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These are the 10 best triathlons in the United States
Best Triathlon (2023)
Bringing together running, cycling and swimming, triathlons have tested athletes' endurance for nearly a half century. Thousands of these events are held throughout the U.S. every year, and 10Best wanted to find the best of the best. A panel of experts and editors made their nominations, and then readers voted for their favorites. Here are the 10 best triathlons in the U.S. for 2023.
Photo courtesy of Dmytro Aksonov // Getty Images
No. 10: Oregon Dunes Triathlon - Dunes City, Oregon
The Oregon Dunes Triathlon offers a beautiful course with diverse landscapes. The race begins with a swim in the clean waters of Woahink Lake, one of Oregon's beautiful coastal lakes. Then, the bike course takes athletes down scenic back roads of Dunes City. And the race finishes with a run on grass, gravel, dirt and paved trails through Honeyman State Park, before the epic climb up the Oregon Dunes.
Photo courtesy of positivelydigital // Getty Images
No. 9: New York City Triathlon - New York City, New York
Both challenging and iconic, the New York City Triathlon includes swimming in the Hudson River, biking down the West Side Highway and running through Central Park. This event also offers a wide variety of age and racing divisions, including paratriathletes, elite amateurs, first responders and even first-timers.
Photo courtesy of Pavel1964 // Getty Images
No. 8: Smoky Mountain Sprint Triathlon - Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Located in family-friendly Pigeon Forge, the Smokey Mountain Sprint Triathlon is an accessible option for athletes of all ages. The race involves a 150-yard swim in an indoor pool, a 16.5-mile bike ride on a bike course and a well-marked 5K run on paved roads. Designed to be fast and challenging, this course offers an enjoyable and rewarding race experience.
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Photo courtesy of Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for IRONMAN
No. 7: IRONMAN Lake Placid - Lake Placid, New York
The Ironman Lake Placid course is considered one of the most historic and challenging courses in the Ironman series. It consists of a 2.4-mile swim in beautiful Mirror Lake, a 112-mile bike ride through the Adirondack Mountains and a 26.2-mile run through the town of Lake Placid. The bike course is especially challenging with steep descents and climbs.
Photo courtesy of Adkasai // Getty Images
No. 6: Wisconsin Women's Triathlon - Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Women’s Triathlon aims to foster a sense of community among women of all ages. The event takes place at beautiful and picturesque Prairie Springs Park, and the race includes a half-mile swim in Lake Andrea, an 11-mile bike course through the Village of Pleasant Prairie, and a 3.1-mile run through Prairie Springs Park on paved and gravel paths.
Photo courtesy of Joel Mendez/IRONMAN
No. 5: Ironman 70.3 Hawaii - Kohala Coast, Hawaii
The Ironman 70.3 Hawaii is an official Ironman World Championship qualifying event and is known for attracting some of the world's top triathletes. Located on the Big Island, athletes enjoy the beauty of their surroundings as they compete for qualifying times. This challenging race includes a 1.2-mile swim in the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, a 56-mile bike ride through lava fields and a 13.1-mile run along the scenic coastline.
Photo courtesy of FatCamera // Getty Images
No. 4: Chicago Triathlon - Chicago, Illinois
The Chicago Triathlon is an annual event that consists of a swim in Lake Michigan, a bike ride along Lake Shore Drive and a run through downtown Chicago. As one of the most accessible triathlon events, race weekend includes a variety of competitions designed to accommodate participants of every ability, interest level and goal. It's also one of the largest triathlons in the world, attracting thousands of participants from around the globe each year.
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Photo courtesy of AMR Image // Getty Images
No. 3: Escape from Alcatraz - San Francisco, California
San Francisco hosts the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, an event that appeals to the adventurous spirit of triathletes worldwide while offering stunning city views. This challenging race includes a 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island, an 18-mile bike ride and an 8-mile run through the trails of the Golden Gate Recreational Area.
Photo courtesy of St. Anthony's Triathlon
No. 2: St. Anthony's Triathlon - St. Petersburg, Florida
A world-renowned and prestigious event, the St. Anthony's Triathlon in St. Petersburg, Florida has been held annually since 1983. The race involves a 1.5k swim, a 40k bike ride and a 10k run in the city's beautiful downtown waterfront.
Photo courtesy of Focal Flame Photography
No. 1: Door County Triathlon - Door County, Wisconsin
The Door County Triathlon features a course that winds through the scenic countryside of Door County, Wisconsin. The swim takes place in crystal-clear Horseshoe Bay, the bike ride goes along the shoreline and through the bluff area, and the run goes north through Egg Harbor before looping around.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most... Read More
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world for spa travel and also a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. Her fans say she is responsible for turning the spa day into a wellness adventure! You can find her always searching for unique experiences. Ava writes for multiple print and online publications such as Spa Travel Gal and many more. You can also find her here @SpaTravelGal
Ava Roxanne Stritt
Ava Roxanne Stritt has been called the most influential person in the world for spa travel and also a top authority on luxury and wellness travel. Her fans say she is responsible for turning the spa day into a wellness adventure! You can find her always searching for unique experiences. Ava writes for multiple print and online publications such as Spa Travel Gal and many more. You can also find her here @SpaTravelGal
Kristen Seymour
Kristen Seymour is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Seymour is a freelance writer based in Sarasota, FL, who contributes to a variety of publications including Triathlete.com, Trail Runner Magazine, Women's Running, and more.
Kristen Seymour
Kristen Seymour is a freelance writer based in Sarasota, FL, who contributes to a variety of publications including Triathlete.com, Trail Runner Magazine, Women's Running, and more.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.