TRI Clear Lake
TRI Clear Lake Sprint & Olympic Distance Triathlon in Clear Lake, Iowa
The Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce is host to the TRI Clear Lake Triathlon, sanctioned by USA Triathlon will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025. The race will start and end in downtown Clear Lake! The scenic course will commence at City Beach; the flat-and-fast one-or two-loop bike course guides athletes out and back along South Shore Drive. The race is capped off with a 3.1-mile or 6.2-mile run on North Shore Drive along beautiful Clear Lake, past the historic Surf Ballroom and back to a lakeside finish in City Park. This is the perfect race for beginners and experienced triathletes alike. At the completion of the race, you will experience a high-energy lakefront finisher party, complete with music, food and beverages!
2024 Race Results
TRI Clear Lake Race Distances
Olympic Distance: 1,500 meter swim, 24.8-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run
Sprint Distance: 500-meter swim, 12.4-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run
TRI Clear Lake Race Tiered Race Registration
First 150 to register: Sprint $65 // Olympic $75
151-300 to register: Sprint $80 // Olympic $90
301-450 to register: Sprint $95 // Olympic $105
451-600 to register: Sprint $110 // Olympic $120
601-750 to register: Sprint $125 // Olympic $135
Sprint Relay $170 // Olympic Relay $200
REGISTRATION WILL OPEN SEPTEMBER 2024!
TRI Clear Lake Volunteers Needed & Appreciated!
Interested in volunteering? We will have volunteer opportunities on Friday, May 23 & Saturday, May 24. Stay tuned for the sign up link!
Schedule of Events
Friday, May 24th
- 3:30-7:30 p.m. Packet pickup at Athletico located at 7 South 8th St., Suite C, Clear Lake, Iowa
- 6:00-7:00 p.m. Swim course open for OWS practice
- 6:30 p.m. Youth Splash and Dash
- 7:00 p.m. Tri 101 Meeting
Saturday, May 25th
- 5:30 a.m. Transition opens & timing chip pickup
- 7:15 a.m. Transition area closes
- 7:20 a.m. Pre-race meeting at swim start
- 7:30 a.m. Olympic race begins
- 7:55 a.m. Sprint race begins (time is approximate based on number of participants)
Race Venue
Clear Lake is conveniently located right off of I-35. Only 2 hours South of Minneapolis and 2 hours North of Des Moines. The race will start and finish lakefront downtown. Athletes and spectators are welcome to park downtown.
Race Categories
Racers will be divided into categories by gender and age. Age groups for each gender are:
- 19 and under
- 20-24
- 25-29
- 30-34
- 35-39
- 40-44
- 45-49
- 50-54
- 55-59
- 60-64
- 65-69
- 70 and older
Clydesdale and Athena Divisions:
Men weighing 220 pounds or more and women weighing 165 pounds or more are able, but not required, to participate in the Clydesdale and Athena divisions. To do so, you must indicate this group on your registration form. Entrants in this category are eligible for Clydesdale or Athena Division awards, but not age group awards.
Relay division:
2 to 3 person relay.
Awards
The top three overall male and female finishers and the top 3 finishers in each of the other categories for sprint and olympic distances (Age Group, Clydesdale, Athena, Relay Teams) will receive an award. Award ceremonies will follow completion of each race.
Sanctioning
The TRI Clear Lake will be sanctioned by USA Triathlon (USAT). Race participants are required to be annual members of, or have a one-day permit from, USAT. The $15 USAT one-day permit fee will be added to nonmembers’ entry fees prior to check-out. USAT members must present their USAT membership card and photo ID at packet pickup.
Packet Pickup
Packet pickup will take place on Friday, May 24th from 3:30-7:030 p.m. Athletes must pick up their own packets, at which time they will be required to show a photo ID and their USAT membership card if they are an annual USAT member. This also applies to individual relay team members.
Timing
Chips will be distributed at the southwest corner of City Park on the morning of the event. Race participants are responsible for returning their chips to volunteers at the finish line. A $30 charge will be assessed to the athlete if the chip is not returned.
Event Cancellation
If the swim portion of the race is cancelled due to inclement weather (i.e. heavy rain, lightning) or unsafe water conditions, the event will be duathlon, with run-bike-run. Please check the TRI Clear Lake website and Facebook page on race day for updates if you suspect delays or cancellation.
Refund Policy
Registration is non-refundable.
Youth Splash & Dash
Youth Splash and Dash
A Splash and Dash is a fun and fast-growing sport that combines swimming and running. The TRI Clear Lake Splash & Dash is a participatory event for kids ages 7-15 with an emphasis on creating a fun family weekend of multisport and fitness. As an official part of the USA Triathlon Youth Aquathlon Series. Every participant will receive a finisher medal, TRI Clear Lake visor and fitness towel. Parents are encouraged to cheer on their kids as they move through the course and finish under the same arch as the adult racers. The race will be held Friday, May 24th at 6:30pm. Athletes will be staged by age with the oldest going off first.
TRI Clear Lake Youth Splash & Dash Athlete Guide
Youth Splash and Dash Course
The kids swim start and exit will be at City Beach. 7-10 year old’s will swim 100 meters and 11-15 year old’s will swim out a little deeper and complete a 200 meter swim exiting in the same location as the younger kids. Both courses will have numerous lifeguards in the water and safety personnel on site ensuring a safe and fun swim.
As the swimmers exit, they will enter the transition area where they can change into their running shoes and hit the road. The 7-10 year old’s will complete a 1k lap around City Park, kids 11-15 will complete a 2k run down North Lakeview Drive, turn around, come back to 1st Ave. N., continue East and run around the top portion of City Park to finish line. Volunteers will be on site to ensure runners are going the correct direction. There will be one aid station as the runners exit transition with water and sports drink. Finish line refreshments will also be provided.
Youth Splash and Dash Packet Pickup and Transition Information
Kids can pick up their race packet containing a shirt and swim cap at the Lakeview Room in City Park. Body marking will done when the kids receive their packet. The transition area will be divided into two sections, one half for kids 7-10 and one half for kids 11-15. Kids will be free to choose their own spot. Packet pick-up will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 24.
Youth Splash and Dash Event Timeline
Friday May 24th
3:00-6:00 p.m. Packet pick-up at Lakeview Room in City Park
5:30 p.m. Transition opens (Transition will be divided into two areas, Juniors and Seniors. Transition spots will be first come first serve)
6:15 p.m. Pre-race briefing at start location on City Beach
6:30 p.m. Senior division (11-15) starts (Athletes will line up and enter the water in pairs every 3 seconds)
6:40 p.m. Junior division (7-10) starts (This time is an approximation based on numbers. Athletes will enter the water in pairs every 3 seconds)
Youth Splash and Dash Divisions and Distances
Juniors: 7-10 years old – 100-meter swim | 1-kilometer run
Seniors: 11-15 years old – 200-meter swim | 2-kilometer run
Registration is now closed.
Volunteers
Interested in volunteering? Click here to sign up! We have volunteer opportunities on Friday, May 24 & Saturday, May 25.
Friday, May 24th
- Setup – Volunteers help set up the swim, bike, and run courses, as well as the finish line, transition, and registration areas.
- Youth Splash & Dash Swim Course – Certified lifeguards direct and assist athletes in the water.
- Youth Splash & Dash Run Course – Volunteers direct athletes and watch for traffic.
- Registration – Volunteers assist our event staff at registration by checking in athletes and distributing packets.
Saturday, May 25th
- Swim Course – Certified lifeguards direct and assist athletes in the water.
- Bike Course – Volunteers direct athletes and watch for traffic.
- Run Course – Volunteers direct athletes and watch for traffic.
- Transition Area – Volunteers restrict entrance to athletes only.
- Tear Down – Volunteers help tear down the courses when the race is complete.
TRI Clear Lake Course Maps
Swim
The swim starts and finishes at City Beach.
Bike Course
The bike distance is 12.4 miles. The route is flat and fast. It showcases scenic prairies and windmills. Law enforcement and volunteers awill be staged at high traffic and caution areas. Athletes will head west out of State Park and make their way back to State Park riding by Lekwa Marsh on road B35.
Bike Mount/Dismount Area
Run Course
The run distance is 3.1 miles. Highlights on this route include running by the historic Lady of the Lake and the legendary Surf Ballroom. The race will start and finish lakefront downtown. There will be aid stations located at mile 1 and 2.
Run Out
Presenting Sponsor
Title Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Beverage Sponsor
Mile Marker Sponsors
Farmers State Bank, Cabin Coffee Company, Clear Lake Family Dentistry, MBT Bank, Rachel Smith Books, Surf Ballroom, Moni Jo’s Olive Oil Co. & More, Fareway, 173° Craft Distillery, Clear Lake Rotary, Harrison Ford, City of Clear Lake, Mags & Lu, & YohnCo.
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