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Whether you’re a beginner triathlete preparing for your first race, or a veteran with the need for speed, a short-course triathlon is the way to go. There are so many excellent choices for the best sprint and Olympic-distance triathlons in the U.S. that it was hard to narrow down this list to a select few. Check out first-timer-friendly races, massive events at scenic locales, and multisport festivals with distances for all, and when you’re ready to start training, check out our top training plans for short-course athletes:
- 8-Week Sprint Triathlon Training Plan For Beginners
- Rock Your First Olympic Triathlon with This 16-Week Training Plan
- Your 8-Week Couch to Tri Training Plan
The best sprint and Olympic races in the western U.S.
If you’re looking for a bucket-list-worthy race, the Honolulu Triathlon in the list of the best Olympic and sprint races in the western U.S. is the way to go. But you’ll also find other great races in San Rafael, California, and Lake Mead, Nevada. Our top races for this region are all in the late spring, so don’t procrastinate signing up and building your race calendar for the year.
Section dividerMarin County Triathlon
San Rafael, California
April 12, 2025
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Located at beautiful McNears Beach, the Marin County Triathlon is incredibly scenic with course views of the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, and China Camp State Park. There’s a sprint that consists of a 500-meter swim, 20K bike, and 5K run. There’s also an Olympic-distance triathlon with a 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike, and 10K run.
Gather some friends and sign up for the Tri Club Challenge for the chance to win an engraved trophy cup. The team captain races free with 10 teammate entries.
Very welcoming for beginners, this race is committed to the athlete experience. Finishers receive a T-shirt, medal, personalized bib, and free photos. There’s also post-race food and beer, live music, and a race expo.
Section dividerRage Triathlon
Lake Mead, Nevada
May 17, 2025
The spectacular views of Lake Mead National Recreation Area provide an epic setting for the Rage Triathlon. Established in 2001, Rage is the perfect kick-off to the race season on the west coast.
There’s a sprint and Olympic triathlon, as well as a sprint duathlon, Olympic aquabike, and multisport relays for both distances. The Olympic course is challenging, consisting of a 1,500-meter swim, 24.8-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run.
The bike course is hilly with the majority taking place on Lakeshore Drive entirely within the national recreation area. The run goes past the Bounder Beach Campground and onto River Mountain Loop Trail. The amazing views will distract you from the pain in your legs at this scenic desert triathlon.
Section dividerHonolulu Triathlon
Honolulu, Hawaii
May 18, 2025
Triathlon has a rich tradition in Hawaii, and the Honolulu Triathlon is your opportunity to compete on historic ground. The event is more of a multisport festival complete with a sprint and Olympic triathlon, a junior high/high school triathlon, youth triathlon, kids triathlon, 10K, aquathlon, and relay options.
The sprint consists of a 750-meter swim, 20K bike, and 5K run. The Olympic course includes a 1,500-meter swim, 40K bike, and 10K run.
Athletes will swim in the turquoise waters of the Pacific Ocean at Ala Moana Beach Park. Then, it’s time for a bike ride on the Makai (ocean) side of Honolulu with stunning views. The run course is fast and closed to vehicle traffic. The course takes athletes inside Ala Moana Beach Park with a short extension into Kakaako Waterfront Park.
Unique offerings at this event include a free swim clinic and course introduction in the days prior to the race. Also, they support the “Green Initiative” with the addition of a self-serve water station on course. They offer discounts for out-of-state groups and an out-of-state ambassador program with free race entries!
The best sprint and Olympic races in the U.S. mountain region
Notable races make the list of the best Olympic and sprint races in the mountain region of the U.S. Don’t miss the USAT Multisport National Championships Festival in Omaha, Nebraska in June. Also consider races in Boulder, Colorado, and Maple Valley, Washington.
Section dividerUSAT Multisport National Championships Festival
Omaha, Nebraska
June 4-8, 2025
Once again, Omaha is the site of the USAT Multisport National Championships Festival. The venue is Lake Cunningham, a 390-acre lake inside a 1,050-acre park, which provides a rolling bike course and flat run with lake views.
No qualification is required to compete in this event, but you can race for the opportunity to earn an age group national title and qualify for Team USA.
There’s a wide variety of race distances and types for every level of athlete. You can compete in the open water swim, super sprint time trial duathlon, super sprint time trial triathlon, or super sprint individual medley. There’s also an aquabike, duathlon, aquathlon, draft-legal sprint duathlon, draft-legal sprint triathlon, draft-legal mixed relay triathlon and duathlon, and adaptive mixed relay events.
Discounts are available if you compete in multiple races. Earn the title of “Multisport Master” and receive a commemorative belt buckle by completing five or more race distances, including the open-water swim competition.
Section dividerColorado Triathlon
Boulder, Colorado
June 7, 2025
A historically popular event, the simply named Colorado Triathlon is a great local race in Boulder. There’s a sprint and Olympic triathlon, as well as a duathlon, aquabike, and relay option. The event is limited to 700 athletes, and it historically sells out, so sign up early.
The sprint triathlon consists of a 750-meter swim, rolling 17-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run. There’s a first-timers swim wave that’s capped at 50 athletes to ensure a low-stress triathlon experience.
The Olympic-distance triathlon includes a 1,500-meter swim, 23.5-mile bike, and 10K run.
Unique offerings that set this race apart include food and drinks provided by Noodles & Co., athlete hoodie sweatshirts, and a great swag bag. Without Limits Productions also has a discounted entry program where you can log volunteer hours that go toward money off a future race entry!
Section dividerLake Wilderness Multisport
Maple Valley, Washington
June 7, 2025
Lake Wilderness Multisport is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a community-friendly festival at Maple Valley. Over the years, they’ve donated $10,000 to the Seattle Children’s Hospital, Backpack Buddies, and other local charities.
The festival includes a sprint and Olympic triathlon, duathlon, relay options, and a 5K, 10K, and half marathon.
The sprint course includes a .25-mile swim in Lake Wilderness, a 13.76-mile bike, and 5K run. The Olympic course consists of a .93-mile swim, 27.80-mile bike, and 10K run. The running races are fairly flat with just 677 feet of elevation gain for the half marathon.
The best sprint and Olympic races in the central U.S.
Race on our list of the best short-course races in the central U.S. span from April to August, giving you options for where to place them in your season. Whether you’re looking for a warm-up race for long course later in the season or short course is your passion, you’ll find fun challenges in Lake Anna, Virginia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Chicago, Illinois.
Section dividerRumpus in Bumpass
Lake Anna, Virginia
April 12, 2025
Kinetic Multisport puts on this fun event at Pleasants Landing Marina. It’s a spectacular setting tailor-made for triathlon with a lake swim, rolling bike on rural roads, and rolling run course. The swim takes place in the southeast portion of the lake with warmer water temperatures. They don’t have a novice swim wave, but they do provide “nervous swimmer swim caps” for easy identification.
The sprint course includes a 750-meter swim, 12.2-mile bike, and 5K run. The Olympic distance includes a 1.5K swim, 24-mile rolling bike, and 10K rolling run. There’s also relay and aquabike options. They have overall, masters, and age group awards, as well as special categories for Clydesdale, Athena, and a military/law enforcement/firefighter division.
In the past, they’ve provided athletes with a T-shirt, race socks, medal, and free finish line photos.
Section dividerPublix Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon
Chattanooga, Tennessee
June 22, 2025
The Publix Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon is a long-running event celebrating 43 years in 2025. It features many of the iconic course features at 70.3 and Ironman Chattanooga, in a sprint/Olympic-sized format. Athletes will swim downstream underneath the Walnut Street Bridge, bike on the Riverfront Parkway, and run along the Tennessee Riverwalk.
The sprint course includes a 400-meter swim, 20K bike, and 5K run. The Olympic triathlon consists of a 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 6-mile run. If you’re not up for a full triathlon, you can do a swim-bike, bike-run, or a relay. Expect warm temperatures with 77-degree average air temperature and 83-degree F average water temperature.
Section dividerChicago Triathlon
Chicago, Illinois
Aug. 23-24, 2025
Voted as 2024 USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice for best sprint triathlon, the Chicago Triathlon is an institution. Athletes will begin their journey with a swim in Lake Michigan. Then, you ride through the heart of the Windy City on wide roads and a closed highway on Lakeshore Drive.
You’ll get to experience the “bat cave” on Lower Wacker Drive as you travel underground. The run includes urban views of Lake Michigan, Buckingham Fountain, Shedd Aquarium, Field Museum, and Soldier Field for an epic finish on Columbus Drive.
Races include super sprint, sprint, and Olympic-distance triathlons and a kids triathlon. Take on the Triple Challenge by doing the super sprint on Saturday and international (Olympic) and sprint on Sunday.
This race is great for first timers with open-water swim clinics in the months leading up to race day. There were seven dates available in 2024. They also have a first timers’ education program with live coaching and full race weekend support with a private race start.
The best sprint and Olympic races in the eastern U.S.
If you ever dreamed of a triathlon that puts you close to wildlife, the Miami Man is the race for you from the best Olympic and sprint races in the eastern U.S. The November race gives you plenty of time to train and puts you in sunny Florida during a time that’s cold and bleak in other areas of the country. Other race locations on the list include St. Petersburg, Florida; Stonypoint, New York; and Pine Mountain, Georgia.
Section dividerMiami Man
Miami, Florida
Nov. 9, 2025
If you’re looking for a wild race experience, look no further than Miami Man. This unique race takes athletes through Zoo Miami, so you will have the opportunity to run by giraffes, elephants, and zebras! 2025 marks the 21st year for Miami Man.
Race distances include an international (Olympic) triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike and a sprint triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike. The sprint course includes a .3-mile swim, 13-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run. The international course consists of a .6-mile swim, 21-mile bike, and 6-mile run.
The swim is in a crystal-clear, freshwater lake on a spectator-friendly course. The bike course takes athletes on rural roads with minimal traffic in Miami-Dade County. The run travels on Zoo Miami public pathways past all the wild animal enclosures.
If you’re lucky enough to make it onto the podium, you will receive a coveted, stuffed zoo animal as your prize!
Section dividerSt. Anthony’s Triathlon
St. Petersburg, Florida
April 25-27, 2025
St. Anthony’s Triathlon is home to a PR-worthy course with a spectacular, sunrise beach start. The bike course twists and turns around the harbor and passes by the iconic, pink Vinoy Hotel. The run is flat taking athletes across a small bridge into beautiful seaside neighborhoods. Always popular with first timers, this course can get crowded. Athletes of all skill levels can take advantage of open water swim practices and educational talks in the days leading up to the race.
There’s a sprint and Olympic triathlon, as well as a “Meek and Mighty Tri” for kids and adults with a pool swim, and a relay option. In 2025, St. Anthony’s will be the Florida USAT State Championships.
This event comes with all the trappings of an Ironman-style race like athlete check-in, vendor expo, post-race food, athlete tracker, and hundreds of cheering spectators. Because there’s always a big prize purse for professional athletes, the big names come to race. Winners in 2024 included Marc Dubrick and Lisa Becharas.
Section dividerHarryMan Triathlon
Stonypoint, New York
May 17, 2025
Who wouldn’t want to be a HarryMan? Well, you can become one at the 20th annual HarryMan Triathlon, billed as “one of the most challenging early-season courses in the northeast.” Set at Lake Welch Beach at Harriman State Park, athletes should expect a cold swim (54-66 degrees F) and hilly course.
This event offers both a half-distance and Olympic-distance race. The half distance includes the traditional 1.2-mile swim, 56.1-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run. The Olympic triathlon consists of a .6-mile swim, 28.3-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run.
Section dividerCallaway Gardens Olympic
Pine Mountain, Georgia
Aug. 23, 2025
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Callaway Gardens is a triathlon setting unlike any other. The resort encompasses 2,500 acres of beautiful natural gardens in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
The temperatures are traditionally warm, so prepare for a non-wetsuit swim. The horseshoe-shaped swim course travels 1,000 meters from sandy Robin Lake Beach. Then, continue to a two-loop, rolling bike course located entirely within the park for 18 miles. Finally, a 5-mile run on tree-lined paths takes you to the finish line at the big circus tent.
You can stay onsite at the lodge or in one of their many cottages. After the race, visit the Butterfly Center, do a treetop zipline, play a round of golf, go fishing, or paddleboard on the lake.