The Great River Challenge

The Great River Challenge

The Great River Challenge is an off-road triathlon at Northfield Mountain Recreation Center in Northfield, MA. The event combines a paddle leg (canoe, kayak or SUP), a trail run and a mountain bike leg on packed gravel and single track trails. Organizers provide safety coverage on land and water and place water stations along the course.

Timing uses timing chips provided by Fast Track Timing to record segment and transition times. Paddle starts are mass starts on the Connecticut River with a water start near the waterfront pavilion. The long course paddle rounds Captain Kidd's Island and follows buoyed up and down lanes with boats keeping buoys on the left. Paddle finishes at a dock where helpers may assist with boats.

Transitions are staged across timing mats. The first transition moves athletes from the dock up a ramp into a transition area; relay teams have a corral for exchanges. The second transition crosses a mat to access bike racks before the mountain bike leg.

Climb and distance details are provided for each course. Registrants who register before September receive the correct shirt size.

• Long course: paddle 5.5 miles, run 4 miles, bike 7.5 miles
• Short course: paddle 4 miles, run 2.5 miles, bike 3.75 miles

Additional course notes include listed climbs for run and bike and single lap formats for the short course. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.

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