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The Race

SWIM:
Length: 1 mile
The swim portion of this triathlon is in the Columbia River at Vantage. The starting point will be just north of the small marina in Vantage on the beach facing north. It will be a mass start. Swim north for approximately 1/3 mile, around a buoy, and continue south past the start, around the large fountain and into the boat launch. Bike racks will be set up approximately 100 feet from the boat launch. There is little to no current in this part of the river. The water temp is usually around 64 degrees. Wetsuits are highly recommended.

Time Limit: 50 minutes -- Any swimmers still in the water at this time will be removed by lifeguards and carried to the swim/bike transition area. Athletes who choose to continue on to complete the bike and run courses will not be official finishers eligible for awards.

Swim caps MUST be worn the entire time you are in the water.

BIKE:
Length: 28 miles (3 miles longer than the standard Olympic distance)
From T1:

  • Ride back toward the entrance to the parking lot and turn right at the top of the hill.
  • Continue through Vantage and on the Vantage Highway.
  • Follow Vantage Highway into Ellensburg, where it becomes E 8th Ave.
  • Turn left on N Poplar Street
  • Turn right on to E 7th Ave and follow into T2
There will be one aid station at the top of the hill (approximately mile 12) and this station will have bike bottles with water or energy drink. Discarded water bottles will be available at the finish line. The bike leg ascends 1900 feet in the first 12 miles.

Approved ANSI helmets are required throughout the ride.

RUN:
Length: 6.2 miles
From T2:

  • Turn right on E 7th
  • Turn left on Poplar Street
  • Right onto E 8th Ave, follow the signs to the John Wayne Trail
  • Run east on the John Wayne Trail until you reach the turn-around near the No 6. Rd gate
  • Run west on the John Wayne Trail back as far as Pfenning
  • Turn left on Pfenning
  • Left on 3rd Ave
  • Right on Mount Daniels Drive
  • Left on Quartz Mt Drive
  • Right on Lookout Mt Drive
  • Right on 1st Ave
  • Left on Pfenning Road, follow on to E Capital Ave
  • Right on Alder St
  • Right on Craig Ave at Reed Park
  • Up to water tank at east end of park
  • Loop back to west end of park
  • Stay right leaving park, becomes 4th Ave
  • Left down Poplar
  • Right on 3rd Ave
  • Right on Chestnut
  • Right on 6th Ave
  • Finish is one block in on 6th
The run leg is flat for the first 4.5 miles, then climbs up Alder and into Reed Park, and finally downhill to the finish. Surfaces are dirt/gravel on the John Wayne Trail and asphalt on the rest. Aid stations are every one and one half miles (this may vary depending on temperature). Aid stations will have water or energy drink.

Race Time Limit: 5 hours -- The bike and run courses will close at this time, including removal of aid stations and course marshals. Athletes who choose to continue must obey normal pedestrian traffic rules. Athletes finishing after this limit will not be recorded as official finishers or elegible for awards.

Course Maps:

Interactive maps for the Swim, Bike and Run