LOCATION: Swim start, T1 (swim/bike transition) and race finish at Lake Mission Viejo, The City of Mission Viejo, Calif. T2 (bike/run transition) at Aliso Creek Bike Trail adjacent to Saddleback Church in Lake Forest approx 1.5 mile from the lake.

DIRECTIONS: To Lake Mission Viejo - From the 5 Freeway – Alicia Pkwy (North) to Olympiad (left) to Lake Mission Viejo and parking; or 241 Toll Rd to Portola Exit (South), Portola becomes Santa Margarita Pkwy, continue to Melinda (right) to Olympiad (right). Note: Marguerite Pkwy with be closed to all thru traffic from El Toro Rd to Alicia Pkwy from 5am to 11am

Directions to T2 -from the Lake: Olympiad (east) to Melinda (north), to Santa Margarita Pkwy (west) to El Toro Rd. (north), to Saddleback Church/Marguerite Pkwy and Aliso Creek Bike Trail. After the race, take Marguerite Pkwy directly to El Toro Rd.

PARKING: parking for the run equipment drop-off on Saturday Sept 27^th and bike pickup post race will be at the Mammoth Business Building parking lot (kitty-corner to the T2 Bike/Run transition site at El Toro Rd & Marguerite Pkwy) or at the Lake Forest's Caltrans Park & Ride Facility (behind the Saddleback Valley Church, access via Portola Pkwy);

Parking race day will be at the Lake property (400 spaces- fee), at the Youth Athletic Fields (300 spaces), across the street from the lake entrance, and at the Joyner Park (200 spaces), ¼ mile east of the lake on Olympiad Rd. Carpool if at all possible. Please use these lots and do not park in residential areas. Respect the residents- you’ll be arriving very early in the morning; please be quite and do not litter. For map, click then double click 

MAKE YOUR EVENT EXPERIENCE THE BEST POSSIBLE! Please carefully read the following information:

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

Saturday, September 27– Set Up

7am – 7:30 pm – Race Set Up (Volunteers Welcome, contact Bill Leach-billleach@sbcglobal.net)

10am - 6:30pm Packet Pick Up/ Expo at our Host Hotel, Courtyard Marriott; present USAT ID, or sign waiver and purchase one day license (mandatory)

10am – 6:30pm Running Equipment Drop-off at T2 (mandatory)

Sunday, September 28– Race Day

5:00 am – Parking and T1, Swim/Bike Transition Area opens

6:30 am – Transition area closes, parking lot access closes. Proceed to Swim start area for national anthem and prerace announcements

7:00 am –RACE START– Pro/elite, then USAT age group waves 3-5 minutes apart. Older age groups in early waves. Details TBA.

8:20 am- Bike Transition area closes- you must be on your bike by this time per permit requirement.

10:30am – Awards Presentation and Breakfast Buffet Party at the BEACH!!!

12:00pm – Transition Areas close for clean up. All bikes/gear are to be removed. NOTE: Please mark all of your gear and be careful to pick up only yours. You may continue to enjoy the beach; you’ve earned it.

RULES 101: A must read!!!!

Here’s a simplified version of the rules of the road that will suffice for the first timers; it’s the competitive age-groupers responsibility to understand and follow complete USAT regulations:

1. You must have your ANSI helmet on and strapped before mounting your bike.
2. You must walk or run in the transition area - no riding ‘til the mount line.
3. You must have your race number pinned on and visible and numbers on your bike and helmet.
4. Do not follow the biker in front of you closely. Be at least 3 bike lengths behind them. It’s dangerous and you cheat the wind and your opponents. This is a position violation, called drafting.
5. Ride your bike in the bike lane, as far to the right as possible. Pass only on the left (temporarily OK outside the bike lane, if safe)  and then immediately return to the right. Violation of this rule is blocking. Let the faster riders go through; they’re going for the gold.
6. Read rule #5 3 more times.
7. Rack your bike properly and respect your fellow competitor’s equipment.
8. Follow the directions of the Race Officials and Marshals without question.
9. No head phones--be alert and aware. Know the course.

HAVE FUN!!! And thank a volunteer.