New York City Biathlon, Triathlon

New York CIty has a "biathlon" and a "triathlon." The "triathlon" was organized by Daniel Doctoroff, the man also behind New York's 2012 Olympic bid.

http://www.nytc.org/dbinfo.cfm?ID=10
21st Annual NEW YORK CITY BIATHLON
September 18, 2005 - Central Park

http://www.nyc.gov/html/sports/html/triathlon.html
5th Annual Ford New York City Triathlon
What: Ford NYC Triathlon
When: Sunday, July 10, 2005

This year's triathlon will feature a 1500M swim in the Hudson River, a 40K bike ride up the Henry Hudson Parkway and 10K run through Central Park. The race begins at 6:00am with over 1,800 competitors from around the world. Last year the American men swept the ITU World Cup Men's race with Greg Remaly taking first with a time of 1:47:28. Victor Plata (San Luis Obispo, Calif.), who recently qualified for the 2004 Olympic team, came in second with a time of 1:47:49 and Joe Umphenour (Bellevue, Wash.) was third with a time of 1:48:08. Australian Olympian Loretta Harrop won the ITU World Cup Women's race by a margin of 3 minutes, crossing the finish line with a time of 1:55:51. The women's podium was more international with Carolyn Murray of Canada taking second with a time of 1:59:08 and hometown favorite Rebeccah Wassner of New York placing third with a time of 2:00:41.

http://www.nyctri.com/Information/AboutUs.cfm
Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the order of events for the race weekend? What do I do first?
A: You must first attend a race briefing at the Marriott Marquis. You will then pick up your race packet, receive a wrist band (this must stay on at all times and throughout the event), a goody bag and race t-shirt. Next, you will leave the hotel and head to transition at Riverside Park to check your bike into transition. Sunday morning, beginning at 4:30am, transition opens and you get body marked. You will receive your ChampionChip at swim start.

Q: What is the expected water temperature in the Hudson River?
A: 74 degrees Fahrenheit

Q: Are wetsuits allowed?
A: Wetsuits are allowed in a USA Triathlon sanctioned event if the water temperature is 78 degrees or below. The USAT Officials will test the water temperature on race morning.

Q: How do I get from transition at Riverside Park to the swim start?
A: All athletes are responsible for getting to swim start on their own!

Q: What do I do with my shoes and shirt, i.e. belongings once I get to swim start?
A: Each participant will receive a drawstring bag labeled with your name and race # when you pick up your race packet. You will put your belongings inside and drop in a box at swim start. These boxes will be transported to the finish line area for you to pick up.

Q: Is there a warm up swim or ride on Sunday morning?
A: Neither one will be allowed. Bikes may not be removed from transition once you have checked your bike in. Athletes will not be allowed to enter the Hudson River until the start of their wave.

Q: Do I have to go to the briefings before I check my bike into transition?
A: Yes, all participants MUST attend the mandatory briefing in order to pick up their packet. Your bike# will be inside your race packet and you will then attach it to your bike.

Q: Do I have to check in my bike on Saturday?
A: Yes, there is a MANDATORY bike check in on Saturday from 2pm - 9pm. There will be overnight security in transition. There will be NO bike check in on Sunday morning.

Q: Does the event close out? If so, is there a waiting list?
A: Yes, registration will close once 2,012 athletes have registered. When registration closes prior to the event, there will be no waiting list available. Sign up early!

Q: How many water stations are on the run course?
A: Five

Q: Can members of a team pick up all of their team members packets? Can I pick up my friend's packet?
A: NO! Every participant must attend a briefing, pick up their own packet and sign their own waiver.

Q: Are race briefings mandatory?
A: Yes, briefings are mandatory! All participants that will compete in the Ford NYC Triathlon will attend the briefing before picking up their packet. The briefing will discuss the course, event rules, as well as, a question and answer session.

Q: What if I cannot attend the briefings?
A: All participants must attend the briefing - no briefing, no race.

Q: Do I have to wear the wrist band given to me at packet pick-up?
A: Yes, all participants are required to wear the wristband until Sunday afternoon when your bike is removed from transition. Race staff will put these on your wrist as you pick up your packet. This will serve as your identification for entering into the transition Sunday morning, as well as, receiving your ChampionChip at swim start.

Q: Do I have to wear the swim cap?
A: Yes, the swim cap MUST be worn. The color given to each athlete is specific to your wave, so you cannot switch colors.

Q: Is transportation provided?
A: There will be a shuttle transporting athletes from the Marriott Marquis, Times Square, to the transition area from 4:30am to 6:30am. This shuttle will provide one way transportation to the transition area. You must have your race # available to take advantage of this service.

Q: What is the best place for spectators to watch the race?
A: 72nd Street and Central Park west

9 April 2000, New York Times, pg. CY16:
This morning, Prospect Park is a place to ride, roll and run, not to loll around in the annual Triple Challenge urban triathlon, contestants will take on the park's smooth but formidable hills and curves.

In this urban event, in-line skating replaces swimming, more commonly found in triathlons. The events are cycling, three loops (10 miles), skating, two loops (6.7 miles), and running, one loop (3.4 miles).

13 August 2001, New York Times, pg. A1:
Competitors swimming down the Hudson (from 97th Street to 79th) in the inaugural New York City Triathlon.
(Pg. D8 - ed.)
Daniel Doctoroff, the president of NYC 2012, the nonprofit group that helped organize the race and is trying to bring the Summer Olympics to New York in 11 years, said that the current was three or four times stronger than expected and that "we should have had them swimming further in."