Take a Race-Cation at These Scenic, Fun Races
by USA Triathlon
Cure the winter blues and race at one of these 18 U.S. triathlons that feature awe-inspiring views, beautiful weather, warm hospitality, and excellent race operations. There’s no triathlon vacation like a race-cation.
Winter Destination Race Guide
Florida Events
CLASH DAYTONA + USA TRIATHLON LONG COURSE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dec. 1-3 | Daytona, Fla.
What is cooler than racing on a speedway? Race at legendary Daytona International Speedway this December as CLASH Daytona is host to the 2023 USA Triathlon Long Course National Championship. In addition to Long Course Nationals, this one-of-a-kind event offers fun for the whole family with a sprint triathlon, duathlon, kids triathlon and a 5k Jingle Jog through the holiday lights. Bring your RV or camp on site. Super unique race!
https://clashendurance.com/pages/daytona
GAME ON! TREASURE COAST TRIATHLON
Dec. 3 | Fort Pierce, Fla.
Visit an under-discovered part of Florida at the Game On! Treasure Coast Triathlon. Held at Jetty Park at the Fort Pierce Inlet on Hutchinson Island, this race has become a favorite destination among triathletes from all over the country. Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian River Lagoon, Jetty Park is a hot spot for panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the beaches, a great fishing spot and quite possibly the best location in Florida to watch the sunrise. With an International and Sprint-distance triathlon, duathlon and aquabike, there’s a variety of race options — all finishing on the Fort Pierce Inlet Jetty! #FinishontheJetty as they say.
https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/FortPierce/GameOnTriathlon
KEY WEST TRIATHLON
Dec. 10 | Key West, Fla.
There’s something for everyone at the Key West Triathlon, organized by Integrity Multisport and featuring three triathlon distances: a mini triathlon (200m swim, 8-mile bike, 2-mile run), long sprint triathlon (400m swim, 14-mile bike, 3.6-mile bike), and international distance triathlon (800m swim, 20-mile bike, 5-mile run). Plus, there’s a duathlon and an aquabike. Who are we kidding though, the Key West Triathlon is just an excuse to come to Key West in December!
https://keywesttriathlon.com/IRONMAN 70.3 FLORIDA
Dec. 10 | Haines City, Fla.
Travel to the wide-open beauty of Florida in Haines City, as you celebrate your 2023 season, while taking advantage of the Florida scenery and countless amenities. You’ll find amusement parks and famous white sand beaches, diverse dining and breweries, and plenty of outdoor activities all within close proximity. Find the rhythm in Lake Eva as you take on the unique “M-Dot” swim, traverse through miles of rolling scenic orange groves, and feel the adrenaline as you cross the iconic finish line on the Great Lawn surrounded by spectators and TriClubs.
https://www.ironman.com/im703-florida
ALPHA WIN SARASOTA
Jan. 7, 2024 | Sarasota, Fla.
There’s no better place to race in winter than in Nathan Benderson Park — a world-class multi-purpose recreation center and rowing facility. Originally built for triathlons, the venue boasts a 600-acre park and a 400-acre man-made lake. Alpha Win Sarasota is also great for beginners, with buoys every 10 yards in the swim for sighting, and a convenient loop layout for the flat bike and run. So bring a friend! Spectators will be able to view their athletes throughout the event, as the bike course loops around the park, while the run course circles around the lake. The event features three distances: Sprint, Olympic, and 70.3, along with military, youth, aquabike, duathlon, and both two- and three-person relay categories.
https://alpha.win/event/sarasota-fl/
CHILLY WILLY DUATHLON
Feb. 4 | St. Petersburg, Fla.
Nothing chilly here in sunny St. Petersburg, Florida! Practice those run-bike-run skills at this duathlon-only event featuring a 5k run, 10-mile bike and 5k run through Fort De Soto Park — one of the top beaches in the country!
https://www.trisignup.com/Race/Events/FL/StPetersburg/ChillyWillyDuathlon
ULTRAMAN FLORIDA
Feb. 9-11 | Orlando, Fla.
A three-day endeavor guaranteed to test your physical and mental limits, the Ultraman Florida offers a journey that will touch your soul and create life-long memories. The event is capped at 50 entrants a year – you have to apply to race — and covers a total distance of 320 miles around the suburbs of Orlando. Day one features a 6.2 mile open water swim and 90.4-mile bike, day two a 171-mile bike and day three a 52.4-mile run. Ultraman looks for race applicants who are charitable, helpful and kind, have good character and have finished a recent iron-distance race. That sound like you?
305 TRIATHLON
March 3, 2024 | Miami, Fla.
Live from the 305! Race in beautiful and breezy Miami for the 305 Triathlon. Enjoy a saltwater swim and take in the views of the Miami city skyline and pristine blue waters of Key Biscayne. Events include 3 distances (mini, sprint, & Olympic) and 3 events (triathlon, duathlon, & aquabike). Don't miss Miami's ONLY Olympic Triathlon and the first triathlon at historic Miami Marine Stadium in 5 years! With the high bridge on the bike course, athletes will have a chance to test their limits on this beautiful course. (Mr. 305 approved.)
CLASH MIAMI
March 8 | Miami, Fla.
CLASH brings its unique racetrack format to Homestead-Miami Speedway. Swim in the spring-fed lake inside the speedway and bike on the dynamic road course outside the track and finish with a run that winds its way through palm tree -lined roads. All this under the spring sunshine only Miami can deliver.
https://clashendurance.com/pages/miami
41ST ANNUAL GREAT CLERMONT TRIATHLON
March 10 | Clermont, Fla.
Clermont, Florida, has long been a triathlon hotbed and the Great Clermont Triathlon, organized by Sommer Sports Events, celebrates its 41st running in March! Choose from more than eight events, with stunning views of Lake Minneola for all of them. Settled just outside of Orlando and Disney World, this event is perfect for athletes of all ages with events ranging from sprint to Olympic-distance, including relays. Don't miss out on this event to start your 2024 season!
https://sommersportsevents.com/article/AdventHealth-41st-Annual-Great-Clermont-Triathlon
Arizona, Texas, California Events
HOLIDAY CLASSIC
Dec. 9 | Anthem, Ariz.
Organized by 4 Peaks Racing, the 23rd annual Anthem Holiday Classic is a fun, family-friendly race to celebrate the end of the 2023 season and holidays! This popular sprint triathlon is held in a great location in Anthem, Arizona, outside of Phoenix, on a fun, fast course. Beginner-friendly, the race features a 400m heated pool swim, a fast 20k course and a 5k run to the finish.
https://4peaksracing.com/events/holiday-classic-2023/
ICEMAN TRIATHLON
Feb. 24, 2024 | Lake Pleasant, Ariz.
Bring your mountain bike to Lake Pleasant Regional Park outside of Phoenix to race Iceman. A race in the 2024 USA Triathlon Gravel & Off-Road Series, the fifth Iceman Road & Off-Road Triathlon truly has a little something for everyone with options in both road and off-road triathlon, aquabike, duathlon, SUP/kayak division and a 5k run.
https://4peaksracing.com/events/iceman-2024/
TRI 4 THE CURE
March 9 | Anthem, Ariz.
Race for a cause in Anthem, Arizona, next March at the Tri 4 the Cure, which raises money to fight breast cancer and local community charities. Located in the foothills north of Phoenix, Anthem offers a beautiful desert backdrop for your winter getaway from the cold. Tri 4 the Cure has something for everyone with both super sprint and sprint-distance triathlons and aquabike duathlon and triathlon relay options.
https://4peaksracing.com/events/tri-4-the-cure-2024/
ORO VALLEY TRIATHLON AND DUATHLON FESTIVAL
March 16, 2024 | Oro Valley, Ariz.
Deep in the five-desert mountain ranges of Tucson, Arizona, sits Oro Valley, home to the Oro Valley Triathlon and Duathlon Festival. With pristine views of the mountains, the aquatic center is perfect for the swim portion, with the bike portion wrapping around the town, and the run portion passing through James D. Kriegh Park. Join On Your Left Timing in Oro Valley for the the 10th anniversary of the race!
https://www.trisignup.com/Race/AZ/OroValley/ovspringtri
7TH ANNUAL DU IT
BY THE BAY
Jan. 28 | Laguna Vista, Texas
Du your best at the Du It by the Bay Duathlon! Located in the southernmost tip of Texas near Corpus Christi, Laguna Vista is the perfect place to compete. Scenic beach views, Port Isabel and South Padre Island — soak in the beauty and the fun! With the individual and relay formats, you can combine your skill level with your teammates and compete for the overall award categories!
DIRT IN YOUR SHOE DUATHLON
Feb. 25-26 | Navasota, Texas
Get your shoes dirty at the Dirt in Your Shoe Duathlon! Nestled in between Houston and College Station is the quaint town of Navasota, with the race taking place on the beautiful Magnolia Hill Ranch. The event includes a duathlon, adventure race and duathlon relay, on a fast course friendly to all levels of athletes. Take in the views of the Texas countryside and get ready to get dirty at the du!
https://www.trisignup.com/Race/TX/Navasota/dirtinyourshoedu
IRONMAN 70.3 INDIAN WELLS - LA QUINTA
Dec. 3 | Palm Springs, Calif.
End your 2023 season with a race-cation featuring plenty of sunshine and the beauty of the palm tree lined streets when you race in Palm Springs. Outside of race day, this region offers athletes and their families a range of activities, from relaxing to action packed — with luxurious resorts, world class spas, and top-rated golf courses. The elements of this course are perfect for your first experience at an IRONMAN 70.3 race.
https://www.ironman.com/im703-indian-wells
PASADENA TRIATHLON
March 9, 2024 | Pasadena, Calif.
Duathlon, reverse triathlon, 5k fun run — the Pasadena Triathlon has it all! Located in the heart of sunny southern California and returning for its 19th year at the Rose Bowl Stadium, the Pasadena Triathlon offers the perfect place to compete. With the bike and run portions looping around the stadium and the swim portion in a pool, this event is great for triathletes of all levels — beginner to experienced.
https://pasadenatriathlon.com/