These are our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to help you answer any queries, but do email us with any query not answered below.
What is my start time?
There are six start waves as follows (click on the times to see the full list for this start time)
9:00am – Olympic Start
9:45am – Olympic Start
10:10am – Sprint Start
10:25am – Sprint Start
10:45am – Sprint Start
11:00am – Sprint Start
Sign-on
Click here for sign-on details.
How do I become a volunteer for your event?
Please e-mail Bairbre at spiddaltri@gmail.com at and one of our race committee members will contact you. We’re currently looking for people to be available on the day to help run the best triathlon in Ireland this year. No training is required. Watch your friends compete with a “birds-eye” view. All marshals will get a free lunch voucher.
What is the race distance?
There are two options for this event.
Sprint: 750m swim – 20km bike – 5k run.
Olympic distance: 1.5km swim – 40km bike – 10km run.
Can a relay team compete?
Yes. A relay team consists of 3 people; 1 to complete the swim, 1 to complete the cycle and 1 to complete the run. Please select the relevant entry category if you are entering as a relay team.
What are the entry fees for the Galway Triathlon Spiddal this year?
Registration fee information can be obtained on the registration page.
How many participants will the Galway Triathlon Spiddal allow for?
500 including relay teams (300 were already taken by 1st of March, so enter before they’re all gone)
Is the Galway Triathlon Spiddal a Triathlon Ireland event? (updated 9th May, 2011)
No. Reason: Galway Co. Co. required enhanced insurance cover of €12.7million (€6.5million is more typical). Triathlon Ireland were not able to produce an insurance cert in time (despite assurances that they would), so we had to take out insurance directly, with the same brokers as Triathlon Ireland and with the same underwriters as Triathlon Ireland; SportsCover at Lloyds of London.
One day Insurance costs
Triathlon Ireland members will not be charged anything extra for this enhanced insurance cover of €12.7million.
Non-Triathlon Ireland members will only have to pay a reduced €13 one-day-insurance on RunIreland.com for the enhanced cover (we’re passing on cost savings of going direct).
If anybody has an insurance query, please do contact us here.
I am travelling from outside of Ireland to get to the race. How do I get to Galway?
The most cost efficient way to get to Galway is with Ryanair (from Europe) or Aer Lingus (from Europe and the US). Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair fly into Galway Airport (30min from venue) Shannon Airport (2hours from venue) Dublin Airport (3hours from venue).
Where can we stay locally?
Accommodation information for hotels in Spiddal can be found on the website here http://www.galwaytriathlon.com/index.php/accommodation-food-and-drink/
Where can I find advice on training for this event?
See here for full details; www.tri-planet.ie
What time will the race start?
Provisional start times based on tides are
9am: Olympic fast Start (start next to at transition)
9:35am: Olympic medium & beginner Start (start next to at transition)
10:15am: Sprint Fast & Medium start. (start next to pier)
10:30am: Sprint Beginners men‘s start. (start next to pier)
10:45am: Sprint Beginners women’s. (start next to pier)
Race start will depend on your allocated wave and times will be published closer to the race date. All participants must be registered and have picked up their timing chip.
Is there a staggered swim start?
Yes. Both races will have a number of well staggered waves based on the start you have chosen when entering.
Do you have a course map?
Yes, course maps are available in the Race Info Section.
How do I register?
Please go to the registration page and follow the instructions. Payment options are laser, visa and mastercard. Unfortunately there isn’t a cheque or postal entry option.
Do you accept fax or phone-in registrations?
No. We only accept online registrations.
Are there any benefits to registering early?
Yes, the first 100 entries are discounted by 20%, plus if you leave it too late the race may be full.
May I give or sell my race number to someone else?
No, you can cancel your registration up to 7 days after you entered, but you can’t transfer your entry to someone else. Please contact Richard@tri-planet.ie to confirm any cancelations.
Will I receive confirmation of my entry?
Yes. RunIreland provides a facility to check your registration once you have signed up. We will also list registered participants on the race website closer to the event.
What are the swim distances?
Sprint – 750 meters
Olympic – 1.5k
Which equipment is needed for the swim?
Swim cap (provided in the race pack), goggles or mask (optional), wetsuit (mandatory) and swimsuit or tri suit. Fins & other propulsion devices are not allowed.
What is the distance for the Cycle course?
Sprint – 20k (once out and back on the cycle course)
Olympic – 40k (twice out and back on the cycle course)
Are you allowed to use a mountain bike?
Yes. You may use a mountain bike, hybrid/city bike, road bike or triathlon bike.
What equipment is mandatory for the bike section?
A bike and a bike helmet are required. Your bike must be in good working condition with your bike race number properly attached. We recommend having your bicycle checked through a reputable bike shop prior to the event. We also advise to bring along all necessary equipment for changing a flat tire or making minor adjustments to your bike.
Will drafting be allowed?
No. Drafting is where you gain a benefit from riding close to the cyclist in front of you, which is allowed in cycle races but banned in armature triathlon. The “Draft Zone” is a rectangle surrounding every competitor that is 3 metres wide and extends to 7 metres behind the front wheel of the competitor’s bicycle. The front edge of the front bicycle wheel will define the centre of the leading 3-metre edge of the rectangle. A competitor may enter the draft zone but must be seen to be making forward progress. A maximum of 15 seconds will be allowed for a competitor to pass through the draft zone. The Triathlon Ireland referees are liable to impose penalties, so please be aware of this rule.
What is the distance of the run?
Sprint – 5k
Olympic – 10k
What mandatory equipment do I need for the run?
Race number and timing chip (will be included in your race pack which you will receive at registration). Race numbers are to be attached on the front of your body and timing chips must be securely strapped to your ankle.
How many water stops will be on the run?
One per lap.
What is the transition area?
The transition area is a common area where participants rack their bike, run and swim gear before and during the race. It is also your assigned spot where you will transition from swim to bike and bike to run. Relay teams have a designated region in the t-area where they exchange their timing chip strap from swimmer to cyclist and cyclist to runner.
What time does the transition area open and close in the morning?
This will be announced closer to the event date, but is likely to be 7am on race day and will close at 8:55am. Note sprint competitors starting at 10am or 11am will need to have their bike racked before 8:55am.
Who is allowed in the transition area?
Only race participants who have been body marked, have picked up their timing chip and have attached their bike race number to their bike, and transition area volunteers and race officials are the only people allowed into the transition area. Please no family members or friends in the transition area.
