Triathlon Season is Here!

By Darryl Caron

The Capital Region’s multisport clubs are excited to reconvene their members through weekly open-water swims, bike and run training, social events, and triathlon, duathlon and aquabike races of all distances at various locations, near and far.

The Capital District Triathlon Club, Adirondack Multi-Sport Club, Saratoga Triathlon Club and Bethlehem Triathlon Club each have activities and events planned. Beginners, all ages and abilities are welcome. Weekly open-water swim (and bike and run) training is the core of area club triathlon activities and in-season workouts. They are great opportunities to learn, practice, and refine your triathlon abilities, as well as meet other athletes in the region.

For Capital District Triathlon Club, the weekly Crystal Lake swim and bike/run summer training schedule kicks-off on Tuesday, May 28 and continues through August 27 at Crystal Cove in Averill Park. About 100 athletes train most weeks on the Crystal Lake Triathlon course, which consists of a 0.5-mile swim in calm water, 18-mile challenging out-and-back bike, and three-mile lake loop run. Swim training starts are at 6 and 6:30pm, and if you’d like to do more loops, lifeguards are on the water until 7:30pm. 

This year’s 23nd annual Crystal Lake Triathlon is on Saturday, August 17 – a classic race that’s popular with experienced triathletes, beginners, and aquabike is back. CDTC is again offering their “Crystal Lake or Bust” tri training camp on Tuesdays at the summer training sessions, where beginners can learn the basics of triathlon and get prepared for a great day at the Crystal Lake Tri. Registration for the triathlon – solo and teams – and aquabike is open so signup by 7/15 for the best price and awesome swag. Visit: cdtriclub.org.

At Adirondack Multi-Sport Club in Glens Falls, members have been biking and running, plus getting ready for swimming in Lake George. They’re hosting a Women’s Cycling Clinic on Saturday, May 11 with workshops, yoga and bike rides in Glens Falls. On Sunday, June 23, their third annual Rapid River Fondo starts in Warrensburg with gorgeous road bike rides of 33, 48 and 62 miles along meandering waterways, and rest stops at The Hub in Brant Lake. Adirondack is also hosting their Summer Time Trial Series (10 miles) in Ballston Spa on Wednesdays on 5/29, 6/12, 6/26, 7/10, and Fort Edward on Tuesdays on 6/4, 6/18, 7/2. All are welcome and encouraged to do these great events! Info: adirondackmultisport.com. Register: bikereg.com.

At Saratoga Triathlon Club, they’ve scheduled the weekly training swims in June, July and August at Moreau Lake State Park in Gansevoort. With over 50 athletes swimming most weeks, it’s a good opportunity to have fun, meet training partners and plan bike rides. STC has had spring club meetings with guest speakers and outdoor gatherings are being planned. Check out: saratogatriclub.com.

Bethlehem Triathlon Club welcomes weekend warriors to uber competitors in a motivating and supportive manner. The club offers weekly, supervised open-water swims, group running and biking at Lawson Lake County Park, 15 minutes south of Delmar. The BTC membership fee includes Thursday night open-water swims with lifeguards from late May to early September, plus biking and running from the park. Go to: bethlehemtriclub.com.

Spring fever is here so lace up your shoes, get on your bike, and grab your PFD. Schenectady County presents their 11th annual Pedal-Paddle-Run at Aqueduct Park in Niskayuna on Saturday, May 11 at 8am. With a paddling leg, it’s not your typical triathlon! Challenge yourself, get fit and have fun. The course consists of three legs: a seven-mile bike loop on the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and along Aqueduct Road; a two-mile kayak, canoe, SUP or guideboat paddle on the Erie Canal/Mohawk River, and 5K run on the bike-hike trail. Compete as an individual or a two- or three-person team. At the finish line, you’ll receive a Pedal-Paddle-Run medal. If you need a boat, Upstate Kayak Rentals has them as part of the online registration. Register: schenectadycounty.com/ppr.

Back for the first time since 2009, the Glimmerglass Triathlon will be at Glimmerglass State Park in Cooperstown on Saturday, May 18. Solo and teams are welcome in this 1.5M paddle (canoe/kayak), 16.5M bike, and 10K run. The race is organized by Clark Sports Center, and kayak and canoe rentals are available. Register: itsyourrace.com.

Saratoga Springs Lions Club presents their 19th annual Memorial Duathlon & 5K Run/Walk at Saratoga Casino Hotel on Sunday, May 26. Duathletes and runners/walkers of all levels on Memorial Day weekend. The duathlon features a 5K run, 30K bike and 5K run. The run is relatively flat near the horse race tracks, and the bike is on the popular Saratoga Lake training loop. There’s also a raffle with $5,000 in prizes so enter online for a chance to win many amazing prizes. Compete as an individual or as a two- or three-person team. Proceeds benefit Lions Club efforts to help people with sight/hearing disabilities, funding diabetes research, and community initiatives. Register: thememorialduathlon5k.com.

Wilson Endurance Sports, led by Mark and Tonia Wilson, brings fun, challenging events all around New York. They’re grassroots races for individuals and relay teams with no cutoff times. 

Their inaugural OnondagaMan Triathlon, Relay and Aquabike take place on Saturday, June 1 at Jamesville Beach Park – the former Syracuse 70.3 venue. It’s a 1.2M swim, 56M bike, and 13.1M run. It’s limited to 300 people and there are no cut-off times. The Hudson Valley Triathlon Club: Summer Tri Series includes three Sprint triathlon and aquabike races on Wednesdays, 5:30pm on June 12, July 10 and August 14. It’s held in Kenneth Wilson State Park in Mount Tremper, an hour south of Albany. 

On Saturday, June 15, the Ticonderoga Triathlon Festival has Sprint and Olympic triathlon and aquabike distances, plus Double Ti (Sprint and Olympic tri) and Double Ti Aquabike (Sprint and Olympic aquabike). The Sprint starts at 7am and Olympic at 9am. It’s held at Black Point Beach in Ticonderoga, with swim in Lake George, bike along the lakeshore, and run on quiet roads. The Stissing Triathlon is on Sunday, June 23 with a Sprint triathlon and aquabike. Pine Plains is halfway between the Hudson River and NY/CT border.

On Saturday, July 6, the Litchfield Hills Triathlon has Olympic triathlon and aquabike courses to enjoy New Hartford, Conn. The Delta Lake Triathlon is on Saturday, July 13 at Delta Lake State Park in Rome, but it is already sold out! It features Sprint and Olympic triathlon and aquabike races. On Sunday, July 28, the Findley Lake Triathlon Festival, two hours south of Buffalo, has Sprint, Olympic, Aquabike, and Double Findley races.

The CassadagaMan will be held on Saturday, Aust 31 in Cassadaga, one hour south of Buffalo. It’s a 70.3 challenge with similar elevations to the Lake Placid courses, but no cut off times. On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Kayak Bike Run (KBR) Triathlon in Cassadaga, include a one-mile kayak, 13-mile bike, two-mile run. E-bike users welcome at KBR but entered into a separate category. Register: coachmarkwilson.com.

On June 9, the Keuka Lake Triathlon has intermediate, sprint, aquabike distances, held at Keuka College campus in Keuka Park. Produced by First Knight Racing, who also runs the Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlons in August. Register: firstknightracing.com. 

In its 39th year, the Vermont Sun Triathlon Series is six great triathlons, meticulously directed by the Steve Hare and family with Ruth Bullock, at Branbury State Park on Lake Dunmore, just southeast of Middlebury, Vt. It’s a pristine place to race with beautiful courses in nearby central Vermont, 80 minutes from Glens Falls. If you can’t wait for summer, the Vermont Sun Half Marathon, 10K & 5K is on May 12. The Vermont Sun Triathlon is on June 23, July 21 and August 18 with a 600yd swim, 14M bike, and 3.1M run. The Lake Dunmore Triathlon is on June 23 and August 18 with a 0.9M swim, 28M bike, and 6.2M run. Both races have aquabike options and the June 23 races are also the USA Triathlon Vermont State Championship. For something different and fun, I highly recommend the Branbury Classic on July 21, a 1.5M canoe/kayak/SUP, 14M bike, and 3.1M run triathlon – this was my first multisport race 30+ years ago! Register: vermontsuntriathlonseries.com.

In Lake Placid, the 41st High Peaks Cyclery Monday Night Mini-Tri Series begins on Monday, June 24 and runs through August 12, with sprint races for solo and teams. Register: highpeakscyclery.com.

Race in the Adirondacks at the 42st annual Tupper Lake Tinman on Saturday, June 29. Based at Tupper Lake’s Municipal Park, see why the iconic Tinman is one of the longest running triathlons in the US. Situated at the crossroads of the northern Adirondacks, Tupper Lake is a quaint destination with pristine lakes, picturesque hiking trails, The Wild Center, good restaurants, and a friendly atmosphere. Participants can choose one of five races. Tinman 70.3: 1.2M swim on Raquette Pond, 56M bike to Cranberry Lake and back, and 13.1M run in and around the village – with Aquabike and Team Relay options. Olympic: 0.93M swim, 26M bike to Childwold and back, and 6.2M run. Sprint: 0.5M swim, 12.6M bike to Piercefield and back, and 3.1M run. Save 10% with discount code: TRITINMAN10. Register: tupperlaketinman.com.

The Alpha Win: Hudson Valley Triathlon is on June 29 in Kingston on Williams Lake with a distance for everyone: Open, Sprint, Olympic, 70.3. The Alpha Win: Lake George Triathlon is on August 31-Sept. 1 in Lake George with Sprint, Olympic, 70.3. The Lake George Triathlon Camp is on August 11-13. The Alpha Win: Saugerties Triathlon is on Sept. 15 with Sprint, Olympic, 70.3, Splash & Dash. Register: alpha.win.

The 12th annual Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlons are on August 18-19 in Penn Yan on Keuka Lake. Produced by First Knight Racing, the races include: Full, Half, Intermediate, Sprint. Register: firstknightracing.com.

There’s plenty to look forward to this summer so join/renew your club membership, sign up for races and events that interest you, train with other people, and make new friends. See you out there!