Athleteguide
SEE BELOW FOR RACE NUMBERS, WAVE NOS & SWIM CAP COLOURS:
* Please note that Race numbers are provisional and are subject to change*
(Olympic, Sprint, Try-a-Tri)
HALF Athletes Only
Please do not purchase this buss pass for Olympic, Sprint and Try a Tri. One free bus pass from Galway City to TYR Swim Park on the morning of Sunday 26th for race start. One free bus pass per Athlete only. Spaces are limited. Athletes must pre book the bus. Athletes without bus pass will not be allowed use buses on raceday. Times and venue for pick up will be on the website and in the race briefing prior to the event. Ticket valid for Half and Full races 26th June Only.
Please note that parking for the Sunday races is meant for family/friends coming to the Swim Start, who can move the car once the last cyclist has left T1.
You cannot park at Swim Start & then race as we do not have transport back to Swim Start from Finish after the Race
We are providing a free shuttle bus on Sunday morning for athletes. Please use this to make your way out to Swim Start, unless you have friends/family to drive you out and park.
Saturday Athletes can park and race as all races are in Rinville.* Please note that their will be no parking in Rinville Park without a permit. Spaces are limited to 400 spots.
Refund – Cancellation Policy
Full – Individual and Relay Entrants will be refunded 60% 21/06/2015 to 31/12/2015, 30% 01/01/2016 to 26/02/2016 of the entry amount paid. No refunds after 27/02/2016. Refunds are subject to a cancellation handling charge of €25 per cancellation. Refunds will be paid on the 10th of every month. Transfer of entry to another athlete are subject to a fee of €100. No transfers after 20/05/2016.
Half – Individual and Relay Entrants will be refunded 60% 21/06/2015 to 31/12/2015, 30% 01/01/2016 to 26/02/2016 of the entry amount paid. No refunds after 27/02/2016. Refunds are subject to a cancellation handling charge of €25 per cancellation. Refunds will be paid on the 10th of every month. Transfer of entry to another athlete are subject to a fee of €50. No transfers after 20/05/2016.
Full to Half – All full entrants will be allowed to transfer from full to half distance with no charge until 02/11/2015. Half will be charged at €220. If you wish to transfer after 02/11/2015 you will be charged your full entry fee. No transfers after 01/04/2016.
Challenge For All – All entrants are subject to a €25 cancellation charge. No refunds after 30/03/2015. All credit card and bank charges are non-refundable.
Is it not possible to transfer from Challenge Galway to another Challenge Family Races or defer your entry to 2017.
If you wish to cancel your race entry please email our registration team at [email protected]
Our interactive maps allows you to view the race routes, Athlete Village, Finish area, Expo, and the TYR Swim Park and Challenge For All race venue.
Athlete can also view hotels, B&B’s, Hostels and Self Catering options near the Athlete Village.
* Please note that this map is for illustration purposes only. Route maps may not be 100% accurate. For comprehensive route maps please visit our dedicated race pages:
Full
Half
Try a Tri
Sprint
Olympic
Friday 24th
| 12:00 – 12:15 | Official Opening | Athlete Village |
| 12:00 – 20:00 | Expo | Athlete Village |
| 12:00 – 20:00 | Registration – Full, Half & Challenge For All Events | Athlete Village |
| 14:00 – 14:30 | Pro Race Brief – Half | Athlete Village |
| 14:45 – 15:30 | Pro Press Conference | Athlete Village |
| 16:00 – 17:00 | Q&A Session with Chrissie Wellington | Galway Bay Hotel |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | TYR Practice Swim Session | Rinville Park Oranmore |
Saturday 25th
| 10:00 – 20:00 | Expo | Athlete Village |
| 10:00 – 14:00 | Registration – Full & Half Races Only | Athlete Village |
| 12:30 – 14:30 | Pasta Party – Pre Booked Only | Athlete Village |
| 15:30 – 16:15 | Race Briefing – Full | Athlete Village |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Race Briefing Half – Half Athletes Races Numbers 500 – 800 | Athlete Village |
| 17:15 – 17:45 | Race Briefing Half – Half Athletes Races Numbers 801 – 1200 | Athlete Village |
| 18:00 – 19:00 | Bike Rack – Full & Pro Athletes | T1, Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 19:00 – 20:00 | Bike Rack – Half Athletes Race Numbers 500 – 800 | T1, Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 20:00 – 21:00 | Bike Rack – Half Athletes Race Numbers 801 – 1200 | T1, Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 18:00 – 21:00 | Bike Special Needs Bag Drop – All Athletes | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 16:00 – 19:00 | Run Bag Drop – All Athletes | T2, Athlete Village |
Saturday 25th
Challenge For All
| 06:00 – 08:00 | Late Registration Only – Must Pre Reg | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 06:00 – 08:30 | Transition Open | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 09:00 – 09:05 | Olympic Race Start | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 09:10 – 09:15 | Sprint Race Start | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 09:20 – 09:25 | Try a Tri Race Start | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Challenge Junior | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
Sunday 26th
| 04:00 – 04:10 | Bus Pick Up – Full (Must be pre booked) | Athlete Village, Connacht Hotel, Oranmore |
| 04:00 – 07:15 | Casual Bag Drop – Half & Full | Rinville Park |
| 05:00 – 05:10 | Bus Pick Up – Half (Must be pre booked) | Athlete Village, Oranmore |
| 04:00 – 05:45 | Transition Open – Full | Rinville Park |
| 04:00 – 07:15 | Transition Open – Half | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 06:00 – 06:05 | Age Group Race Start – Full | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 07:15 – 07:20 | Pro Race Start – Half | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 07:30 – 08:00 | Age Group Race Start – Half | Rinville Park, Oranmore |
| 10:00 – 19:00 | Expo | Athlete Village |
| 23:00 – 24:00 | Last Finisher Party | Athlete Village |
| 23:30 – 24:00 | Fireworks (subject to licence) | Athlete Village |
Monday 27th
| 12:00 – 14:00 | Prize Giving Ceremony | Athlete Village |
| 19:00 – 21:00 | Volunteers/Athlete After Party | Monroes Bar, Galway |
* Please note that the above times are provisional and are subject to change. Race start times are subject to TI approval. The Weekend race schedule will be finalised on 20/06/2016.
Here’s a run down from A to Z on key elements of the Challenge Galway Triathlon Festival:
A
Accommodation – Challenge Galway has a number of accommodation partners. Stay the night and enjoy the finish-line party. Click here for more information
Aid Stations
Full & Half – there are six aid stations on the bike course (every 30km) and 3 on the run course (every 3km). Athletes use these to refuel on their long journey with water, electrolyte drink and gels, bananas, coke
Challenge4All – There will be one aid station on the 10km, 30km and every 2.5km on the run course.
Athletes – you can find an athlete list at the information desk in the Expo plus volunteers will be handing then out at the finish line area.
B
Bags – each athlete has three transition bags which they use to store their clothing and footwear to change into during the race
Bike Course
Full – The Challenge Galway bike course is 180km heading out from Oranmore to Clarinbridge Estuary – the most Easternmost point of Galway Bay and joins The Wild Atlantic Way; the world’s longest defined coastal touring route .
Half –The Challenge Galway bike course is 90km heading out from Oranmore to Clarinbridge Estuary – the most Easternmost point of Galway Bay and joins The Wild Atlantic Way; the world’s longest defined coastal touring route .
Challenge4All – The bike route exits Rinville Park and heads into Clarenbridge and swings left onto the N18 to Oranmore left in Oranmore onto the Maree road brings athletes back to Rinville Park. Sprint and Try atri do 1 lap, Olympic do 2 laps.
Buses – Each Athlete is entitled to one free bus pass from Galway City to the TYR Swim Park on raceday morning. Each Athlete must pre book their bus pass here. No bus pass no entry to buses. Spectators must purchase bus passes here. All spectators must pre book bus passes before 01/06/2016.
C
Contact – if you have any questions regarding Challenge Galway, just email us at [email protected]
Cut off times –
Full Swim: Each wave will have 2:20 to complete the swim. Bike: 10 hours and 30 minutes after the final wave start. Run: 17 hours after the final wave start.
Half Swim: Each wave will have 1:10 to complete the swim. Bike: 5 hours and 30 minutes after the final wave start. Run: 9hours after the final wave start.
Challenge Family – Challenge Galway is part of the global Challenge Family series of triathlons and is one of 55 events around the world. Other Challenge Family races take place in Germany, Austria, Bahrain, Oman, Dubai, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Holland, Italy, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Taiwan, Mexico, Brazil and USA with more planned for 2016 and beyond. To find out more visit www.challenge-family.com
Course Records – Challenge Galway
Overall – n/a
Swim – n/a
Bike – n/a
Run – n/a
D
Drug Testing – every year Challenge Galway works with Triathlon Ireland to ensure triathlon is a fair sport with random tests throughout the field
E
Expo – located down at the Harbour Car Park, The Docks across from the Athlete Village, our Expo is the perfect chance to do some shopping, buy some souvenirs and grab a bite to eat. On race day there’s also a bouncy castle to keep the kids entertained
Entries – download the 2016 start lists here:
CG 2015 Full Start List »
Entertainment – A full line up of entertainment at the Main Stage at the Athlete Village will keep you entertained all day and night
F
Finish Line Party – celebrate the amazing achievements of these remarkable athletes. The party with music and goes on into the night until the last athlete crosses the line at around 11.30pm
G
Good food – Galway is famous for its fine dining. Check out this map of local restaurants.
Galway City – Galway City is a thriving, bohemian, cultural city on the western coast of Ireland. Along with being a popular seaside destination with beautiful beaches and long winding promenade, it also has a buzzing cosmopolitan city centre. The city is a joy to explore with its labyrinthine cobbled streets, colourful shop facades and busy café/ bar culture.
Golf – Located just 500m from the swim start and T1. Galway Bay Golf Resort is one of the finest golf courses in the West of Ireland. Set on 300 acres and designed by former Ryder cup and World cup legend Christy O Connor Jnr this beautiful links championship course of Par 72 stretches to 7308 yds. off the championship Tee’s. Superbly blending the stunning backdrop of Galway Bay and the rugged curves of the Wild Atlantic Way Coastline makes this course a true challenge for all handicap golfers. Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned player, a warm welcome awaits you at the Galway Bay Golf Resort.
H
Help – athletes are not allowed to receive any outside help during the race. However, they are well looked after by the hundreds of volunteers and race officials
I
International – athletes travel from all over the world to take part in the most scenic long distance triathlon on the global circuit – over 30 countries are represented and 35% of the field come from overseas
J
Junior – even the kids are catered for with the Challenge Galway Kids Aquathon on the Saturday before the main event. All budding triathletes aged between 8 and 15 are welcome!
K
Kilometres – athletes will travel 226km for the Full and 113km for the half in total for Challenge Galway
L
Live Coverage – if you can’t be in Galway, check out the live race coverage on the website.
M
Music – listen out for the special Challenge Family song throughout the day or watch the video here
Medal – Every finisher recieves a finisher medal
N
Numbers – every athlete that enters before 01/05/2015 will have their name printed on their race number. Make sure you shout out their name as they go past, it gives them a huge boost (even if they look a little surprised at the time!)
O
Organisation – Challenge Galway is a Challenge Family event organised by Challenge Ireland.
P
Parking – additional parking is available on TBC
Photographs – Marathon-Photos.com is the official photographer of Challenge Galway.
Photos are available to order online
Prize Money – professional athletes are competing for a share of a €TBC prize pool
R
Relay Teams – Challenge Galway is open to relay teams of two or three people
Results – are available on our home page immediately following the race
Run Course
Full & Half – Challenge Galway athletes experience a flat 4 loops for the Full and 2 loops for the Half, affording our runners and spectators plenty of atmosphere. Bridges arch over River Corrib. Wild salmon leap upstream from Nimmos Pier. Brightly painted pubs line the cobbled streets offer the perfect theatre for spectators. With live music, food & drink a’plenty. Athletes are carried forward by the rhythm of music and laughter.
A marathon like no other; our unique tour of Ireland’s ‘Most Irish’ city, Galway. A city seeped in rich history and culture.
Challenge4All – The run route is a 2.5km loop, the try a tri do 1 loop, sprint 2 loops, and Olympic 4 loops. The run takes place in picturesque woodlands of Rinville Park.
Roth – home to the first ever Challenge event, Challenge Roth – the largest iron distance race in the world with over 5,200 athletes, 220,000 spectators and 5,500 volunteers. Wow!
Registration – Registration will be held in the main event Marquee situated in the Athletes village at The Docks, Galway. See timetable in Event Guide for Registration opening times
Refund policy –
Full – Individual and Relay Entrants will be refunded 60% 21/06/2015 to 31/12/2015, 30% 01/01/2016 to 26/02/2016 of the entry amount paid. No refunds after 27/02/2016. Refunds are subject to a cancellation handling charge of €25 per cancellation. Refunds will be paid on the 10th of every month. Transfer of entry to another athlete are subject to a fee of €100. No transfers after 20/05/2016.
Half – Individual and Relay Entrants will be refunded 60% 21/06/2015 to 31/12/2015, 30% 01/01/2016 to 26/02/2016 of the entry amount paid. No refunds after 27/02/2016. Refunds are subject to a cancellation handling charge of €25 per cancellation. Refunds will be paid on the 10th of every month. Transfer of entry to another athlete are subject to a fee of €50. No transfers after 20/05/2016.
Full to Half – All full entrants will be allowed to transfer from full to half distance with no charge until 02/11/2015. Half will be charged at €220. If you wish to transfer after 02/11/2015 you will be charged your full entry fee. No transfers after 01/04/2016.
Challenge For All – All entrants are subject to a €25 cancellation charge. No refunds after 30/03/2015. All credit card and bank charges are non-refundable.
S
Sponsors – we have an ever-growing list of awesome sponsors who help us deliver the event. Click here to see the full list and please support them whenever you can
Start lists – download the 2016 start lists here:
Swim Course – The swim is in the coastal inlet south of Galway Bay Golf Resort – close to Oranmore. A sheltered bay, regularly used for training by local triathletes. Using local knowledge, we have chosen the site that provides the most predictable and manageable sea conditions, while still providing enough space to deliver the event at scale.
Swim Start – one of the highlights of the day! The early morning start is packed full of excitement and emotion as athletes and spectators prepare for the big day ahead
T
Transition – a great place to watch the athletes as they switch from swim to bike to run
Toilets – there are public toilets at each transition plus at aid stations on the run and bike
Timetable – click here to see a timetable of events through the week of the Challenge Galway Triathlon Festival
Temperatures – Throughout the month of June daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 17°C that’s about 62°F. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around 9°C, that’s 48°F. In recent times the highest recorded temperature in June has been 29°C that’s 84°F, with the lowest recorded temperature 1°C, about 33°F.
Tee Shirt – Each Athlete that copletes their race will recieve a finisher Tee shirt. No Tees shirts will be givien out prior to the race.
Transport to TYR Swim Start – Each Athlete is entitled to one free bus pass from Galway City to the TYR Swim Park on raceday morning. Each Athlete must pre book their bus pass here. No bus pass no entry to buses. Spectators must purchase bus passes here. All spectators must pre book bus passes before 01/06/2016.
Volunteers – It will require approximatley 500 volunteers to make the race happen. If you are interested in joining our team, please email [email protected]
W
Wetsuits – wetsuits are compulsory at Challenge Galway
Water temperatures – temperature of the lake which is usually about 14C on race day although it can be as low as 13C or as high as 18C .
The Challenge Galway Expo will be open over the race weekend featuring a selection of gear, clothing, food and drink stalls for both athletes and the general public to enjoy. The Expo will be situated at the The Harbour Car Park, The Docks, Galway, adjacent to the Athlete Village and provides the ideal opportunity for athletes to stock up on last minute equipment needs and talk to the experts behind the brands.
Application for Exhibitors
Dear Exhibitors,
We would be glad to welcome you as an exhibitor to our Triathlon Expo at 2016 Galway Challenge Galway. It takes place in Roth from June 23rd, 2016 to June 26th, 2016.
Our terms and conditions and registration form are attached. Please complete and sign the form, and return it by fax, e-mail (please attach a scanned copy of the form) or by post.
Here are our contact details:
Challenge Triathlon Ireland Ltd
Left Bank Mall,
Pearse Street,
Athlone,
Co. Westmeath
Galway is situated on the West Coast of Ireland and is easily reached by air, ferry, train, bus or car or a combination of these.
As a major tourist attraction, there are many well-developed transport options available.
Distance from the airports
Shannon Airport (~1 hour 05 minutes by bus/car)
Dublin Airport (~2 hours 20 minutes by car/bus)
Knock Airport (~1 hour 10 minutes by car/bus)
Cork Airport (~ 3 hours by car/bus)
Ferry
Our Official ferry partner has some great deals for Challenge Galway athletes:
