Summer Triathlons – Variety of Distances and Formats

By Darryl Caron

If you’re looking for upcoming triathlons, aquabikes, and duathlons, we have an awesome variety of well-run events in the Northeast for competition and fun times.

The 41st annual High Peaks Cyclery Mini-Tri Series has races for solo and teams in Lake Placid every Monday evening through August 11. It’s on the same classic course of a 400yd swim in Mirror Lake, a 12M bike around the River Road loop, and a 3M out/back run on Mirror Lake Drive and Mt Whitney Road. A local favorite for those training and racing, each week allows participants to measure their progress. Visit: highpeakscyclery.com.

On Saturday, July 5, the Litchfield Hills Triathlon has challenging Olympic (1500m swim, 40K bike, 10K run) triathlon and aquabike courses for individuals and relay teams to enjoy the clean lake and rural roads in scenic New Hartford, Conn. Go to: coachmarkwilson.com.

The Delta Lake Triathlon is on Saturday, July 12 at Delta Lake State Park near Rome. It features sprint (750m swim, 11M bike, 5K run) and Olympic (complete two loops of each course) triathlon, aquabike and team relay races. If you’re feeling really ambitious, do the Delta Double triathlon and aquabike – race the sprint and get back to the starting line in time to race the Olympic. Delta Lake is sold out, but add yourself to the waitlist for both distances, because to date everyone that has been added, has been invited to race. Visit: coachmarkwilson.com.

The 40th annual Vermont Sun Triathlon Series continues from Branbury State Park on Saturday, July 19. The Vermont Sun Triathlon is a 600yd swim in Lake Dunmore, 14M bike around the lake, and 5K out/back run. For paddlers, try the Branbury Classic Triathlon with a 1.5M canoe/kayak/SUP, 14M bike, and 5K run. Bring the family to enjoy the lake, beach and mountain setting. Go to: vermontsuntriathlonseries.com.

On Sunday, July 27, the Findley Lake Triathlon Festival takes place two hours south of Buffalo in a beautiful lakeside community. It’s a sprint (750m swim, 14M bike, 5K run) and Olympic (two laps of each course) triathlon and aquabike, with no cut-off times. Or challenge yourself with the Double Findley – do the sprint and Olympic tri or aquabike. Relay teams can do the sprint and Olympic. Visit: coachmarkwilson.com.

The Cassadaga Kids Triathlon is in Cassadaga, one hour south of Buffalo, on Saturday, August 9. The 100m swim, 3M bike, and 1M run is for ages four-15. Visit: coachmarkwilson.com.

The Vermont Sun Triathlon Series concludes at Branbury State Park on Sunday, August 17. The Vermont Sun Triathlon has a sprint 600yd swim, 14M bike, and 3.1M run. The Lake Dunmore Triathlon has an Olympic 0.9M swim, 28M bike, and 6.2M run. Both have team and aquabike options. Visit: vermontsuntriathlonseries.com.

This 25th anniversary Crystal Lake Triathlon is in Averill Park on Saturday, August 16. It’s hosted by the Capital District Triathlon Club with great volunteer support. It’s one of the most scenic races in the area with a 0.5M swim in Crystal Lake, 18M challenging out/back bike, and a mostly flat 3M run around the lake. It’s popular with new and experienced racers, it’s open to solo and teams, and there’s an aquabike option. Capital Region athletes can preview the course at CDTC’s Tuesday Night Summer Training Series. Register by 7/15 to save money and for awesome swag! Visit: cdtriclub.org.

The 13th annual Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlon at Indian Pines Park in Penn Yan on Sunday, August 17. The ‘steel distances’ are slightly longer than traditional races due to a longer bike course. With 11 races to choose from, including relays, duathlons and aquathon, there’s a steel distance for you: full (144.6M), half (72.3M), intermediate (36.6M), sprint (17.6M). The Peasantman full steel distance triathlon, aquabike, and duathlon are USA Triathlon’s 2025 Ultra-Distance National Championships. The race also made Triathlete magazine’s list of “Best Iron Distance Races in North America” in 2023. Visit: firstknightracing.com.

The sixth annual CassadagaMan will be held on Saturday, August 30 in Cassadaga, a beautiful setting that’s an hour south of Buffalo. The long course is a challenge you won’t soon forget, with a 1.2M swim, 56M bike, and 13.1M run. There’s also an intermediate race, with 1.2M swim, 28M bike, and 6M run. The long distance race has similar elevations to the courses in Lake Placid, with aquabike options, relay teams, and no cut-off times. This fabulous race also has a catered meal, Southern Tier beer garden, music, and swag. Visit: coachmarkwilson.com.

The Alpha Win Lake George Triathlon is on Saturday-Sunday, August 30-31. Based at Battlefield Park, near Million Dollar Beach, in the village of Lake George, it’s a fun, competitive weekend with great views throughout the course. This year’s race is the USA Triathlon’s 2025 New York State Championships for age groups, high schools, and clubs. On Saturday, the long course is a 1.2M swim, 56M bike, and 13.1M run. The festival has a family-friendly atmosphere, with a Saturday early dinner cruise on a Lake George Steamboat. On Sunday, there are Sprint (750m swim, 12.4M bike, 5K run) and Olympic (1500m swim, 24.8M bike, 10K run) distances, including the New England Collegiate Triathlon Conference race. The weekend has duathlon, aquabike and team options. Visit: alpha.win.

Join the 48th annual Josh Billings RunAground Triathlon on Sunday, Sept. 14. It’s the oldest paddle triathlon in the world and there are 45 categories for teams and ironpersons. About 400 bikers start in Great Barrington, Mass. and race 27M on backcountry rolling hills through the Berkshires to Stockbridge, where they hand off their wristband to paddlers waiting at Stockbridge Bowl. Canoeists, kayakers and SUPers sprint 5M around the lake ending at Camp Mah-Kee-Nac, where the wristband is tossed to runners waiting on the beach. Runners go 10K around the lake and finish back at the iconic Main Gate of Tanglewood – a return to tradition, where thousands cheer on the finishers. The after party and awards, “The Bash” will also be hosted at Tanglewood with food/drink, live music, and a kids fun run. Need a teammate? The Josh ‘Matchmaker’ will help put teams together. Proceeds benefit the Berkshire United Way. Visit: joshbillings.com.

Also on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Saugerties Triathlon, you can race in Alpha Win’s hometown. The swim is from the Waterside Spa at Diamond Mills, then once you surpass the hill near the starting line and transition, you can enjoy a rolling bike ride, and flat run course in this quiet yet lively town. Distances include a long course, Olympic, sprint and open races. Visit: alpha.win.

The second annual Knight’s Fury Duathlon will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Mendon Ponds Park in Honeoye Falls. There are two distance options, the Formulae Unum with 2M run, 10M bike, 2M run, 10M bike, 2M run, and the Super Fury with 2M run, 10M bike, 2M run. Brought to you by the “Peasantman” team. Visit: firstknightracing.com.

If you’re ready for a great day, do the Mohawk Towpath Byway Duathlon at Riverview Orchards in Rexford on Sunday, Oct. 19. The fall event consists of a 2M run, 12M bike, 2M run along the scenic route of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway in Clifton Park. It’s open to individuals and teams, and proceeds support Friends of the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway. Visit: trisignup.com.