_ 2017 Faith in Action Triathlon & Duathlon:

The Sixteenth Annual Triathlon/Duathlon supports the Faith in Action Caregivers mission to support the independent living of older adults and people with disabilities in Ohio, Marshall and Belmont Counties through the shared ministry of faith communities.

Participants will enjoy the facilities in the McDonough Center where they will find the indoor swimming pool and locker rooms. A short walk down the hallway past the locker rooms leads to the Transition Area on the grass covered Intermural Field. The Transition Area is conveniently located so that spectators can watch their favorite athletes between venues.

Participants in the Duathlon will find the 3 K Run Course offering a variety of challenges. Part of the course travels through the neighborhood near the campus while the other part allows runners to see all of the campus. The course is all on paved roads.

The 25 K Bike Course travels along historic National Road and then along Middle Creek Road where bikers enjoy the shade of overhanging trees.

The 5 K Run Course is located on the campus's Cross Country Trail, which is a level shaded path through a wooded section along the creek.

Volunteers will be available throughout the course to offer support and encouragement to athletes and to provide essential safety measures to protect the athletes.

Whether you choose to participate in the race, volunteer or just come to watch the event, you are helping Faith in Action Caregivers raise the funds needed to provide the coordination of services to the elderly and individuals with disabilities in our community. If you would like more information about becoming a volunteer caregiver or a race sponsor contact us by email or by phone at 304 243 5420.

A Neighbor's Independence Depends on You!

Event details and schedule

Registration Deadlines:   There are two Early Bird Deadlines May 16 and June 16.  The price increases by $10 in each competition category after each date. The FINAL deadline to register is June 30, 2017. All registrations must be received at the Faith in Action office by 5:00 p.m. EDST on July 8.

Directions:   Wheeling Jesuit University is located off Interstate 70 at Exit 2B (Washington Avenue).  From the exit, follow the signs to the main entrance of Wheeling Jesuit University on your left.  Wheeling, West Virginia is located approximately 60 miles west of Pittsburgh, PA and 130 miles east of Columbus, OH.

CheckIn and Pool WarmUp:   Athletes will be able to checkin for the race on Friday, July 7 from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, July 8 from 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. in the McDonough Center. The pool will be open for athletes on Saturday July 8 from 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. There will be no checkin on Saturday, July 8 after 7:00 a.m.

Campus Lodging:   Campus lodging is available for Friday, July 7 at $25.00/person for a double room and $50.00 for a single room. Rooms have two beds and a private bathroom; linens are not provided. Check-in is from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Please, no reservations later than July 7, 2017. Checkout time is NOON, Saturday, July 8, 2017.  The entire cost of the lodging benefits Faith in Action Caregivers.

Sanctioned Race:   The Faith in Action Caregivers Triathlon / Duathlon is sanctioned by USA Triathlon.  All participants must sign the USAT waiver at the time of checkin unless the participant is a USAT member. To read the waiver prior to race day, visit www.usatriathlon.org or contact Faith in Action Caregivers at 3042435420.

Photo ID:   Photo ID is required at check-in; a parent or legal guardian with a photo ID must accompany athletes under age 18.

5K Run Course:   The 5 K Run Course is a shaded, cross country course; depending on weather conditions in the weeks prior to the race, the course may be dry to muddy. Please be prepared to run on a cross-country course and bring shoes appropriate for course conditions.

PreRace Meeting:   A prerace meeting for all athletes begins at 7:15 a.m. in the lobby of the McDonough Center.

Competition Categories:   Athletes can compete in age group division of "Under Age 20" and then in fiveyear increments by gender. Athletes can also compete in gender specific weight categories, individual categories or on two or three person teams.  Teams compete in one of the following categories: Combined Age Under 100, Combined Age 101 150, Combined Age 151 or more, Businesses, Families, Civic/Service Clubs, and Clergy. Competition categories cannot be changed after 5:00 p.m. EDST on July 7, 2017.

Participant Race Rules:   The Faith in Action Caregivers Triathlon / Duathlon follows rules established by USA Triathlon. 

  Helmets are required at any time that an athlete is on a bicycle. 

  Chinstraps must be fastened.

  No headphones, cell phones, Ipads, or other electronic devices are permitted.

  No drafting permitted.

Other rules available at USA Triathlon. 

Triathlon Start:   The race begins at 7:30 a.m. with the first wave of the swim event. Wet suits are permitted. Participants have 12 minutes to complete the wave; if not finished in 12 minutes, the participant's time is recorded as 12 minutes and the participant moves on to the Transition Area for the next leg. The slowest estimated overall times will be in the first wave. Wave assignments will not be changed after 5:00 p.m. on July 5.

Duathlon Start:   The race begins at 7:45 a.m. with a group start outside the Transition Area.

How to Register:   Participants can either download an application from the Faith in Action Caregivers website or register online. Participants must use a LEGAL name on the form. Credit cards can only be accepted with online registration. If completing the paper form, mail it with your check or money order to Faith in Action Caregivers, 38 N. 4th Street, Martins Ferry, OH 43935. All registrations must be received by 5:00 p.m. EDST on July 5, 2017.

Course Change Policy:   Faith in Action Caregivers, Inc. reserves the right to change the course of the race prior to the start of the race due to unexpected weather conditions, traffic control problems or other situations that may affect the safety of participants, spectators and volunteers.  Any changes will be announced at the prerace meeting.

The Triathlon Course:  

Swim: The 400yard swim (16 lengths or eight laps) in the indoor pool at the McDonough Center at Wheeling Jesuit University. Participants will be divided into waves of twelve participants each, two participants per lane. Athletes with the slowest estimated swim time will begin the first wave at 7:30 a.m. Participants have up to twelve minutes to finish the swim portion of the race. Estimated wave start times will be posted on Friday, July 7 in the McDonough Center lobby.

Bike:  The 25 K bike course will exit the Transition Area onto the paved road behind the McDonough Center. Bikers will turn left and exit the campus onto Currie Drive. Bikers follow Currie Drive to Washington Avenue where they will turn left onto Washington Avenue and proceed to the intersection of National Road. Bikers then turn right onto National Road (U.S. Route 40 East) and travel approximately two miles to Lumber Avenue. Turning left onto Lumber Avenue, bikers will follow this to the Shilling Bridge. After crossing the Shilling Bridge, bikers turn left at Subway and into the Elm Grove Crossing Mall. Bikers follow the road through the parking lot to Krause Drive and turn right onto Krause Drive. From Krause Drive the course makes a left turn onto National Road East (U.S. Route 40 East). Athletes follow National Road to Middle Creek Road and turn right onto Middle Creek Road. Bikers follow Middle Creek Road to Union Hill Road where they turn around and return to campus by the same route.

Run:  The 5 K Run (three laps) will take place on the cross-country trail on the WJU campus and finish with a partial lap on the track.

The Duathlon Race Course:  

Run:  The 3K run begins at the Transition Area. Runners follow the paved road behind the McDonough Center and exit the campus with a left turn onto Currie Drive. Runners turn right onto Washington Avenue and proceed to the main WJU entrance. At the top of the hill, runners turn right at the Robert C. Byrd NTTC (Parking B) and follow the road into Parking I and past the Acker Science Center. Then run down the hill in front of Ignatius Hall. At the bottom of the hill turn left onto Ignatian Way and follow the road past the stadium to the Parking D (Administration Parking) in front of the John and Mary McShane Admissions Center. Run through the parking lot and enter the trail behind the stadium track and follow the path to the Transition Area. DO NOT USE THE CROSS COUNTRY TRAIL ON THIS LEG OF THE RACE.

Bike:  The 25 K bike course follows the same course as outlined above for the Triathlon participants.

Run:  The 5 K run course follows the same course as outlined above for the Triathlon participants.

Race Volunteers:   Throughout the racecourse, volunteers wearing bright green shirts will give direction and support to athletes. These volunteers are also able to contact emergency medical personnel or race officials at any time.

Transfer Policy:   Athletes may request a refund of paid registration prior to the start of the race with documentation of an injury, illness or family situation that prevents participation in the race. Athletes may request that fees paid be held and transferred to next year's race if they are unable to participate in the event. If an event is not held the following year, the registration fee will be refunded. Athletes may choose to transfer paid registration fees to another athlete prior to the close of registration for the event. Fees may not be transferred to another athlete after the close of registration, but refunds may be requested according to the above policy.

Look for a Confirmation Letter:   All athletes should look for a confirmation letter to verify your race entry and competition category: letters will be sent by email or postal mail starting June 1, 2017.  If you do not receive a confirmation notice it may mean that your race registration has not been received.  If you do not receive a confirmation notice, contact our office prior to July 6, 2017.  We ill not be able to make additions to the participant roster after that date.