Quick Links:
Many questions can be answered by reviewing the Event Information page. Please find other common questions below.
Registration and Packet Pickup
How do I qualify for Age Group Nationals?
How do I register for Age Group Nationals?
Registration Cancellations: Refunds, Transfers, and Deferments
How do I know if I am a member?
What do I need to bring to packet pickup?
Can somebody else pick up my race packet?
When/Where do I get my timing chip?
What if my shirt does not fit?
How can I find/receive race information updates?
Event Details
Where do I find the event schedule?
How do I qualify for Team USA?
How do I book a hotel room at the USAT group rate?
What if a volunteer can't answer my question at the event?
What is the purpose of the USA Triathlon Information Table at the event?
I missed the Awards Ceremony. How do I receive my award?
Bike Check-In, Check-Out, Rentals, Course Questions
What if I have questions about the course?
I am not bringing my own bike. How do I rent a bike?
When do I check my bike into transition area?
I don't have a parking pass. How do I get by bike to and from Edgewater Park?
I am doing both Olympic and Sprint races. Can I leave my bike in transition?
When can I check my bike out of transition?
Registration and Packet Pickup Questions
How do I qualify for Age Group Nationals?
- Olympic-Distance: Qualification details can be found on this page.
- Sprint-Distance: No qualification is required. Everybody is welcome to register. Click here for registration details.
How do I register for Age Group Nationals?
Registration is only available online. There are no paper registrations and no race day registration is available.
- Olympic-Distance: Athletes who have qualified will receive an email with a unique registration link. You must click that link to register. If you have qualified and cannot locate your registration email, please contact registration@usatriathlon.org.
- Sprint-Distance: Click here to register.
Registration Cancellations: Refunds, Transfers, and Deferments
USA Triathlon has a strict no refunds, transfers, and deferments policy for any reason for all events. This policy is agreed to at the time of registration and there are no exceptions. All athletes are encouraged to purchase registration insurance during the registration process. Registration insurance must be purchased at the time you register for the race and cannot be added afterwards. If you are unsure of your plans during the event time frame, we encourage you to wait to register. Please know that, historically, this event generally sells out in early-to-mid July. Further registration details are posted on the Olympic-Distance or Sprint pages.
How do I know if I am a member?
If you are not sure if you are a current member with USA Triathlon please contact the national office at 719-955-2807 or by email at membership@usatriathlon.org and we will verify your membership status. If you are currently registered for Age Group Nationals, you are an annual member because annual membership is a requirement to complete registration. If you successfully registered, then you either input your existing member number or purchased a new annual membership before you checked out.
What do I need to bring to packet pickup?
You will need to bring the following to registration:
- Government-issued photo ID (i.e. State license, passport, green card)
- Current USA Triathlon membership card. You must be able to prove your membership status with USA Triathlon. You can also pull up your card on your mobile device with the new USA Triathlon membership card phone app.
Can somebody else pick up my race packet?
No. The registered athlete must pick up their own race packet. For legal reasons, no other person may pick up another athlete's packet. If the registered athlete is a minor (age 17 or under on race day), the athlete's parent or legal guardian must pick up the race packet.
When/Where do I get my timing chip?
All athletes must pick up their timing chip separately during packet pickup. Updated for 2018, timing chips are NOT disposable. Chips must be returned after the race at the finish line. If you are racing both Olympic-distance and Sprint races, you will receive two chips. There is a $95 fee for lost chips.
What if my shirt does not fit?
If your shirt does not fit, bring it back on Saturday or Sunday to the info/volunteer check-in tent to potentially swap out your shirt for a different size. There will not be any exchanges during packet pick-up. You will be given the size you signed up for during the registration process while sizes are available. Sizes cannot be guaranteed since shirts are ordered well in advance of all athletes registering. If you need to change your shirt size before event week, please email registration@usatriathlon.org.
How can I find/receive race information updates?
All necessary race information and event updates can be found on the Age Group Nationals Homepage, as well as the following:
- USA Triathlon Main Facebook page
- Age Group Nationals Facebook event page
- USA Triathlon Events App (enable push notifications)
- Twitter: @usatriathlon and @USATlive
- Instagram: @usatriathlon
- Email: All registered participants will begin to receive informational event update emails starting in June 2018. If you are registered, these emails will be delivered to you automatically. Additionally, in the case of any critical event updates during race week or during the event, we may also email you those details.
- Race Venue Information Table: located near the expo area at the event
- Public Announcements: During the event, please listen to the announcer for any critical updates we need to broadcast.
Event Details
Where do I find the event schedule?
Click here to view the latest event schedule. The schedule is subject to change without notice.
Where is the Rules Briefing?
The Rules Briefing will occur at the Cleveland Public Auditorium at 2 p.m. on Friday, August 10. The race director and head official will be present to go over pertinent rules and answer any questions. There will also be an online webinar available closer to the event that will detail everything you need to know about the event.
Where do I park?
Parking will be available on site at the event and at select off-site locations with shuttle service. Please click here to view parking maps and directions.
Can I park at Edgewater Park?
Parking is only permitted at Edgewater Park if you have pre-purchased a parking pass. If you do not have a parking pass, you will not be able to drive into Edgewater Park. Athletes without parking passes are strongly encouraged to utilize the free shuttle options from FirstEnergy Stadium or the Hilton Downtown. Click here to learn more.
Is this event draft-legal?
No. This event is non-drafting. However, the Sprint-Distance ITU World Championships are draft-legal. Athletes competing in Sprint-Distance Age Group Nationals have the opportunity to qualify for this race. The 2018 Draft-Legal Sprint National Championship, qualifying for the same World Championship will occur on Oct. 13 in Sarasota, FL. Click here for details.
What does draft-legal mean?
Draft-legal means that athletes draft off of each other on the bike portion of the event and ride in groups. Most triathlons in the United States do not allow drafting. However, an increasing number of races are beginning to have draft-legal races at their events. Athletes wishing to learn more about draft-legal racing should review the content on this page.
How do I qualify for Team USA?
Finishers of both the Olympic-Distance and Sprint Age Group National Championships have the opportunity to qualify and represent Team USA at the ITU World Championships in their respective distance. Please review the information at the bottom of the homepage for more details.
How do I book a hotel room at the USAT group rate?
Click here to book a hotel room through GameTime Travel. GTT contracts with many local hotels on behalf of USA Triathlon to get the best group rates.
What if a volunteer can't answer my question at the event?
Please go to the USA Triathlon information table and they will find someone to answer the questions you have. The USA Triathlon information table will be located near the packet pick-up area.
What is the purpose of the USA Triathlon Information Table at the event?
The USA Triathlon information table is your resource if at any point you have a question. Course maps, race information and packet pick-up issues will be answered by a USA Triathlon staff member. During the first few hours of registration, please note that this table will prioritize all registration-specific questions above others to help keep registration flowing. As soon as staff members become available they will gladly assist you and field any questions you may have.
I missed the Awards Ceremony. How do I receive my award?
If you did not claim your award at the awards ceremony, you may email nationalevents@usatriathlon.org to request that your award be mailed to you. There is a $15 shipping and handling fee per shipment to send any awards. Once you request the award, we will email you the link to pay by credit card. USA Triathlon will only keep awards for up to 60 days after the event.
Bike Check-In, Check-Out, Rentals, Course Questions
What if I have questions about the course?
Please click here to view course and venue maps. Any other questions can be emailed to the National Events Department or asked at the USA Triathlon information table near the expo at the event.
I am not bringing my own bike. How do I rent a bike?
Bike rental services will be provided by Rent QR. Click here for more details.
When do I check my bike into transition area?
Bikes must be checked into transition area the day before your race. Bikes will be secured overnight in transition area. To check your bike in, you must place your bike number on your bike and have your corresponding wristband on your arm. Transition area volunteers will verify that your numbers match as you enter transition area. Once your bike is checked-in, aside from racing, you cannot remove it until transition area opens. TA will open when the entire bike course has cleared of athletes. Please view the event schedule for times.
I don't have a parking pass. How do I get by bike to and from Edgewater Park?
Any person who was unable to purchase a parking pass is encouraged to utilize the free shuttle parking at Northcoast Harbor Lot at FirstEnergy Stadium or the free hotel shuttle from the Hilton Downtown. Click here for complete information.
Since bikes are not permitted on the shuttles due to space constraints, athletes are encouraged to do one of the following options:
Traveling to Edgewater Park:
- For Olympic-distance, drive or ride your bike to the venue for bike check-in on Friday, Aug. 10 between 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Parking at the venue is free and open to anybody Thursday and Friday. Note that shuttle service is not available on Thursday and Friday.
- For Sprint-distance, drive or ride your bike to the venue for bike check-in on Saturday, Aug. 11 from 4-6:30 p.m. Parking at the venue is free and open to anybody after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
- For athletes doing both Olympic and Sprint races, you can leave your bike in transition area at the unmarked racks on the north side of transition after the Olympic race and return later to rerack for Sprint. Click here to learn more.
Traveling back to downtown:
- For Olympic-distance, parking will be free and open to all people after 12:30 p.m. Athletes may either take the shuttle back to the parking area or hotels and drive back to the venue OR ride their bike back to downtown which is approximately 3 miles. Note that bikes must be removed from transition area by 1:30 p.m. on Saturday to get ready for Sunday's race.
- For Sprint, parking will be free and open to all people after 11:30 a.m. Athletes may either take the shuttle back to the parking area or hotels and drive back to the venue OR ride their bike back to downtown which is approximately 3 miles.
I am doing both Olympic and Sprint races. Can I leave my bike in transition?
Yes, but you must re-rack your bike to your new number for the sprint race. After Olympic-distance racing concludes on Saturday, you must move your bike to the non-numbered racks on the lake-side (north side) of transition. Please review the details on the Event Information page for instructions on moving your bike to your new Sprint rack spot.
When can I check my bike out of transition?
The times are approximately 12:30 p.m. on Saturday and 11:30 a.m. on Sunday. Transition opens for bike checkout when the final athlete has entered transition from the bike course and then left transition for the run course. You may not remove your bike or any belongings before this time. Please listen to the direction of the transition coordinators/volunteers and PA announcements for when transition will open. This protocol exists to ensure a fair and safe transition for all athletes and your cooperation is appreciated.
Bikes not removed from transition by 1:30 p.m. on Saturday will be moved by USAT staff to the un-numbered racks on the north side of transition and can be claimed until 6:30 p.m on Saturday evening when Sprint check-in closes. Olympic-distance athletes whose bikes are still at the un-numbered racks in transition on Sunday will not be permitted to enter transition area until bike check-out time at 11:30 a.m.
Bikes or gear still remaining in transition after 12:20 p.m. on Sunday or until USAT finishes tearing-down the event will be taken back to the USA Triathlon headquarters in Colorado Springs, CO. Athletes are responsible for any return shipping costs related to forgotten or lost and found equipment.