Carlyle Lake Triathlon
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Carlyle Lake Triathlon - September 20, 2026
The Carlyle Lake Triathlon takes place at Dam West Beach, 801 Lake Road, Carlyle Township, IL. The event is presented in partnership with Carlyle Lake, the City of Carlyle and the US Army Corps of Engineers. A portion of entry fees will benefit NAMI in honor of Jay Orr.
The event offers multiple race formats with defined swim, bike and run distances:
- Sprint Triathlon: 750 m swim / 20 km bike / 5 km run
- Sprint Aquabike: 750 m swim / 20 km bike
- Sprint Duathlon: 3 km run / 20 km bike / 5 km run
- Sprint High School Triathlon: 750 m swim / 20 km bike / 5 km run
- Sprint Relay: 750 m swim / 20 km bike / 5 km run
- Olympic Triathlon: 1.5 km swim / 40 km bike / 10 km run
- Olympic Aquabike: 1.5 km swim / 40 km bike
- Olympic Duathlon: 5 km run / 40 km bike / 10 km run
- Olympic Relay: 1.5 km swim / 40 km bike / 10 km run
Course notes and services: the swim uses a rolling beach start. The bike course is described as flat and scenic across Illinois plains. The run follows rolling country roads and finishes over the spillway with a view of the largest man made lake in Illinois. On course water and electrolyte drink are provided on the run; athletes are asked to carry personal nutrition for the bike.
Sanctioning and race rules: the race is USAT sanctioned and all athletes must be annual USAT members or purchase a one day pass and provide proof at packet pickup. Packet pickup is scheduled the day before at Dam West Beach and athletes must pick up their own packet and show photo identification; relay teams may assign a teammate to pick up for their team. Packets include items such as a race shirt, swim cap, finisher medal and timing chip. Wetsuit allowance follows published water temperature rules. Cutoff limits are published for Sprint and Olympic distances and race management may remove athletes who cannot meet cutoffs.
Additional event features include bike mechanical support and a SAG vehicle on course, awards by division and age group, a finish line festival with food and music, and a strict no refund policy. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
