TOUGHKids 2025 Athlete Guide

We can’t wait to see you at TOUGHKids! Registration is still open if you want to join with family or friends. The 2025 Athlete Guide is now available—please review it carefully as there will be no pre-race briefing. Remember, this is an all-weather event, so be ready for rain or shine!

Message from the Event Director

Welcome to the TOUGHKids Triathlon! This event is all about one thing: having fun and celebrating the spirit of multisport!

Remember, sportsmanship is at the heart of our race. This isn’t a battle for individual glory—it’s a joyful experience shared with friends, family, and fellow athletes. Please stay safe, respect the course and those around you, and show kindness to every participant.

Parents: We know how proud you are of your kids, and we want the best for them. Let’s all commit to creating an environment where safety, fairness, and encouragement are given to every child and parent alike.

If you’re feeling excited now, just wait until race morning—you’re in for an unforgettable day! You’ve trained hard and prepared well. Now, all that’s left is to relax, enjoy, and soak in every moment of this event we carefully designed to be safe, organized, and full of fun for the whole family.

Rain or shine, the race will go on!

Love every second—from: Setting up your unique transition area
Taking that exhilarating first jump into the lake
Surrounded by cheering friends and family
Crossing the finish line and proudly earning your medal

Remember, every child who finishes is a champion. Your place doesn’t define your victory—your courage and effort do.

Athletes, welcome to the wonderful world of multisport! We hope this is just the start of a lifelong passion. Looking forward to seeing you out there!

Youth Equipment Video

Watch this special Video by Jeff Boyer, CSCS USAT Level 2 certified Youth & Junior Coach and Head Coach of Barracuda Tri. For questions or more information, contact Jeff at info@barracudatri.com or 914-960-7762.

Schedule

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12

Lake Welch, Harriman State Park

12 pm – 4 pm: Packet Pick-Up

Parents must sign a waiver for each of their children racing,

therefore, you cannot pick up anyone’s else packet.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 13:
Lake Welch, Harriman State Park

10:00 am – 11:30 am: TOUGHKids Packet Pick-Up Only

7:00 am – 10:30 am: Main entrance closed to traffic

Please note the main entrance will be closed for the

Olympic Triathlon so enter on Route 106.

11:00 pm – 11:45 am: Transition open

11:45 am: All racers’ head to the beach

11:45 pm: Transition closed until approx. 2 p.m.

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Park closed to traffic for TOUGHKIDS race

12:00 pm: TOUGHKids Ages 4-6 race begins

12:05 pm: Ages 7-8 racers head to the beach

12:20 pm: TOUGHKids Ages 7-8 race begins

12:25 pm: Ages 9-10 racers head to the beach

12:40 pm: TOUGHKids Ages 9-10 race begins

12:45 pm: Ages 11-12 racers head to the beach

1:00 pm: TOUGHKids Ages 11-12 race begins

1:05 pm: Ages 13-14/TOUGHTEEN racers head to

the beach

1:20 pm: TOUGHKids Ages 13-14 race begins

1:30 pm: TOUGHTEEN race begins

2:30 pm: Park roads re-open when last racer heads out on run course

2:30 pm: Transition re-opens when last racer finishes

2:30 pm: Awards Ceremony

3:00 pm: All bikes/gear must be removed from transition

by this time

10:00 am – 6:00 pm: Expo Open. We have lots of great gear for kids, so don’t forget to bring cash/credit cards.

Packet Pick-up

Friday, 9/12, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Packet Pickup for ALL RACES
Location: Registration Tent, Lake Welch, Harriman State Park

Saturday, 9/13, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Location: Registration Tent, Lake Welch, Harriman State Park

Parents must sign a waiver for each of their children racing, therefore you cannot pick up anyone’s else packet.

Parents need PHOTO ID to collect children’s packets along with the child’s USA Triathlon membership card, if they own one. If you lost the card or it has expired, print a copy or renewal receipt at USATriathlon.org. Each participant will receive a goody bag and T-shirt.

You will receive the T-shirt size you ordered. We will gladly swap sizes AFTER registration closes. Stop by the Race Info Tent 11:40 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. to exchange your shirt.

Race Packet

Enclosed in each athlete’s packet

Assigned Swim Cap: no substitutions / color changes.
Bib #
Bike Frame #
Helmet #
Disposable Chip
Wristband
T-Shirt

The wristband grants you

Race Day Marking

Safety Pins: Pins are available at Packet Pick-up in the event you need them, but are not inside your packet.

Race Day Checklist

Transition Area

Bag or backpack
Energy source
Sunscreen
Extra Towel
Water Bottle and/or Energy Drink
Jacket / Sweatshirt
Post Race Clothes
Proper psi in bike tires
Tire wrenches
Sunglasses

Swim

bIKE

Bike
Bar ends plugged
Bike number affixed
Bike Shorts
Bike Shirt
Bike Helmet
Bike Pump

Run

Safety pins / race belt
Running Shoes
Running Shorts
Running Shirt
Running Socks
Visor / Hat
Race number

Lost and Found

TOUGHMAN Triathlon is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We will offer a lost and found box for items turned in at the Volunteer Tent.

Race Morning Instructions

Since you and 500 other athletes will be arriving at the same time, please follow these directions for a smooth race morning:

Give yourself plenty of time to drive, park and unload.
Find the Registration Tent
Get on any line to pick up your
race packet
Wear your timing chip
Place your Bike Number onto your bike frame and head to transition
Rack bike
(8 bikes per rack, 3 per side)
Set up gear
Place Bib Number onto front of shirt/shorts
Place Helmet Number onto
helmet
Get body marked with race #
Use bathrooms
Take Timing chip, swim cap & goggles and head to the beach by 11:45 a.m.

Transition Area

Opens at 10:00 p.m., closes at 11:40 p.m. for setup. Do not touch
or move other racers bikes or equipment.
We have open racking for the TOUGHKids race.
There should be 8 bikes per rack and tell the child to remember where they rack.
Rack by your bike by the seat, not the handlebars.
Do not lean your bike against another bike/pole.
Parents can help set up their child’s transition area, but they are not allowed in transition during the race (except parents of 4-6 year olds who are allowed one (1) helper throughout the entire race).
Bike must have a BIKE Frame NUMBER attached in order to enter transition & wristband must be on.
Please label all your belongings to avoid confusion on race day.
Mylar balloons are acceptable for marking spot.
Transition does not re-open until 2:30 p.m. YOU CANNOT REMOVE YOUR ITEMS UNTIL THAT TIME.

Expo

Chip Station is located next to the Registration Tent in the event of any issues.
Wear your Timing Chip around your ankle, being careful to secure it at the correct tightness. NO CHIP = NO TIME and NO AWARDS.
If your child does not finish the race: turn in the chip to the nearest volunteer or staff member.

Swim

Saturday, September 13

Family can be with you on the beach prior to the race, but not allowed in the athlete corral, except 4-6 year olds who may have 1 helper
Swim start is a land start
Freshwater swim with sandy bed (no rocks)
Buoys and rope will clearly mark the course
Kayakers and lifeguards will be in the water for assistance/guidance/emergency. Holding on is OK, but if brought in then DQ
Swim finish marked by a huge TOUGHKids inflatable arch
Don’t forget your goggles!

TRANSITION – T1

Helmets must be worn at all times from leaving transition to returning to transition
Walk or trot with your bike in the transition lanes to the designated Bike Mount area before riding
No ipods allowed on bike

TOUGHKids	Wave	Cap Color	Wristband	Time
Ages 4-6	1	Yellow	Yellow	12:00 pm
Ages 7-8	2	Orange	Red	12:20 pm
Ages 9-10	3	Neon Green	Green	12:40 pm
Ages 11-12	4	Red	Blue	1:00 pm
Ages 13-14	5	White	White	1:20 pm
Toughteen	6	Silver	Silver	1:30 pm

Bike

Follow the volunteer instructions on where to ride.
Only the 11-14 year olds and TOUGHTEEN ride 2 laps, and must count their laps.
Remember “Ride Right” - ALWAYS stay to the right to let others pass (no riding 2-3 aside)
Any type of bicycle is allowed EXCEPT BIKEs with AEROBars– road, mountain, cross, bmx, tricycle, training wheels, hybrid
ANSI approved helmets must be worn at all times from leaving transition to returning to transition.

T2 - TRANSITION

BIKE COURSE AND PROFILE

Please keep in mind these following safety tips, to ensure that everyone maximizes their bike goals and we minimize any accidents or injuries:

Stay to the RIGHT, unless you are passing. There are some narrow sections with two-way traffic where this will be very important. Slower cyclists need to be aware that there will potentially be faster cyclists that will need to pass. Please give them plenty of room to your left.
Faster cyclists passing on the left should provide a friendly warning.
Earphones are not allowed and illegal per USAT rules.
No riding 2-3 aside —this is a race not a ride.

Ages 4 - 6

Ages 7 – 10

Ages 11 – TOUGHTeen

Ages 4 - 6

Ages 7 – 10

Ages 11 – TOUGHTeen

Equipment Guide and USAT Rules

The use of banned equipment will result in disqualification (DQ)
USAT YOUTH RULES FOR ALL AGE GROUPS
Violations of any of the following will result in a time penalty or DQ

Swim

No flotation devices of any kind
No fins, paddles or gloves
No pulling along rope

Transition

No parents allowed (ages 7+)
No retrieving gear until it re-opens
No riding bike inside transition
No dropping bike carelessly on ground
Helmets must be buckled before exiting T1l
Shoes must be worn on the bike
No personal audio devices

Conduct

Cyclists must ride in a safe manner. No drafting.
No unsportsmanlike conduct from athletes or parents.
No rude, abusive or discourteous language or behavior.
No unauthorized assistance of any kind ages 7+.

Finish Line & Athlete Recovery Zone

As you cross the finish line, you enter the Athlete Recovery Zone where you will receive your finisher’s medal, have your chip removed, and be offered bananas and bagels. Photos are taken of all athletes crossing the finish line, and catchers are available if you need medical assistance. Nutrition is provided, including water, Gatorade Endurance, bagels, fruit, and bars. Please leave the Recovery Zone as soon as possible to allow other athletes to come through.

You will also have the opportunity to take individual athlete photos at our Media Backdrop next to the awards stage prior to the Awards Ceremony. Medical support is available on-site through the White Plains Hospital Mobile Trauma Unit, along with our Medical Team and EMS.

Alert! Park Closed

Saturday, September 13
7:00 am – 10:00 am: Main entrance closed
to traffic. Please note the main entrance will be closed for the Olympic Triathlon so enter on Route 106.
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Park closed to traffic
for TOUGHKIDS race

Results

Preliminary results will be posted on the results board when each Age Group finishes and on Facebook
Final results will be posted at approx. 2:30 p.m. at: www.toughkidsTri.com
Athletes not competing the entire course will show as DNF
See live results on our website.

FOLLOW US:

TOUGHKids 2025 Athlete Guide

Message from the Event Director

Youth Equipment Video

Schedule

Packet Pick-up

Race Packet

Enclosed in each athlete’s packet

The wristband grants you

Race Day Marking

Race Day Checklist

Transition Area

Swim

bIKE

Run

Lost and Found

Race Morning Instructions

Transition Area

Expo

Swim

Saturday, September 13

TRANSITION – T1

Bike

T2 - TRANSITION

BIKE COURSE AND PROFILE

Equipment Guide and USAT Rules

Swim

Transition

Conduct

Finish Line & Athlete Recovery Zone

Alert! Park Closed

Results

Awards

POST RACE

Spectators

Our Sponsors

quicklinks

ENEWSLETTER SIGNUP