2014 TriRock Triathlon Series Preview

Published June 12, 2014 04:02PM

It’s officially June, which means it’s time to dust off the ol’ running (or dancing) shoes for the annual TriRock Triathlon series. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the TriRock series, and seven cities will host an event between June and November. A great event for both first-timers and seasoned veterans, each TriRock race incorporates music along the course and features a post-race concert to celebrate your accomplishment after crossing the finish line. All courses are USAT-sanctioned, and include a red carpet finish, finisher medals, tech tees and a swag bag. The TriRock Triathlon series is owned by Competitor Group, Inc.—the same company that owns Triathlete.com and the popular Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon series. With the 2014 TriRock season around the corner, here is a preview of each of the seven events:

After a decade of swimming, biking and running, this year marks the 10^th anniversary of the Johnson & Johnson TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon presented by Philadelphia Insurance Companies (formerly the Philadelphia Triathlon). The event spans two days and includes a multisport expo, kids’ fun run, sprint-distance race and Olympic-distance race. The majority of the course will occur on Martin Luther King Drive in the historic Fairmont Park. The Olympic-distance race always attracts some of the country’s biggest names in triathlon due to the scenic, challenging course.

After a successful inaugural year in 2013, TriRock Colorado is returning to the Rocky Mountains mid-July. Colorado is known for its high-altitude training and endurance sport scene, but this event caters to athletes of all levels. Both a sprint and Olympic-distance race will be featured, and a TriRock Relay is available for teams of three who compete in one leg each. The swim portion takes place in Aurora Reservoir, where clear water and sandy beaches will make you question if you’re really in Colorado. Follow the swim up with a beautiful ride through meadows and a run along the lake.

Back by popular demand, the 2^nd Annual TriRock Asbury Park will return to the Jersey Shore mid-August. Located 60 miles south of New York City, Asbury Park features a mile-long boardwalk and a strong beachside community. Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi both started their careers in Asbury Park, so it’s a fitting place to kick-start (or continue) your triathlon career. TriRock Asbury Park will offer an Olympic course this year for the first time. Enjoy the ocean swim, flat bike course and run on the boardwalk.

Formerly known as the Austin Triathlon, the 8^th annual TriRock Austin triathlon will take place on Labor Day Monday this year. One of the TriRock Series’ most urban events, the race begins with a swim course in Lady Bird Lake and is followed by a bike course on closed streets in downtown Austin and a run course along the Auditorium Shores running path. Show your best air guitar moves as you pass the statue of Stevie Ray Vaughan in this historically music-rich city. Register quickly—this destination event usually sells out.

TriRock Lake Geneva returns for a third year in a row this fall. This event signifies the end of the triathlon season in the Midwest, so take advantage of the race before the seasons change. The swim begins with a beach start into the spring-fed water of Lake Geneva, and is followed by scenic autumn views through Williams Bay on the bike and run course. Due to its location—between Chicago and Milwaukee—the event usually sells out, so register early.

TriRock San Diego, the original TriRock event, will return to the birthplace of triathlon late September for the fifth year in a row. More than 2,000 athletes participated in last year’s race, and a similar number is expected in 2014. Enjoy the protected ocean swim in the San Diego Harbor and a flat bike and run course with views of the naval base, harbor and U.S.S. Midway. TriRock San Diego is the largest triathlon in San Diego, and the red-carpet finish in the boardwalk venue area is great for spectators. Both sprint and Olympic-distance races are offered, and the featured “race within a race” is a military/public servant challenge.

Last in the 2014 TriRock series, TriRock Clearwater is a destination event complete with white sand beaches, tropical water and plenty of sun. Pier 60 is the central hub for the weekend, offering an outdoor health & fitness expo and other family activities. The swim takes place in the warm Gulf Coast waters, and the flat bike and run courses lead athletes through downtown Clearwater to the finish line back at Pier 60.