HamTrek
Frequently Asked Questions
The first Hamtrek was held in 2004. This will mark the 20th anniversary of Hamtrek's inception, however, it will be the 19th annual race in its full form was it was held during 2020 and 2022.
Hamtrek will go on under most conditions so long as safety is not a concern. Weather will be closely monitored leading up to, and during the event and any changes will be communicated.
Hamtrek enlists the help of an official timing company that treats this event like any other major event! Participants will be provided a timing chip that records various splits along the course path and a total time is recorded for that individual or team. For teams, the timing ankle bracelet is passed from the swimmer, to the biker, and to the runner during the race.
Glad you asked! By all means, you should exhaust all efforts to source a bike on campus. Asking friends, dorm mates, coworkers, staff, faculty, etc to source a bike is always advised to participate in the Hamtrek's most true form.
HOWEVER...
During registration, there is an option to select to be considered for use of a spin bike. All of our spin bikes will be stationed outside in Dunham lot and assigned on a first-registered first-served basis. You and your team can still participate in Hamtrek, but for results purposes there will be a Spin division in which you will only be compared to others who utilized a spin bike for the bike portion of the race. The "score" to determine rankings and points awarded for the spin division will be the total distance recorded in a 30-minute time trial. The choice is yours how hard you want to spin, but the more work you do the better your team score and chances for prizes!
Yes! There is a 15-minute time cap for swimmers to complete their race heat. If you have not completed the number of laps required to meet the distance in 15 minutes, you will simply exit the pool and move on to the next stage of the race. Swimmers may exit the pool any time prior to the 15 minute time cap when they complete the distance.
Designated lane lap counters will be provided to keep track.
Besides the indoor swim, the entire race and all transitions are outside in a public area. You will not be able to exit the pool, go to a locker room to fully change, and then proceed. Most racers competing as an individual throw clothes on over their swimsuits and proceed directly to biking, and then to running. You may leave any items you feel you will need in the transition area and your designated location: shoes, shirts, shorts, helmet, socks, towel, etc.
TEAM RELAY racers will be directed to transition the timing chip from the swimmer to the biker, and biker to runner, in designated locations.
No. Once registration closes, the participants will be broken up into 6 heats with specific start times to maintain safety and order. When your heat time is assigned, it will be absolutely imperative for your swimmer to report to the pool deck at the specific gathering time and location, to ensure they make it to their heat on time. Late starts will not be permitted.
EXAMPLES(not official 2024 heat times):
Heat 1 swim start: 4:00
Heat 2 swim start: 4:18
Heat 3 swim start: 4:35
etc...
YOU BET! Prizes will be awarded to the following finishers:
- Top 3 Men's Relay teams
- Top 3 Women's Relay teams
- Top Co-ed Relay teams
- Top 3 Female Individuals
- Top 3 Male Individuals
- Spin Division: Top Individual Male, Individual Female, Relay Male, Relay Female, and Relay Coed
- Average Achievers: Individual Male, Individual Female, Relay Male, Relay Female, and Relay Coed
There are also plenty of raffles participants and volunteers are entered into, and everyone gets an official 2024 Hamtrek t-shirt. Last year, we gave out nearly $2,000 in prizes!
Yes. A BBQ will be set up at Pritchard track with food beginning around 4:45pm consisting of burgers, hot dogs, vegetarian option, chips, cookies, fruit, and water.
