Clydesdale rules?

Usually you are either a clydesdale or an age grouper.  Smaller races take your word for the weight, but longer distance tri's have been known to have a scale.

Sharon

Don't let the Clydesdale class fool ya!  Most races, you will be racing against guys that are 6 inches taller than you and are barely over the weight cutoff. Most races start the Clydesdale class last, so it is a little safer on the swim start with no other waves pushing or swimming over you and can be a benefit for you if it is your first tri.  Racing with your age group, can put you in the middle of the pack on the start and you will see more racers during the race.

When you register you need to decide where you want to be classed. If you think that you want to compete in the Clyde class but weight may be an issue come race day, just race your age group.  If this is your first tri, regardless of which class you race, it will be tough for most people to be one of the top three.  Not saying that it can't be done, but if it is your first tri, focus on finishing your race.  Just as a side note, at several tri's last season the top three Clydes in my div. were faster than the age groupers!

That's my 2 cents X 2!

I had thought of entering in the Athena class last year (I way qualify by weight!) until I watched some of the Athena's in my first Tri. As Ellen has pointed out -- BIG is not the same as some of us may envision. The women were, for the most part, TALL, slender, fit and fast. I changed my mind pretty quick and went with my age group. For those really into this to win, the smaller gals have somewhat of an advantage over the bigger ones, so the bigger ones choose to rice with women of their ilk.

Age Groupers for me.....

Well, Age Group was the way to go for me -- overweight and slow!!! In addition, my age group is small. It probably depends on the individual and your goals. I was not in my first Tri to win anything -- simply to do it and to finish it OK. I was successful at that. The tris I entered did not have the point system that Ellen talks about in her note, so I am not familiar with that.

The Athena women I saw were quite fit and in quite good shape, and looked fast. I was not interested in being "run over" or being what I envisioned as the very last one out of the lake! I don't mind being last in a triathlon -- just not by a huge amount of time -- and my guess is that in this group I would have been. So -- I guess you can read this as ----- I was intimidated!

Don't know if this helps. If you have time to observe a tri before yours, perhaps it will help you make the decision for you.

Crpadiem, if you've never raced a tri, some races have a first-timer's category.  Only an option once in your life.

Sharon