Lake Hopatcong Sprint Triathlon Challenge Presented by Saint Clare's Health

🏊‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♂️ Lake Hopatcong Triathlon — Race Day Information

Hi athletes! We’re excited to welcome you to the Lake Hopatcong Triathlon! Please review these important race-day details to ensure a smooth, safe, and fun event:

 
Transition & Race Start
Race Start Time: 7:30 AM
Transition Opens: 5:45 AM (open racking)
Transition Closes: 7:10 AM sharp — no exceptions
Packet Pick-Up Closes: 6:50 AM
⏱️ Please allow extra time for parking, gear drop-off, and setup.
 
Wave Start Information
Waves begin at 7:30 AM and go off in 5-minute intervals.
First Wave (7:30 AM): Men 29 & Under
Subsequent waves will follow by assigned age group and gender.
New Triathlete Wave:

Athletes in this wave will wear pink swim caps 🩷
Designed for first-time triathletes to provide a calmer, more supportive start
Volunteers and lifeguards will provide extra on-course support
Important: This is NOT a self-seeded start — you must start in your assigned wave.
Full wave assignments are included in your participant packet and will be announced on race morning.
 
Swim Start Update
🌊 Please Note: Water levels at Lake Hopatcong are lower than last year due to limited rainfall.

The swim start may begin slightly further out from the beach than in previous years.
Volunteers will be on-site to guide athletes, and announcements will be made on race morning with final swim entry instructions.
Please allow a few extra minutes when warming up and plan accordingly.
 
Requesting a Wave Change
If you’d like to request a wave change, you may:
1️⃣ Email us ahead of time (preferred), or
2️⃣ Make the request during packet pick-up.
After you receive your swim cap, no wave changes will be allowed.
(Swim caps are color-coded to match your assigned wave.)
 
Packet Pick-Up Options
Day Before (Highly Encouraged):
📍 The Beacon
🗓️ Friday, September 5
⏰ 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Race Morning: Limited packet pick-up available until 6:50 AM.
 
Spectator Guidelines
Spectators are welcome at:
✅ The playground area
✅ The beach
✅ The finish line (marked on the transition map in your participant packet)
Restricted Areas: Spectators are not permitted inside the bicycle transition area.
Active Roadways: Hudson Avenue and Lakeside Avenue remain open to traffic — please use caution.
No Dogs Allowed on the beach property 🐕
(Even my golden retriever, Coco, will be cheering from home!)
 
Parking Information
Parking maps are provided in your participant packet.
Please review them before race morning and allow extra time for traffic and equipment drop-off.
 
Final Reminders
✅ Arrive early and ready to race.
✅ Review your packet, maps, and race instructions before race day.
✅ Bring your bib, helmet, timing chip, and all required gear.
✅ Support your fellow athletes, stay safe, and enjoy race day! 🎉

Lake Hopatcong “Tri”s Harder
Join us for the 2nd Annual Lake Hopatcong Sprint Triathlon Challenge, presented by Saint Clare’s Health! Whether you’re going solo or racing as a team, this event is all about pushing yourself, cheering each other on, and celebrating the strength of our community.

Sprint Triathlon Distances:

400m Swim
12.5 Mile Bike
3.1 Mile Run
Your Registration Includes:

A super-soft race shirt
Custom finisher’s medal
Relay Option – Share the Fun:
Want to take on the triathlon with your crew? Relay teams of two or three athletes can divide the swim, bike, and run however they like. Maybe one teammate does the swim, another tackles the bike, and the last handles the run—or double up if someone’s feeling ambitious. Friends, family, coworkers—everyone’s welcome. All ages and team combos are encouraged! Just make sure to register as a group.

Course Overview:
Start with a 400-meter open water swim at Crescent Cove Beach in Hopatcong. From there, hit the road for a beautiful AND challenging 12.5-mile bike course through the Northwood section of town and into Jefferson before looping back. Finish strong with a 3.1-mile out-and-back run along Lakeside Blvd to Maxim Glen and back—where a big finish line celebration awaits.

Support the Cause – Fundraising Perks:
We’re proud to support our local Lake area PBAs. Raise $150 or more and score a ridiculously comfy, ultra-fabulous race sweater courtesy of Live Run Give LLC. It’s our way of saying thanks for going the extra mile.

About Lake Hopatcong:
Lake Hopatcong is the largest freshwater lake in New Jersey—a year-round destination for boating, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and more. With 45 miles of shoreline, you’ll find marinas, waterfront dining, public beaches, and a laid-back vibe just 40 miles from NYC. It’s the perfect spot for a race-cation or a quick escape.

Benefiting:
Hopatcong PBA – proudly supporting those who serve our community every day.