Vancouver Triathlon
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Vancouver Triathlon
The Vancouver Triathlon takes place in Stanley Park and along English Bay, with transition located at Ceperley Field east of Second Beach. The event, in its 24th year, offers individual and relay categories on the same day and includes onsite award presentations after results are confirmed.
Distances offered:
- Standard: 1500 m swim, 38 km bike, 10 km run
- Sprint: 750 m swim, 19 km bike, 5 km run
- Tri it: 300 m swim, 9.4 km bike, 2.5 km run
The swim is held in English Bay from Second Beach. Lifeguards on paddleboards and volunteers in motorboats and kayaks patrol the course. All waves start with a beach run; the Standard swim is two 750 m laps with a beach exit between laps. Organizers will determine wetsuit allowance for Standard and Sprint based on water temperature. Wetsuits are prohibited above 22 °C, mandatory below 16 °C, and the swim may be canceled below 12 °C.
The bike course follows Park Drive with lap counts depending on distance. The course is closed to traffic during the event and reopens in mid-morning; drafting is not permitted and marshals monitor compliance. Participants may use road or mountain bikes; repairs are the responsibility of the cyclist. Helmets must be fastened before handling the bike in transition and no portable music players are allowed.
The run follows the Seawall past First Beach to the Inukshuk turnaround near Burrard Bridge; aid stations are located at the exit of transition and at the Inukshuk turnaround. Cutoff times apply: swim limits are 20 minutes for Tri it, 30 minutes for Sprint, and 1 hour 10 minutes for Standard; run cutoffs are 1 hour for Sprint and 1.5 hours for Standard. Relay teams consist of two or three members and exchange the timing chip at the allotted bike spot in transition. All athletes must have valid race-day insurance through a provincial triathlon association or purchase a one-day membership. Finishers receive a medal and age group prizes are awarded three deep in five year increments. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
