Virginia Duathlon Frequently Asked Questions
General | Travel/Accomodation | USAT | Chip Timing | Tidewater Striders | USAT Series
General
Where can I pick-up my award?
The 2009 awards will be given out at the post race party, which follows
the race on the Plantation Grounds.
Please stay and enjoy the post-race festivities.
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Are there any rules/regulations I should be aware of?
Important Athlete Information is
now available. It is the responsibilty of each athlete to be familiar with the rules PRIOR to race day.
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Can I register for the race at packet pick up?
There will be registration at packet pick up only if the race has not been filled. Otherwise, there will be no registration at packet pick up and absolutely no registration allowed on race day.
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When and where is packet pick up?
Packet pickup will be available at the transition area at Chippokes State
Park on Saturday March 29th from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and on race day from
6:30 AM until 8:30 AM. Packet pickup is not mandatory on Saturday, but
highly advised in order to avoid lines on race day morning. We will make arrangements
for you to receive a parking pass for packet pickup and race day morning
at the park main gate so that you do not have to pay twice to enter the
park. Tell them you are there for the duathlon.
Athletes must present their USA Triathlon membership card at packet pick up or purchase a one-day pass for $10.00.
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How do I get to Chippokes Plantation State Park and the race?
Chippokes Plantation is conveniently located off of Hwy 10 between Smithfield and Petersburg Virginia. Click link for a map. The park is also a short ferry ride from Williamsburg on the Jamestown-Scotland
Ferry.
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Can I ride my bike in the transition area?
No, there will be a designated area outside the transition areas for mounting and dismounting bikes. To ensure accurate timing, bikes can not be ridden across the timing mats.
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Travel/Accomodation
Where's the nearest airport?
The Norfolk International Airport (ORF) is located a few miles from the Virginia Beach/Norfolk border. Additionally, the Hampton Roads region is served by Patrick Henry Airport in Newport News.
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Can I ship my bike to a local bike shop?
Our major sponsor, Conte's will
accept your bike shipment. To make arrangements, please call the Williamsburg
store at 757-565-1225.
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Are there any special lodging rates for VaDu participants?
Yes, there are several options listed on our Lodging Page.
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USAT
What is USAT and why do I need a one-day permit?
USAT is the national governing body for triathlons and duathlons in the United States. A one-day license allows a novice athlete to compete in a USA Triathlon-sanctioned race without purchasing a full $39 membership. The $10 fee provides the athlete with excess accident insurance for that race only.
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Is it better to join USAT or buy the one-day permit?
A one year membership to USAT is $39. Membership includes a subscription to USA Triathlon Times, annual ranking, discounts on merchandise and use of the USAT Travel Desk (can help save bike flying costs). Most importantly you don't have to pay an extra $10 at every USAT race for a one-day membership. So if you're planning on doing at 3-4 USAT races this year, the USAT membership pays for itself.
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What are the benefits of joining USAT?
Membership includes a subscription to USA Triathlon Times, annual national ranking, discounts on merchandise and use of the USAT Travel Desk (can help save bike flying costs). Most importantly you don't have to pay an extra $10 at every USAT race for a one-day membership. And at the VaDu you have the opportunity to qualify for Team USA.
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How do I join USAT?
USAT applications will not be available at packet pick up. You must join beforehand, or purchase a one day membership for $10. You can join online at USAT and bring the confirmation to packet pick up.
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I don't have my USAT card, do I really need it to get my packet?
Yes. However, Click here to get a copy of your USAT card which you can print out and bring to registration.
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What happens if I don't have my USAT card at packet pick up?
You will have to pay for a one day USAT membership. This is not refundable. However, you can save the receipt from the one-day license purchase, and use it as a credit toward your membership renewal.
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Chip Timing
How does chip timing work?
Each athlete will wear a 'chip' that transmits data to the receiving antenna when the athlete crosses a timing mat. KaleRunning will utilize the ChampionChip Timing system to score the Virginia Duathlon.
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Where do I wear the chip?
A neoprene Velcro strap is used to strap the chip to your ankle. You will be given a band when you pick-up your rental chip. Relay teams will use Velcro straps to assist in a smooth exchange. If you are wearing the same shoes for all 3 legs you may secure the chip within your shoelaces.
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Where and when do I pick up my timing chip?
You can pick up your timing chip on race day at the transition area. You must present your race number in order to receive your chip.
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Do I need to wear the chip for the entire race?
Yes, timing mats will be set up to record splits for each leg and transition. If you do not have the chip on when you cross the finish line you are not guaranteed a finish time.
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Can I keep my chip?
No, the chips must be turned in at the end of the race. Volunteers will be at the finish line to help with removal. Participants will be charged $35 for unreturned chips.
ChampionChips are available for
sale by KaleRunning.com for $35. This chip can be used for any ChampionChip timed race in the world. It saves you the inconvenience of picking up and returning your rental chip at each race, and using your personal chips gains you a set of archived results for every race you compete in using your chip.
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What happens if I still have my rental chip after I've left the race site?
Please contact the Race Director, KaleRunning and mail back to the race at Virginia Duathlon Chip Return, 1211 Buckingham Ave., Norfolk, Va 23508. Chips will be scanned in after the race and participants will be billed $35 for unreturned chips.
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What if I lose my chip?
You must pay $35 for the lost chip. If you lose your chip prior to the race, the timing company will try to provide you with another chip for the race but there are no guarantees of availability.
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Can I use my own chip?
As long as it is a ChampionChip and you have registered it with the race timers. Please provide your chip number when you register.
What else do I need to know about the Chip Timing?
Do not cross the timing mats while you are wearing your chip unless it is during the race. Prior to the start of the race all the receivers at the mats must be cleared and prepped for the race. Inadvertent recordings of chips after this time will affect the accuracy of the results. After the race, chip owners must not cross the mats when returning to the transition area.
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Tidewater Striders
What is the Tidewater Striders Triathlon Grand Prix?
A series of races where Tidewater
Striders compete amongst themselves. Points
are awarded to the top 10 Strider finishers in each age group and overall.
You must be a Tidewater Strider to earn
points. The Grand Prix has no affect on awards at Virginia Duathlon itself.
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What other benefits are there in joining the Striders?
You receive a subscription to the Rundown (a monthly newsletter) discounts
at local stores, discounts to some local running races, and can compete in
both the Running and Triathlon Grand Prix(s).
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USAT Series
What is the USA Triathlon Mid-Atlantic Region Duathlon Series?
A series of duathlons in the USAT Mid-Atlantic Region with races in NC, VA, MD, DC, PA and NJ. Complete information is available at the USAT Mid-Atlantic Region homepage.
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