Skip to content
Pacific Coast Triathlon
Registration Opens Soon

Race-Day Checklist

What to Bring

Your race-day packing list, top to bottom. Check items off as you pack, then print and tape it to the fridge.

Pack Smart

Suggested items to bring

Compiled from REI, TrainingPeaks, 220 Triathlon, and Complete Tri — adapted for Sprint and Olympic distance racing at Crystal Cove.

This is a general suggested list. Your race-day kit will vary by distance, weather, and personal preference. Always check race-specific requirements (wetsuit rules, USAT membership, helmet certification, etc.). Items in BOLD are the ones people forget most often.

🏊 Swim

  • Apply balm BEFORE the wetsuit

🚴 Bike

  • Check tire pressure morning of, not the night before

🏃 Run

🎒 Transition Setup

  • Lay everything out the night before

🌅 Race Morning

🏁 Post-Race

📄 Documents & Misc

At Check-In

What's in your race packet

🔢

Bib Number

Wear this for the run. Race-number belt or safety pins — your call.

🚲

Bike Chip & Helmet Stickers

The bike chip folds around your seat post so the tag sticks out the back like a flag. Helmet stickers go on the front of your helmet.

🏊

Silicone Swim Cap

Must be worn for the swim. This is how the water safety crew tracks waves.

⏱️

Ankle Timing Chip

Left ankle. Leave it on from start to finish — swim, bike, and run. Removing it after the swim means no bike or run splits, and no finish time.

🎫

Wristband

Your proof of entry to transition, and your food truck ticket. Put it on Saturday and leave it on.

👕

Souvenir Shirt

Handed out at athlete check-in. Yours to keep — no need to bring it race morning.

Before You Race

Getting your gear right

Your timing chip stays on the entire race.
The chip records you at every timing mat — swim exit, bike out, bike in, run, and the finish. Take it off mid-race and your results stop there. Chip on at the start, chip on at the finish, nothing in between.

5K Run/Walk athletes: you do not get an ankle chip. Your chip is attached to the back of your bib number — wear the bib on your front, do not fold or crease it, and leave it on until you finish.

Rack your bike Saturday if you like. Transition is open for setup during Saturday check-in and overnight security is provided — one less thing to haul at 5 AM.

Bike chip setup. The chip wraps around your seat post with the tag trailing off the back like a flag — not tucked under the saddle, not zip-tied flat. See ChronoTrack’s bike tag instructions →

Relay teams share one packet. Hand the ankle chip off like a baton at each transition.

Return your ankle chip. Drop it in the collection bins at the finish. Unreturned chips are billed to your registration.

Body marking is available at Athlete Check-In on both Saturday and Sunday. You must be body marked to enter transition on Sunday — number on your left shoulder and left hand. (5K Run/Walk participants are exempt.)

VIP / Premium Parking wristbands — collect yours at the admin desk during Saturday check-in, or your name will be on the list at the gate Sunday morning.

Your race wristband is also your food truck ticket at the finish.

Ready to roll?

See you on race morning.

Got questions about gear or logistics? Hit the FAQ or email us.

Visit the FAQ