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Frequently asked questions
From registration to the finish line closing. Every question has its own link, so you can pass it on.
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Registration and entry fee
7 questionsWhere do I register?
Registration runs exclusively through the external portal of Pentek Timing. Every registration button on this website leads straight to the entry form of the Südkärntner Triathlon 2026, where you pick your race. Online registration closes on 31 August 2026 at 23:59.
Link to this questionCan I enter late?
Yes, but only as long as spots are still available in the race. Once online registration has closed, late entry is possible only on site, during race pack pick-up in front of the Bellevue Alm. On Saturday from 12:00 to 14:00 and 15:00 to 18:00, on Sunday from 07:30 to 09:30. The late entry rate applies.
Link to this questionWhy does the entry fee change?
The entry fee is tiered. The early bird rate covers a limited quantity, then the tiers until 30 April 2026 and until 31 August 2026 apply. Late entry on site is charged at the highest rate. The currently valid tier is shown at the top of every race page.
Link to this questionDo I need a licence?
For the Middle Distance, Aqua Bike and Olympic Distance the ÖTRV day licence costs 16 euros, for the Fun Triathlon 8 euros, and for children it is free. Relays pay 6 euros for the whole team. With a valid ÖTRV annual licence no day licence is needed. For children we recommend the free annual licence for insurance reasons.
Link to this questionCan I race as a relay?
Yes, in the Middle Distance and the Olympic Distance with 2 to 3 athletes, in the Aqua Bike with 2 athletes. There are 20 relay spots in each race. Only 1st place is awarded among the relays.
Link to this questionIs there a minimum age?
The Middle Distance, Aqua Bike, Olympic Distance and Fun Triathlon are open from age 18. Everyone younger races the Kids' Triathlon on Saturday, with six classes for birth years 2020 to 2009.
Link to this questionIs there a discount for groups or clubs?
Yes, from 10 entries. The discount is not handled by the entry form, so please email us directly before the group registers. We do not give away free race entries, not even to professionals.
Link to this questionTransfers, cancellation and insurance
5 questionsDo I get my entry fee back if I cannot race?
Only with entry fee insurance, which you take out during registration with Pentek Timing. Without this insurance there is no right to a refund, not even in case of injury or illness. Entries cannot be deferred to next year either. If you cannot race, transferring your entry to a substitute is usually the best option.
Link to this questionCan I transfer my entry to someone else?
Yes. We handle the transfer internally, you do not need to change anything with Pentek Timing. Email us the substitute's details in good time: first and last name, address, email address, phone number and whether they hold an ÖTRV licence, including the licence number if so. You settle the entry fee between yourselves, we do not refund anything.
Link to this questionCan I switch to a different race?
Yes. Switching to a cheaper race, say from the Middle Distance to the Aqua Bike, Olympic Distance or Fun Triathlon, is free, but we do not refund the difference. The other way round, say from the Olympic Distance to the Middle Distance, is only possible by paying the difference. Email us or come by during race pack pick-up, on Saturday between 15:00 and 18:00 or on Sunday between 07:30 and 09:30.
Link to this questionHow do I file a claim with the entry fee insurance?
Through the Pentek Timing registration portal under the Insurance tab, using your booking number and the email address from your registration. If you need a withdrawal confirmation from us for the claim, drop us a line and we will issue one. The claim itself is processed by the insurer, we have no influence on that.
Link to this questionI booked the entry fee insurance by mistake. Can I cancel it?
Not through us and not through Pentek Timing. The policy is issued directly with the insurer and provides cover from the moment it is taken out. You have a 14-day right of withdrawal from receipt of the proof of cover, but the withdrawal must go in written form directly to the insurer, whose address is on your proof of cover. Timing matters: if you contact us first, you lose the deadline. In that case please go straight to the insurer.
Link to this questionBefore the race
5 questionsWhen do I get my race pack?
In front of the Bellevue Alm. For the Kids' and Fun Triathlon on Saturday from 12:00 to 14:00, for the Middle Distance, Aqua Bike and Olympic Distance on Saturday from 15:00 to 18:00 and on Sunday from 07:30 to 09:30.
Link to this questionWhat is in the starter bag?
Your race number, stickers for bike and helmet, a rental timing chip if needed, a wristband with your race number and goodies. For the Middle Distance and Aqua Bike the transition bags for bike, run and streetwear are included as well.
Link to this questionWhen does my bike have to be in transition?
Middle Distance and Aqua Bike check in on Sunday between 08:00 and 09:30, the Olympic Distance between 08:00 and 10:00. Bike check-out runs on Sunday from 15:30 to 18:30.
Link to this questionIs there a race briefing?
On Sunday the race briefing is held online, plus there is a short briefing right at the swim start at 09:45 and at 11:00. For the Kids' and Fun Triathlon it takes place 20 minutes before each category's start in the finish area.
Link to this questionDo I need my own chip strap?
Yes, you bring your own strap for the timing chip, even if you rent the chip from us. If you do not have one, simple straps are sold on site for about 1 euro and higher-quality ones for about 4 euros. No particular model is required, any standard velcro ankle strap does the job.
Link to this questionOn race day
9 questionsHow warm is the water?
Lake Klopein is Europe's warmest swimming lake and holds its temperature well into September. A cold-water start is not to be expected here. Experience says the lake sits above the wetsuit limit of the Olympic Distance and below that of the Middle Distance. Do not count on it though, the decision follows the measurement on race day.
Link to this questionAre wetsuits allowed?
That depends on the water temperature on race day, following the ÖTRV competition rules. There is an upper limit above which wetsuits are banned and a lower one below which they are mandatory. In between it is your call. The water is measured one hour before the start and the binding decision is announced then. Until then, best plan for both.
Link to this questionAt what water temperature are wetsuits banned?
What counts is the swim distance, not the name of the race. For the Olympic Distance with 1.5 kilometres, wetsuits are banned from 22.0 degrees and mandatory up to and including 15.9 degrees. For the Middle Distance with 1.9 kilometres the limit is 24.6 degrees, with the mandatory threshold likewise at 15.9 degrees and below. The Aqua Bike has no values of its own, it is folded into the Middle Distance here and follows its limits.
Link to this questionHow is the water temperature measured?
One hour before the start, in the middle of the swim course at a depth of 60 centimetres. If the air is colder than the water, the measured temperature is rated 0.5 degrees lower per degree of difference, which only becomes relevant with air below 15 degrees. If the rated value is below 12 degrees, swimming is banned even with a wetsuit, in between the swim course is shortened according to the tables of the competition rules.
Link to this questionWhat happens in bad weather?
Rain does not change anything, the race starts as planned. Only a strong thunderstorm would force us to interrupt or cancel, and that is decided on site on race day. We do not issue our own weather forecast, we look at the same apps as you do.
Link to this questionHow does the rolling start work?
The Middle Distance and Aqua Bike start together in a rolling start from 10:00, there are no separate elite starts. Every five seconds, five athletes enter the water. Your net time is measured from the moment you cross the start line.
Link to this questionWhat are the cut-off times?
For the Middle Distance 1:00 hour for the swim, 5:00 hours for swim and bike, 3:00 hours for the run and 8:00 hours overall. For the Olympic Distance 0:50, 3:00, 1:30 and 4:30 hours. The Fun Triathlon and kids' races have no cut-offs. The finish line closes at around 18:20.
Link to this questionIs there any leeway on the cut-offs?
No, the times apply as stated. They are not there to make the race harder, they hang on the road closures: the authorities approve them only for a fixed window, after which the course must reopen to traffic. That is why we cannot extend them, not even case by case.
Link to this questionWhere is the swim cut-off measured?
At the swim exit, not in the transition zone. If you miss the time there, you may not go onto the bike course. The same applies to relays: if the swimmer is over the limit, the relay's cyclist may not start either.
Link to this questionCourse and rules
6 questionsWhere are the aid stations?
On the bike loop at kilometre 15.5 right after Heartbreak Hill, with gels, bananas, water, cola and isotonic drinks. On the run loop at kilometre 1.2 and kilometre 3.5, with water, isotonic drinks, cola, gels, oranges and bananas; at the second station on the north shore Silberpfeil additionally runs its own stand with energy drinks. Gels and isotonic drinks at all stations come from 4Endurance.
Link to this questionMay my supporters hand me nutrition?
Yes, at the designated spots. On the bike course of the Middle Distance, Aqua Bike and Olympic Distance there is a nutrition zone at the start of each bike lap, right after the first small climb. There you may stage your own supplies or have supporters hand them to you. No littering: take your packaging with you. At the official aid stations you may drop cups and packaging within the station area. On the run course, hand-ups from supporters are allowed before and after the aid stations.
Link to this questionIs drafting prohibited?
In the Middle Distance, Aqua Bike and Olympic Distance, drafting is prohibited on the entire bike course. The Fun Triathlon is draft-legal, but time trial bikes are not allowed there.
Link to this questionMay I have aero bars on my road bike in the Fun Triathlon?
No, clip-on aero bars must be removed before the start. Simply not using them is not enough. The reason is the draft-legal format: aero bars have no place in a tight field with no spacing rule. In the other races, where drafting is prohibited, they are allowed.
Link to this questionIs the course closed to traffic?
The run course is fully closed. The bike course is mostly fully closed; on a few sections there is a partial closure: there your lane is separated with traffic cones and public traffic runs one-way. Nowhere will you face oncoming traffic in your lane. The whole course is marked, and the bike course is signposted in advance. Which sections are affected is listed on the getting-there page.
Link to this questionIs there a bike service?
On Saturday at the expo and on Sunday morning in the transition zone. There is no mobile service on the course, so pack a spare tube and tools yourself.
Link to this questionGetting there and spectators
4 questionsWhere can I park?
The car park right at the venue is paid in 2026, payable in cash at the entrance. Bring suitable change. Free parking is available at the car parks around the lake, about a kilometre away on the south and north shores. Access to the venue is possible on Saturday only if you arrive before 13:45; on Sunday it stays open all day via Wasserhofen and Terrassenweg.
Link to this questionWhere is the best place to watch?
On Heartbreak Hill at kilometre 15.5 of the bike loop, right by the aid station. Because the Middle Distance rides four laps, every athlete passes four times. On the run course the lakeside promenade on the north shore is the best spot, and the finish chute at the Bellevue Alm lido the loudest.
Link to this questionI live on the course. Can I get out on race day?
The closed sections and their time windows, including all diversions, are listed on the getting-there page. We keep access roads open wherever athlete safety allows. If you need to leave at a specific time, please let us know in advance and we will brief the course marshals.
Link to this questionCan I come by camper van and stay nearby?
There are no camper pitches at the venue itself. But Lake Klopein has two campsites, both about 700 metres from the race area, an easy walk. On top of that there are the public car parks around the lake, where campers traditionally park. More places to stay and our partner hosts are listed under Accommodation.
Link to this questionKids and Fun Triathlon
4 questionsDoes the wetsuit rule also apply to the Fun Triathlon?
No. The Fun Triathlon is a pure hobby race without prize money and without championship scoring. There we may allow wetsuits regardless of the water temperature, and we do. They are never mandatory.
Link to this questionWhich class does my child race in?
The class follows the birth year: Kids E for 2019 and 2020, Kids D for 2017 and 2018, Kids C for 2015 and 2016, Kids B for 2013 and 2014, Kids A for 2011 and 2012, Youth for 2009 and 2010. Every class has its own distances and its own start time.
Link to this questionWhat bike does my child need?
In classes D and E, standard everyday bikes are mandatory. Road bikes and bikes with slick or semi-slick tyres are expressly banned there. A helmet is mandatory in all classes.
Link to this questionIs the Fun Triathlon a good first triathlon?
Yes. A 300 metre swim, 13.3 kilometres on the bike and 3.3 kilometres of running, with no cut-off times and draft-legal riding. The race starts on Saturday at 14:15 and is limited to 100 spots.
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