First off, let us say 'Thank You' to everyone for participating in the Saturday's and Sunday's triathlons.

If you registered for either day this year but elected not to race for any reason, or did not stay around on Saturday during the storm to pick up your shirt then you may stop by the Aurora Runners Roost starting Wednesday, August 20th and pick up your shirt. They have a list of all racers.

2nd: The Aurora Store only, is having a special extended sale for Rattlesnake racers (again, Arapahoe Crossings store only in Aurora) on the following items. This sale runs until Sunday, August 31st. Everything in the store: 15% off, Tri apparel - 50% off, then wet suits are 40% off, and Zoot shoes are also 40% off.

It was necessary to cancel the Olympic distance race on Saturday for safety to all racers and volunteers due to the lightning storm. For those who picked up bibs and chips, and actually started the race, we are announcing the following policy: A onetime discount on one of the following races: 30% off the 2008 Parker Fall Frenzy www.fallfrenzy.com (limited slots as they are about sold out), or 30% off the 2008 Colorado Wild Women Duathlon www.coloradowildwomen.com (men, you can elect to transfer this discount to a female friend), or a 40% off discount on a 2009 RattleSnake race (sprint or Olympic), or you can forgo the discount and elect to instead receive one of the custom Polar Water bottles we had designed as age group awards for the 2008 racers. Please send an email to jimflint@spamarrest.com on which option you would like to use. Again, this policy is only for those that actually started the race on Saturday.

I'd next like to briefly explain why multisport events normally do not offer any consideration for an event cancelled due to acts of God or natural disaster. Well over 95% of race costs are incurred prior to the start. This includes: event venue fees, volunteer group stipends, food costs, shirt costs, port a potty costs, ice costs, medical support costs, police support costs, rental costs (trucks, fencing, etc), DJ costs, timer costs, printing, and misc costs like insurance, postage, storage, etc.). All of these costs have to be paid whether the race goes off as planned or not.

We hope you understand that this is a onetime offer and may not necessarily be repeated in the future should the same type of weather situation occur. These races are planned over two years in advance and well over 100 volunteers are coordinated for supporting the races. Last minute changes due to possible weather conditions are just not possible. We hope to see you all at future events with weather more like Sunday's than Saturday's. Thank you, Jim Flint and the wonderful volunteers who stood out in that weather until everyone had safely left the venue. They even came back the next day. Many of the volunteers told us of all the appreciation that was expressed to them during the storm. Thank you all very much for that. It makes it much easier to recruit them back next year.

Photos: FotoJack, our race photographer should be emailing you shortly on your photos. Again, thank you and we look forward to seeing you next year. Let us know which option you would like for those that started the race on Saturday.

Saturday, August 16th, 2008 - Olympic
1500m swim - 40k bike - 10k run

Sunday, August 17th 2008 - SPRINT
500m swim - 12 mile bike - 5k run

Newbie? Then the following download is a must-read! It's full of great information for those just starting out and new to the sport. Includes tips, nutrition, FAQ's, and more! Author Kisa Orazio has just the right touch for this great article. If you'd like her to craft something for your website, let us know by contacting jimflint@spamarrest.com. We will pass it on!
Click to download!

AgeGroupers.com is a place you will find resources to get started in triathlon or to help get you to that next level. Since triathletes with families started AgeGroupers.com, you will find race and event information in our Kids Page to help get your entire family involved in this exciting multisport. AgeGroupers.com is a community and as with any community, we rely on the members and visitors to share what additional information you would like to see.

Breaking News: The Rattlesnake Triathlon is going GREEN. Swanson Rink an engineering firm pioneering green technologies and design is sponsoring our recycle effort. You can link to their website by clicking on their URL below. There will be recycle bins, compost bins and trash bins for you to selectively discard your post race recyclables. Racer names are being posted tonight but actual bib numbers will be posted Friday after we complete all transfers. If you have emailed a change over the last week, that change may not be reflected. You can contact jimflint@spamarrest.com and Trish will check it out.

Packet Pickup: Race morning only. We are saving we estimate around 1200 gallons of gasoline not counting everyone's time. We will have race morning bib/chip pickup but you must bring photo id and your annual USAT membership card if you are an annual member. NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE or we could lose our sanction and not be covered by insurance. It's a big deal, so please, please bring your photo id and annual membership card if a USAT member.

Transfer of registrations: Transfer of sold registrations is closed except for in-person transfer at the Aurora Runners Roost on Thursday, August 14th. Both parties must come to that store only to effect a transfer if you are selling your spot. Last year we were inundated with off the chart last second requests and this affects our ability to get ready for the race. No phone calls please on this. Just show up with the person you are selling your spot to and the $10 transfer fee. Note: This allowance to sell your spots is a year by year basis and frankly, we are not aware of other races locally that allow this. Please do not abuse this policy.

Age Group and Back to Back Crazy awards. Shirts will be a surprise at the finish line. Back to back awards are the coolest ever arm warmers you have ever seen. RattleSnake black with a logo of a snake. Anyone seeing these arm warmers is going to wish they had entered the back to back.

Rattlesnsake 2008 Sponsors: