Race numbers for Racine tri - do I have to have a race belt?

I did not have a race belt for the first couple tri's I ever did.  I just safety pinned my number to my shirt so when I came off the bike, I would slip on my shirt and I was set.  I'm a guy though.

A race belt is something you would need to purchase yourself. I have one like this, that holds the bib with little clips. There are lots of race belts out there. They may have them for sale at your event's expo.

The point of a race belt is that it saves you from having to deal with safety pins during a race. If you don't have a race belt, you will need to either affix your bib to the shirt you plan to run in ahead of time and slip it on after the swim (or bike) or take time to pin it on in transition. I don't think I would recommend trying to wear a shirt with safety pins in it under a wetsuit!

If you don't have or want to purchase a race belt, one option might be to pin the number to the shirt you plan to race in ahead of time, and swim with tri shorts and a sports bra under your wetsuit. Pulling a tight shirt on over a wet body can be difficult, so you might consider doing the bike in the sports bra as well, and pulling the shirt on before the run.

I think HFP is trying something new this year.

At the Deer Creek triathlon / duathlon, they did not have 'bib numbers' (the number that identifies you through out the race). What they did was provided each athlete with 2 wrist bands (one for you and the other for your bike). You had to have these on race morning and keep them on until you picked up your bike.

I think its a great idea and save some money I am sure. After the race an athlete is more than likely going to throw the bib number anyway. As it is, your time is done by a timing chip.

At least with the bracelet, you have that on you through out the whole race. God forbid, should something happen to you they can still identify you.

I would still look at getting race number belt though like someone else mentioned.

Good luck and have fun!