10 Best Urban Races

This was a tough category to pick a winner. Urban races are logistical nightmares. Dropping a triathlon in the middle of a big city creates plenty of problems and we have yet to hear of an event that’s done it perfectly. We decided to pick a winner that best handles the chaos of metropolitan triathlon while still treating athletes to a one-of-a-kind tour of a remarkable city. With these as our criteria, the Los Angeles Triathlon stood out from some worthy competition. Putting on an Olympic-distance triathlon smack in the middle of the mess that is downtown L.A. should be impossible, but for a decade, the L.A. Tri has been one of the best races in the country. Rocketing your bike down an empty Hollywood Boulevard is an experience no triathlete should miss.

Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon

Location: Los Angeles
2010 Date: Oct. 3
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run/ .4-mile swim, 14.1-mile bike, 3.3-mile run
Website: Latriathlon.com

Subaru Vancouver International Triathlon
Location: Vancouver, Canada
2010 Date: July 4
Distance: 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run/ 500-meter swim, 26K bike, 5K run
Website: Triseries.ca

Pittsburgh Triathlon
Location: Pittsburgh
2010 Date: Aug. 1
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run
Website: Pirhana-sports.com

Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore
Location: Singapore
2010 Date: March 21
Distance: 1.2-mile run, 56-mile bike, 13.1-mile run
Website: Ironman703singapore.com

Lifetime Fitness Triathlon
Location: Minneapolis
2010 Date: July 10
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run
Website: Ltftriathlon.com

Miami International Triathlon
Location: Miami
2010 Date: March 14
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run
Website: Mitriathlon.com

The Nation’s Triathlon
Location: Washington, D.C.
2010 Date: Sept. 12
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run
Website: Thenationstriathlon.com

Escape from Alcatraz
Location: San Francisco
2010 Date: May 2
Distance: 1.5-mile swim, 18-mile bike, 8-mile run
Website: Escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com

London Triathlon
Location: London
2010 Date: Aug. 8
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run
Website: Thelondontriathlon.com

Chicago Triathlon
Location: Chicago
2010 Date: Aug. 27-29
Distance: 1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run/.75K swim, 22K bike, 5K run
Website: Chicagotriathlon.com