2D Challenge

2D Challenge

Challenge yourself by completing both the sprint and Olympic distance races on the same day! For our 20th anniversary, we’re offering the 2D Challenge. You’ll compete in the individual sprint triathlon, then your choice of individual Olympic triathlon or aquabike, or as part of an Olympic distance relay team. Here’s how it works:

  1. To participate as an individual in both distances, sign up for the 2D Challenge with special pricing. If you are participating in the sprint triathlon and as part of an Olympic distance relay team, sign up individually for each event and we’ll make sure you’re in the right wave starts.
  2. When you arrive at transition, there will be a section dedicated to 2D Challenge athletes.
  3. At 7am, 2D Challenge athletes will start the sprint triathlon in their own wave. The rest of the sprint athletes will start at 7:30am.
  4. When you return to transition to move to the bike, our staff and volunteers will hang your wetsuit in our wetsuit tent close to the swim start.
  5. When you cross the sprint finish line, head over to the wetsuit tent and pick up your wetsuit.
  6. At 9am, 2D Challenge athletes will start the Olympic distance events in their own wave.

2D Challenge finishers will receive medals for the individual events, as well as a special 2D Challenge medal.

Registration for the individual 2D Challenge will be $220 until 12/28, and $240 from 12/29 to 2/28.

If you are registering to do the individual sprint and an Olympic relay team, just sign up for both individually and will make sure you’re in the right wave. There is no 2D Challenge discount for signing up for the individual sprint and an Olympic relay team.

2D Challenge Rules

Please read and understand all rules before registering.

There will be overall awards for the top three male and female athletes who compete in the 2D Challenge. Those eligible for these overall awards are athletes who compete in the individual sprint distance triathlon and individual Olympic distance triathlon as part of the 2D Challenge only.

Athletes who participate in the 2D Challenge (both sprint and Olympic events) ARE ELIGIBLE for overall and age group awards in both the sprint and Olympic distance events. Playtri Desert Triathlon has applied for and received a rules amendment from USA Triathlon for rule 3.4.m for participants in the 2D Challenge only:

When the beginning of any event is commenced by starting designated “waves” or groups of participants at different times, all participants shall start in and with the proper wave or group. Any participant who violates this section by starting in an improper and earlier wave or group shall be disqualified.  Any participant who starts in an open or elite wave in an event with age group waves shall be ineligible for age group awards.

This rule amendment will allow all participants (excluding Pro/Elite athletes) competing in the 2D Challenge to be eligible for age group awards in each individual distance event.

The schedule will be as follows:

7AM – 2D Challenge sprint wave: All athletes competing in the 2D Challenge must start with this wave. Only athletes assigned to this wave will be allowed to start. Athletes who are not signed up for the 2D Challenge who start with this wave will be disqualified.

7:30AM – First sprint wave for all other athletes: Athletes who are signed up for the 2D Challenge and miss the 7AM wave must go to Solutions and switch to either the sprint or Olympic distance only. Those athletes will not be allowed to complete the 2D Challenge. There will be no refunds for those athletes who miss the 7AM wave. Any athlete signed up for the 2D Challenge who misses the 7AM wave, does not change to one of the individual distances at Solutions, and enters into any other swim wave will be disqualified.

9:00AM – 2D Challenge Olympic Wave: This is the only Olympic distance wave for ALL 2D Challenge athletes. This includes relay teams with one or more 2D Challenge participants. If you are assigned to this wave, and you miss this wave (whether you are a 2D Challenge participant or member of a relay team with a 2D Challenge participant(s), you will not be allowed to complete the Olympic distance events. There will be no refunds for those athletes who miss the 9AM wave.