The Race Director: Ava Cannon and her staff recognize that competing in a triathlon is a great achievement. You've trained hard to get here and we will do what ever we can to help you succeed. Every racer in the Dewey Beach Sprint Triathlon has had a "first race." We want to make sure that this race not only becomes your great accomplishment, but a great memory that you can repeat every year.  

The Race   The swim, which takes place in the ocean, hopefully, (but not always) will have very small waves for the start. You will swim WITH the ocean current which shortens the 1/2 mile swim. Each year, first timers have their own swim wave. The swim is monitored at all times with trained personnel for your safety. The first timers wave is for the benefit of first time racers that would prefer to start the race with others that have not raced before. If you feel confident enough,  you can start the race with your correct age group. Notify the race director before the race, if you want to race with your age group, no changes can be made the day of the race.

The bike is a flat, out and back course with the wind at your back 1/2 of the time. Keep this in mind. You'll either have the wind in your face going out OR you'll have the wind in your face coming back. Stay to the right of the road when your not passing and loudly announce "on your left" several seconds before you pass people on their left. This is for the safety all bikers.

The run may be a combination of a flat road and beach run.  

The Location   The race begins in the State Park in southern Dewey beach. It's easy to get to and there are plenty of places for your friends and family to cheer you on. After the race, enjoy a great post-race party, you deserve it. After the party, stay and enjoy Dewey Beach. The beach is right there and most of the restaurants and bars are open to provide plenty of entertainment without the summer crowds. 

If at any time you are not sure about the race course or  the rules, please ask a volunteer. 

Don't forget: FIRST TIME TRIATHLETE CLINIC:

Friday night before the race at 6 pm. This is usually held at the race site transition area. If this changes, it will announced on this web site as we get closer to the race or at the packet pick-up. At the clinic, you can ask all your questions about the race. We will talk about the race course, the race start, the transition area, setting up your bike, etc. We understand how nervous you can be before your first race. This meeting will help you mentally prepare and hopefully, feel a little less anxious. Good Luck!

Read "My First Race" by another first timer for a little insight.

Please read the letter from the Race Director to first time racers:

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1st time Triathlete information.

Dear Participant:

Due to the large number of first time triathletes for this event, I have decided to have a special "first timers" wave. The purpose of this wave is:

1. To make the first timer feel more comfortable in his/her swim wave knowing that all swimmers around them are first timers as well.

2 Eliminate any worry of being "swam over" and overwhelmed by the more experienced age groupers who would normally start in your age group wave.

For scoring purposes you will still be scored from the time you start and put into your selected division, (i.e., age group, Clydesdale, Athena or relay).

We hope that by having the first timers wave it will minimize the number of concerns you may have in preparing for the triathlon.

Please address any questions or comments to me at wava@dmv.com

Best of luck in your training!

Ava Cannon

Race Director