finishing times

That sounds on the shorter side from what I have seen. Most the races I do provide 3.5 - 4.5 hours but will let you finish if you have made it to the run though they still mark you as DNF/DNQ despite finishing. The DNF might be individual to the race, I am not aware of a USAT rule on this, I am simply sharing what I have seen.

It sounds weird to have same cut off time for both distances. Maybe it's only for the sprint? 3.5 sounds like not enough for Oly, depending on what race it is (local or prestigious). In Chicago Tribune you need to be at 3 hours if you want to be in first 100 of my age group. Then there are 300 or 400 more folks finishing slower. Again, it depends on the race. And it should be posted on the race Website. Or in a guide.

I would not worry to much about the cutoffs most races are flexible and let you finish. In fact the last person on the course ussally gets the biggest cheer as they go pass by. I once had a bike brake down in a half ironman for 2 hours. I was dead last but I had a blast when I hit the aid stations. Probably the most fi fun I have had in triathalon so. Sign up keep moving and enjoy the day you most likely will not be last

thanks guys. this is a usat event but at a smaller mo area. the lady i emailed said they allow 3-3.5 hours for sprint and olympic. i thought that was strange also. i just dont wanna drop a 100 bucks and get dq. i know i can do the sprint in that time but thinking the olympic is more like 4.5. maybe she gave me a typo. lol

Run the sprint, don't worry about the OD. Make the Olympic a goal for next year.

+1

3hr is reasonable cut off for a sprint but 3 1/2 is not for an Olympic. There are many people that can finish an Oly in 3 1/2 hrs. They may have meant that the bike cut off is 3 - 3.5hr. Many times they have permits and have to open streets again by a certain time, but the runs can go on past that.

Just do the sprint and enjoy the day, you will learn(and get hooked) and do another Oly later in the season or next year.