The following timeline provides a brief overview of the weekend's events at the HITS Championship in Palm Springs, California. All times are subject to change.

PLEASE NOTE: The Half and Full Courses have changed since 2015 - click here to see the maps.

Friday, December 1, 2017 – Race Site at Lake Cahuilla Park
• 2 - 6 pm: MANDATORY Packet and Timing Chip Pick-Up for Half and Full Distance Athletes 
(Open, Sprint and Olympic distance athletes may pick up their packets as well)
• 2 - 6 pm: MANDATORY Wetsuit Decontamination Procedure for Half and Full Distance Athletes
• 2 - 5 pm: Swimming in Lake Cahuilla Available 
(athletes must go through wetsuit decontamination prior to swimming)
• 2 - 6 pm: HITS Fitness Expo
• 3 - 4 pm: MANDATORY Athlete Meeting for Half and Full Distance Athletes
• 4 - 5 pm: MANDATORY Bike Drop-Off for Half and Full Distance Athletes
• 5 - 7 pm: Half and Full Athlete Dinner at HITS Desert Horse Park *

*Pasta Party is free for all half and full registered athletes who RSVP by Friday, November 24 to [email protected].  $10 for friends and family and all athletes who do not RSVP.  Cash only at the door.

• 5:10 - 6:30 am: Shuttle Service from T2 HITS Desert Horse Park
(athletes must park at T2 - shuttles will depart every 10 min)
• 6 am - 6 pm: HITS Fitness Expo
• 6:40 am: Transition Area Closed to Half and Full Distance Athletes
• 7 am: Full Male Wave Start
• 7:03 am: Full Female Wave Start
• 7:06 am: Half Male 39 & Under Wave Start
• 7:09 am: Half Male 40 & Over Wave Start
• 7:12 am: Half Female 39 & Under Wave Start
• 7:15 am: Half Female 40 & Over Wave Start
• 12 - 6 pm: Packet and Timing Chip Pick-Up for Sprint, Olympic and Open Distance Athletes
• 12 - 6 pm: Wetsuit Decontamination Procedure for Sprint, Olympic and Open Distance Athletes
*It is highly recommended Sprint and Olympic athletes pick up their packets and perform wetsuit
decontamination on Saturday to ensure an on-time race start on Sunday
• 12 - 6 pm: Bike and Gear Drop-Off for Sprint and Olympic Distance Athletes
• 2 - 5 pm: Swimming in Lake Cahuilla available

Saturday, December 2, 2017 – T2/Finish at HITS Desert Horse Park
• 5:10 - 6:30 am: Shuttle Service to Lake Cahuilla 
(athletes must park at T2 - shuttles will depart every 10 min)
• 2 pm: Half Distance Awards**
• Midnight: Transition area closes

**PLEASE NOTE: Athletes MUST be present at their Awards Ceremony to receive an award.

• 5 - 6:30 am: Bike and Gear Drop-Off for Sprint and Olympic Distance Athletes
• 6 am – 2 pm: HITS Fitness Expo
• 6:40 am: Transition Area Closed to Sprint Distance Athletes
• 6:50 am: Athlete Meeting for Sprint Distance Athletes
• 7 am: Sprint Male Wave Start
• 7:03 am Sprint Female Wave Start
• 7:05 am: Transition Area Closed to Olympic Distance Athletes
• 7:30 am: Athlete Meeting for Olympic Distance Athletes
• 7:40 am: Olympic Male Wave Start
• 7:43 am: Olympic Female Wave Start
• 9:15 am: Sprint Distance Awards Ceremony**
• 10:15 am: Full Distance Awards Ceremony**
• 10 am – 11 am: Additional Packet and Timing Chip Pick-Up for Open Distance Athletes
• 11 am - 12 pm: Bike and Gear Drop-Off for Open Distance Athletes
• 11 am - 12 pm: MANDATORY Wetsuit Decontamination Procedure for Open Distance Athletes
• 11:15 am: Olympic Distance Awards Ceremony***
• 12 pm: Athlete Meeting for Open Distance Athletes
• 12:30 pm: HITS Open Race Starts
• 1:30 pm: HITS Open Awards Ceremony**
• 3 pm: Transition area closed to Open, Sprint and Olympic distance athletes

**PLEASE NOTE: Athletes MUST be present at their Awards Ceremony to receive an award. Unclaimed awards may be shipped if request is made within two weeks after the event. Athlete is responsible for a $10 shipping and handling fee.

Important Addresses

• Race Site - Lake Cahuilla Park
58075 Jefferson Street
La Quinta, California 92253

• Official Bike Shop – Hypercat Racing
4160 Market Street, Suite 13
Ventura, CA 93003

Questions? Call 845.247.7275 or email [email protected].