Frequently Asked Questions

Course Information
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Where can I find a map of the race course?
Swim, bike and run maps are available in the course section of the Web site.

Is the swim a mass start or a wave start?
The swim is a wave start.

What is the expected water temperature on race day?
The average water temperature in Galveston, Texas in April is 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

What nutrition will be available on course?
There will be 4 aid stations along the bike course offering:

  • Ironman PERFORM
  • Water
  • Bananas
  • Cola
  • Bonk Breaker Energy Bars in:
    -Peanut Butter & Jelly
    -Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
    -Apple Pie

There will be aid stations approximately every mile on the run course offering:

  • Ironman PERFORM
  • Water
  • Fruit
  • Cola
  • Bonk Breaker Energy Bars in:
    -Peanut Butter & Jelly
    -Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip
    -Apple Pie

Where does Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas take place?
Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas, formerly known as Ironman 70.3 Lone Star will take place on historic Galveston Island, along the Texas gulf coast. Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa & Convention Center, situated among 242 lush, tropical acres, will play host to athletes from around the world. The swim takes place in Offats Bayou and the bike and run course takes athletes through Galveston Island, along the Texas coastline and over San Luis pass.

Registration
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When does registration open?
Online registration will open Monday, June 13 at 12 p.m. ET.

Will onsite registration be available?
If the event is not sold-out online, we will take onsite registrations during athlete check-in hours. Athletes will be charged an additional $25.00 USD late registration fee on top of general registration. Please check the registration tab on the website for information on standard entry fees.

What is the entry fee?

General Entry
$250—open to 1/13/2012
$275—1/14/2012 to 2/15/2012
$290—2/16/2012 to close

Relay Entry
$300—open to 1/13/2012
$350—1/14/2012 to 2/15/2012
$375—2/16/2012 to close

**Please note that price increase will take effect at 11:59 PM EST on the underlined dates.

REGISTER NOW!
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What is the Refund/Withdrawal Policy?
Withdrawal requests must be received in writing via E-mail to texas70.3@ironman.com. Without exception, all requests must be received on or before February 15, 2012 to be eligible for a partial refund of $75.00 USD. Transfers or deferments are NOT permitted.

Do I need to qualify, validate or confirm my entry by completing another event?
No, competitors do not need to qualify or validate to enter Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas. However, we do suggest competing in a shorter distance triathlon event before race day.

Is there a waiting list for the races when they are sold out?
No, we don’t offer a waiting list.

What age group will I race in on race day?
All qualifying events will implement both the International Triathlon Federation and USA Triathlon’s Age Group Competition rule: All age group athletes must compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete’s age on December 31st of the year of the event.

How do I determine whether I should race as an age grouper or professional?
You must declare your status and race in that division. Professionals must hold a valid professional/elite card or a letter from their country’s federation. For more information on Ironman pro membership, please log onto www.ironmanpromembership.com.

When and where can I sign up for next year’s race?
Registration will be announced shortly after the current year’s race.

Can family members and/or friends check-in for me and pick-up my race packet?
No, only registered athletes are allowed into athlete check-in. Please bring your photo ID and USAT card (if applicable) during designated check-in hours.

Relay
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My team would like to withdraw from the race. What is the refund policy?
Withdrawal requests must be received in writing via E-mail to texas70.3@ironman.com. Without exception, all requests must be received on or before February 15, 2012 to be eligible for a partial refund of $75.00 USD. Transfers or deferments are NOT permitted.

How do I switch out of or into an existing relay?
Only the team captain (i.e. the person that completed the registration) can request a switch by emailing texas70.3@ironman.com.  Without exception, all requests must be received on or before February 15, 2012.

What is the fee to switch into an existing relay?
Any switch into a relay will result in a $25.00 USD charge

Can I change my relay entry to an individual entry?
If general registration is open, you will be able to change your entry.  You will NOT receive the difference in entry fee. Requests must be received in writing via e-mail to texas70.3@ironman.com.  Without exception, all requests must be received on or before February 15, 2012.

What if my team members can’t compete due to unforeseen circumstances and I am the only one on my team?
If only one athlete remains on the team due to injury or other circumstances, that athlete can participate as an individual entry.  The individual will not receive the difference in entry fee.

Do all team members have to be at athlete check-in at the same time?
Yes, without exception, all members of a relay team must check-in at the same time or they will not be able to participate.

Will all team members receive a shirt and medal?
Yes, each athlete that participates in a relay will receive a shirt and medal.

Can family members and/or friends check-in for me and pick-up my race packet?
No, only registered athletes are allowed into athlete check-in. Please bring your photo ID and USAT card (if applicable) during designated check-in hours.

Rules
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What is the Age Group breakdown for Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas?

  • 18-24
  • 25-29
  • 30-34
  • 35-39
  • 40-44
  • 45-49
  • 50-54
  • 55-59
  • 60-64
  • 65-69
  • 70-74
  • 75-79
  • 80+

What are the age requirements?

All athletes must be 18 years of age on race day to compete in Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas.

What categories are offered?

For Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas, we will offer Professional, Age Group and Physically Challenged categories.

Why do I have to be a member of USAT or buy a one-day license, and what does that insurance cover?

USA Triathlon will sanction this race. To complete the online registration process, athletes will need to enter their USAT annual license number or purchase a one-day license ($12.00 USD) during online registration. Athletes must bring their photo identification and show proof of current USAT membership during Athlete Check-In. If you cannot produce the above mentioned, you will be required  to purchase a one-day license on-site. Please visit www.usatriathlon.org/pages/668 for a complete set of the competitive rules.

What are the swimwear restrictions?
Swimwear must be 100% textile material, which is defined as materials consisting of natural and/or synthetic, individual and non-consolidated yarns used to constitute a fabric by weaving, knitting and/or braiding. Simply put, this would generally refer to suits made only from nylon or Lycra that do not have any rubberized material such as polyurethane or neoprene. Swimwear must not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder, nor extend past the knees. Swimwear may contain a zipper. A race kit may be worn underneath swimwear.

What are the wetsuit restrictions?

  • Wetsuits cannot measure more than 5 mm thick.
  • Wetsuits are permitted if the water temperature is up to (and including) 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit (24.5 degrees Celsius) or colder.
  • Wetsuits will be prohibited in water temperatures greater than 83.8 degrees Fahrenheit (28.8 degrees Celsius).
  • Athletes who choose to wear a wetsuit in water temperatures between 76.1 degrees Fahrenheit (24.5 degrees Celsius) and 83.8 degrees Fahrenheit (28.8 degrees Celsius) will not be eligible for awards, including World Championship slots.
  • Full wetsuits are permitted (arms and legs covered).
  • The De Soto Water Rover wetsuit is PROHIBITED

Are disk wheels allowed?
Yes, disk wheels are allowed.

Qualifying
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How many slots to the 2012 Ironman World Championship 70.3?
There will be 30 qualifying Age Group slots to the 2012 Ironman World Championship 70.3 on offer at the 2012 Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas. For more information, please log onto www.ironmanvegas.com.

What is the Professional Points Ranking and Prize Purse that will be offered at this race?
Point allocation along with Prize Purse distribution can be found at: http://ironmanpromembership.com/kpr/

How does the age group slot allocation work?

  • Prior to race day, at least one slot shall be tentatively allocated to each Age Group category (both male and female). Please see the official Age Group category breakdown listed below.
  • Final slot allocation will be determined on race day based on the number of official starters. If there are no starters in a particular Age Group, then that slot will be moved to the next calculated Age Group within the gender.
  • Final slot allocation shall be representative of the actual number of Age Group starters in each category in the race.  For example, if 8% of the Age Group starters are Female 40-44, then 8% of the slots are allocated to the Female 40-44 category.
  • Athletes MUST claim their slot in-person during the designated registration period for the world championship. Please check the Schedule of Events for   more information.

 

What is rolldown and how does it work?

  • At the conclusion of on site registration for the automatic qualifiers, any unclaimed slots within an Age Group will be rolled down to the next eligible finisher within that Age Group.
  • If an athlete chooses not to take the slot, does not attend the rolldown ceremony or has already qualified, the next eligible finisher in that Age Group may claim the qualifying slot.
  • Following rolldown, any unclaimed slots within an Age Group will be reallocated to another Age Group within the gender based on the athletes-to-slots ratio.
  • The Age Group within the gender with the largest athletes-to-slots ratio will receive the first reallocated slot, followed by the next largest ratio receiving the second re-allocated slot (if applicable), and so on.

Anti-Doping Policy
1. In accordance with the World Triathlon Corporation Anti -Doping Policy, all athletes accepting qualifying slots for the 2012 Ironman World Championship and 2012 Ironman World Championship 70.3 will be required to sign a condition of Entry, Release and Indemnification waiver, by which they agree to be placed into the WTC Registered Testing Pool for both in and out of competition testing, and voluntarily consent to be governed by the published rule: www.ironmanpromembership.com
2. We encourage all athletes to be familiar with the most current WADA Prohibited list which can be found: http://ironmanpromembership.com/anti-doping/
3. According to the World Anti-Doping Agency and the 2010 International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions, there are some substances which require a Declaration of Use. The WTC recommends completing this in two ways:
a) Filing a Declaration of Use directly to your NADO or through your secured ADAMS login The WTC Declaration of Use form can be found - www.ironmanpromembership.com
b) On the Doping Control Official Record at the time of testing should you be selected for Doping Control The substances which require a Declaration of Use are listed below:
i) Albuterol and Salmeterol by inhalation for the treatment of asthma
ii) Inhaled or locally injected glucocorticosteroids (intramuscular use requires a TUE)
iii) Platelet Rich Plasma injections (except intramuscular which requires a TUE)

Merchandise
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Who is the contact for the official merchandise?
For inquiries about merchandise, please e-mail  orders@ironmanstore.com

Where can I purchase event merchandise?
Please click here to purchase merchandise.

Who do I contact regarding official race photos?
FinisherPix is the official race photographer. Visit www.finisherpix.com to order your photos.

Media
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Who do I contact for media-related inquiries?
Media70.3@ironman.com

Spectator Information
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I am part of a team or club participating in the Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas, is there any place for us to cheer on our athletes?
Yes. We will host a team tailgating area near transition. This is your chance to have a gathering spot for your team and to cheer on athletes. Bring your tents, trailers, picnics and energy. Email texasvolunteers@ironman.com to secure your spot.

Can I take my car on the race course to watch my athlete?
No, the race course is closed to spectator traffic.

Will I be allowed to cross the finish line with my athlete?
Friends and/or family members are not permitted to cross the finish line or enter the finish chute with participating athletes. This policy allows each competitor adequate time to celebrate their accomplishment without interfering with other finishers and ensure the safety of all participants, volunteers and fans. Athletes who choose not to respect the policy will receive an automatic disqualification (DQ).

Will I be allowed into the finish line area to greet my athlete?
Unfortunately, due to high congestion in the finish line area, no spectators will be allowed. Please do not try to gain access to this area, as it must remain clear for the safety of the athletes. Before the event, you and your athlete should decide on a meeting place for after they have finished.

Will I be allowed into the medical tent to look for my athlete if they have not arrived at our meeting destination?
The Medical Tent is highly congested and spectators will not be allowed in. There will be a Medical Information Tent next to the Medical Tent where medical updates will be available on athletes who enter the Medical Tent.

What is the Ironman Village?
The Ironman Village features various booths- including a showcase of Ironman Store, Ironman exhibitors and Ironman Bike Shop, as well as many other services and products. It provides a perfect gathering and meeting place for athletes and spectators.

Race Week Events
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Where can I find a schedule of events for race week?
Please check the schedule of events on the race website and refer to the Athlete Information Guide which will be posted two weeks prior to race day.

General
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Where will Lost and Found be located during the event?
Lost and Found items will be available at the Information Tent during race week. It is recommended that you mark your gear with your race number as Ironman is not responsible for lost items.

After the conclusion of the event, please contact texas70.3@ironman.com to locate any missing items and schedule returns. Shipping fees will apply.

*All unclaimed items will be donated within 30 days.

Timing
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What are the courses cut off times for Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas?
Swim: 1 hour and 10 minutes after the final wave start.
Bike: 5 hours and 30 minutes after the final wave start.
Run: 8 hours and 30 minutes after the final wave start.

*The race will officially end 8 hours and 30 minutes after the final wave start.

What is the timing system used for the event?
ChampionChip

If I have my own chip can I use it?
Yes, e-mail your chip number to Ironman Race Timing at: timing@ironman.com or stop by the Timing table during athlete check in.

I didn’t turn in my timing chip after the race. Where do I return it so I won’t be charged the “lost chip” fee?
Ironman Race Timing
2701 North Rocky Point Drive
Suite 1250
Tampa, FL 33607

Will there be live on-line tracking and results on race day?
Yes, please visit www.ironman.com for live race day coverage including athlete tracking and up-to-date race results.

Will I receive an Official Finisher’s certificate?
Yes, you will receive your certificate via e-mail shortly after the event.

Travel
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What is the host hotel and how do I find other lodging information?
Click here for accommodations information.

Volunteers
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Where can I sign up to volunteer?
Click here for volunteer information.

Bike Shipping
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Who is the bike transport provider?
Click here for bike shipping information.

About the event

The day starts off with a 1.2-mile saltwater swim in the protected Offats Bayou followed by a 56-mile scenic one and a half loop bike course along the Gulf Coast of Texas. The 13.1-mile run takes athletes through Moody Gardens, along Offats Bayou and Palm Beach, before finishing near the Discovery Pyramid.

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