LOCATION:

100 Long Bay Lane

Springfield, IL US 62712
 

TIME:

5:00am – 4:00pm

AGENDA & DESCRIPTION:
ARRIVE EARLY!! WE CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH. THE LINDSAY BRIDGE WILL CLOSE AT 6:00AM RACE DAY AND ABSOLUTELY NO ONE CAN CROSS IT UNTIL 3:00PM. ENTER VENUE FROM E LAKE SHORE DRIVE VIA E LAKE SHORE DRIVE/STEVENSON EXIT RAMP OFF 1-55.

 

PARKING & DIRECTIONS FROM I-55:

You must arrive at the site from Exit #94 off Interstate 55. Unless you know the area around Lake Springfield, please take exit #94 (Stevenson Drive/East Lake Drive). At the light turn left onto East Lake Drive and proceed 3.6 miles to Lake Park Road. Turn right on this road just before the Zoo and proceed to the Beach House. Parking signs and directions will be in place. DO NOT park in the Henson Robinson Zoo parking lot, it is needed for the zookeepers. There is plenty of parking available in other lots. There will be volunteers directing athletes and volunteers to specific parking areas. Please follow their directions for parking and don't run them over :)

 

5:00am - 6:15am - onsite race day packet pickup.

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5:30am – Transition Opens – check in gear. Athletes only in the transition area, we will check your wrist band that you will find in your packet. You will rack your bike according to your race number. Look for your number at the end of each rack. Bikes must be racked in alternating directions, preferably by the seat.

5:45am – Wetsuit announcement – legal if water is 78 degrees or below. Not legal if it is over, and wetsuit optional if 78-82 degrees but this group will not be eligible for any awards or USAT points. 82 degrees or above – NO wetsuits allowed.

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6:30am - Transition closes - you will NOT be allowed back in.

6:45am - ALL athletes join the MSE Crew at the swim start for a pre-race talk and line up to start.  

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7:00am - Half distance swim start begins!

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7:15am – Olympic distance swim start begins!

 

7:30am – Sprint distance swim start begins!

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RACE CUTOFFS:

Sprint distance athletes have 3 hours to complete the Sprint distance triathlon.

• Swim must be completed under 30 minutes from athlete race start

• Bike must be completed under 2 hours from athlete race start

• Run must be completed under 3 hours from athlete race start

Olympic distance athletes have 4.5 hours to complete the Olympic distance triathlon.

• Swim must be completed under 1 hour from athlete start

• Bike must be completed under 3 hours, 15 minutes from athlete start

• Run must be completed under 4 hours, 30 minutes from athlete start

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Half distance athletes have 8.5 hours to complete the half distance triathlon. 

• Swim must be completed under 1 hour,10minutes from athlete start

• Bike must be completed under 5 hours, 30 minutes from athlete start

• Run must be completed under 8 hours, 30 minutes from athlete start

Race management reserves the right to remove an athlete from the course and DNF the athlete if course officials determine there is no possibility of an athlete finishing the given discipline (swim, bike, run) before the posted cut off times based on an athlete’s location, time, and average speed up to that point.

ON COURSE NUTRITION & DRINKS:

Please carry your own nutrition. Water and an electrolyte drink on the bike for the half distance athletes. Water and electrolyte drink on the run for all athletes.

BIKE SUPPORT & MEDICAL STAFF:

There will be a bike mechanic in transition for last minute needs and a SAG vehicle on the course just in case you have an issue that you cannot fix during the race. Medical staff will be on the courses and in the SAG vehicles and will be at the Beach House all race long.

FINISH LINE PARTY:

Food, drinks, and music at the finish line. Invite family and friends!

AWARDS:
Listen for announcements. We will do the Sprint and Olympic distance awards as soon as the majority have finished, then Half distance awards in the early afternoon.

• Top 3 Overall Male & Female Awards for the following divisions: Sprint Triathlon, Sprint Aquabike, Sprint High School, Athena/Clydesdale Sprint Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, Olympic Aquabike, Athena/Clydesdale Olympic Triathlon, Half Aquabike, Half Distance Triathlon

• Top 3 Age Group Male Female Awards for the following divisions: Sprint Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, Half Distance Triathlon

• Top 3 Relay Teams for the following divisions: Sprint Relay, Olympic Relay, Half Relay 

 

All participants will race based on their age as of 12/31/2025. 

 

The age group breakdown is standard 5-year age groups, 0-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34….80+ ​

USAT INFORMATION:
USAT, or USA Triathlon, is the national governing body of the sport of Triathlon. Sanctioning an event through USAT means the race is provided insurance for its athletes, race coordinators, and volunteers. As a sanctioned triathlon, all athletes are required to either be an annual USAT member or purchase a one-day membership pass. If you are currently a USAT member, please make sure to bring your proof of membership when you pick up your packet. If you do not bring this proof, you will be
charged the one-day membership fee. If you are not an annual member, you will need to purchase a one-day membership (to insure you as a triathlete) before you are able to pick up your packet. One-day membership will be collected when you register online. A USAT Official will be at the event and will be enforcing all USAT rules. It is strongly suggested you visit the USAT website for the complete list of rules and review. 

 

RACE SHIRT GUARANTEE:

Last day to register to guarantee a race shirt is June 30, 2025.

INCLEMENT WEATHER & REFUND POLICY:
There is NO inclement weather makeup date. In case of inclement weather,
management reserves the right to cancel/alter/modify the race/course for safety concerns. In any case there will be No Refunds of race entry fees. Each athlete must accept any such risk of their entry fee paid. There is no complementary race entry to a future race. All monies collected are used to develop and produce the event, including all race supplies, staffing, and administration. We pledge to make every effort to produce a fair, safe, and exciting event for all. Any decision we make to go forth with the race is based on the overall event safety. We have a strict NO REFUND policy.

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PHOTO DISCLAIMER:

There may be a photographer on site capturing pictures of the event. Since this is a public event, we reserve the right to post photos on our social media or agency website. Photos may also be used in promotional materials.

 

ADDITIONAL RELAY INFORMATION:
Relay triathlon is a WONDERFUL way to experience a triathlon if you are not ready to run the whole thing, if you are not capable of competing in a specific leg, or if you just want an opportunity to share something unique with friends or family. A triathlon relay can be done with 2 or 3 people. The team can consist of all male participants, all female or mixed. Each person does 1 or 2 legs of the race. The timing chip will have a Velcro strap on it and is handed off from one athlete to the next in transition. All athletes receive full swag and finisher medals.

 

SPECTATOR INFORMATION:
Spectators, the unsung hero of the triathlon. Without family and friends there to cheer us forward, the rigors of our sport would be far more difficult. MSE Racing is dedicated to ensuring that these vital portions of our triathlon family are given the opportunity to enjoy themselves while they wait for the next opportunity to see you fly by. MSE Racing is proud to provide the following amenities:

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• Sign making craft table for kids

• Yard game section

• Music for additional entertainment

• Vendor and club booths available to visit

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So, bring out those cow bells and noise makers for a fun day at the race!

LODGING INFORMATION:
Wyndham Springfield at City Centre
700 East Adams Street

Springfield, Illinois 62701

+1-217-789-1530

Hilton Garden Inn Springfield
3100 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, Illinois 62703

+1-217-529-7171

Hotels closer to I-55, the lake and the race site are located along Dirksen Parkway and Stevenson Drive.