The following email was sent to all registered participants for the 2022 Houston Texan Kids Triathlon presented by Texas Children’s Hospital on April 12, 2022 at 6:50am.

The Houston Texans Kids Triathlon presented by Texas Children’s Hospital Race Crew takes your child’s safety very seriously and our goal is for everyone to have a great time while maintaining a safe and healthy environment. Our crew is known for going above and beyond what is required by USA Triathlon at our event.

To ensure a safe course for everyone please make sure you ALWAYS pay attention to where you are and ALWAYS listen to instructions provided by course officials, race staff, volunteers, and event security. Even if the rationale for the instructions isn’t immediately apparent to you, we are working for an event where everyone is kept safe at all times.

COURSE OVERVIEW

A complete course overview of the race course including illustrated course maps, live race site maps, and detailed course descriptions can be found on the RACE COURSE page of the event website. Please reference that page for all course information.

COURSE/EVENT RULES

In a previous email I referenced the EVENT RULES page but also wanted to include some highlights here.

General Race Rules

  • Unsportsmanlike conduct on the part of the participants or their parents will not be allowed. Participants and spectators must treat others with courtesy and respect at all times. Any violation to this may result in disqualification and banning from future events even if the participant is not directly involved.
  • No personal audio devices or headset may be used or carried during any portion of the event.
  • No unauthorized assistance of any kind is allowed.

Swimming Rules

  • No flotation devices of any kind may be used.
  • Goggles or face masks may be worn but are not required.
  • Participants must follow instructions given by lifeguards and officials including prohibitions against running on the pool deck or diving in restricted areas.

Transition Rules

  • The transition area is only open to participants and ONE parent. When transition closes for competition, only participants, race crew, and officials may enter transition.
  • Competition apparel (shoes, socks, shirts, etc.) must be placed next to the bike race in the participant’s designated location.
  • Bicycles must be placed in the rack according to direction given by race officials.
  • No riding bicycles in transition.

Bicycle Equipment Rules

  • All bicycles must have two wheels, NO TRAINING WHEELS ALLOWED.
  • No aero bars or time trial bars may be attached to the bike.
  • A helmet approved by US Consumer Product Safety Commission for road cyclists age 5 and older must be worn. No time trial, “chrono”, or “aero” helmets with a tail may be used.
  • Race officials reserve the right to disallow any bicycle deemed unsafe.

Cycling Conduct

  • Helmets must be securely fastened prior to mounting the bike and must be worn at all times while riding. This include in the parking lot before and after the event.
  • Shoes must be worn.
  • Race officials reserve the right to remove and/or disqualify any cyclist who appears to ride or behave in an unsafe manner.

Running Conduct

  • Participants must run or walk the entire prescribed course
  • Shoes must be worn.

Please note these are just a sample of some of the rules shown on the EVENT RULES page. For a complete listing of triathlon rules, check out the USA Triathlon Competitive Rules page.

I appreciate your support in helping educate the young athletes on the rules and course so we can all have a safe and fun day!

– Race Director Tony