Does HFP Racing offer mail-in entries?

All HFP Racing events use online registration exclusively. No mail-in entries are available.

What is USA Triathlon (USAT)?

USA Triathlon is the national governing body for the sport of triathlon. All the events that HFP Racing produces and directs are sanctioned by USAT.

Participating in any HFP Racing event means that a participant must either be an annual member of USAT or they must purchase a special "one-day" USAT membership for the event. Being an annual member or a one-day member provides event organizers and participants with the necessary liability insurance coverage.

Annual Member: USAT annual memberships are available directly through USAT for $30 per year. For information, please contact USA Triathlon by visiting their website at www.usatriathlon.org.

One-Day Member: If you are not an annual member, you must purchase the special "one-day" USAT membership. Cost of the one-day membership is $10 and it can be added on to any event registration entry fee. Failure to purchase in advance will result in the need to pay this $10 fee at packet pick-up.

What is your weather policy?

An HFP Racing owned or managed event may be delayed or cancelled due to adverse, inclement, or unsafe weather. Should the event be delayed, the starting time of the event will be moved back accordingly. The delay will be communicated to all participants. The HFP Racing management team and local law enforcement has the authority to cancel an event. If cancellation of an event takes place, please follow instructions of the event officials and local law enforcement personnel. Your entry fee is not refundable if an event is cancelled due to adverse, inclement, or unsafe weather. The Race Director also reserves the right to modify the course at any time before or during an event by his/her own judgment or if instructed by local law enforcement personnel or park officials.

What is HFP's refund policy?

NO CASH REFUNDS, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Event entry fees may be transferred to next year's event only or any HFP owned event in the same calendar year less a $15 transfer fee for Sprint or Olympic distance triathlon; $50.00 transfer fee for half ironman distance or above events. A transfer request must be received prior to the event via email, voicemail, or in writing. A transfer request made after the start of an event will not be honored. In the case of a duplicate online entry or accidental double charge, a refund check will be issued.  Refund checks require 2-4 weeks to be processed.

What do I do with the timing chip if I drop out of the event and I don't cross the finish line?

Please bring the timing chip to the finish line and turn it in to a HFP Racing staff person. DO NOT turn it in to a volunteer. It must be returned to the finish line.

What are the USAT rules regarding wetsuit use?

The USAT rule governing the usage of wetsuits in races is as follows:

1) Water temperature is 78 degrees or lower:
Wetsuits may be worn

2) Water temperature is between 79 degrees and 83 degrees:

Wetsuits may be worn, HOWEVER, the participant is not eligible for any race
awards and do not receive any USAT ranking points or series ranking points.

3) Water temperature is 84 degrees or higher:

Wetsuits are not allowed

When and where do I pick up my event packet?

Days and times vary by event, but in almost every case we offer packet pick-up the day before the event and then again on morning of the event. Packet pick-up information for each event will be posted on the information page.

Do I have to pick up my own event packet?

Photo ID and USAT card (if applicable) is required at packet pick-up. You and only you can pick up your race packet. If you arrive at the race site without photo ID, you will have to participate as a spectator only. Sorry, USAT does not allow us to give you your race packet.

Are all open water swim events wave starts?

All of our open water swim triathlons utilize wave starts. Waves are organized by event category (Age Groups, Clydesdale, Elite, etc.). Wave start information will be a part of the official event information that will be available at packet pickup.

For open water swim starts, do we start on shore or in the water?

In almost every case, HFP Racing events start from the beach/shoreline.  We will provide you with that information either prior to event day or on event morning.

How do pool swim triathlons work?

Pool swim triathlons have become an important part of the triathlon scene in recent years. Pool swim races allow us to begin the triathlon season earlier than normal, and also allow us to utilize venues that have no open water options. For pool swims, when you register, submit an estimated swim time. Then we will seed everyone starting with the fastest swimmer to the slowest based on these swim times. At the race, participants begin the swim in seeded order, one person at a time. Participants begin every 3-5 seconds. Participants "serpentine" their way across the pool - down and back in each lane, then under the lane line to start the next lap - covering the required distance when they exit the pool.

Do I have to finish an event within a certain time frame?

Yes - most of our races have cut-off times for completing  races. These cut-off times are in place for the benefit of volunteers and police. In all cases, these cut-off times are very lenient - allowing virtually everyone to finish our events. The following are cut-off times for most HFP Racing events (Sprint - 2hr 30min, Olympic - 4hr 30min, Half Iron - 8hr 00min)

Where do I find results after an event?

Results are posted after each event at the race site at the awards tent AND on the event information page on HFP's website .

Are official results sent to USA Triathlon?

Yes, we automatically send the official results to the USAT national office (for national ranking points), as well as to the USAT regional office (for regional ranking points).

Can we sign up for events as a relay team?

Yes, relay teams are welcome at most events.At most of the events where relays are allowed you may participate with a team of two (duathlon)  OR three members (triathlon).

Will there be aid stations on the bike course?

If it's a sprint  or Olympic distance event, there will not be any water bottle hand-off locations. If it's a half iron distance event typically we'll have one water bottle hand-off location every 15 miles.

Will there be aid stations on the run course?

All HFP Racing events have aid stations every mile on the run course, regardless of the length of the event.

What is "Drafting" and "Blocking" on the bike course?

Consult www.usatriathlon.org and download the rules information posted. (Please see Section 5.10 for "Position Fouls" on the bike.)

Drafting--keep at least three bike lengths of clear space between you and the cyclist in front. If you move into the zone, you must pass within 15 seconds.
Position--keep to the right hand side of the lane of travel unless passing.
Blocking--riding on the left side of the lane without passing anyone and interfering with other cyclists attempting to pass.
Overtaken--once passed, you must immediately exit the draft zone from the rear, before attempting to pass again.

Can I wear headphones during the race?
NO - Headphones, headsets, walkmans, ipods, mp3 players, etc. are not to be carried or worn at any time during the race.