Races

Brewhouse Triathlon (20 miles from Duluth)

• Sprint and long course distances available.
• New in 2013 based out of Island Lake Beach
• Decent swim course, well protected lake with high probability of wetsuit legal temperatures.
• New bike course has improved pavement conditions; out and back course. 
• Out and back run course.
• With the new bike and run courses, I have not raced the course yet.  The bike course is much improved and the run course looks like it will have some shade.

Burrito Union Triathlon (18 miles from Duluth)

• Sprint distance course that is repeated multiple times for either 5 or 10 hours. 
• Very small well protected lake with very cool water.
• Simple out and back bike course on nice road with full shoulders and little traffic.
• Trail course for the run that is fairly challenging but well shaded by the woods.
• Very unique event with a fun laid back atmosphere.
• Highly recommended event, either as an individual or get a team together and try the unique setup of the event. 
• New for 2013 they have added a "one and done" version where you do the course once and then get the party started for the 5 and 10 hour athletes.

Duluth Triathlon/Buzz Ryan (20 miles from Duluth)

• Half iron distance event that was run for the first time this year 2012.
• Swim in Island Lake, two laps.
• Bike course is a single loop north on County Hwy 4.  There is a stretch of 10 or so miles of poor pavement at the beginning (and end as it is an out and back) before you have some decent pavement with shoulders on the north side.  Nice rolling hills to keep you honest overall with a single aid station at the turn around.
• The run course was updated in 2013 to be two loops south on County Hwy 4.  Well supported aid stations and it has a couple hills that keep you working.  A mix of dirt and paved roads and this is a nice run course overall.
• The Buzz Ryan is the sprint distance event that shares the same venue and date as the Duluth Triathlon.  

Superior Man Triathlon (0 miles from Duluth)

• Half iron distance event that was run for the first time on 26AUG2012.
• Duluth Running Company organizes this race.
• The swim course is in the bay of Lake Superior right in front of the DECC/Aquarium/Bayfront Park.  It is a two loop rectangle that offers great spectator viewing from the breakwall as the swimmers are never very far from it.  Also, the start is a little unique with a jump from the Vista Fleet in a time trial fashion.  The swim was very spread out so there was little to no contact with other swimmers.
• The bike course wound its way through downtown before popping out on London Road and then utilizing the Expressway to Two Harbors before taking a u-turn onto the scenic highway for the return trip.  There is about 1200 feet of climbing, mostly in the first 30 miles.  Nothing very steep either.  With the time trial swim start, there was no problem with drafting at all.
• The run course was updated for 2013 to be two loops and headed further north on the Lakewalk so we got to run through Leif Erickson Park also.  All the big attractions were on the route: William A. Irvin, Aerial Lift Bridge, Marine Museum, Bayfront Park, Great Lakes Aquarium...  Not much for hills, but it also does not have much shade.
• Transition was indoors in the DECC Arena.  This was a nice touch when you were setting up in the early morning hours with good lighting, and real bathrooms instead of porta-potties.
• Recommended goal race for the later part of the season.

Moose Lake Triathlon (43 miles from Duluth)

• 0.8/?/5 mile course.
• Swim from the public park across the lake and back.  Very clean and clear lake.
• The bike course was updated for 2012, but with the flood canceling the race not sure how the new bike course would play out.
• Run around the lake on a combination of roads and multi use trails. 
• Very small low key event held on the fourth of July weekend. 
• With the understanding that it is a small low key event, this was a wonderfully fun race.  Yeah it did not have much for volunteers, but that is what you expect when the race is so cheap.  I really hope the weather cooperates for next year so I can race it again.

Timberman Triathlon (97 miles from Duluth)

• Sprint and international distance courses available.
• The race is based out of Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge.  Wonderful resort and a great place to stay for the weekend if racing.
• Swim in the clearest cleanest lake I have ever raced in (Sugar Lake).
• The bike course is on very low trafficked roads around the resort with some solid hills.  The pavement is 50/50 good/bad.
• The run course is out and back with some tree coverage to help when it is warm.
• Overall, this race is very well run.  I highly recommend this race for anyone.  Make a weekend of it and enjoy the resort and Grand Rapids area.

Z Tri (97 miles from Duluth)

• Sprint distance race on the 4th of July.
• The race is based out of Zorbaz's on Pokegama Lake in Grand Rapids, MN.  
• The swim is a short rectangle with a nice steep jog to transition.  Clean lake and should be wetsuit legal.
• Out and back on the bike has a couple of turns and hills to keep you on your toes.  Pavement is decent.
• Run is a loop that starts the same way the bike course does.  You then split off and run along Pokegama before joining up with the last half mile of the bike course to get back to the finish line.
• This is a small event with the basics for race amenities.  A good way to get a nice workout in to start the 4th though.

Chequamegon Bay Sprint Triathlon (70 miles from Duluth)

• Sprint distance race run during “Bay Days” in Ashland.
• Swim is in Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior.  It is very clean and cold. 
• The bike course winds south through town and loops through the rural area and comes back in from the west side of town.  Decent pavement on the roads with low traffic overall.
• The run course runs west along the multi use trail on the lake and then comes back the same way.
• Overall the race was poorly organized.  The course has potential, but the race was priced like a solid race, however, the transition area had only enough racks for 50% of the racers.  There was also one corner on the course that had no marking or volunteer to tell the racers to turn.  For the price they charged, I expected a little more from the race.