Athlete Guide,
faqS & Rules

TRIATHLON ATHLETE GUIDE

Do I have to be a USAT Triathlon Member to register for a triathlon event?

Yes, All participants in events sanctioned by USA Triathlon must be members of USA Triathlon and be able to present a valid annual membership card or must purchase a USA Triathlon single event permit. Any athlete who intentionally participates in an event despite (i) lack of membership, or (ii) ineligibility for the relevant membership class shall be suspended or barred from membership in USA Triathlon and banned from participation in any sanctioned event for a period of up to one year.

Are there any requirements for becoming a USAT Triathlon member?

Membership in USA Triathlon is available to all persons in good standing with USA Triathlon who submit a completed application, pay the required membership fee, and comply with all the requirements determined by USA Triathlon to be applicable to the specific category of membership desired.

Can I pick up someone else’s race packet?
NO, USAT rules state that each person needs to pick up his or her own race packet
(after he/she has shown a photo ID). 

What gear is allowed & not allowed during the swim portion of the triathlon?

Required Equipment: Due to safety reasons, Each swimmer is required to wear the proper official swim cap provided by race management and corresponding to their wave. The penalty for an infraction of this rule is a variable time penalty.

Permitted Equipment: Swimmers may wear, but shall not be required to wear, swim goggles or face masks.

Illegal Equipment: Any swimmer wearing any artificial propulsion device, including but not limited to fins, gloves, paddles, or floating devices of any kind shall be disqualified.

What gear is not allowed during the cycling portion of the triathlon?

Illegal Equipment: Any participants who any time uses, wears, or carries a headset, radio, headphones, personal audio device, or any other item shall be assessed a variable time penalty.

What gear is allowed & not allowed during the run portion of the triathlon?

Illegal Equipment: Any participant who at any time wears or carries a headset, radio, headphones, personal audio device, or any other item shall be subject to a time penalty.

Permitted Equipment: A participant may carry a water bottle on the run portion of the course, provided that such container is not made of glass. Glass containers are prohibited.

What are the rules for displaying race numbers during each event?

Swim: Each cap needs to be marked with your respective number on both sides

Cycling: Cyclists must clearly display their number on both their helmet and bike

Run: All runners must clearly display their bib with their respective number

I can no longer participate in my portion of the relay, can I switch out my registration with another person?

Yes, you can switch out your relay group via your RunSignUp account until September 27th.

I have more USAT questions! Where should I look for answers?

Please visit https://www.usatriathlon.org/ for more information on USAT regulations.

Frequently awesome questions

When is the triathlon?
Saturday, October 28, 2023

We Are Sanctioned
The Marin County Triathlon is a USAT sanctioned event.

Where is the triathlon?
McNear’s Beach County Park 201 Cantera Way, San Rafael, CA 94901

Saturday, October 29 Schedule
Triathlon – Sprint – Individual
Triathlon – Sprint – Relay
Triathlon – Olympic – Individual
Triathlon – Olympic – Relay

Where can I pick up my packet prior to my race day?

WHEN: FRIDAY, 10/27 3-7PM

WHERE: SPORTS BASEMENT PRESIDIO (610 OLD MASON ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94129)

Per USAT rules, only the registered Triathlete may pick up their race packet. You must have your bib number (those will be emailed out prior to race day) and a valid ID.

I can no longer participate in my portion of the relay, can I switch out my registration with another person?

Yes, you can switch out your relay group via your RunSignUp account until October 5th.

Can I switch my triathlon event?

Yes, you can switch your event via your RunSignUp account until September 27th.

What time do the gates at McNear’s Beach open on Saturday?
Gates open at 7 am, the parking lot at McNears Beach is first come, first serve.

If I park at McNears Beach, when can I leave the lot? 

The lots inside the park will not re-open until 12:30 pm or when the last finisher returns. You may not leave prior to this time if you are parked inside the park gates. No exceptions.

When do the roads close around the park on Saturday morning?

Park gates close at 8 am. The course road closure will begin at 8:15-8:30 am.

Where is an OK place to park on the street?

Anywhere west (or before) you get to Main Drive (off of Point San Pedro) is ok. DO NOT park at Andy’s Market and please respect our neighbors. Note that some road closures and detours out on course may still be in effect until 12:30pm.

When can participants start setting up their bikes in the Transition Area?
7:00 am on race morning.

What time does McNears Beach open the front gate?
7:00 am on race morning.

Can I pick up someone else’s race packet?
NO, USAT rules state that each person needs to pick up his or her own race packet
(after he/she has shown a photo ID). 

Will there be shuttles on Saturday?

Unfortunately, due to the number of people who used the shuttle last year, we will only have the shuttle operate on Sunday, October 29th.

What time should all bikes be set up by?
8:40 am is the Transition Area closing time for the Sprint and Olympic distances.

Where should racers be from 8:40 am until the start of the race?
All racers should wait at the Swim Start for race instructions.

What time do the Sprint and Olympic triathlons start?
First Olympic wave start is 9:00 am. Sprint will follow. Refer to wave start times.

What time will the first finishers be done?
Beginning at 10:45 am.

Which direction does the OLYMPIC bike course follow?

After transitioning on the grass, a quick climb awaits you and your bike to get out of the park (have your gears set to easy!). Turning RIGHT from Cantera Way onto San Pedro Road, riders will head north a short distance to the Short Lap turnaround at Biscayne Dr to then head towards the South turnaround at Brickyard Rd. 

Riders then complete 3 LONG LAPS from the South turnaround towards the North turnaround at Back Ranch Meadows campground entrance, heading back again towards the South turnaround. Riders repeat this lap 2 more times North/South for a total of 3 long laps. After completion of the 3rd long lap, riders turn right on Cantera Way to return to the transition area. (refer to olympic bike course map)

Which direction does the SPRINT bike course follow?

After transitioning on the grass towards the BIKE OUT exit, a quick climb awaits you and your bike to get out of the park (have your gears set to easy!). Turning RIGHT from Cantera Way onto San Pedro Road, riders will head north a short distance to the Short Lap turnaround at Biscayne Dr to then head towards the South turnaround at Brickyard Rd. Riders repeat this lap 1 more time North/South for a total of 2 short laps.

Riders then complete 1 LONG LAP from the South turnaround towards the North turnaround at Back Ranch Meadows campground entrance, heading back again towards the South turnaround. After completion of the long lap, riders turn right on Cantera Way to return to the transition area. (refer to sprint bike course map)

Which direction does the run follow?

OLYMPIC DISTANCE:

Following TRANSITION 2, participants will complete two laps of our our 10K run, turning LEFT out of the park for a scenic course, along the water’s edge. Runners will head towards the South turnaround at Main Dr and return heading towards the 10K turnaround at Cantera Way. After the 10K turnaround runners head back towards the South turnaround to complete another lap. After completion of the 2nd lap, runners turn right on Cantera Way to return to the FINISH. (refer to olympic run course map). 

Sprint Distance:

Following TRANSITION 2, participants will turn left out of the park for a scenic course, along the water’s edge. Runners will head towards the South turnaround at Main Dr, before turning right on Cantera Way to return to the FINISH (refer to sprint run course map).

Are there any Transition Area rules?
Yes. To enter the Transition Area in the morning, you will first need to present your bib as well as have your bike number attached to your bike. After the event, to retrieve your bike, you will need to show your bib number to the volunteer & to match it to the number on your bike to exit the Transition Area.

Relay Information:
After the swim, the swimmer must get to the bike inside transition (still up on the rack), then he/she can switch the chip to the next relay member inside the transition, take down the bike & go. After biking, the relay member must rack the bike inside the transition before passing off the chip to the next relay member inside the transition.

Weather Forecast:
View the Latest Weather at McNears County Park

Featured In