ATHLETE INSTRUCTIONS 2026 ----
Hello all, and welcome to the Hopkins Vineyard Triathlon, 2026! There may be additional info prior to race day Sat July 11th, an additional email will be sent.
FOOD:
The event can only feed the athletes themselves, so please provide a picnic lunch for anyone attending the event with you. Also, Only the Athletes get a special logo’d Hopkins Vineyard Triathlon wine glass with one free pour.
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There is a course write up with additional info at: http://www.hopkinsvineyardtri.com/course-description
Thank you for registering early, we are looking forward to race day!
The Hopkins Vineyard has again agreed to allow for an athlete optional Fri night packet pickup, to make race morning smoother. 6-8pm Friday eve July 10th. A nice relaxed time, consider making the effort if you’re close enough to do so (still, read info below)
PARKING: We need your cooperation on race morning! Follow parking attendant direction please. CAR POOL where possible. NO STOPPING DOWN BELOW NEAR TRANSITION TO OFFLOAD, keep moving up the hill please. You'll need to walk your bikes and equipment down.
RACE BAGS:
OPTIONAL – FRIDAY EVENING pickup of race bags from 6-8pm at Hopkins Vineyard Winery.
On the day before race day 7/10. We have race staff coming in from work, so no early arrivals please. 6PM means 6PM, Thank you.
Race bags on Race Day may be picked up at the Hopkins Vineyard (up on the hill) Starting at 5:30 am. 25 Hopkins Rd Warren CT 06777 www.HopkinsVineyard.com
Pick up timing chip separately at registration table. USAT Member registered athletes must show their USAT membership card and PHOTO ID (LIMITED coverage, have clear phone pic ready of USAT Card). Or, no card, pay $15 and fill out USAT form, or No Race. . (Exceptions nullify the race's insurance) NO ATM on site.
Non USAT Member registered athletes have already paid the one day fee and signed the waiver during registration process. Simply have PHOTO ID READY.
RACE DAY, SATURDAY JULY 11th, 2026
Account for walk time down to transition area.
5:30am - 7:45am Check in at Registration Area at Winery. (tent outside winery)
Race Bags can be picked up starting at 5:30am (Early arrivals wait until 5:30am)
Timing devices distributed. (attach to ankle while still DRY)
Triathletes MUST be body numbered per Emergency Services Instructions
Open racking for bikes in Transition Area.
RELAYS – Open racking, no special bike corral
Pass Velcro timing band to your team mate. Don’t block other athletes as you make your switch.
ALL team mates must be present to check in, ALL team members must fill out a hard copy USAT Waiver which will be provided.
7:45am Report to Swim Start Area (look for Swim buoys)
Swim warm ups permitted and encouraged. When signaled to exit the water, please do so promptly. Each Swim wave has its own color swim cap (Listed below)
8:00am Hopkins Vineyard Triathlon at Lake Waramaug Starts.
10:45am (approximate) Awards Ceremony
SWIM
There will be 3 minute intervals between swim waves.
Swim Warm up permitted/encouraged, but do it early and be ready to be out of the water for pre race announcements at 7:50am.
If you need assistance during the swim, wave your arm and call for help. Hanging on a kayak is permitted, just no forward progress.
Lifeguards and rescue boats will be present to assist swimmers if necessary.
Timing Chip must be worn on ankle to record split times.
WAVES:
1) Men 39 and under - BLUE CAPS
2) Men 40+ - WHITE CAPS
3) Women 39 and under + RED CAPS
4) Women 40+ PINK CAPS + RELAYS FLO ORANGE CAPS
BIKE
DO NOT RIDE YOUR BIKE IN THE TRANSITION AREA.
NO EARBUDS ON BIKE OR RUN.
Bikes will not be allowed to be brought into the transition area without a helmet.
Helmets must be on and fastened before mounting your bike (DQ if not)
BIKE NUMBERS are sticky backed, Stapling and/or trimming is allowed, Numbers will NOT Damage bike paint, they come off easily.
DRAFTING is not permitted. (stay 3 bike lengths behind riders)
The roads will be open to traffic, so please stay to the right. Move right after passing.
The bike course is 8 miles, limited personnel requires course to stay along the lake, KEEP THE LAKE TO YOUR RIGHT.
Read Course Description for more info at:
http://www.hopkinsvineyardtri.com/course-description
Follow all instructions of Bike Course Marshals and Police.
Rack your bike before starting the run.
Full course maps here (look on the right side on the home page) :
http://www.hopkinsvineyardtri.com/
RUN
The run course is 3.1 miles. Race Numbers must be displayed on front.
There is a half mile of XC (cross country, aka off road) section that rings one of the beautiful Vineyard fields.
Run course map is here: http://www.hopkinsvineyardtri.com/ scroll down on right
TRANSITION AREA
The transition area will be fenced off. We do allow your support people into the Transition Area early – SUPPORT PEOPLE, PLEASE EXIT After 7:30am.
To enter, each athlete must have a bike helmet. Transition is open racking (no pre assigned spot)
Athletes must show their race number or body marking to collect bikes after the race.
The Hopkins Vineyard Triathlon is not responsible for lost or neglected equipment.
PLEASE walk down after finishing and retrieve your bike and belongings to allow
for staff to start break down of Transition area.
AWARDS: Awards will include top 3 Male/Female Overall. Awards in Age Group categories will be awarded to the top 3 finishers. Relays, winner of each category only.
RESULTS
Check www.fasttracktiming.com for full official results within 24 hours. (RunSignup.com will have them on race day, yet they are not final)
NO RACE CANCELLATION:
Impossible to re-assemble all for a re-do, so we'll do "something" in the case of a weather event. Bike/Run or just a run, or just have a nice picnic. No Refunds for cancelled race.
As stated in the registration process “No refunds, transfers or deferrals”
LOCATION: 25 HOPKINS RD WARREN CT 06777
DIRECTIONS - (old school)
From NYC:
Saw Mill or Henry Hudson to 684N to 84E to 7N to 202E to 45N (New Preston)
From Boston:
93 Mass Pike W to 84W to Hartford, follow directions from Hartford
From Hartford:
84W to 4W (Farmington) to 118W to 202W to 45N
From New Preston:
45N to North Shore Road (on left) to Hopkins Road (2nd right)
The Winery is located at: 25 Hopkins Road in New Preston CT 06777(GPS may change it to Warren, it's still correct)
Enjoy, be mindful of your fellow Triathletes, and please BE SAFE!!
Tom Wilkas – Race Director www.HopkinsVineyardTri.com
Take the time to thank your sponsors:
Hopkins Vineyard www.HopkinsVineyard.com
Hopkins Inn www.thehopkinsinn.com
Stone Walls by George https://stonewallsbygeorge.com/
SetNStone LLC https://www.setnstonetile.com/
New Milford Fitness and Aquatics Center https://nmfac.com/
Jacqueline Ruppert- www.bhhsneproperties.com/real-estate-agent/4247/jacqueline-ruppert
New Milford Fitness and Aquatics Club 130 Grove Street New Milford CT
