Vassar Brothers Medical Center (VBMC) - the anchor hospital in a three-hospital system known as Health Quest - is a 365-bed facility that has been serving New York's mid-Hudson Valley since 1887. As a regional medical center, Vassar Brothers prides itself on being the only hospital in the region with dedicated centers of clinical expertise in cardio-thoracic surgery/comprehensive cardiac care, child and maternal health - including the area's only level-three neonatal intensive care unit - and comprehensive cancer care.  It is also worth noting that the Medical Center has the busiest Emergency Department in the area, treating close to 70,000 patients in 2008.  On top of this, the Medical Center houses the only hospital-based clinic in the area for underinsured and underserved patients.   

Funds from this event will specifically benefit the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care units.  Long term plans include an expansion of the Pediatric Unit to offer private rooms / bathrooms for each patient and to provide ongoing support programs for the families of these children.  Other plans include: music therapy for the NICU, updated playroom for pediatric patients and more comfortable accommodations for the parents of the pediatric patients.

FIELD: First 500 competitors (tri and du combined).

The following rules and regulations are designed for your personal safety and enjoyment. Failure to comply with these rules will result in penalties and/or disqualification.
· Race management has authority to change race course and format, check-in and start times.
· No entrants under 18 years of age.
· It is the contestant's responsibility to be familiar with and follow the race course.
· It is prohibited to sell your race number or for someone to compete in your place.
· Contestants must follow the directions of race officials who have ultimate and final authority to remove contestants who violate race rules.
· Friends, family or assistants may not bike or run alongside a contestant and should be warned to stay clear of contestants.
· Contestants are not allowed to wear headphones, earphones or any other sound device that impairs normal  hearing!

IMPORTANT: NO NUMBERS WILL BE ISSUED WITHOUT PHOTO ID! .You must know your race number before getting in line for race packet pick up. Competitors will be sent an email 5-6 days prior to the event with their race number and updated race information.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
PRE-RACE DAY - Friday, September 11, 2009 - Freedom Park, LaGrange,
5:30 - 7:00 pm -  Packet pick up (optional) 
RACE DAY - Saturday, Freedom Park, LaGrange, Dutchess County
6:00-7:30 a.m. - Check-in. Pick up race bag, timing chip, swim cap, swimmers get numbered, No race packets saved after 7:30! 
7:45 a.m. - Final race instructions (mandatory)
8:00 a.m. - Race Start (rain or shine).
10:00 a.m. - Course closes, Post race buffet, Awards presentation, Health Expo

VOLUNTEERS: Is there someone you know who'd be willing to volunteer while your competing? Call Tricia O'Malley at Vassar Brothers Medical Center at 845-437-3035 or email TOMalley@health-quest.org.. Volunteers will receive a souvenir T-shirt and our sincere thanks!

TRANSITION AREA: The transition area will be set up in the parking lot cloesest to the lake in Freedom Park. 
Entry to the transition area is restricted to competitors with race numbers ONLY!.
Please request family members and friends not to accompany you in the transition area.
Bicycles must be placed on assigned bike racks.
Bikes on wrong racks will be removed from the transition area.
All competitors must be OUTSIDE the transition area before the first wave goes off! 

Pack Riding/Drafting is a Serious Violation of the Rules of the Event!  You can file an official complaint regarding "drafters" by noting their race number(s)! A competitor who has three "drafting reports" filed against him/her will receive a two minute penalty for each infraction.

HELMETS: A bicycling helmet must be positively secured with chin strap before leaving the transition area. Riding without a helmet will result in immediate disqualification! Helmets must be ANSI, USCF, USCPSC or SNELL approved.

WATER STATIONS: There will be two water stops on the 3 mi. run:
1. Exit of the transition area.      2. 1.5 miles from transition (run turn).

POST-RACE: Award winners must be present at the post-race awards ceremony to claim their prize. Refreshments are for competitors only and are not provided for friends and family members. When entering the buffet line, identify yourself as a competitor by wearing your race number.

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RACE NUMBERS/ELECTRONIC TIMING: 
On the morning of the race,  you will pick up an electronic timing chip that corresponds to your assigned bib number. This chip must be attached with a velcro strap to your ankle.and must remain attached throughout the entire event.
You cannot use any chip other than the one that is assigned to you on the morning of the race. 
Immediately after you cross the finish line you must remove the chip and drop it in the collection bin at the end of the timing chute.
If you lose your chip during the race or fail to turn it in after you cross the finish line, you will be charged $75 for the lost chip.  If you paid for the race using a credit card, your card will be charged automatically. Others will be sent an invoice.
Your bib number must be attached to the FRONT of your shirt (or race belt) during the entire race .
The 2-sided vinyl (adhesive-backed) bike frame number must be attached to the front of the top tube of your bicycle and may not be removed until you lexit the transition area. 
Check the label affixed to your bib number for correct information regarding your name, age, sex and category.
 Notify officials prior to the race of any mistakes!=========================================================

RESULTS: Results will be posted on the NYT web site www.NYTRI.org

PARKING: All competitors must park in the designated parking areas.
Do not park on the road leading in/out of Freedom Park! 

Due to safety concerns please note the following:
* No vehicles will be allowed IN to Freedom Park after 7:45 am on the morning of the race.
* Vehicles will not be allowed to leave the parking area in Freedom Park until 10:00 am.
* Park in designated areas only and observe directions of parking attendants.
* Do not park on either side of the road near the park entrance or you will be ticketed and/or towed (Skidmore Road).

HOW TO GET THERE:
From NY Thruway I-87:  Get off Thruway at Exit 18 - New Paltz/Poughkeepsie. After toll booth, make right at traffic light going East on Rte. 209 towards Poughkeepsie/Mid-Hudson Bridge. Make right at traffic light at end of Rte. 209 on to Route 9W. Go through Highland and stay in right lane. Follow signs to Mid-Hudson Bridge. Cross bridge and continue to follow signs to Route 55 East. Stay on Route 55 for approximately 12 miles. Go under the Taconic State Parway, drive 0.3 miles and take frist left on to Velie Road.. Make first right on to Skidmore Road. Stay on Skidmore Road for for 1.6 miles to Freedom Park.
From Taconic State Parkway: Exit at Route 55 Poughkeepsie/Pawling. Take 55 East towards Pawling. Drive 0.3 miles and make first left on to Velie Road. Make first right to Skidmore Road. Stay on Skidmore Road for for 1.6 miles to Freedom Park.
ek right off Velie Road on to Skidmore Road and continue for 1.6 miles to Freedom Park.

ACCOMODATIONS:
Days Inn - Route 55/Haight Ave., Poughkeepsie
Holiday Inn Express - 2750 South Road. Poughkeepsie, 845-473-1151
Ramada Inn - Route 9, Poughkeepsie