Frequently Asked Questions
What will the Water temperature of Woods Reservoir be on the first Saturday in June?
Historically the water temp has been between 72 and 78 degrees on the first Saturday in June.
Will I be able to use a wet suit?
USA Triathlon Rules state that if the water temperature the morning of the race is up to and including 78 degrees Fahrenheit, wet suits may be worn. If the water temperature is greater than 78 and less than 84 degrees Fahrenheit, a wet suit may be worn but the participant is not eligible for awards. If the water temperature is 84 degrees or greater a wet suit may not be worn.
Just as a note -- in the last 13 years, Mach Tenn has been wet suit legal (water 78 or below) every year but one.
Is Mach Tenn a good beginners race or first triathlon?
Generally, the answer to this is yes. There have been many triathletes who caught the triathlon "bug" at Mach Tenn. The distances are relatively short but long enough to provide a little bit of a challenge. We do not put time limits on the course, so you have as much time as you need.
However, if you are an incredibly timid swimmer, I will remind you that the swim is 0.6 miles in a lake that is not shallow. Remember, there is no black line on the bottom of the lake, and you couldn't see it if there was. There are no lane ropes to keep other people way from you. If you are a timid swimmer, I would suggest that you do several lake swims before race day. This will give you a chance to get comfortable in a body of water that is deep and no walls close by.
Mach Tenn has the good fortune of having outstanding swim course support from the local swim teams, ski club, yacht club, and Franklin County Rescue, and AEDC Security. Because of this there is typically on the order of 20 or more watercraft on the swim course to help with anything that might arise during the swim portion of the course. So we have plenty of water support, however, if you are not comfortable in the OPEN water, this might not be the best choice for a first triathlon.
I can not stay for the award ceremony will you mail my award?
You are welcome to have a friend pick your award up at the ceremony if you can not be there. You are also welcome to pick the award up at a later time at the race directors house (make arrangements and I will send you directions).
In the past we have generally not mailed awards. However if the other two methods are not possible and you REALLY want the award, you can send your name along with a check for $20 made out to Melissa Miller to 126 Hilltop Lane, Wartrace, TN 37183.
Does the race really sell out - do I need to register early?
Yes, Mach Tenn has filled to the registration cut off the last 5 or 6 years. Sometimes it fills the week before the race, but it has filled as early as three weeks prior to the race. So don't put off registration too long.
Will there be a waiting list once registration is full?
No. We will make a limited number of Charity registration slots available once regular registration is full. The charity registration will be significanly more expensive than regular registration cost. All of those funds will be donated to a local charity.
I'm registered but am not going to be able to participate -- can I get a refund?
If you contact the race director melissa@machtenn.org more than 7 days prior to the race, then a refund, minus a $10 processing fee, will be sent to you.