Colonial Beach Triathlon
Always double-check with the organizer's website! This page may contain affiliate links.
Colonial Beach Triathlon
The Colonial Beach Triathlon events take place in Colonial Beach, Virginia, with open-water swims in the brackish Potomac River and bike and run courses along the waterfront and nearby roads. Two main race distances are offered, each with an aquabike option.
- Olympic triathlon: 1.5 km swim; 26 mi bike; 10 km run.
- Olympic aquabike: 1.5 km swim; 26 mi bike.
- Sprint triathlon: 750 m swim; 14 mi bike; 5 km run.
- Sprint aquabike: 750 m swim; 14 mi bike.
Swim courses use a time trial start and a rectangular layout that parallels the shore. Turn buoys are yellow triangles and sighting buoys are orange, placed about every 75 meters. Water temperatures historically hover around 80–82 F and races are often not wetsuit legal; an official temperature reading is taken before the event. Bike courses run on well paved roads with riverside, marshland and farmland views; the Olympic course is two laps of the Sprint loop. Run courses are generally flat and out-and-back along the boardwalk and local streets, with aid stations approximately every mile serving Gatorade and ice water.
The event is USA Triathlon sanctioned. Packet pickup occurs at the race site on the days before and of the event and requires photo identification. Registered athletes receive a tech shirt, custom finisher medal, race socks and race photos. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
