Chelanathon Athlete FAQ

General Information

Q. When is race day?
A. Race day is Saturday, September 6th, 2025 at Old Mill Park in Manson, WA.

Q. When does the race begin?
A. Start times are as follows:

• 8:00 am – Olympic Distance (Mass Start)

• 9:00 am – Sprint Distance (Mass Start)

Parking & Venue

Q. Where should racers park for the event?
A. Parking is available at the 12 Tribes Casino, located at 455 Wapato Lake Rd, Manson, WA 98831. Please enter from Wapato Lake Road and follow volunteer instructions for athlete and spectator parking.

Q. Where does the race begin?
A. The race begins at Old Mill Park, 200 Mill Rd, Manson, WA 98831. This is also the location for swim start, transition, and the finish line.

Race Day Logistics

Q. When can I register and pick up my packet?
A. Athlete check-in and packet pickup are available at Old Mill Park during the following times:

• Friday: 4:00–7:00 pm

• Saturday: 6:00–8:15 am (Photo ID required)

Q. Is there a pre-race meal or gathering?
A. Yes. A Pasta Feed will be held on Friday from 4:30–6:30 pm at the 12 Tribes Casino – Deep Water Amphitheater. The price is $16 per person, and it is open to both racers and the general public.

Q. When does the bike transition area open?
A. The transition area opens at 6:00 am on Saturday morning.

• Olympic-Distance Athletes (ZONE A) – Transition closes at 7:30 am

• Sprint-Distance Athletes (ZONE B) – Transition closes at 8:15 am
  (Note: Please respect Olympic athletes who will be re-entering T1 after 8:15 am)

Q. When are the pre-race meetings?
A. Pre-race announcements will take place at the boat launch/swim start at Old Mill Park:

• 7:45 am – Olympic Distance

• 8:45 am – Sprint Distance

Transition Area

Q. Who is allowed in the transition area?
A. The transition area is for athletes with race numbers only. For safety and security, spectators and family members are not permitted inside.

Q. Can I store my bike overnight in transition?
A. No. Overnight bike storage is not available. Please allow enough time on race morning to stow your bike and set up your transition area with the essentials you’ll need during the race. Athletes should use a small bag to keep gear organized.

Q. When should I remove my bike after the race?
A. Please remove your bike from the transition area as soon as possible after finishing. The bike transition area will remain active until the last athlete has transitioned to the run, so bike removal will not be allowed until that time. Race staff and volunteers cannot be responsible for bikes or other personal gear left unattended.

Course Information

Q. What are the race distances?
A. Chelanathon features three race formats:

• Olympic Triathlon – 1.0 mile swim | 24.2 mile bike | 6.3 mile run

• Sprint Triathlon – 0.6 mile swim | 12.1 mile bike | 3.1 mile run

• Relay Triathlon – Olympic course distances (1.0 mile swim | 24.2 mile bike | 6.3 mile run), completed as a team.

Q. How are awards structured?
A. Awards will be given to the top three finishers for each gender in both the Olympic and Sprint distances. For the relay event, awards will be presented to the top three overall teams, regardless of gender.

Swim

Q. Is the swim wetsuit legal?
A. Yes. The Chelanathon swim is wetsuit legal. Water temperatures will be monitored leading up to race day, but athletes should plan on wetsuits being permitted.

Q. Can I rest on the swim course in contact with a course marshall on a SUP or kayaker?
A. Yes. Athletes may rest in contact with a safety kayak or SUP if needed, but you cannot make forward progress while holding on. Once rested, you must resume swimming under your own power.

Q. Will swim caps be provided?
A. Yes. Swim caps will be provided to all athletes at check-in and must be worn during the swim for visibility and safety.

Bike

Q. Are there aid stations on the bike course?
A. Yes. There are two aid stations located on the bike course. Athletes are encouraged to carry their own hydration and nutrition as needed in addition to the stations provided.

Q. I heard there is a downhill section with hairpin turns on the Olympic bike course. Do you have a video showing that portion of the course?
A. Yes. You can watch a preview of this section here: Olympic Bike Course Downhill Video.

⚠️ Safety Advisory: This downhill features sharp hairpin turns. Riders must use caution, control their speed, and stay alert for other athletes. Please ride within your limits to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Q. What is the draft zone?
A. The draft zone is ten meters (about five bike lengths) in both the Olympic- and Sprint-distance races. Athletes must maintain this distance unless actively passing.

Q. What is the time limit for passing another rider?
A. Athletes have 20 seconds to complete a pass once entering the draft zone. If the pass cannot be completed in that time, riders must drop back out of the draft zone.

Run

Q. Is the run course shaded?
A. No. The run course has little to no shade, so athletes should be prepared for all weather conditions, including heat and direct sun exposure. Wearing hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen is strongly recommended.

🗓️ Race Weekend Schedule at a Glance

Friday, September 5

• 4:00–7:00 pm – Athlete Check-in & Packet Pickup (Old Mill Park)

• 4:30–6:30 pm – Pasta Feed (12 Tribes Casino – Deep Water Amphitheater)

Saturday, September 6 – Race Day (Old Mill Park)

• 6:00–7:30 am – Transition Area Open (Olympic-Distance Athletes)

• 6:00–8:15 am – Transition Area Open (Sprint-Distance Athletes)

  • Note: Please respect Olympic-Distance athletes who will be entering T1 after 8:15 am

• 6:00–8:15 am – Packet Pickup (Photo ID required)

• 7:45 am – Olympic-Distance Pre-race Announcements (boat launch/swim start)

• 8:00 am – Olympic-Distance Mass Start

• 8:45 am – Sprint-Distance Pre-race Announcements (boat launch/swim start)

• 9:00 am – Sprint-Distance Mass Start