FROM THE TENT (Race Updates)

The 19th year of the Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series is READY and SET to GO! The June 21st race (CSTS #1) has had the largest demand for entry for #1 in the Series history. Online registration for the June 21st triathlon is currently open but may close without further notice.

THERE WILL BE NO RACEDAY REGISTRATION. At this point we anticipate registration being available on Saturday at the Park between 5 and 7 PM but please check this site or email csts@comcast.net to confirm that registration will be available.

We are extremely humbled and grateful for the continuing support that triathletes from around the Southeast offer CSTS. This past year has been a time when we all have had to consider our expenses and evaluate what is valuable and worthwhile. Thank you for your ongoing support- this will be a great summer of racing and fellowship. Thus far there are entries from 16 states; South Carolina, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, Missouri, New Mexico, and California.

PLEASE register early for the remaining dates if you intend on competing. Last year CSTS #3 and #4 closed out a month before those dates and with registration running higher than last year, CSTS #2 (July 12) may close out before July 1.

Preregistered list will be posted the Monday or Tuesday before each race. Your receipt from Active.com is your registration confirmation. Please bring your Active.com receipt and photo ID to packet pick-up.

Late Registration (if available) and Packet Pick-Up will be at James Island County Park the Saturday before each triathlon from 5 to 7 PM. Late Registration (if available) and Packet Pick-Up will resume at 6 AM on each RaceDay. It is a very good thing for the race and the participants to have as many people as possible pick up on Saturday evening. It reduces the anxiety levels for everyone on RaceDay.

Please arrive early (6 AM) on race morning. Avoid the longer lines and enjoy the music and the beautiful setting of James Island County Park. Bike rack assignments are on a first come, first served basis; so arriving earlier gives you more choices.

One of the very, very special things about the Charleston Sprint Triathlon Series is the incredible energy and enthusiasm that our spectators bring to each race. CSTS is blessed with one of the most spectator friendly courses you'll ever see and the summers that families and friends, participants and spectators spend together on these four special Sunday mornings makes CSTS what it is. We love the homemade signs and the special cheers, the requests to acknowledge birthdays, anniversaries, medical and injury recoveries, weddings and the like- these are things that can't be organized or planned- they just happen and we are thrilled and moved each summer by what goes on both on and off the race course.

One thing that we need to focus on this year is bike etiquette on the race course. For safety and courtesy PLEASE stay in the far right of the lane unless passing. When passing a slower bike the correct warning is "On your left" which means that I am passing you "on your left". Cyclists should always "hold their line" which essentially means don't weave or move from one side of the lane to the other but keep bike in a straight line. Help us keep CSTS safe and friendly. Remember- respect yourself and the race: no drafting allowed.

One thing we are adding this year is a section of the finish line for school flags. So- if you want to show your colors bring your flag to the registration tent (make sure your name is taped to the back of the flag) and we will hang it beside the Florida State University and Clemson University flags. Equal time for all...

Thanks again from the bottom of our hearts for supporting CSTS. Can't wait to get things rolling. Please be safe in your training and see you soon.

Paul and Kathleen King