Spectacular Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas.
Located on Historic Galveston Island and nestled among 242 acres of lush tropical gardens, the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center's contemporary architectural design and natural beauty is complimented by views of three spectacular pyramids that are home to a living rainforest, ride film theater, educational exhibits and one of the largest aquariums in the United States. The complex also features an IMAX 3D Theater, 4D Special FX Theater, the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat and Palm Beach- a private freshwater white sand beach complete with soothing lagoons.The four diamond full-service resort features 428 guest rooms and suites, and 100,000 square feet of combined meeting space, including a 60,000 square foot ballroom quality exposition center. Moody Gardens' top of the line amenities such a Texas-size tropical heated swimming pool, 24-hour room service, elegant full service Spa and Teen Spa, award winning restaurants, state-of-the-art fitness center and the Kid's Safari Club offer hours of added family entertainment.
Moody Gardens Passes:
Special all-day passes for all of the Moody Gardens attractions will be offered to race participants and their families, at a discounted rate of $19. The normal rate is $44!!!! Discounted passes MUST be pre-ordered online.YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PURCHASE THESE TO RACE OR SPECTATE. These passes are an added bonus, for those who would like to explore all of the attractions at Moody Gardens either before or after the race. If you’ve registered for the race, you may go to the registration page and order tickets on the “Xtras” link.
October 25, 2008. The first swim wave will hit the water at approximately 7:30 AM (before Olympic start). The Transition area will open at 5:30 AM. Race management reserves the right to modify or shorten the race course in the case of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances, and to accept or reject any entry. No transfers, substitutions. The minimum age to compete is 14. Packet pick up will be on Friday evening, October 24, from 4-7 PM, and on Saturday morning, from 5:30-7:30 AM.
.3 mile saltwater swim, in protected Offat’s Bayou. No big surf here! The swim will begin at Moody Gardens’ beautiful white sand Palm Beach, and finish next to the majestic Colonel Paddlewheel boat, with approximately 100 participants per wave. There will be lifeguard and boat support provided by Galveston Beach Patrol. Average water temperature is 74 degrees F. There is an elite wave available for those attempting to win the race. This wave will lead off the race. Wetsuits will be allowed per USAT rules. TRI ON THE RUN WILL BE RENTING WETSUITS for those interested. Please contact them at www.triontherun.com.
SEE COURSE MAPS
There is also a FIRST-TIMER'S WAVE, PRESENTED BY BEGINNERTRIATHLETE.COM, for all of those interested in a little added protection!
19 mile spectacular, course along the Gulf Coast of Texas . Head out of Moody Gardens and hammer along the Seawall and hug the Texas coastline. The course is flat and fast! Nary a speedbump to be found. Watch out for the wind! Most of the course will be closed to traffic, with one lane coned and dedicated to cyclists. There will be professional lead and sag vehicles provided. BIKE BARN will be onsite and on course for mechanical support. They will also be on hand to help you with any problems that occur race morning. This is a draft-free event! Marshals will be enforcing USA Triathlon drafting guidelines. You must know the rules! All athletes must have ansi-snell or CPSC approved helmets to participate. SEE COURSE MAPS
Motorcycle Support will be provided by Bikers Against Child Abuse. BACA is a child support focused, 501 C-3 non-profit organization in Houston that strives to break the cycle of child abuse among Texas children. To learn more about BACA, please visit www.bacausa.com.
3.1 mile Run is a FLAT course meandering through Moody Gardens, it’s tropical gardens and towering glass pyramids, along Offats Bayou and Palm Beach, before finishing at beautiful Palm Beach. There will aid stations every mile stocked with Gatorade Endurance and water. There will be PowerGels available as you begin your run. Highly spirited volunteers and live entertainment featuring bands, cheerleaders and more will keep your endorphins kicking in! Once you cross the finish line, head over to the Hi-FI Stage to rock out with THE LINE UP.
SEE COURSE MAPS
Medical Support and the Medical Tent will be provided by University of Texas Medical Branch.
Pasta Gala, Pre-race Hi-Fi Multisport Expo with live entertainment, custom multi-color technical shirt, the best goody bags, imprinted swim cap, finishers keepsake, custom awards, participants' raffle, Great giveaways from ZOOT CLOTHING , FUELBELT, GURU BIKES,
complimentary post-race feast, complimentary post-race massage, Run Far Racing Services timing featuring ChampionChip, boat, motorcycle, and radio support, USAT Officials and Marshals, the best volunteers and staff anywhere, accurate, spectacular, and safe race course.
Stick around for a Texas-Sized feast featuring MICHELOB ULTRA, PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA, and SWEET LEAF TEA and all sorts of great stuff
provided by HEB! Keep the good times rolling, as live entertainment by THE LINE UP will be performing for all of you as you chow down. Head over to the massage area, chill out on Palm Beach…Relax, and enjoy the day at beautiful Moody Gardens!
With the finish right at Palm Beach, plan to hang around a while with the family! Enjoy soft white sand beaches with blue freshwater lagoons and waterfalls surrounded by lush, exotic landscaping. Relax in Texas-sized spas or enjoy a game of beach volleyball on the regulation courts. The Splashpad automated aquatic water feature offers interactive dump buckets, spray arches and fountains for a day of fun at the beach. Plus, a newly-renovated children’s area will be unveiled at the start of the upcoming summer season!
Comfy lounge chairs and shady umbrellas are provided, so all you have to bring are the sand toys! Please note that coolers and outside food and drinks (except plastic bottled water) are not allowed inside Palm Beach. Proper swim attire is required. USCG approved life jackets are available for children. All spectators and family members are admitted free of charge for the Hi-Fi Tri!
Stick around for a Texas-Sized feast featuring MICHELOB ULTRA, PAPA JOHN'S PIZZA, and SWEET LEAF TEA and all sorts of great stuff provided by HEB! Keep the good times rolling, as live entertainment by THE LINE UP will be performing for all of you as you chow down. Head over to the massage area, chill out on Palm Beach…Relax, and enjoy the day at beautiful Moody Gardens!
Pre-race Hi-Fi Multisport Expo, post-race bash on Palm Beach, custom multi-color technical shirt, the best goody bags, imprinted swim cap, finishers keepsake, custom awards, participants' raffle, Great giveaways from ZOOT CLOTHING , FUELBELT, GURU BIKES, complimentary post-race feast, complimentary post-race massage, Run Far Racing Services timing featuring ChampionChip, boat, motorcycle, and radio support, USAT Officials and Marshals, the best volunteers and staff anywhere, accurate, spectacular, and safe race course.
Stop by and grab a cowbell, and fill out a sign to cheer on your favorite athlete!
At 2:00 PM, the kids take center stage! The Hi-Fi Kids K Fun Run (1 Kilometer or .62 miles) will have the kids rockin’ the run. They’ll finish their run in the glory of the finish line you ran through just a few hours ago! All kids will receive a great finisher keepsake. All children registered by October 10, 2008 will receive a tee shirt too. Packet pickup for the kids is at 1:00 PM on Saturday.
Run Far Racing Services will be timing the event, utilizing the state of the art ChampionChip. You'll receive 5 Splits: Swim Time, Transition 1, Bike, Transition 2, and Run times.
Special Awards for the top 3 male/females overall. Top 3 M/F all 5-yr age groups. Top Clydesdales (200+ lbs) and Athenas(women 150+ lbs). Relay: top all male/all female/mixed. Awards also presented to the top male and female Master's finishers (40 + years). NO DUPLICATE AWARDS. All finishers will receive a great 22 ounce Hi-Fi Finisher's waterbottle, and a Hi-Fi towel. Out of respect for the other athletes, YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE YOUR AWARD. NO AWARDS WILL BE MAILED.
Stop by and grab a Hi-Fi Cowbell, and fill out a sign to cheer on your favorite athlete! Presented by Beginner Triathlete.
RESOURCE CRISIS CENTER OF GALVESTON COUNTY
The Resource Crisis Center of Galveston County is here"To promote the safety and well being of women, men, children, and families and to advocate for the prevention of family violence and sexual assault."
We're asking athletes to bring used Printer and Fax Ink cartridges and old cellphones-any kind, old, new, broken, working-and donate them to the the Center. They turn them into money to help fund the programs. We'll also be publishing a list of items you can bring to help support the shelter. In exchange, we're working on some great HiFi Tri Giveaways! Stay tuned!
Cherish Our Children International (COCI) is a non-profit organization organized to sponsor and implement model programs to benefit children. COCI works globally and within the U.S. to ease the plight of children living in desperate situations. To learn more about COCI, please visit www.cherishourchildren.org. Team COCI athletes come in all shapes, sizes, fitness levels, and ages and have one thing in common: new levels of fitness and new lives for children. Team COCI members will participate in a training program while raising funds to make a difference in the lives of children who have been abandoned, neglected, or who are otherwise in need. To learn more about you can help, please contact Ruth Lacey at (832) 978-7164 or at teamcoci.Houston@hotmail.com.
