1. How do I know if my registration was accepted?
A. Confirm your registration online at imATHLETE.com
2. How will I secure my valuable Bike while on island?
A.If you cannot store your bike at your on island home, or at your hotel, contact Edgartown Bicycle for storage options, or email us for other options.
3. I can't get a room because they're all booked.
A. There are many places to stay on the island of Martha's Vineyard. If you cannot find a room with our Sponsor hotel (The Wesley Inn), try local inn's, home rentals, or bed and breakfasts. We also have rooms available in OUR rental houses. JUST ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE!! Staying off island is not a very good idea, unless you can arrange to take the Patriot Party Boat freight ferry which leaves the mainland at 2:30am. You still have to have racked your bike the day before.
4. When do I get my registration packet?
A. We will require registered athletes to pick up packets Saturday, September 8th at our Expo and Family Fun Center. More details about this process including hours will be announced soon, so check back here frequently.
5. How do I get my bike to the island?
A. Bikes can be taken on the ferry or shipped to Martha's Vineyard. See our Bike Transport plan which will be updated frequently.
6. What are the expected conditions for the swim?
A. Water temperatures average 69 degrees at this time of year, and surf is usually fairly calm. We will keep you posted on any relevent weather forecasts as the event draws near.
7. Is the event USAT Sanctioned?
A. No. After sanctioning with USAT for the first two years, we found the organization to be a detriment to the value of the race for the athlete. USAT regulations bog down registration, and there is little if any benefit to the athlete or the race director to sanctioning with them. They do not diligently ascertain whether races are living up to the standards of the sanction, have refused to provide officials, fail to monitor their sponsors, and show favoritism to certain races. Their insurance is no better than any other agent. In our opinion, USAT has made poor decisions in their arrangements with organizations like Active.com, and has spread itself too thin to handle the sport of triathlon the way a governing body should. We have and always will exceed the safety standards promulgated by USAT and we still adhere to the rules of USAT for fairness in competition. A complete rules packet is online now here.
8. Do I have to arrive early?
A. There is no physical way to arrive by ferry or plane race morning and still have time to get to transition, setup and race. Even moving the starting time to 8am would not help. As such, all Athletes must rack bikes at the pre race expo and packet pickup Saturday September 8th.
9. The race is expensive. How can I afford it?
A. Unfortunately goods and services on the island of Martha's Vineyard can cost 3 to 4 times what they cost on the mainland. Therefore, the cost of the race is higher than some others. Still, you can register early, become an Argonaut and get a 15% discount, get a free entry with a sponsor package, or watch for other special offers and discount codes.
10. My spouse and kids usually don't like coming to these events. What will my family have to do while I'm racing?
A. Odyssey TriSport is bringing a new style of race to the triathlon world, "Vineyard Warrior" will be as enjoyable (and certainly less painful) for families as for the racer. Several racing "hot spots" will be in place where family and friends can gather and be entertained while waiting for racers to pass by. We will also have special packages available for pre and post race activities. There is so much to do on Martha's Vineyard, you'll probably want to stay the whole week.
11. I'm more special than most people. Because of that can't I just keep my bike the night before and rack it the morning of? Show up and register race morning? Not know the course route and expect you to personally guide me from start to finish? Get a full refund after the cutoff dates?
A. No, and stop asking Michael.
12. After the race, I plan on asking for a refund; feigning indignation at having to live up to the demands of a warrior, falsely claiming to have raced hundreds of races to make weak complaints seem more righteous, and generally acting like a spoiled brat. Will this work?
A. No it will not. We take sportsmanship very seriously. Contrary to business wisdom, we do not hesitate to spank spoiled brats and call people out on their ridiculous claims. We have told racers who have exhibited excessive unsportsmanlike conduct to not return to future events. In our opinion, poor sports have no place in Vineyard Warrior; a race founded on the spirit of fair and mutually respectful competition. Vineyard Warrior is a celebration of our good fortune at having avoided devastating disability or personal tragedy. It would be an insult to those who endure far more fear than stepping into an ocean to swim a mile to behave in an unsportsmanlike manner. It would be an insult to those who endure more pain than voluntary biking and running. If you cannot enjoy what life has to offer, and see the greatness around you rather than magnifying trivial inconveniences, this race is probably not for you.
