Swim Course Description:

• Course Shape and Distance: The course is a 970-meter triangular-shaped course.
• Laps: Participants will complete two laps.
• Transition Procedure: After the first loop, athletes exit the lake on the beach - approximately 20 yards from the swim start - and are then directed to the swim start location for their second lap.
• Course Diagram: A swim course diagram is available below.

Swim Caps:

• Provision: Swim caps are provided and must be worn.
• Color Coding: Swim cap colors are listed below based on division.

Open Water Swim Tips:

• Assistance Signal: If you need assistance during the swim, roll over on your back and raise your hand.
• Resting: You may rest by holding on to a kayak, paddleboard, buoy or stationary boat without penalty, as long as you do not make forward progress.
• Safety: Never approach a motorized boat while its engine is running.

Water Temperature Updates:

• Latest Check: The official water temperature will be posted on whitelakehalf.com and facebook.com/whitelakehalf by 9 PM on the Thursday before the race.

Wetsuit Rules (USAT):

• Amateurs:
  • 60.6 degrees F or below: wetsuits are required.
  • 60.7 to 78.0 degrees F: wetsuits are allowed.
  • 78.1 to 83.9 degrees F: wetsuits are allowed, but you are not eligible for awards, NCTS points or USAT rankings.
  • 84.0 degrees F or above: wetsuits are not allowed.
• Professionals: wetsuits are required at 60.6 degrees F or below and are not allowed at 71.6 degrees F or above.

Practice Swim:

• Availability: A lifeguard will be on duty from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Friday.
• Purpose: For those who would like to do a shake-out swim in the lake.

Bike Course Overview:

• Course Type: The White Lake Half bike course is a two-loop course.
• Markings: Turns will be clearly marked.
• Athlete Responsibility: It is ultimately the athlete’s responsibility to know the course.
• Traffic: Roads will remain open to vehicular traffic. Always remain careful and alert.
• Course Map: The bike course map is posted below.

Rumble Strips Warning:

• Location: Portions of the course have rumble strips between the grass and the road's white line.
• Caution: Hitting a rumble strip may cause you to lose a bottle or control of your bike. Stay alert at all times.

Pre-Race Bike Racking:

• Timing: Participants may rack their bikes on Friday at 5:00 PM and leave them overnight.
• Security: Security will be provided from 5:00 PM Friday to 7:00 AM Saturday.

Bike Transition Instructions:

• Mount/Dismount Line: Mount your bike at the designated line just outside the transition area, and dismount at the same location upon returning.

Helmet Requirement:

• Regulation: A CPSC-approved helmet must be worn and fastened any time you are on your bike, including riding to and from transition before and after the race.

Equipment Rules:

• Headphones: No headphones of any kind are allowed at any time, including bone conduction headphones.
• Phones and Watches: You may carry a phone or watch for navigation and tracking, but you may not use it for calls, texts, music or photos while racing.

On-Course Water Stations:

• Locations: There are two bottle handoff stations. The first is at mile 16, and you pass it again at mile 44 on your second loop. The second is at mile 28.
• Supplies: 20 oz Deer Park sport-cap water bottles will be handed out.
• Opportunities: Three bottle handoffs in total during the bike.

Littering and Equipment Drop Off:

• Bottle Disposal: Drop empty bottles only in the drop zone at each bottle handoff station.
• Trash Disposal: Do not throw trash on the bike course. Littering outside the drop zones will be penalized under USAT rules.
• Lost Items: Bottles dropped at the handoff stations will not be returned.

Bike Support:

• Provider: Bike technical support will be provided on site.
• Location: Set up at the Bike Start/Finish entrance to the transition area.
• Additional Support: Three bike support teams will be available on course for assistance.

USA Triathlon Officials:

• Duties: Officials will be on the course enforcing USAT rules (drafting, blocking, etc.).

The run is a two-loop out & back course. The course departs the race site area and heads north on White Lake Drive to the top end of the lake by Highway 701. Please refer to the course maps and familiarize yourself with the course.

IMPORTANT: Large DOT traffic cones will be used to separate vehicles from runners. It is imperative that runners stay inside the cones. Athletes caught running outside of the cones in the lane reserved for vehicles - will receive an automatic DQ. Athletes are expected to stay to the right and use the grass to allow runners to pass within the cones.

Aid Stations: There are four aid stations on the run course. Because the run is a double out-and-back, you pass them several times, with aid about every 1 to 1.5 miles. Each station offers water, Gatorade and gels (a mix of HUMA and GU).

Please put all trash in the containers at each aid station. Littering outside the aid stations will be penalized under USAT rules. Help our volunteers out: they will have been out there longer than you.

Shade is limited on this course so take precautions for race-day weather conditions. Use sunscreen if the weather calls for a sunny day.

HEADPHONES: No headphones of any kind are allowed at any time, including bone conduction headphones. You may carry a phone or watch for navigation and tracking, but you may not use it for calls, texts, music or photos while racing.

RACE NUMBERS: Your run number must be visible on the front of your body at all times on the run and as you cross the finish line. Officials will penalize athletes who do not comply under USAT rules.

FINISH LINE: When you approach the finish line you will cross over several timing mats - located approx. 50 yards before the finish line. These mats are used to pick up your race number so that the race announcer will be able to announce your name. Keep running all the way under the finish line arch. Do not stop until you see your medal.