Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can join the WRT?
- How old should a participant be on race date?
- What kinds of bikes are allowed in the race?
- Can physically-challenged or disabled athletes join?
- Is the bike leg draft-legal or not?
- What are the required distances between bikes to be non-drafting?
- Can I receive nutrition outside the specified aid stations?
- Will there be a neutral vehicle during the bike leg?
- How many aid stations will there be in the bike leg? In the run leg?
- Will there be a dedicated lane for the run leg?
- Can I provide my own support vehicle during the bike and run legs?
- Will this be a finisher's race?
- What should I expect from the bike leg?
- What should I expect from the swim leg?
- What should I expect from the run leg?
- Will the race push through rainy conditions?
- Will there be draft busters?
- Will roads be cleared during the bike portion?
- Where will T1 and T2 be positioned?
- What do race organizers expect of me?
Who can join the WRT?
Other than age, practically anyone of any gender who has had proper training for the event can join the race. Since this distance is significantly longer than the standard Olympic distance, a significant amount of preparation is expected from the participants. Nevertheless, you don't have to be a finisher of any triathlon race prior to joining this race, as long as you know how to swim in the open sea for 2kms, know how to bike in the open road for 91kms, and run in the zigzagging uphill for 20kms, then you are welcome to join WRT.
How old should a participant be on race date?
As much as we may be thrilled and inspired to see teens in WRT, we have set the minimum age of 17 summers for an individual to be qualified for the race. A certain level of maturity needs to be established since the distance will be a "bit" taxing on a teenager's physiological make-up. (ahem) and a certain level of responsible decision-making as well. Some may ask if swimming 2k, biking 91k, and running 20k in succession is a sign of maturity.
What kinds of bikes are allowed in the race?
Any two-wheeled non-motorized bicycle can be used in the bike leg. Mountain bikes, road bikes, not to mention tri-bikes are allowed to join the race. Refer to the race briefing materials for the required dimensions.
Can physically-challenged or disabled athletes join?
As much as we would like to have a full spectrum of participants, for this edition of WRT, we are not allowing physically-challenged or disabled participants for safety reasons.
Is the bike leg draft-legal or not?
This race is strictly a non-drafting race.
What are the required distances between bikes to be non-drafting?
Seven meters longitudinal distance and three meters lateral distance needs to be observed. In other words, bikers must be spaced from each other by an imaginary 3m x 7m plane. Mobile draft busters will be around to ensure compliance.
Can I receive nutrition outside the specified aid stations?
No. Nutrition and hydration may be received only at the specified aid stations. Triathletes are expected to be self-reliant.
Will there be a neutral vehicle during the bike leg?
Definitely!!! There will be roving mechanics on hand. However all repairs will be made by the triathlete concerned, so brush up on changing a flat tire and doing minor repairs yourself. There will also be medical staff including doctors and paramedics on the course.
How many aid stations will there be in the bike leg? In the run leg?
In the bike leg, aid stations will be at the 45.5k-turnaround point. Host towns are putting up their own voluntary aid stations which they will equip with basic first aid, purified water, ice, some bananas and maybe local delicacies. These are the only areas where you may receive hydration and nutrition. And by the way, aid station staff will be instructed not to hand out drinks and food to the triathletes. Participants will have to dismount and refill water bottles and hydration by themselves. Your supporters may provide your nutrition and hydration needs ONLY in the 45.5km TURN AROUND aid station.
In the run leg, expect aid stations at every 1.5 kilometers
Will there be a dedicated lane for the run leg?
From White Rock Resort to the SBMA Kalaklan Gate, a “soft lane” will be dedicated to the runners. This means that traffic marshals, warning signage, patrolling motorcycle police and patrolling bicycle officials will act as your safety net at this portion. Once inside SBMA, a dedicated running lane will be set-up and SBMA traffic enforcers and marshals will provide protection for all WRT participants.
Can I provide my own support vehicle during the bike and run legs?
Strictly no personal support vehicles. Guilty parties will incur time penalties or disqualification.
Will this be a finisher's race?
We would like this to be one but due to limited number of volunteers and participants, an eight hour (7:30-hrs) cut-off time limit will be strictly observed. Participants who insist on finishing the race despite failing the cut-off time will be asked to surrender their race number bib and timing chip after which they may continue to finish the race at their own risk! All participants who have not started the run leg by 12:30 pm will not be allowed to continue with the run portion—this if for your own safety.
What should I expect from the bike leg?
Expect a relatively flat bike course. Expect "busy" roads in the towns of Subic and Castillejos. The race organizers have assigned motorbikes and scooters to serve as mobile traffic enforcers. Be observant of the race signage to be prominently posted at crucial points. Race participants are expected to know the race course by heart. Ignorance of the race route is not an excuse!
What should I expect from the swim leg?
Calm waters, swim lines, kayaks, lifeguards, will be stationed to ensure safety. Well, other than its high concentration of salt and some levels of itchiness, expect to do a multi-loop swim leg with running portions in between loops. Water is not crystal clear (ok, ok not clear at all) as you would hope it to be. That is why organizers have installed fiery-red-orange buoys at 10-meter intervals, very very visible.
We expect flat water conditions during the swim leg. For newbies to the sport, expect a lot of trashing at the start of the swim so it might be prudent and wise to start at the back of the pack. Water lines and buoys will be installed to guide swimmers. Take note of the presence of rocks at the shoreline so swimmers are advised to stick as close as possible to the swim lines as these will guide you to an injury-free finish.
What should I expect from the run leg?
Hilly and zigzag run course, dedicated running lane with escorts and water stations at every 1.5 kilometers. Take note of the time of the run which is around 10 to 12 noon, please take the necessary hydration measures to ensure your success. Organizers will provide drinking water, electrolyte drink, and ice to ensure that you can still flash your smile at the finish line.
Will the race push through rainy conditions?
As long as the weather conditions are not stormy enough to endanger participants' safety, the race will push through on October 6, 2007 come hell or high water. Of course, the race committee will have the final say on this.
Will there be draft busters?
There will be draft busters who are authorized to penalize violators and/or report violations to the race committee at the transition area. The Race Committee will decide whether to impose stand down time penalties, time penalties (added to the participant’s final time) or disqualify.
Will roads be cleared during the bike portion?
Since this is an impossibility, the best we can assure you is that we will have barangay tanods and bike escorts who will stop traffic in the busy intersections going to the turnaround point at Cabangan, Zambales. Having said that, nothing beats the "smart" cyclist who considers SAFETY above anything else ... so bike safely and friendly. Remember that you are visiting the towns of Zambales, our gracious hosts. So let's return one good act with ours - try to be good ambassadors of the sport.
Speaking of our turnaround point, the town hall of CABANGAN will be our landmark for the 45.5k loop. The reason for the extended distance is to avoid a turnaround at what would have been a dangerous area (the bridge before Cabangan town hall). Again SAFETY is important. There is a rotunda in the town hall grounds which we will use as our aid station.
Where will T1 and T2 be positioned?
Transition zones 1 and 2 will be positioned within White Rock resort grounds. The area will be the greens fronting the main coffee shop of the resort. It will be a safe and secured area.
What do race organizers expect of me?
As race organizers have poured their precious time, effort, and resources to come up with a decent, fun, and safe race, the race organizers expect nothing more but respect from the triathletes. Any outburst of profanities during the race, verbal abuses directed to the volunteers and race officials intentionally and unintentionally will not be tolerated at all and may result to outright disqualification.
Having said that, above all, difficult as it may seem, we expect you to have a FUN FUN racing atmosphere come race day. LET'S ROCK!!!!