TOUGHMAN Westchester Athlete Guide

The TOUGHMAN Westchester 2026 Athlete Guide is now available, containing essential race day information and rules. Since there will be no pre-race briefings to keep on schedule, this guide serves as your briefing. Please note, this is an all-weather event—be prepared for rain or shine.

our schedule

Please note that the schedule is subject to change.

Friday, September 18, 2026

Location: Rye Town Park, Playland
12:00pm – 3:00pm: Packet Pickup for All Races

Saturday, September 19, 2026

Location: Rye Town Park, Playland
7:00 am – 8:30 am: TOUGHKids Packet Pick-Up Only

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Main entrance closed to traffic.

8:45 am: All racers’ head to the beach

8:45 pm: Transition closed until approx. 12:30 p.m.

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Park closed to traffic for TOUGHKIDS race

9:00 am: TOUGHKids Ages 4-6 race begins

9:05 am: Ages 7-8 racers head to the beach

9:20 am: TOUGHKids Ages 7-8 race begins

9:25 am: Ages 9-10 racers head to the beach

9:40 am: TOUGHKids Ages 9-10 race begins

9:45 am: Ages 11-12 racers head to the beach

10:00 am: TOUGHKids Ages 11-12 race begins

10:15 am: Ages 13-14/TOUGHTEEN racers head to the beach

10:30 am: TOUGHKids Ages 13-14 / TOUGHTEEN race begins

11:30 am: Park roads re-open when last racer heads out on run course

12:00 pm: Transition re-opens when last racer finishes

11:30 am: Awards Ceremony

1:00 pm: All bikes/gear must be removed from transition by this time.

10:00 am – 4:00 pm: Expo Open. We have lots of great gear for kids, so don’t forget to bring cash/credit cards.

12:00pm – 4:00pm: TOUGHMAN Westchester Packet Pickup

Sunday, September 20, 2026

Location: Rye Town Park, Playland
5:00am – 6:00am: ONLY VIP RACE DAY Packet PICKUP for TOUGHMAN Westchester
5:00am – 6:45am: Transition Open. Body Marking
6:45am – 11:00am: Transition closes — All athletes head to the beach (will reopen after the last runner leaves transition)

6:30am – 6:45am: Swim warm up allowed

6:45am: Opening Ceremonies on the beach.

7:00am: TOUGHMAN Westchester RACE BEGIN

7:30am: Duathlon Bike will begin in the transition area. Time Trial format- 3 riders per 5 seconds.

8:00am – 12:00pm: Race Vendor Expo open

9:00am: Male Winner expected

9:20am: Female Winner expected

11:00am: TOUGHMAN Westchester Awards Ceremony begins

11:15am: TOUGHMAN Westchester RACE ENDS

12:00pm: Festivities conclude

The Reason Why We Race

TOUGHMAN Westchester with Hilary Topper

Races Distances

Each race will have open racking. For Aquabike your FINISH time will be calculated as the time when you CROSS into T2, BUT we encourage you to leave the transition area and come down the Finish Chute so that our announcer can announce your name and you can get a Finishers photo post race. This is where we can cheer for your accomplishment.

TOUGHMAN Westchester Olympic Races

Sunday, September 20

Olympic Triathlon
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km
Olympic Aquabike
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km
Walk through finish chute to be awarded your metal.
Olympic Duathlon
Bike 40km, Run 10km
Olympic Relay
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km

TOUGHMAN Westchester USAT Northeast Region Collegiate Conference

Sunday, September 20

Collegiate Triathlon
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km
Collegiate Duathlon
Bike 40km, Run 10km
Collegiate Aquabike
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km
Walk through finish chute to be awarded your metal.
Collegiate Relay
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km

Packet Pick-up

Location: Rye Town Park, Playland
Friday, 9/18, 12:00pm – 4:00pm: Packet Pickup for ALL RACES
Saturday, 9/19, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Packet Pickup for Sunday Races
Please note: Absolutely no swimming will be allowed on Saturday at the race site, as the course is being set up.
Sunday, 9/20, 5:00 am – 6:30 am: VIP Race Day Packet Pickup ONLY

Important Packet Pickup Information:

You must pick up your own packet – NO ONE ELSE can pick it up for you.
You need a PHOTO ID to collect your packet. If you are a USA Triathlon member, you must bring your membership card or show it on your phone. If your card is lost or expired, bring a copy or renewal receipt from usatriathlon.org.
Relay teams do not have to pick up packets together. The team captain cannot pick up packets for the entire team. Each team member must pick up their own packet.
Wristbands must be worn from the time you pick up your packet until after the race is over. No exceptions.

Additional Info: We will gladly exchange your T-shirt size after the race on Sunday. Please stop by the Registration Tent with your current shirt for exchange.

Race Packet

Enclosed in each athlete’s packet

The wristband grants you

Race Day Marking

Safety Pins: Pins are available at Packet Pick-up in the event you need them, but are not inside your packet.

Race Day Checklist

Transition Area

Bag or backpack
Energy source
Sunscreen
Extra water bottle
Extra Towel
Safety Pins
Jacket / Sweatshirt
Post Race Clothes
Cell phone
Small amount of cash
Car key
Proper psi in bike tires
Spare tube, CO2 cartridges and inflater
Tire wrenches
Water bottle and energy drink
Energy source / Salt Tablets
Sunglasses

Swim

Timing Chip
Swimsuit
Body Glide
Wetsuit
Goggles
Goggles Defogger
TOUGHMAN Swimcap
Towel
Squirt Water Bottle
Small Tub for Water

Lost and Found

TOUGHMAN Westchester Triathlon is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We will offer a lost and found box for items turned in at the Registration Tent.

bIKE

Bike
Bar ends plugged
Bike computer re-set
Bike number affixed
Bike Shorts
Bike Shirt
Bike Helmet
Bike Pump

Run

Running Shoes
Running Shorts
Running Shirt
Running Socks
Visor / Hat
Lubricant in heel or toe
Race number
Energy source for run

Transition Area

Transition closed from 6:45am-11:00am on Sunday.
Open Racking
Extra equipment is not allowed in transition (e.g. bike trainer)
Check bike, pump tires. Mechanics will be available next to the transition
Bike must have a BIKE FRAME NUMBER attached in order to enter transition
Spectators are NOT allowed in the transition area
To remove your bike from transition, your bike ticket must match bike number

Expo

9/20 Sunday: 8:00am – 12:00pm
Products will be available to purchase, view or sample (bring cash and credit card)
TOUGHMAN Shop will have adult and children’s apparel as well as cowbells and accessories.

Swim

Sunday, September 20

Location: Rye Town Park, Playland
4:30am: Park Opens
5:00am: Transition Opens & Body Marking
6:30 – 6:45am: Swim warm-up approved in designated Warm-up Zone only
6:45am: Transition area closes. Only relay members may remain in transition.
7:00am: Olympic Swim Start (8 Waves, 1st and 2nd waves are College)

Guests can be with you on the beach for ceremony, but not in the swim corrals.
Swim start is a land start.
Freshwater swim with current to bring you into shore.
Turnaround will be marked by a GREEN buoys is for the Olympic Swim.
Paddle boards, jet ski, kayakers and a marine patrol boat in water for assistance/guidance/emergency.
If you have problems in the swim, call to a kayaker who will get you to a boat (you will DQ if taken aboard), but not DQ if you just hold on, to catch your breath.
Swim finish marked by a huge TOUGHMAN inflatable arch and ambulance flashing lights.
LABEL YOUR WETSUIT WITH YOUR NAME before Race Day. Black wetsuits all look alike in transition.
Swim cut off is 1 hour 10 mins for the Olympic from when you enter the water.*

TRANSITION – T1

Carpet and fencing will mark the path from the beach to the transition area.
Kiddy pools available to wash your feet.
Volunteers will peel off your wetsuit if you want: lay down on designated area and your wetsuit will be removed (speeds up your T1)
Helmets must be worn at all times from leaving transition to returning to transition. Helmets must be buckled before exiting T1
Walk or jog with your bike in the transition lanes to the designated Bike Mount area before riding
T1 Cutoff is 10 mins after last swimmer exits water
Nutrition available: Water ONLY

Bike

T2 - TRANSITION

It is your responsibility to review and familiarize yourself with the bike course in advance to ensure a safe and successful ride.
Walk or jog with your bike from the Dismount line to the transition area.
There are 7 Athlete-only portojohns inside transition.
Aquabike finish time is once you cross T2. Exit T2 and take the walk of fame to the finish line.

BIKE COURSE AND PROFILE

Please keep in mind these following safety tips, to ensure that everyone maximizes their bike goals and we minimize any accidents or injuries:

Stay to the RIGHT, unless you are passing. There are some narrow sections with two-way traffic where this will be very important. Slower cyclists need to be aware that there will potentially be faster cyclists that will need to pass. Please give them plenty of room to your left.
Faster cyclists passing on the left should provide a friendly warning.
Earphones are not allowed and illegal per USAT rules.
No riding 2-3 aside —this is a race not a ride.

Run

It is your responsibility to review and familiarize yourself with the run course beforehand to help you navigate the route confidently and safely.
Follow cones and arrows at ALL times on the run course and obey all course marshal directions
Aid stations at least every mile on the run course
Dispose of gel packets and cups near the aid stations (Remember, throwing any trash on the course not designated as an aid station is subject to a USAT penalty)
There will be 2 lead cyclists for male and female lead runners
Over 300 volunteers on the run course will cheer you on and entertainers to keep you motivated
Total race cutoff of 4hrs, 30min from your entrance into the swim*
Nutrition available: Water, Gatorade Endurance, Hammer Gels
*We reserve the right to remove an athlete from the course and DNF the athlete if our course staff determines that there is no possibility of you finishing the discipline or race before the posted cut-off times based on your location, the time and average speed to that point.

Finish Line & Athlete Recovery Zone

As you cross the finish line, you enter the Athlete Recovery Zone where you will receive your finisher’s medal, have your chip removed, and be offered bananas and bagels. Photos are taken of all athletes crossing the finish line, and catchers are available if you need medical assistance. Nutrition is provided, including water, Gatorade Endurance, bagels, fruit, and bars. Please leave the Recovery Zone as soon as possible to allow other athletes to come through.

You will also have the opportunity to take individual athlete photos at our Media Backdrop next to the awards stage prior to the Awards Ceremony. Medical support is available on-site through the White Plains Hospital Mobile Trauma Unit, along with our Medical Team and EMS.

Awards

POST RACE

If you are part of a Tri Club – look for your club’s tent in “Club Row” by transition.
Transition closes at 1:00pm on Saturday and 11:45am on Sunday – you must remove ALL items by that time
Complete results will be posted at approximately 5:00pm at: TOUGHMANWestchester.com — although updates are posted during the race.

Spectators

Post-Race Restaurants

Tiki Beach Pier Restaurant Annual Italian Festival

We’re thrilled to announce that our 4th Annual Italian Festival is back and bigger than ever — now spanning two days!
September 18–20, 2026, All weekend long. Tiki Beach transforms into an unforgettable celebration of Italian culture on the waterfront.
Get ready for more delicious food, lively music, rich culture, and, of course, plenty of amore!