TRANSITION AREA: The Transition Area is located in the Swim/Beach Parking lot (“Beach Lot”) at Lake Nighthorse. It is a gravel surface and will be swept of loose rocks as clean as possible for race day. It will be a “one-way” transition flowing from north to south. Before the race, make sure you note the “Swim In”/”Bike Out”/”Bike In”/”Run Out” entrances and exits. There will be 6 bikes to a bike rack section, racked in an alternating facing pattern. Bikes should be racked by the saddle/seat.

SWIM COURSE: Sprint racers will perform 1 lap. Olympic racers will perform 2 laps. This is a clockwise course; thus, all official turn buoys will be on your Right. From an in-water standing start on the beach, the course proceeds west from the right side of the swim beach continuing along the no-wake buoy line for about 250 meters to a large orange turn buoy. Swim around this buoy and proceed about 180 meters to the second large orange turn buoy. Swim around this second buoy and return to the beach start/exit area.  Sprint racers will exit the water and proceed to the Transition Area. Olympic racers will turn around at a third orange buoy offshore from the start and repeat the course, exiting the water after the completion of their second lap. Foot protection for the run to the transition area is highly recommended and may be left near the swim exit. Cross Lake Nighthorse Road with caution, following direction from the volunteers. Swimmers must yield to cyclists and vehicles. Proceed up the small wood chip covered path to the Transition Area.

Cut-Off: For the Olympic race, swimmers must start their second lap before 35 minutes have elapsed.  If they do not make the cutoff, they will exit the swim and continue the race as a Sprint racer, now doing just one lap each of the bike and run courses. There is no cut off for the Sprint race.

If you have difficulty in the swim, try to get to the left and raise your arm overhead to signal a kayaker to come to your assistance. You may rest on the Kayak but not advance on the course and may continue the race when you are able. If you need to stop competing tell the kayaker and they will assist you off the course as needed.

BICYCLE COURSE: The roads are not closed to automobiles, so proceed with caution and stay to the right side of the road. The Lake Nighthorse Road surface is pitted and damaged in spots, so proceed with caution. There are NO AID STATIONS on the bike course, so be sure to supply your own bike hydration. This is a NO DRAFTING race, so maintain three bike lengths behind another racer unless passing them. Pass other racers on the left only and say “On Your Left” while passing. Check for cars before passing.

This is a hilly bike course, with Sprint racers performing 1 lap and Olympic racers performing 2 laps.  Exit transition to the south and mount your bike at the MOUNT BIKE HERE line.  Proceed down from the Beach Lot to Lake Nighthorse Road, turn right and continue toward the park entrance. Be aware of vehicles, volunteers, and other participants crossing the road from the Swim. Follow Park Exit signs and arrows to the right, up and around the Entrance Station. Turn LEFT onto County Road 210 and proceed to County Road 141 (Wildcat Canyon Road). Turn LEFT onto CR 141 and proceed ~6.25 miles, almost to CR 211. This is the Turnaround Point for all racers.  We will have Sheriff’s deputies and volunteers at the turnaround point; however, watch for vehicles prior to turning around and use extreme caution. Coming back, continue on CR 141 to CR 210. Turn right onto CR 210 and proceed back to Lake Nighthorse. Use caution re-entering the park as there may be traffic at the entrance. Sprint racers, stay to the right and follow Lake Nighthorse Road back toward the Transition Area. Olympic racers, stay left and follow the Park Exit sign to exit the park and begin your second lap. At the Transition Area, dismount your bike before the “DISMOUNT BIKE HERE” line. Run your bike to your transition spot. Rack your bike as originally racked by the seat with handlebars facing out.

RUN COURSE: Sprint racers will perform 1 lap. Olympic racers will perform 2 laps. There is an aid station with Tailwind electrolyte drink and water near the run start.  Exit the Transition Area and proceed around the perimeter of the Beach Lot to the gravel trail that goes to the Boat Ramp Parking Lot. At the Boat Ramp Lot, stay left and run the perimeter of the lot to the Dam Road, which is just to the left of the boat ramp. A second aid station will be here. Stay to the LEFT as this is an out and back course. Proceed down the road until you reach the turnaround point. A third aid station will be here. Return along the same course, staying to the left. Upon reaching the Beach Lot, Sprint racers will follow cones and flagging to the Finish Chute. Olympic racers will stay left and go past the finish chute and begin their second lap.

FINISH: Get your Finisher medal and return your timing chip in the Finish area. 

AWARDS: In the Individual Sprint and Olympic races, awards will be given to age group winners (5-year AG) for men and women, 15-70+.  Sprint Relay awards will be given to winners of Male, Female and Coed classifications.