Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. This is my first triathlon ever. What do I need to know?
Welcome to the sport! A sprint-distance triathlon like Treeathlon is particularly beginner-friendly and a great way to dip your toes in. Triathlons consist of swimming, biking, and running in that order. Your time for the race consists of the total time it takes you to swim, bike, and run, including the time to transition between the sports. We answer some key questions around participating in this FAQ but USA Triathlon also has some great resources for beginners here.
2. Should I race the Classic or Draft Legal race?
If this is your first triathlon, you should race Classic.
The Classic race is open to all beginners and elite athletes.
The Draft-Legal race is a highly competitive race in which strong pack riding skills and triathlon experience are required. If you are unsure if you have strong pack riding skills or triathlon experience, we recommend you sign up for the classic race instead. If you have questions about racing DL or whether you have enough experience, please email treeathlon@gmail.com with your qualifications and experience in pack riding and racing. We’ll provide you with the code you need to register for the Draft-Legal race.
3. Should I race the Collegiate or Age Group category?
If you are currently enrolled at a college or university, you should race collegiate. If not, you should race age group.
4. What gear/equipment is required for this race? What is recommended?
You will need a wetsuit for the swim given the history of cold water temps at our race (see below for rental options), a bike and helmet for the bike (it doesn’t have to be a road bike), and running gear such as running shoes for the run. So at a minimum, you need a wetsuit, clothing to bike and run in (you wear it under your wetsuit, e.g., a trisuit or thin athletic clothes), a bike and helmet, running shoes, and a way to wear your race bib (see below).
You may also want to have the following:
Water bottles for transition and the bike
Cycling glasses
Swim goggles
Swim Cap (we will provide one but you are welcome to wear two caps for warmth)
Towel
Bike or Triathlon shoes and their corresponding pedals
Bike gloves (although some athletes forego this in the interest of efficiency)
Socks (although some athletes forego this in the interest of efficiency)
It is recommended that you carry any spare parts that you might need for your bikes, such as extra tubes and a pump or CO2 cartridges, because it is a rule violation to receive outside assistance during the race, so in the event of a flat tire, you’ll need to change it yourself.
It also can’t hurt to have spares of some of the above, such as goggles, hair ties, socks, and water bottles. USAT has more information for beginners about what is required and gear recommendations here. For details about gear that is approved and not approved, the USAT rulebook can be found here.
5. Wait … what’s a race belt (Or: How to wear your race bib)?
All participants are given race bibs that need to be worn during the run part of the race only. To put on the bib quickly in the second transition it is recommended to attach it to a race belt used for this purpose (something like this). Alternatively, you can use elastic straps or shoelaces.
6. Are gear rentals available on site?
Martin from TCMTriSquad has wetsuits available to rent for Stanford Treeathlon participants, but will need to coordinate your sizing in advance. To reserve a wetsuit please email tricoachmartin@gmail.com. Martin will be at the race during packet pickup or you can get the wetsuit shipped to you prior. He will also have racebelts, locklaces, goggles, thermal caps and other triathlon supplies. Check out his website to see information about wetsuit rentals at: www.tcmtrisquad.com/wetsuits.
For bikes, we do not offer rentals on site. If you want to rent a road bike, Summit Bicycles in Palo Alto offers road bike rentals as well as other bike shops in Stanford and the South Bay. Borrowing a bike from a friend might also be a great option and there is no requirement that you have to race with a road or triathlon bike, gravel or commuter bikes are fine, too. For draft-legal races, triathlon bikes and aerobars are not permitted.
7. Race Day Logistics: Where to be, When, and What to do?
Arrive with plenty of time to get ready before your designated start time. Pay attention to when the transition zone opens for your race category.
Find the packet pick-up table and collect your envelope, which includes your exact start wave time, timing chip, bike and helmet stickers with your bib number, race bib, swim cap indicating your start wave, snacks, and merch. We recommend picking up your packet prior to race day (see below).
Find one of our volunteers to have your race number written on your calf and arm.
Attach the stickers to your bike (seat post or top tube) and helmet (front and side). Make sure the ends of your handlebars are covered, for example with bar-end plastic caps.
Prepare your spot in the transition zone. Enter through the correct entrance for your race category. Volunteers will check your race number on your helmet, bike, and arm. Find an open spot and rack your bike. Place the items you need for T1 and T2 under your bike (helmet, shoes, race bib for the run, water, and, if applicable, sunglasses, gloves, a small towel, socks, and nutrition). Only athletes are allowed in the transition zone.
Attend the Classic or Draft-Legal race briefing. Exact times and locations of the briefings are written on the Schedule Page of this website.
Get ready for the race start. Put on your wetsuit, swim cap, and goggles, and — very important — wear your timing chip on your ankle. If the swim is replaced by a run due to water temperature (duathlon), prepare for a run instead.
Be at the start line in time for your wave. The 10 minutes prior to your start may be used for a swim warm-up.
After the race, return your timing chip at the finish line. If you forget to return the chip, a penalty fee will be charged. Once the race is over and the transition zone reopens, collect your gear. Please help us “leave no trace” at the race venue!
8. How do I pick up registration packets?
Packet pickup will be held at the Redwood City Sports Basement (202 Walnut St., Redwood City, CA, 94063) on Friday 2/13 (4pm - 7pm). The race packet contains the socks, race number, course maps, etc. Additionally, racers get 20% off Sports Basement purchases during packet pickup hours!
We strongly encourage you to pick up your packet on Friday to avoid lines, but we will hold race-day packet pickup at the race venue from 7am - 11am in case you cannot.
Please note that you cannot pick up packets for other racers as we are required to collect wet-signatures for our waivers. Minors must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian at packet pickup, or submit a scanned copy of their wet-signed waiver to treeathlon@gmail.com before race day.
9. Do you have age group awards?
Yes, in the classic race, we have awards for 1-3rd places in each 5-year age group (starting with a combined 18-24 AG and ending with a 80+ division). We will also give out awards to the single top relay team. The awards ceremony will take place on race day. If you cannot make it to the ceremony and think you placed 1-3 in your age group, see the table near the finish to pick up your age group awards.
In the draft legal race, prizes will be awarded to the top 3 men and women. These awards will also occur at the awards ceremony on race day, but please see the table near the finish line if you cannot make it to the ceremony. We can not mail awards. You must attend the award ceremony or pick up the award at the table near the finish after the race.
10. Are finisher medals given to participants?
Finisher medals are not given for the Classic or Draft Legal Races. See question above for info about age group awards.
11. Is this event part of the Bay Area Senior Games?
Yes! To sign up, you need to register both with the Senior Games and through the official Treeathlon registration link. See further instructions for Senior Games registration here: https://www.bayareaseniorgames.org/sports-triathlon.
12. What temperature will the water be?
In 2025, the water temperature was around 55°F, and it will probably be somewhere between 52 and 62 this year. A wetsuit is required for this race. If you are interested, this website has historical water temperature data for the area.
13. Can anyone under 18 race in Treeathlon?
High school triathletes aged 16+ are allowed to race. Students need a USAT membership and can register as age group athletes. For any questions, please email us!
14. I signed up, but I’m unable to race. Can I get a refund?
As the sign-up forms and waivers state, we cannot offer refunds.
If your question wasn’t answered here, don’t hesitate to contact us at treeathlon@gmail.com.
