AlbanyTri 2024: Heat Assignments & Info

Posted on September 21, 2024 Updated on September 21, 2024

Race day is this Sunday 22 September 2024! Here is some important info to help you get ready for the big day. On your mark…. Get set… Read this post! 👀

Can’t make it? Let us know!

If you or your child has registered but cannot participate this year, please let us know if you can’t make it! This will help us finalize the heats to deal with a slight oversubscription in some of the heats. We can give you credit towards next year’s event. 

Final Heat Assignments

Visit this Google spreadsheet (updated 9/20) to view your heat assignment (heat number and start time) for starting the swim portion of the race, in heats of 20 swimmers. Use the tabs at the bottom of the page (desktop) or top of the page (mobile) to view the assignments sorted by heat number or athlete name/team name. Relay team members are listed in a separate tab. Can’t find yourself in the spreadsheet? Let us know ASAP!

Lingo notes: Heat number starts with MC = main course, or SC = short course. Chip # corresponds to the timing chip that you will receive in your race packet (see packet pickup info below).

Your final, official heat number and start time will also be printed on your packet and bracelet that you will wear at the event, but it’s a good idea to make a note of it now. In one or two cases, the “final final” heat assignment could change, so be sure to confirm it on your actual race packet!

Heat start times: The Short course heats (“SC1, SC2, SC3…”) start at 8:00am with subsequent heats every 10 minutes. The Main course heats (“MC1, MC2, MC3…”) start at 9:15am with subsequent heats every 15 minutes. Arrive at the outdoor pool 5-10 min before your heat starts, and pick any open lane as swimmers from the previous heat exit the pool (first come, first served). Feel free to warm up in the indoor pool (~85ºF) or in the outdoor pool (~80ºF), but be sure to be in the water and ready to go at the west side of the pool deck at your heat start time! 🏊🏻

When to arrive at the event: On Sunday, aim to arrive at the Albany Aquatic Center at least 1 hour before your start time, possibly earlier if you are new to the triathlon business. The registration area will open at ~6:45am and will be located in front of the Aquatic Center along Portland Ave. First time triathletes should arrive a little earlier to allow for more prep time and an easier time finding a spot in the correct zone of the transition area.

Packet Pickup Saturday at Road Runner Sports

You’ll receive your race packet at packet pickup packet pickupSaturday 9/21/24 between 1–4pm at Road Runners Sports in Berkeley. Bring your packet with you on race day! Race packets can also be picked up on Sunday morning, but pick them up on Saturday to avoid waiting in line. You may pick up packets for family & friends. Bring some proof of ID for yourself and the folks your picking up for.

At packet pickup, you can also chat with the organizers, review the course map, and get a discount on in-store purchases. Saturday pickup also provides the AlbanyTri more income from Road Runners!

Timing chip and bracelets: The race packet contains a velcro strap with your timing chip labeled with your chip number, as well as two security bracelets. Put these things on before you leave the house on race day morning, or when your receive them at the event, where a volunteer can help you put them on.

• Timing chip (velcro) goes on your LEFT ANKLE. 
• One security bracelet goes on your wrist (right or left).
• Other security bracelet goes on the top tube of your bike.

The timing chip must be returned at the end of the race. There will be a volunteer collecting chips after you cross the finish line. You will be charged $50 if we don’t receive your chip!

Relay teams: One timing chip is used by all members of a relay team. The packet will include four (4) wrist bands, one for each team member’s wrist and one for the bike’s top tube. The relay team captain should pick up the packet and distribute the chip and wrist bands to team members on race day morning. Check out the relay team section of our FAQ for how to transition between relay team members during the race. In the transition area there will be a space designated for relay teams — relay team members should be in this area while waiting for their other team members on the course.

Beat-A-Triathlete

To enhance fundraising, use our Beat-A-Triathlete form to pledge to donate an extra dollar amount (up to a limit) for everyone that can beat your time at this year’s Albany Community Triathlon. Relay teams can also register for this challenge.

You can specify how much you’re willing to donate for each person that beats your finish time, and what your total donation limit is (if any). You also decide the size of the field you want to compete against: all participants, all men, all women, just the members of your 10-year age group bracket, or another group specified on the form. Step up to the challenge! 💪🏼

AlbanyTri Website for extra info

Review our FAQ and course map before race day to get familiar with this race. First-timers should especially review our tips for bike lap counting, one of the more challenging aspects of this course. Main course athletes will complete 12 laps on the bike clockwise around the park and high school, which will be slightly over 10K if you’re using a GPS tracker. Short course athletes do just 3 laps on the bike (2.5K). The run portion of the race is three laps (main course) or 1 lap (short course) run on the sidewalk counter-clockwise around the park/high-school.

Transition area is for athletes only. We need to keep transition area clear and secure as possible. It can get hectic with some athletes competing while other athletes are arriving and setting up. There will be separate areas for SC, MC, and relay teams. It’s OK for a parent to accompany a small child in the transition area, but definitely avoid bringing family pets 🐶.

Racers: have a safe, fun, and invigorating time on race day! Reward our sponsors with your patronage, and thank our volunteers & organizers for enabling this event to run smoothly!

Summer Update 2024: Swim clinics, record registrations—may sell out!—and other news

Posted on August 16, 2024 Updated on August 17, 2024

Greetings Triathletes! Hope your summer has been going well. Here are a few AlbanyTri news items to check out:

Swimming Technique Clinics in September

• Want to brush-up on your freestyle technique or racing strategy for this year’s event? Sign up for a swim clinic taking place on the mornings of Sunday 9/8/24 and 9/15/24 at the Albany Aquatic Center. These clinics are for adults-only and will help prep you for swimming the 400-meter distance featured in the AlbanyTri swim. Cost of the clinics help pay the pool rental and coaching fees, with any net proceeds going to the AlbanyTri beneficiary (AAB). Space is limited, so act soon if interested!

AlbanyTri 2024 registrations close to selling out!

• Signups for the 2024 AlbanyTri are reaching record levels and could sell out. Head over to our registration website to sign up soon If you’re planning to do the event! See our registration info page for details about the T-shirt cutoff date and the new swim heat assignment policy.
• Participant Lookup. Not sure if you or your friend or relative have signed up for the AlbanyTri this year? You can search by participant name in our “Find a Participant” page.
• Signed up but can’t make it this year? Consider transferring your registration to a friend or family member using our registration website. Log into RunSignUp.com using the same email you registered with for the AlbanyTri, then go to:
  • Profile > My Registrations > AlbanyTri 2024 > Manage Registration > Transfer to Someone Else
  • Note that this is different from the “Transfer Event” option which allows you to switch events (e.g. Main course to Short course).
• Can’t make it and can’t transfer your event? Shoot us an email to let us know you registered but can’t participate in the AlbanyTri this year. This will help us when setting up the swim heats. We can offer you credit towards next year’s event.

Air Quality Policy 🔥

• September is peak fire season in Northern California and air quality from wildfires is a major risk that can affect the AlbanyTri. Our FAQ has been updated to include and answer to the question, “What if air quality is bad on race day?”
• Answer: it depends on the predicted AQI for race day. If the prediction is red zone or above (>150), the event will be cancelled and participants credited towards next year. If the AQI is in the orange zone or below (≤150), the event will take place, and anyone unable to compete due to air quality concerns will be offered credit for next year’s event.
• Hope for clean air on 9/22/24!

AlbanyTri at the Solano Stroll

• The AlbanyTri organizers will be at the Albany Athletics Boosters booth at the 2024 Solano Stroll on Sunday Sep 8th. Stop by between 10am–5pm to ask questions you may have about the triathlon or talk about training, equipment, fitness, the weather, etc.
• The Booster’s booth will be located at 1216 Solano (lower Solano btwn Cornell & Talbot streets).

How about those Olympic triathletes?

• Did you catch the triathlon events at the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer? There was plenty of excitement in the men’s & women’s individual Olympic-length events and the mixed relay event, taking place around the famous landmarks of Paris and swimming in the recently cleaned-up Seine river.
• The mixed relay event—added during Tokyo games in 2021— is very similar in length to the AlbanyTri, as we noted on X/twitter.
• Team USA earned a silver medal in a very tight race for the mixed relay triathlon, but were off the podium for the individual events. See full results at WorldTriathlon here.
• Here’s a photo album with some photo and video highlights mostly from the men’s Olympic triathlon and mixed relay events. Filmed from TV and annotated by AlbanyTri organizer/director Steve Trutane.

Local triathlons with strong youth participation, such as the AlbanyTri, can help introduce a wider audience to the sport and train our next generation of triathletes. Who knows—at the next AlbanyTri, you might be competing with and/or witnessing a future Olympian! 🏊🏻‍♀️🚴🏼‍♂️🏃🏼💪🏼

Call for Volunteers and Sponsors

• The AlbanyTri is 100% volunteer-powered (even the event organizers). Help us run this year’s event by clicking the “Signup to Volunteer” button on any page at AlbanyTri.com and select from a variety of fun jobs that will provide a great community service!
• We also invite your business or organization to signup as a sponsor and help us achieve our fundraising goal. We’re closing in on $100,000 raised since the start of the AlbanyTri in 2008 — 2024 could be the year we hit that target. Check out our recently updated info on how to become a sponsor. 🙏🏼

AlbanyTri 2023 Heat Assignments & Info

Posted on September 15, 2023 Updated on September 16, 2023

Heat assignments are available for the Albany Community Triathlon taking place on Sunday 17 September 2023. Please check the relevant listing to determine your heat number and start time before race day:

• Heat assignments for the Main course sorted by participant NAME
• Heat assignments for the Main course sorted by HEAT, then name
• Heat assignments for SHORT course sorted by participant NAME
• Heat assignments for SHORT course sorted by HEAT, then name

Heat start times: The Short course heats (“SC1, SC2, SC3…”) start at 8:00am with subsequent heats every 10 minutes. The Main course heats (“MC1, MC2, MC3…”) start at 9:15am with subsequent heats every 15 minutes. On Sunday, aim to arrive at the Albany Aquatic Center at least 1 hour before your start time, possibly earlier if you are new to the triathlon business. The registration area will open at ~6:45am and will be located in front of the Aquatic Center along Portland Ave. First time triathletes should arrive a little earlier to allow for more prep time and an easier time finding a spot in the correct zone of the transition area.

Chip number corresponds to the timing chip that you will receive in your race packet at packet pickup Sat 9/16 between 1–4pm at Road Runners Sports in Berkeley. Include the packet with your race gear so you won’t forget to bring this packet with you on race day!

Packets can also be picked up on Sunday morning at the registration/check-in table by the Aquatic Center. Try to pick up on Saturday, where you’ll be able to chat with the organizers, review the course map, and will avoid waiting in line at check-in on race day morning. Saturday pickup also provides us more income from Road Runners, where you can get a discount on any in-store purchases!

In your packet, you will receive two security bracelets labeled with your heat assignment and chip number. Put one on your right wrist and the other on the top tube of your bike. These bracelets are your ticket into and out of the transition area on Sunday morning. So put them on before you arrive and keep them on till you leave the venue. Your timing chip (velcro strap) goes around your left ankle before you start the swim. This chip must be taken off after you cross the finish line and handed to a volunteer, who can help you remove it.

Relay teams: The team name and only the captain’s name are listed in the heat assignments, since just one timing chip is used by all members of the team. The packet will include four (4) wrist bands, one for each team member’s right wrist and one for the bike’s top tube. The captain should pick up the packet and distribute the chip and wrist bands on race day morning. Check out the relay team section of our FAQ for how transitioning between relay team members is supposed to work.

Swim heat start times will be posted around the Aquatic Center. Arrive at the outdoor pool 5-10 min before your heat starts, and pick any open lane as swimmers from the previous heat exit the pool (first come, first served). Feel free to warm up in the indoor pool or the outdoor pool. Indoor pool is ~85ºF while the outdoor pool is ~80ºF.

Pre-race announcements will take place around 30 minutes before the Short course start and Main course start.

Review our FAQ and course map before race day to get familiar with this race. First-timers should especially review our tips for bike lap counting, one of the more challenging aspects of this course. You complete 12 laps on the bike, which will be slightly over 10K if you’re using a GPS tracker.

Racers: have a safe, fun, and invigorating time on race day! Reward our sponsors with your patronage, and thank our volunteers & organizers for making this event run smoothly!

About the image: The image above shows the “heat map” charts for the 2023 AlbanyTri that we use for assigning participants into swim heats (≤20 per heat) satisfying friends & family request & early/middle/late preferences. We do our best to satisfy these requests, but it’s not a perfect system. There is limited ability to switch heats, but send us an email if you have a strong need for a different assigned heat.

AlbanyTri 2023 on September 17 — Sign up & Get Ready!

Posted on July 28, 2023 Updated on July 31, 2023

The 2023 Albany Community Triathlon takes place on Sunday September 17 at 8am at Albany Memorial Park. Our “Super Sprint” distance multi-loop course is beginner-friendly, family-friendly, and spectator friendly with a pool swim in your own split lane. The event takes place at the same great venue & course as last year, though minus the portable classrooms that had been alongside our transition area for the past 3 years — recently removed now that Marin school is reopening.

New for this year, our short course mini triathlon that previously was just for 7-10 year olds is now open to all ages 6 & up. So parents can race it alongside their kids and other grown-ups looking for an ultra-short triathlon can also join in. Also, the short course will take place at 8am BEFORE the main course which will start at 9am. See our course information page for details about both our main course and short course and our extensive FAQ for general questions.

Registration is now available. Event shirts will be included in with your registration if you sign up by Aug 28. After that date, a limited supply of shirts will be available for purchase separately. Use the “Register Today” link on the right side of any page at AlbanyTri.com to visit our registration provider (RunSignUp). See pricing details on our registration info page.

To help you kickstart your training so you can rock the course in September, our sponsor IBX Fitness is offering discounts to AlbanyTri registrants through the end of September. To claim the deal, include a PDF of your AlbanyTri registration confirmation email when you fill out their form at https://bit.ly/IBXTRI30.

As the AlbanyTri celebrates its 13th year, we thank our many great participants and sponsors over the years who have collectively helped us raise over $60K since 2008 for our beneficiary, Albany Athletic Boosters which supports both Albany Middle School & Albany High School sports programs. Training and competing in a triathlon and helping our great public schools and participating in a multi-generational community celebration of fitness —  triple WIN! 🏊🏻‍♀️🚴🏼‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️🤩

Rosh Hashanah holiday: This year’s AlbanyTri falls during the Jewish new year High Holiday of Rosh Hashanah. We realize this may create a conflict for some of our participants. Our schedule was especially constrained this year, forcing us to hold the event earlier than we ever have. We invite our Jewish triathletes to include the AlbanyTri in their new year’s celebrations, joining a community gathering of fitness in the outdoor temple that is Memorial Park. Our race director, who is Jewish, will kick off the event with a long blast of the Shofar (ram’s horn) — a traditional part of this holiday — as he has been known to do for other events. 

AlbanyTri 2022 Heat Assignments & Info

Posted on October 14, 2022 Updated on October 18, 2022

Heat assignments are now available for the Albany Community Triathlon taking place on Sunday 10/16/22. Please check the relevant listing to determine your heat number and start time before race day:

• Heat assignments for the Main course sorted by participant NAME
• Heat assignments for the Main course sorted by HEAT, then name
• Heat assignments for SUPER YOUTH sorted by participant NAME
• Heat assignments for SUPER YOUTH sorted by HEAT, then name

We did our best to accommodate all family & friends requests and early/middle/late heat preferences. There is very limited ability to make adjustments and only in the event of a pressing need, but if you notice a problem with your listing, let us know ASAP. Also let us know if you can’t make it on race day so we can open your heat assignment.

Do you know any potential volunteers? We still have many open volunteer positions with gaps in key areas — causing much concern among the organizers. Go to our volunteer signup website, and help recruit your family & friends to help make the event run smoothly. Thanks!

Relay team members: note that all team members are listed in the heat assignments, but the start times pertain just to the swimmers. After the swim, the swimmer heads to the transition area to the team’s shared transition location hand off the timing chip to the biker who will be waiting (or the swimmer does the bike leg, depending on the team’s plan). See the relay team section of our FAQ for a description of how the timing chip handoff is supposed to work. Relay team members should coordinate with each other and establish their shared spot in the transition area.

Waiver signing for relay team members: Relay team members who did not fill out the online registration form which included a digital waiver: your parent/guardian will need to sign a physical waiver. You can do this at packet pickup or at the registration table. To expedite things, here’s a PDF of the waiver you can print out, sign, and bring with you to packet pickup or race day. Team captains: notify your teammates about this!

Pick up your race packet in advance at Roadrunner Sports in Berkeley on Sat 10/15 between 1–4pm. Bring a photo ID. You can also pick up a packet for a friend if you have a photo of their ID. Packet pickup will also be available on race day, but picking it up on Sat will ease congestion at the registration table. Late registration will be available as space permits on Saturday at packet pickup but not on race day (cash or check only, made out to “Albany Athletic Boosters”) so stop by Road Runners to signup if you missed online registration.

Race packet goodies: Among other swag items, your race packet will contain your timing chip on a velcro strap and TWO security bracelets marked with your bib number and heat number. Be sure to bring your timing chip with you on race day or you will not be listed in the results! It goes on your LEFT ankle with the plastic chip facing out. Best advice: strap on your timing chip first thing in the morning so you don’t forget. The security bracelets go on your right wrist and on your bike’s top tube. Put those on before arriving at the venue on race day. You’ll need these bracelets to enter and exit the transition area. Your race packet has everything you need for race day, so there’s no need to check in at the registration table when you arrive on race day. After setting up your transition area, head over to get body marked near the registration table.

Registered but are not participating this year? Let us know ASAP so we can open up your slot in the heat assignments.

Aim to arrive at the Albany Aquatic Center at least 1 hour before your start time, possibly earlier if you are new to the triathlon business. The registration area will open at ~6:45am and will be located in front of the Aquatic Center along Portland Ave.

• If you are in heats 1-3: arrive by 7:00am and use the early heat section of the transition area.
• If you are in heats 4-6: arrive by 7:45am and use the middle heat section of the transition area.
• If you are in heats 7-10: arrive by 8:30am and use the late heat section of the transition area.
• Super Youth athletes: arrive by 9:45 am and use the Super Youth section of the transition area (see course map). Super Youth will not be using the blue bike racks as in past years. First Super Youth heat start time will be 10:45 am.
• Heats for the Main course start every 15 minutes starting at 8:00 sharp. Heats for the Super Youth start every 12 minutes starting at 10:45 sharp.
• First time triathletes should arrive a little earlier to allow for more prep time and an easier time finding a spot in the correct zone of the transition area.

Heat start times will be posted around the venue. Arrive at the outdoor pool 5-10 min before your heat starts, and pick any open lane as swimmers from the previous heat exit the pool (first come, first served). Feel free to warm up in the indoor pool or the outdoor pool. Note that the indoor pool is ~85ºF while the outdoor pool is ~80ºF.

Pre-race announcements will take place at 7:35am, repeated at 8:50am.

Review our FAQ and course map before race day to get familiar with this race. First-timers should especially review our tips for bike lap counting, one of the more challenging aspects of this course. You complete 12 laps on the bike, which will be very close to 10K if you’re using a GPS tracker.

Racers: have a safe, fun, and invigorating time on race day! Reward our sponsors with your patronage, and thank our volunteers & organizers for making this event run smoothly!

AlbanyTri this Sunday 10/16! Online reg ends Wed, Packet pickup on Sat, Volunteers wanted

Posted on October 12, 2022 Updated on October 14, 2022

Online registration for the 2022 Albany Community Triathlon ends Wednesday Oct 12th at 11:59pm, so sign up today if you’re game to compete but haven’t yet registered. Walk-in registration at packet pickup on Saturday or race day on Sunday will be available but there will be a limited number of slots.

Want to save time on race day? Come to packet pickup at Road Runner Sports on Saturday October 15 between 1 – 4:00 PM located at 1326 10th Street in Berkeley. You will receive a packet containing all race day materials including your timing chip (don’t forget to bring it on race day), swim heat assignment, bib number bracelets, and a “special” swag item. Bring a photo ID. You can also review and ask questions about the course, and get a discount on great running & fitness gear at the store. Coming to packet pickup on Saturday also helps us earn money from Road Runner Sports! If you can’t make it to packet pick up, consider sending a family member or friend to pick up your packet — just have them bring your photo ID (or a picture of it).

You can also pick up your packet on Sunday, race day morning at the registration table, if you can’t make it on Saturday. Just be sure to arrive a little earlier (~1 hr before your heat start time). Swim heat assignment will be posted in the AlbanyTri news feed Friday afternoon.

Review our extensive FAQ and course map before race day to get familiar with this event, especially for first-timers or AlbanyTri veterans who need a refresher (this is our first event since September 2019 due to the pandemic).

Relay team members who didn’t sign the online waiver must sign a physical waiver at packet pickup (for minors, a parent or guardian must sign). Packets can be picked up and waivers signed on race day, but doing this on Saturday will allow you to avoid congestion at the registration table on race day and is strongly recommended for all registrants.

Volunteers are greatly needed! We were a little slow this year as we emerged from the pandemic, so our volunteer numbers are not yet where they need to be. If you or your family members are not competing and would like to help make the event run smoothly, head over to our volunteer sign-up page and pick a task & time slot. Many thanks! 🙏🏻

Did you register but can’t compete this year? If so, please let us know! This will help us optimize the swim heats. We cannot refund your registration fee, but we can give you full credit to register for next year’s race.

Jeff Shea: Tribute to an AlbanyTri Enabler

Posted on May 21, 2022 Updated on June 30, 2024

Jeff Shea was one of the organizers of the first ever Albany Community Triathlon in 2008. He was a strong advocate for school sports and served as co-chairman of the Albany High School Athletic Boosters in the 2000’s. The Albany community lost Jeff in April of 2022 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease.

Jeff and his wife Gail were big supporters of school athletics in Albany and Jeff continued to help out with the AlbanyTri organization and attended every event through 2019 despite his failing health. He posted a nice write up of the 2012 event including two dozen photos. That was the first year the triathlon took place in the renovated pool.

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Jeff’s life on Saturday, May 21st at 1:30 pm at Northbrae Community Church located at 941 The Alameda, Berkeley, CA 94707. All are welcome.

You can also visit Jeff’s online memorial website or make a donation to the Albany Athletic Boosters in his honor.

AlbanyTri 2022: Post-pandemic revival

Posted on April 10, 2022

As the COVID19 pandemic continues to subside in the Bay Area and California generally—based on current state tracking data, the AlbanyTri organizers are revving up to hold an in-person triathlon-as-usual this year, targeting Sunday October 16, 2022. The date is not finalized, but it’s getting there, so be sure to save that date on your calendar and start your training! Registration will be available as soon as the date is confirmed (late April or early May).

To help with your run training, there is a new running & music event called the Move’n’Groove happening on Sunday April 24 at 10am in Memorial Park, at the same venue where the AlbanyTri takes place. One of the AlbanyTri organizers (Steve Trutane) has been helping organize this event along with Eugenie Hsu who has been organizing the periodic COVIDchella music festivals around Albany during the pandemic.

The Move’n’Groove is a 5K where you can walk, run, roller skate, wheelchair, or push a stroller around Albany High School and Memorial park while enjoying LIVE MUSIC from multiple bands positioned along the course 🎶. There will be chip timing on a fast, mostly-flat, and fairly accurate 5K course (6 loops on the streets around the park & AHS). The music continues post-race on the main stage in the park from 12:30–2pm. Funded by revenues from the City of Albany’s soda tax, this is the first year of this event which could become an annual happening. Learn more at MOVEnGROOVE.org.

Note that online registration for the Move’n’Groove ends after Wed April 20. Prices increase after Wed April 13, so sign up today!

And to help with your swim training, there is a freestyle stroke clinic happening on Saturday May 21 at the Albany Aquatic Center. Visit the following link for details and to sign up: Intensive Freestyle Stroke Clinic for Triathletes.

Stay healthy this season, and be careful as you ramp up training after 2+ years of pandemic restrictions. With luck, we won’t have to do another virtual triathlon!