Triathlete’s 2025 Guide to the Best Off-The-Beaten-Path Multisport Events in the U.S.

Looking for something a bit different to add to your 2025 race calendar? What about a gravel triathlon, multi-stage event, or swim-run competition?

This list of unique races takes you off-the-beaten path where you can island-hop in Hawaii, traverse a waterfall in North Carolina, run up a sand ladder in California, or run-bike-ski in Breckenridge!

Check out our list of wild-and-wacky, fun-and-funky, and grueling-and-gritty multisport events in 2025. When you’re ready to start training, check out these resources for unique multisport formats:

• Indoor Triathlon 101: Distances, Training, Gear, and Everything Else to Know
• A Duathlon is the Perfect Way To (Not) Get Your Tri Toes Wet
• How to Train for Gravel Triathlon
• What is XTERRA? Your Guide to Off-Road Triathlon
• What to Expect At Your First Swimrun Race

The best off-the-beaten-path multisport events in the western U.S.

The western U.S. claims some pretty wild multisport races, including a Hawaiian challenge to complete five 70.3 triathlons in five days on five Hawaiian islands. Consider one of the other best off-the-beaten-path multisport events in San Francisco, California, or Gaston, Oregon.

Epic 565

Princeville, Hawaii
May 5-9, 2025

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If you’re in search of an epic challenge, consider the Epic 565. It’s a multi-stage event that consists of five 70.3 triathlons on five Hawaiian Islands over the course of five days. Yes, it’s a successor to the Epic5 Challenge, which Jason Lester and Rich Roll founded in 2010 when they set out to do five 140.6 races on five islands in under a week.

The 70.3 version was created for those who want to “experience the magic of the Epic5, but without the hallucination and sleep deprivation, at one-third of the cost.”

The event begins in Kauai and ends on the Big Island. Competition starts each day at 6 a.m. and the cutoff is 3 p.m. to provide time to get to the airport and fly to the next destination.

Even better, the event is a fundraiser benefiting Special Olympics Hawaii.

Escape From Alcatraz

San Francisco, California
May 31-June 1, 2025

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This Olympic-distance triathlon is a beast. Escape From Alcatraz is as well-known for its challenging terrain as it is for the unpredictable weather conditions.

The race begins with a leap off the San Francisco Belle into frigid water where the average temperature is 55 degrees F. Prepare accordingly for the 1.5-mile swim from Alcatraz Island. After exiting the swim, there’s a half-mile “warm-up run” that takes you to the main transition area. Athletes have the option to remove their wetsuits and don their running shoes.

The bike course is 18 miles through Golden Gate Park with 1,500 feet of elevation gain and incredible views to match. The 8-mile run has a section on the beach with the infamous sand ladder (400 steps up the cliff) to the finish line.

This race is extremely popular and limited to 2,000 athletes. You can’t just sign up. You have to join a waitlist and “hope” you’re selected via a random drawing, unless you’re a professional triathlete, challenged athlete, or open relay team.

XTERRA Portland

Aug. 2, 2025
Gaston, Oregon

Race website

Grab your mountain bike and head to scenic Oregon for an off-road adventure. XTERRA Portland offers a full distance triathlon and duathlon, as well as a sprint triathlon and super sprint triathlon.

The sprint triathlon includes a 500-meter swim, 21K bike, and 5K run. The full distance triathlon consists of a 1K swim, 27.5K bike, and 8K run.

The full distance course encircles Henry Hagg Lake starting with a swim in Bobcat Cove. The bike course travels clockwise around the lake with 72% on dirt trails. The run course is an out-and-back design on Hagg Lake Trail.

A family-friendly event, kids 10 and under can join in with the Kids Splash Pedal Dash + Slide. The kids race includes a 200-meter bike and 100-meter run to the finish down the slip-n-slide.

This event also offers 28 World Championship slots.

The best off-the-beaten-path multisport events in the U.S. mountain region

If a winter wonderland is your dream race backdrop, don’t miss the listing of off-the-beaten-path multisport events in the U.S. You’ll also find events in sunny Phoenix, Arizona; the pine forests of Ontario, Canada; or in Santa’s territory in North Pole, Alaska.

The Breckebeiner

Breckenridge, Colorado
Feb. 15-16, 2025

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You’re familiar with swim-bike-run, but what about run-bike-ski? That’s right! The Breckebeiner is known as a “Vondt Lite Skierenn,” which translated loosely means, “painful, little ski race.”

In 2025, this event will serve as the USA Triathlon Winter National Championships including sprint and international distances. The sprint consists of a 3K run, 5K bike, and 5K ski. The international distance includes a 6K run, 10K bike, and 10K ski.

The stunning venue is the Gold Run Nordic Center, located just four miles north of Breckenridge with classic ski track trails. In addition to the triathlon, there’s also the Duathlon Winter National Championships with sprint and intermediate distances and the Nordic Marathon with 15K and 30K in skate and classic options.

Competitors receive $25 credit for the Breckebeiner Mercantile, which makes custom merchandise onsite, as well as a $10 restaurant discount coupon.

Ultraman Arizona

Phoenix, Arizona
March 21-23, 2025

Race website

Head to the Valley of the Sun in March for the ultimate endurance event! Over the course of this three-day, ultra-triathlon, athletes will cover a total of 320 miles. It consists of 6.2 miles of swimming, 261.4 miles of cycling, and 52.4 miles of running.

Because of the logistics involved, athletes must have a race crew for support. Day 1 is a 6.2-mile swim in Lake Pleasant and a 90-mile bike ride. Day 2 is a 171-mile bike ride with over 8,000 feet of climbing. Day 3 is a 52.4-mile run with 2,100 feet of elevation gain.

This race is an official qualifier for the Ultraman World Championships, so any athlete who finishes will qualify for the race on the Big Island of Hawaii.

XTERRA Conquer the Crater

Ontario, Canada
July 19-20, 2025 

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Do you have what it takes to conquer the crater? The iconic pine forests of Ontario serve as an appropriate setting for this off-road, multisport festival. Races include a full distance triathlon and duathlon, sprint triathlon and duathlon, as well as 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon trail runs, and youth races.

The sprint triathlon includes a 750-meter swim, 13K bike on double-track crusher ski trails, and 4.5K run on single-track hiking trails. The course is challenging, but athletes can take in the epic vistas of the Canadian Shield as they ride over rock formations and run through pine forests.

This is a family-friendly event complete with a 1K obstacle course, 3K youth race, and MAC Kids’ Zone with bouncy castle, face painting, balloon animals, and dunk tank.

100% of proceeds from this event will go to support the Northern Cancer Foundation’s Miles Against Cancer Fund, which supports children and their families affected by pediatric cancer.

North Pole Triathlon

North Pole, Alaska
June 28, 2025

Race website

Be on the lookout for Santa and his reindeer on this gravel triathlon course at Chena Lakes Recreation Area. This unique race is an Olympic-distance, off-road triathlon that consists of a 1,500-meter swim, 13-mile bike, and 6-mile run.

The swim takes place in Chena Lake, one of the best open-water swimming locations in the area. Prepare for a cold swim with water temperatures between 55-65 degrees.

The bike course travels wide, flat park trails. Most bikes types are permitted, except for time trial bikes, recumbents, and fixed gear bikes. Road bikes aren’t encouraged, but they’re allowed.

The 6-mile run takes athletes on a combination of paved and gravel trails within the park. In the past, this event has been restricted to 99 athletes, and the race starts at 9:00 a.m.

The best off-the-beaten-path multisport events in the central U.S.

If an epic post-race party is your way of celebrating your race accomplishment, head to the central U.S. for multisport challenges in Valley View, Texas; Pelham, Alabama; and Dickson, Tennessee. All events that make the list for this region take place in May so start planning your season and training now.

TexasMan X-50

Valley View, Texas
May 4, 2025 

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The TexasMan Triathlon serves as the USAT Texas State Championship for 2025 and has plenty of fun events for all athletes. There’s a sprint and Olympic triathlon with high school and club championship options. If you’re looking for something different, try the duathlon, aquabike, or their marquee event – the X-50.

The X-50 consists of a 1-mile swim with Aussie exit in Lake Ray Roberts, followed by a 40-mile bike on rural roads, and a 9-mile run.

When you finish the race, don your finisher’s shirt, medal, and custom race socks and enjoy some well-earned pancakes at the post-race brunch.

XTERRA North American Championship

Pelham, Alabama
May 16-18, 2025

Race website

Oak Mountain State Park is once again the site of the XTERRA North American Championship and the fourth stop on the XTERRA World Cup for 2025. This weekend-long festival in Alabama features a $30,000 elite prize purse, 58 World Championship slots, and a Youth Tour qualifier.

Races include a full distance triathlon, sprint triathlon, short track elite triathlon, and a free kid’s triathlon. The full distance triathlon includes two 750-meter laps of swimming in Double Oak Lake, a 21-mile bike ride with 1,650 feet of elevation gain, and a 10K run on hard-packed bike trails.

Both athletes and spectators will enjoy the XTERRA Festival with Battle of the Bands, food trucks, beer garden, yard games, and kids’ activities.

Dickson Endurance Triathlon

May 17, 2025
Dickson, Tennessee

Race website

Montgomery Bell State Park is home to the Dickson Endurance Triathlon with a variety of classic triathlon distances, as well as a few unique options.

There’s an Olympic-distance triathlon, as well as the Iron Nugget sprint triathlon. Additional categories include Clydesdale (220+ pounds), Athena (165+ pounds), and relay options.

But the marquee event is their endurance distance triathlon, which includes a 1-mile swim, 38-mile bike, and 15K run. But if you don’t feel like running, you can do the endurance distance aquabike.

Athletes should expect a 72-74-degree F swim in peaceful Acorn Lake, followed by a rolling bike course with 920 feet of elevation gain, capped off by a run that takes place entirely within the park.

The best off-the-beaten-path multisport events in the eastern U.S.

From adventure triathlons to a swim-run event that takes you in and out of the water nine times, the eastern U.S. is packed full of events in scenic, remote areas. Find an event that fits your season with options ranging from April to September in the following cities: Hanging Rock, North Carolina; Portersville, Pennsylvania; Grass Lake, Michigan; and New Paltz, New York.

SwimRun North Carolina

Hanging Rock, North Carolina
April 6, 2025

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The 2024 race was postponed until 2025 due to Hurricane Helene. Located in magical Hanging Rock State Park, this event consists of 3K of swimming and 17 miles of running that’s broken up into nine swim segments and 10 run segments. Basically, you swim across a lake, run on a trail to another lake, swim again, and repeat.

SwimRun events are unique because they’re team races where two athletes compete alongside each other. Teammates must stay within 10 meters of each other at all times.

Also, athletes don’t change attire for each event, so you swim with running shoes on your feet and run while wearing a wetsuit. Equipment like pull buoys, paddles, and tethers are allowed, but you must carry them with you to the finish line.

On this epic course, athletes will swim in the shadows of rocky cliffs and climb up Moore’s Wall to epic 360-degree views. There’s also a portion that takes you by (and up) Cascade Falls. Have you ever seen a course map that reads, “traverse the waterfall”?

Mighty Moraine Spring Multisport Festival

Portersville, Pennsylvania
May 17-18, 2025

Race website

The spring edition of the Mighty Moraine Multisport Festival has something for everyone. There’s a super sprint triathlon, sprint triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike, as well as an Olympic triathlon and aquabike. In addition, they have youth races for three different age groups and adult race relay options.

But the most unique offering is the sprint adventure race, which includes a 1-mile paddle, 12.4-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run.

Athletes will swim/paddle in Lake Arthur, ride the rolling hills in Moraine State Park, and run in the park. Finishers will receive a T-shirt, medal, and swag (in the past has included a coveted cinnamon swirl bread loaf).

Ugly Dog Gravel Triathlon

Grass Lake, Michigan
July 26, 2025

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Billed as the country’s most “newbie-friendly gravel triathlon,” Ugly Dog is an off-road adventure through Waterloo Recreation Area in Michigan. Athletes will swim in Big Portage Lake, ride the scenic gravel roads, and run on wooded trails.

There’s a variety of race types and distances to choose from. For a great introduction to gravel triathlon, try the super sprint triathlon, aquabike, duathlon, or relay. There’s also a sprint triathlon, aquabike, duathlon, and relay. The sprint triathlon includes a 750-meter swim, 11.3-mile bike, and 3.4-mile run.

Why “Ugly Dog”? The Ugly Dog Gravel Triathlon began in 2018 with support from the local Ugly Dog Distillery, which has served as the title sponsor for the race ever since and provides one-of-a-kind awards to finishers.

Survival of the Shawangunks

New Paltz, New York
Sept. 7, 2025

Race website

Survival of the Shawangunks is an epic, eight-stage wilderness adventure race located in the Shawangunk Mountains of New York. Veteran triathlete, Don Davis created the event in 1983 as a training opportunity to prepare for an upcoming Ironman.

Decades later, it has become one of the most popular adventure triathlons in the world. It sells out within minutes. The race is capped at 200 athletes.

Those brave enough to sign up will explore the scenic Shawangunk Mountain range, Minnewaska State Park, cross-country trails, and spring-fed lakes. The race includes one bike ride, four trail runs, and three open-water swims. Each segment is point-to-point.

Stage one is a 30-mile bike ride with a climb into the Shawangunk Mountains. Stage two is a 4.5-mile run. Stage three is a 1.1-mile swim in Lake Awosting. Stage four is a 5.5-mile run over the mountain to Lake Minnewaska. Stage five is a .5-mile swim. Stage six is an 8-mile run. Stage seven is a .5-mile swim in Lake Mohonk. Stage eight is a .7-mile run to the finish at Skytop Tower and the “Survivor’s Line”!