The Double Time Triathlon is held at Kline’s Resort, which is just off S. 24th St. in St. Joseph County, Michigan. You’ll find easy access from US-131, M-60, Sprinkle Road, and Portage Road. The venue is a few miles south of the Village of Vicksburg, and a couple miles north and east of Three Rivers.  The water in Portage Lake is clean and clear and generally weed free. The bike course is flat and fast with a series of turns and sweeping curves on the east side of the course.  The run course is all within the resort and a mix of pavement and hard packed trails.

Parking is in a couple of fields close to the entrance and you will have an approximate 3/8th’s of a mile walk from parking down to registration adjoining the transition area.  The start at the waterfront is about 50 yards from the transition area.

Course support includes volunteers from the Friends of Portage Lake group, and the St. Joseph and Kalamazoo County Sheriffs Departments.  

Spectators in support of athletes are welcome and encouraged to attend the race.  Concessions with beverages and some food items will be available. Children of course need to be under adult control and supervision at all times for their safety as much as the athletes.

Dogs are wonderful. You may be inclined to bring yours to the event. Please don’t.  Dogs are not allowed at this event.

You will be denied entrance if you have a dog with you. This is not intended to be mean. But it is purposeful and with solid reasoning in support.

There is too much excitement and activity at any race for dogs to be calm and safe around spectators, especially children, and athletes. Keep in mind that the problem may not be your dog, but the others who get sight of it and want to rock and roll. It is just the wrong setting to bring your pet. I can’t begin to tell you how many times I’ve seen dogs, whose owners describe them as quiet and gentle, go out of control for any one of a number of reasons at a race. If you cannot come without your dog, I’m sorry (sort of) but you need to find something else to do.

This race is sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the only sanctioning organization for the sport of triathlon in the United States.  If you are unfamiliar with USAT event rules, please take a few minutes to review the basics from the USAT site linked here.

A couple of the most basic items  you should review include the wetsuit rule, the drafting rules for the bike course, and that you are not allowed to use or wear sound reproduction devices like ipods, at any time during the event.

Review most commonly violated rules.

Most of the rules are common sense. All are in place to help ensure that you have a safe race and that I have fewer issues to address during the event, or post race.

We may have a USAT official on site for the race.  I’ll post an update if and when that is verified.

Any questions - please don’t hesitate to let me know.  jim@jimmishler.com