and we will not bend the rules.

    To streamline participant experience, most bibs will be assigned at packet pickup on August 12, 2023. We will assign numbers upon check-in. If you have friends in your age group, there is a high likelihood you may be able to rack your bikes together if you check in together. Buddy Groups will be pre-assigned in order to race together.

  • Registration for the 2025 YWCA Women's Triathlon opens on Sunday, Aug. 11, 2024.

  • The early bird registration fee is $94 plus applicable fees and is available at this rate until Aug. 31.  

    Starting Sept. 1, the registration cost will increase as follows:  

    •  Aug. 11 through Aug. 31: $94 

    • Sept. 1 through Oct. 31: $104 

    • Nov. 1 through Dec. 31: $114 

    • Jan. 1 through Jan. 31: $124 

    • Feb. 1 through Feb. 28: $134 

    • March 1 through June 30: $144 

  • A “Buddy Group” is a two or more people who would like to race together. After the initial registrant creates a team, everyone who would like to race together can join the team upon registration. Buddies will start the race together and be allowed to rack their bikes together in transition. Athletes in this category will be eligible for individual prizes, but no prizes will be given to the buddy group. All participants will do the full distance they registered for. This category is good for people who want to experience the race together. 

  • A Family Team is two people who want to compete as a team together such as sisters, mothers, nieces, aunts, wives and partners. Prizes will be given out to the top three family teams. 

  • Two or three people will divide and conquer the three legs of the triathlon race. One person can complete 1 or 2 legs or split the distance between three separate racers. This option is available in the sprint distance category only. 

Timing

  • We will be using chip timing, professionally managed by MTEC.

  • An RFID chip encoded with the athlete’s name and race number is attached to a strap that the athlete must wear securely around her ankle. A “scanner,” located under mats and positioned at each transition (swim finish, bike start, bike finish, run start and run finish), “reads” the chip and records the time as each athlete steps on the mat. Each timing chip is very valuable. Replacement cost in case of loss is the athlete’s responsibility and is $30.

  • No. The strap with the timing chip should be worn on the left ankle. Wearing it on an ankle helps ensure that its signal is properly read when you cross a timing mat. The left ankle is important because if it is on the right ankle, it may rub or get caught on your bike’s chain ring.

  • If you lose your chip before the race starts, see race personnel to see if a replacement chip is available. You will be billed for the $30 replacement cost of the chip. There are backup manual timers; however, it is impossible for them to always catch every participant. Thus, if you do not have a chip during the race, please do not expect to be timed.

Swim, Bike, Run

  • Learn how to fix a flat tire by yourself before the race. If you don’t have a friend who can teach you, watch for free flat tire clinics at our bike partner, The Hub Bike Co-op. If you are unable to fix it yourself, walk to a volunteer at an intersection. They will contact one of our vehicles, which can try to help you fix the flat or transport you and your bike back.

  • Yes, but only with a documented medical condition. Please contact us if you plan to use a tandem or recumbent bike. All other athletes may use any regular upright road, triathlon, hybrid or mountain bike. A road or tri bike is much faster and saves a lot of energy. However, many first-time triathletes use a mountain bike because that is what is available to them. If you ride a mountain bike, we recommend you replace the knobby tires with smooth and skinnier tires (sometimes called slicks).

  • No. Drafting on the bike is against USA Triathlon rules for both safety and fairness. Most buddies just want to be together in the transition area and be in the same wave for camaraderie and support, but do most of the race by themselves. Some buddies try to stay together and will wait for each other after the swim. They may stay together during the bike, but must stay far enough apart to not be drafting (three bike lengths between), and may not ride side by side (as this blocks other riders).

The Transition

  • The transition area is located in the south parking lot, near the south beach swim start. It will be open from 5:45 to 7:45 am and from approximately 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

  • Only participants and race officials will be allowed in the transition area. So, yes, they may if they are also competing.

  • Before the race starts, the transition area closes at 7:45 am, regardless of what wave you are in. All equipment must be in by 7:45 am. All participants will be required to be at the swim start for a pre-race meeting at 8:00 am. You will not be allowed to return to the transition area after the pre-race meeting because the timing mats will be activated. Swimmers in the early waves will also soon be coming through.

  • The transition area will re-open when the final biker has completed the bike course and has set out on the run. You will need to show your bib number in order to re-enter the transition area. We will estimate this time in pre-race materials. Transition area closes at 1:00 pm, when we will begin to break down the transition area. We are not responsible for any equipment left after this time.