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HALF VERMONT JOURNEY
1.2-mile Swim, 56-mile Bike, 13.1-mile Run
Branbury State Park
Salisbury, VT
Saturday, August 23, 2008
8:00 AM

Online Registration is now OPEN! 

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To view our complete photo gallery please visit
 www.palmarescoaching.com/eventphoto.htm 

About Us: Vermont Sun Sports & Fitness Center has been organizing triathlons and road races since 1985.  We take great pride in producing races that are professionally organized, safe, fun, fair and affordable.  Race organizers offer a combined 30 years race directing experience.

The Venue:  Nestled against the Green Mountains, just below Rattlesnake Point, is Branbury State Park.  The lake region is a most spectacular and pristine place to swim, bike and run.   Novice and advanced triathletes alike marvel the beauty of our courses and enjoy the mountains, lakes and streams of Central Vermont.  The park is an excellent place to relax with your family before and after the event.  To learn more about Branbury State Park please visit www.vtstateparks.com/htm/branbury.cfm 

The Swim:  The 1.2-mile swim is held in warm, crystal clear Lake Dunmore.   The swim will be a two loop course which is GPS measured and lined with buoys.   There will be wave starts of no more than 100 participants per wave.   The swim is extremely safe as you are rarely in over 6 feet of water at any given point.   There will be lifeguards in kayaks and boats at various locations monitoring the course at all times.  Anticipated water temperature will be in the low to mid 70’s.   To view the swim course map please click the link on the left side of this page.

The Bike:  The 56-mile bike is a beautiful “lollipop” course, which we like to describe as “rolling”. The route is extremely spectator friendly, open to traffic and will be monitored closely by police and traffic control officers as well as course marshals.   Police support will be at turnaround points to ensure safety of turns.  These officers will be stopping traffic to allow for your turn.  You will, as always, need to use caution when making those turns.  The elevation of the course ranges from 300 ft to 650 ft. as illustrated by our elevation profile.   The course has lots of new pavement with wide shoulders and will be staffed with aid stations handing water bottles to all participants as requested.    A bike mechanic will be roaming the course to provide aid as needed.  Absolutely no drafting.   To view a course map please click the link on the left side of this page.

The Run:  The 13.1-mile run is a GPS measured out and back course. As it is an out and back course the run should provide for excellent spectator support.   Aid stations will be found at approximately every mile and will be loaded with water, sports drinks, energy bars, gels, fruit, and more.  Course marshals will be roaming the route and will provide assistance as needed.   To view a course map please click the link on the left side of this page. 

Aqua-Bike Division:   A new category developed by USAT in ’05 which includes the Swim and Bike portion of the event only.   This category has been successful for the past three seasons so we will be offering this option again in ’08.  This category is great for those rehabbing from injury!

Course Map:  Maps are available in PDF format and may be accessed by the link on the left side of this page.  If you do not have Adobe Acrobat on your system you may download a free version by going to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html and following downloading instructions. 

Carbo Load Pre-Race Meal:  Prepare for your race by attending the complimentary pre-race carbo load meal to be held at the very popular Mister Up’s Restaurant located in Middlebury on Friday, August 22^nd between 12:00-6:00 PM.  The meal will include your choice of meat or veggie pasta, salad from the salad bar, breads, and a non-alcoholic beverage of your choice!  Bring your family and/or friends along as the restaurant offers a variety of terrific menu items to suit any appetite.   You may choose to select additional items off the menu but please keep in mind that all friends, family or additional menu items will be at your expense.   Although the restaurant is extremely family friendly the sports bar will not disappoint the thirsty adult members of your group!   Reservations are suggested.    Call Mister Ups directly at 802-388-6724. 

Pre-race registration / Bib Pick Up:  Stop by Vermont Sun Fitness Center on Friday, Aug 22^nd between 2:00-6:00 PM to pick up your race packet.  You may choose to pick up you packet on race morning right at Branbury State Park between 6:30 – 7:30 AM.   We strongly encourage you to pick up your race packet on Friday, as you will be able to focus solely on your race on Sunday morning.    As an added benefit for racing with us we are offering complimentary day passes for you and/or your family members for use of Vermont Sun Fitness Center on Friday (22^nd) between 12:00-8:00 PM.     Vermont Sun offers 2 swimming pools, hot tub, weights, cardio, racquetball, basketball, motorized climbing wall, dry saunas and more!  Visit www.vermontsun.com for all the club has to offer!

Transition Area:  The transition area will open for bike racking at 6:30 AM on race morning.

Post Race Meal:  Enjoy a terrific post race meal, which may include pizza, veggie platters, variety of fruit, salads, cookies and more!  Relax after your race and enjoy the music and beautiful scenery while meeting and getting to know other participants. 

Race Amenities Include:  Full pre-race carbo load meal and post race meal, music, medical support, customized t-shirt, free sports drinks in transition area and at every aid station, bagels, Clif Bars, various fruit, customized swim cap, customized water bottle, custom awards to top 5 overall and top 3 in each age group, fully supported aid stations, various sponsor samples in goodie bags, raffle giveaways, safe and well staffed course.  Available amenities include digital action photos, massage, extra custom Vermont Sun t-shirts, Louis Garneau triathlon race clothing, and more!   

Fees: 

Individual Age Group:                      $165.00 on or before Aug 4^th     $185.00 after Aug 4^th  

Individual Age Group - Non USAT:    $175.00 on or before Aug 4^th     $195.00 after Aug 4^th  

Aqua-Bike Age Group:                     $165.00 on or before Aug 4^th     $185.00 after Aug 4^th

Aqua-Bike Age Group - Non USAT:  $175.00 on or before Aug 4^th     $195.00 after Aug 4^th

Relay Team                                    $205.00 on or before Aug 4^th      $225.00 after Aug 4^th 

Relay Team – Non USAT                 $235.00 on or before Aug 4^th      $255.00 after Aug 4^th 

(Note: All Relay Team Members that are not USAT annual members need to purchase a one-day USAT license for $10)

Refunds:  A 50 % refund will be given until Aug 4^th.  No refunds will be granted after Aug 4^th .  No transfers.  No exceptions.

Online Registration:  Available at  www.active.com (or to pay by check please print the entry form (PDF format) from the link on the left side of this page and mail).

Spectators:  Spectators will be charged $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for children at the gate.  Fee is good for the entire day so bring the family and enjoy the spectacular lake, beach, and mountain setting!   This event is very spectator friendly as the park is a great place to spend a day and the course allows great opportunity for you to watch your friend or family member as they compete in the race.  Absolutely no dogs allowed in park.

Series Beneficiaries:  This season we will be donating a portion of race proceeds to the United Way.  The United way is an outstanding non-profit organization that contributes to various other non-profit organizations throughout the year.  

Interested in Volunteering?  If you are interested in helping out at any one or all of our events please contact us at 802-388-6888 or send us an email at vtsun@together.net.  We are always looking for energetic individuals to help staff all areas of our course and/or transition area.  If you have a particular area of interest (i.e bike course marshal, transition area, run aid station, etc.) please let us know as we can most likely accommodate you.

Complete Results and Splits:  Posted on www.coolrunning.com by 9 PM on race day.

USA Triathlon Membership Info:  For information on joining USAT please call the national office at 1-800-874-1878 or visit their website www.usatriathlon.org   All participants in this event must be either be annual USAT members ($39/yr) or pay a one-day license fee ($10).   

Triathlon Individual Age Groups: will be every 5 years: 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, etc. for men and women.

Important USAT age group information:  The age group of a participant will be determined by age on Dec. 31 of the event year, not by age on race day. For example:  If you turn 25 years old in November of 2008, you will race and be ranked in the 25-29 age group for the entire 2008 season. 

Triathlon Relay Teams: 2 to 3 person teams. Categories will be: all female, all male, and mixed, with 39 and under or 40 and over age groups (all members of team must be 40 and over for that classification).

Awards: Top 5 overall, top 3 in each age group and top team in each category will receive beautiful custom awards in an awards ceremony immediately following the race.  

Need a training program or coach?   We highly recommend Mark Wilson if you are looking for a training program or coach to help you achieve your goals and reach your athletic potential.  Mark Wilson, triathlon coach, is the Founder/President of the Hudson Valley Triathlon Club and provides professional coaching services to swimmers, cyclists, runners and triathletes of all abilities from beginner to Pro. He is available for private sessions, group lessons, and short/long-term coaching programs. Mark insists on his athletes’ success and requires absolute, un-wavering commitment to the training recommended. Consequently, he is instructing dozens of athletes to their highest athletic potential. Expect more!   Contact Mark today at mark@hvtc.net or by calling 845-679-8602.

Suggestions For the Upcoming Race?   If you have an idea or suggestion for us we would love to hear from you.  Please email us at vtsun@together.net or call 802-388-6888.