Weather & Event Policies
Texas City Triathlon • Duathlon • Aquabike
Weather, Water & Event Policies
Prepare for a warm coastal race morning. Review typical conditions, wetsuit rules, severe-weather procedures, and the primary event policies before race weekend.
Typical Race-Day Conditions
These figures are planning guides based on the five most recent race mornings and five years of September Galveston Bay water data. They are not a race-day forecast.
The five-year average near the start of the race is approximately 79°F. Individual race mornings have varied.
Temperatures typically rise during the event. The five-year late-morning average is approximately 84°F.
The five-year September average is approximately 84.7°F, with annual monthly averages ranging from 83.5–86.4°F.
Five-year context: Across the five most recent race mornings, observed air temperatures between approximately 5:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. ranged from about 75–89°F. Actual race-day air and water temperatures may fall outside these historical figures.
Wetsuit Rules
The official race-morning water temperature—not an online reading or forecast—determines whether wetsuits may be worn and whether an athlete remains eligible for awards and USA Triathlon rankings.
| Water Temperature | Wetsuit Status | Awards & Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| 60.6°F or below | Mandatory | Eligible |
| 60.7–78.0°F | Permitted | Eligible |
| 78.1–83.9°F | Permitted | Not eligible for age-group awards or USA Triathlon rankings |
| 84.0°F or higher | Prohibited | Not applicable |
Important: Water temperatures are measured on race morning in accordance with USA Triathlon procedures. Wetsuits may not exceed 5 millimeters in thickness. The Head Referee may modify the wetsuit determination or shorten, alter, or cancel the swim when conditions create a safety concern.
Severe Weather & Course Changes
Race management continuously monitors conditions and coordinates with public-safety personnel. Athlete, volunteer, staff, and spectator safety takes priority over completing the original format.
Lightning, flooding, excessive wind, unsafe water, extreme heat, and other hazards are evaluated before and during the event.
When necessary, the race may be delayed in approximately 20-minute intervals while conditions are reassessed.
The course may be shortened or altered. The swim may be replaced with a run, or the event may be converted to another safe format.
Race management may suspend or cancel any portion of the event when conditions cannot be managed safely.
Event Policies
Select a section below to review the primary registration, participation, deferral, packet-pickup, and safety policies.
Registration & Eligibility
- Registration opens January 1 and is completed online through the official race website and RunSignup.
- The current field limit is 800 registered participants. The event may sell out before the published closing time.
- Online registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on the day before the race. Race-day registration is not available.
- Athletes must register themselves and provide complete and accurate information.
- Participants must be at least 12 years old. Athletes younger than 18 require authorization from a parent or legal guardian.
- A current USA Triathlon membership or one-day license is required and may be purchased during registration.
- Relay captains create and pay for the team. Each additional teammate must register individually and join that team through RunSignup.
- AWD/Para athletes are welcome. Athletes requiring a guide must provide their own guide, and the guide must also register.
Refunds, Transfers & Deferrals
- Entry fees are nonrefundable.
- Individual entries may not be transferred or sold to another athlete.
- Relay teams may update their participating teammates through the permitted registration process.
- Eligible athletes may request a next-year deferral through RunSignup by Thursday, two weeks before the race.
- Deferred athletes must contact the event the following year to activate the deferral. A personal registration link will be issued, and the athlete must complete registration and pay the applicable activation fee.
- The current activation fee is 30% of the entry fee in effect when the athlete re-registers.
- A deferral may not be deferred again. It must be used for the following year's event or it is forfeited.
Registration Changes & Insurance
- Athletes may sign in to their RunSignup account to update personal information, registration-question answers, eligible add-ons, and permitted event or division selections.
- Giveaway or apparel-size changes generally close approximately six weeks before race day so merchandise can be ordered.
- Most other registration changes close approximately two weeks before race day.
- Registration insurance is provided by a third party and must be selected during registration. It cannot be added later.
- Insurance claims and coverage decisions are handled by the insurance provider, not the race.
Waivers & Participant Responsibility
- Every participant must accept the required event and USA Triathlon waivers during registration.
- A parent or legal guardian must approve the required waivers for a minor.
- Waivers acknowledge the inherent risks associated with swimming, cycling, running, traffic, weather, open water, and participation in a multisport event.
- Athletes are responsible for knowing the course, following race instructions, obeying USA Triathlon rules, and using equipment that is safe and suitable for competition.
- Participation confirms the athlete is physically prepared and medically able to complete the event safely.
Packet Pickup & Packet Shipping
- Bring your packet-pickup QR code and a government-issued photo ID.
- To collect another adult athlete's packet, bring that athlete's QR code, a copy or photo of their ID, and written permission.
- Race-morning packet pickup is available only to athletes who purchased that option in advance. The scheduled window is 5:00–6:30 a.m. at Jaycee Pavilion.
- Shipped packets are generally mailed one to two weeks before the event.
- A packet lost in transit may be replaced at no charge. If tracking shows it was delivered but it cannot be located, the replacement fee is $50.
- Timing chips are distributed at the bike racks in transition, not inside the mailed race packet.
- Sun & Ski Sports supports the event as a sponsor but is not responsible for race administration. Please direct race and packet-pickup questions to the event, not the store.
Event Changes, Cancellation & Safety
- Race management may delay, modify, shorten, suspend, or cancel any portion of the event when necessary for safety.
- Possible changes include an altered course, shortened distances, replacement of the swim, a duathlon or run-only format, or cancellation.
- Decisions may be based on weather, water conditions, lightning, flooding, wind, heat, air quality, emergencies, public-safety direction, or other conditions beyond the event's control.
- The event's nonrefundable-entry policy remains in effect unless race management expressly announces otherwise.
- Participants must follow all announcements and instructions provided by race management, USA Triathlon officials, law enforcement, medical personnel, and volunteers.