Frequently Asked Questions about Maine State Triathlon

1. Where's a good place to stay?

River View Resort — our host hotel, of course!  Rates start at $93 for 2 people / $10 for each additional guest.  2 BR condos sleep up to 5 people, full kitchen for your early breakfast needs!  Living room with sleeper sofa, fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, bath, cable TV in living room, room telephone, free hi-speed Wi-Fi, adjustable air-conditioning (in bedrooms only), electric heat, linens, housewares, daily maid service.
For reservations, call 888-224-8413 / 207.824.2808 or www.riverviewresort.com and tell them Chad authorized these rates for Maine State Triathletes.

Or The Bethel Inn Resort — our grand prize sponsor!  Inn and townhouse accommodations, complete & affordable Golf & Golf School Vacations, many summer activities at the 200-acre resort, an 18-hole championship golf course, health club with an outdoor heated pool, spa services, Millbrook Tavern & Terrace, tennis, and even a lake house.  For reservations and rates, call: 800-654-0125 / 207-824-2175 x 0 or www.bethelinn.com.

2. What division could/should I compete in?

See Registration page. ​

3. Where and when do I pick up my race packet?

Picking up your packet on Saturday, the day before the race, is strongly recommended. See Schedule page for times and location details. You may authorize someone else pick up your packet if you wish. 

If absolutely necessary, you may pick up your packet on Sunday before the race, 6-7:00 am only. Please, no early birds, out of respect for the Davis family who allows us to use their yard as triathlon headquarters. (561 Songo Pond Road, Albany Township, Maine)

4. I'm a newbie! How do I learn more about the course and the event in general?  

Come to the competitors' meeting the evening before the race (and pick up your packet at the same time)! This meeting is strongly recommended, especially for first-timers in this race. See times and location details on the Schedule page. ​

5. Where and when do I pick up my timing chip?

6:00-7:30 am on race day at the Davis family residence, MST HQ, (561 Songo Pond Road, Albany Township, Maine). 
Pick up your chip on Sunday morning before the race, even if you checked in and picked up your packet on Saturday. Look for the Back 40 Events truck. 

Return your chip at the finish line. Volunteers will assist you. ​

6. Do I have to check in on Sunday/race day morning if I picked up my race packet on Saturday?

No, but you do still need to pick up your chip on Sunday morning from the Back 40 Events truck parked in the start/finish area at the Davis residence. We'll know you're there when you pick up your chip. Teams of 2 or 3 will share one chip, which they will pass off in the transition area.

7. What if I decide not to race AFTER I've checked in and/or picked up my timing chip?  

Please call Julia Reuter's cell phone at (207) 890-9944 if you must drop out of the race. 
If you do pick up your timing chip in the morning and decide at the last possible minute not to race, return your chip to the timer or responsible volunteer ASAP and tell them you're not racing. This is critical because if you're on a start list but don't cross the finish line, we will have to go looking for you. 

8. How do you know that everyone who went into the water came back out? And what if I have trouble during the swim? 

Trained volunteers will count people as they enter and exit the water. Certified lifeguards and other spotters in boats will be watching for signs of distress.  You may hang on the side of a boat if you need to rest a bit, if you’ve gulped water, been kicked, etc.

9. Do I need to wear a wet suit? And how warm is the water?

Wet suits are allowed, but not required. No swim aids are permitted. Experienced triathletes wear wet suits for buoyancy, not for warmth. The water in Songo Pond in late summer is usually about 72 degrees. 

10. What determines whether I'm a "novice?"

This is an unsanctioned event, therefore anyone who wants to register as a novice may do so. We have no “watchdogs” that say, “Hey, she’s not a novice, she’s already done two triathlons!” Basically, if you feel more comfortable going out in the novice swim wave (it goes out last — so there is less fierce/serious competition, i.e., potential to get kicked in the water!), you may. You will get timed. There is a separate prize category for novices, so please be considerate and don’t sign up as a novice just so you can dominate that category! There are no age divisions within the novice category — prizes are given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd novice males and females. Do what feels right to you, and be fair.

11. Where do I park on race day?

All parking will be in designated areas in the yard at start/check-in/bike pen area at the Davis residence. Park tightly, please. Volunteers will assist. NO PARKING ON ROUTE 5 & 35 OR BAKER ROAD, OR ANY ROAD THAT IS PART OF THE COURSE! (If you must park on a road, be sure it is north of Rts. 5/35 and Baker Road.)

12. How do aquabikers (swim and bike legs only) finish? 

Signage will indicate where aquabikers should dismount and come through finish chute. Competitors in this category should yell “I’m an aquabiker!" then dismount and run/walk/jog with their bikes through finish chute.  They will NOT go into transition zone and rack their bikes.

13. How do duathletes (run and bike legs only) start?

Duathletes will start in the transition zone with their bikes. A volunteer will announce the start after the top swimmers have exited the bike zone.

14. How and where do teams pass their timing chip?

Teams share one timing chip. They pass the timing chip at their bike rack in the transition zone. Chips are to be worn on the left ankle. 

15. May we have a two-person team instead of three?

Yes!

16. Are spectators allowed in the transition zone? Am I allowed to have someone help me in the transition zone? ​

No. No spectators, friends, family, or anyone else other than athletes are allowed in the transition zone. No assistance of any kind is allowed. The transition is also closed to any participant who has completed his/her event. The transition zone will be closed until the last runner is out on the course and the timer give an OK to reopen it.  

17. How and where do I mark my body and use my bib numbers?

In the race packet, you will find three ways to mark yourself for the race:

1. Bicycle top-tube number & 3 twist ties.
2. Stick-on number for front of bike helmet.
3. Bib number for the front of your run clothing and 4 safety pins.

You will also mark your body at check-in/packet pick-up with permanent ink:

1. Bib # on both arms on FRONT, vertically.
2. Bib # on both thighs on FRONT, horizontally.
3. Bib # on LEFT REAR calf.​

18. How will I know where to put my bike in the transition area?

The racks will have signs on the row ends only -- designating a group of spaces (i.e. bib numbers 1-8, 9-17, etc.). Place your bike, running shoes, etc., somewhere along the rack corresponding your number range. Please don't move anyone else's stuff when you set up!

19. Will there be water stations on the course?

Yes, there will be three water stations on the course.

1. .3-.4 of a mile south of start of run, on pond side of Rt. 5/35.
2. At left turn onto South Shore Lane (off of Rt. 5/35)
3. On Baker Road, about .3/mile from T-junction off of Morningside Drive. See map.

20. Will there be showers available after the race?

No. Take another dip in Songo Pond if you would like a rinse. (No soap, please!)

21. Is it allowed to have my friend follow me on the course on his/her own bike?

This is strongly discouraged. You could be disqualified if someone is alongside/following you on a bike and that person impedes other racers.

22. Where should I cool down?

After you finish, please do your cool down SOUTH of the finish area to avoid the congestion north of the finish area with cyclists, runners, cars, volunteers, spectators…

23. Who benefits from the Maine State Triathlon?

The Maine State Triathlon is organized by and benefits the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit, non-profit, 501(c)6 organization which works to promote business and community initiatives in the Bethel area.