Padden Triathlon

Padden Triathlon

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Padden Triathlon is an excellent first, second, or twenty-second triathlon. Our course is simple, beautiful, and well-staffed. In an effort to make this a race you’ll enjoy year after year, we’ve made everything as simple as possible, so that on race day, you can focus on the event. Our goal is to make the Padden Triathlon the best organized, most affordable, chip-timed event you’ll do all summer. Please start your triathlon season here in Bellingham.

2024 Results by Pacific Multisports

2024 Photos by Jon Brunk – Downloadable short course photos below. Long course photos coming soon.

Sponsor

Thanks to our official media sponsor and community partner, Cascadia Daily News, for helping to provide this event.

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Date

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Location

Lake Padden Park – West Entrance
4882 Samish Way
Long Course start time: 8:30 a.m.
Short Course start time: 1:00 p.m.

Fees

  • November-December: $60
  • January-March: $80
  • April-June 16: $100
  • Relay: +$20

Packet Pick-up (ID Required)

BBay Running (1431 N State St.) – Friday, June 20 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Late/Day of Race Packet Pick-up on-site

  • Long Course: 7 – 8:15 a.m.
  • Short Course: 7 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Please Note: 

  • This program is non-refundable
    • We do not allow transfers between individuals.
    • If you are wanting to change your current registration into another race category (i.e.: Long Course to Short Course), you may do so. However, you will be charged a $20 transfer fee. If you are requesting to change from a solo registration to a relay registration, you will also be charged the additional $20 team fee. The deadline for all changes is Friday, June 19.
    • Transfers between races are not allowed after either race (Long Course or Short Course) has reached its maximum.
    • In case of a medical emergency or injury prior to June 19, please contact Billy Reeves at wpreeves@cob.org or (360) 778-7000.
  • Both events will close at 325 registrants
  • ID is required at check-in.
  • You may pick up someone else’s packet at early packet pick-up. Please provide a signed note from the person whose packet you are picking up.

Maps

Course maps are available for every leg except swim. The swim leg is either 1/2 mile or 1/4 mile triangle, depending on your race. There is relatively little elevation gain until participants exit the water, then run/amble up a small incline and enter the transition area where the first leg time is completed.

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Race Distance and Start Time

There are two distances from which to choose:

  • Competitive: Swim 1/2 mile, Bike 21 miles, Run 5.2 miles – Start 8:30 am (Time Limit: 3 hrs.)
  • Recreational: Swim 1/4 mile, Bike 10 miles, Run 2.6 miles – Start 1:00 pm (Time Limit: 2.5 hrs.)
  • Check-in for both races begins at 7 a.m.  Recreational racers do not need to arrive this early. Check-in closes at 12:30 p.m. Photo ID is required.

Volunteer

Volunteer support is always appreciated. We need volunteers to help with set up/take down and the bike/run courses between 8 a.m. & 4 p.m. Contact: Billy Reeves at (360) 778-7000 or e-mail wpreeves@cob.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Please treat each other, our staff, and our volunteers with respect.
  • The swim cap must be worn during the swim.
  • All participants must be able to participate in the swimming portion.
  • Water wings and other forms of floatation, except wetsuits, are not allowed.
  • All non-human forms of propulsion (e.g.: e-bikes) are prohibited.
  • Bike helmets must be worn and buckled any time you are on your bike.
  • Only participants may be in the transition area.
  • Participants may not ride bikes in the transition area– walking or running with it is fine.
  • Participants may only enter/exit a bike from the transition area if the number on the bike matches their participant number.
  • The course is not draft-legal. (Drafting: riding (except to pass) within 7 meters behind or 2 meters to the side of another cyclist)
  • Any equipment left in the transition area after the time limit will be removed to an unsecured location.
    • Long Course equipment must be removed by noon
    • Short Course equipment must be removed by 4 p.m.

Plan to arrive with enough time to park, pick up your packet, receive body marking, apply sunscreen, rack your bike in the transition area, and do whatever other things you do before a race. Short Course event participants can arrive much later than Long Course event participants. The Parks & Recreation staff recommend arriving 1.5 to 2 hours prior to your start time.

The main entrance of Lake Padden Park will be closed to allow for our transition area. Please enter the park using 40th Street. From there you can access parking in the lot and, one way, along Wilkins Street. There will be signage and parking staff to assist you.

  • We encourage training for this event, particularly because it is beneficial to your overall health and safety. The Short Course (Super Sprint) is less strenuous while the Long Course (Sprint) potentially requires more training. Both races are fun and accessible to a wide group of athletes.
  • The water temperature has been reported as, “warm, wonderful, fantastic, ” however this is the Pacific Northwest. A wetsuit may not be necessary, but if you chill easily it is a good idea to secure one and practice both swimming in it and removing it before go time.
  • Divisions: Male, Female, and Non-binary; 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+.

  • The time limit is 3 hours for the Long Course and 2.5 hours for the Short Course.
  • For relays, the teams will exchange the timing chip in the transition area.
  • Timing is done with computer chips. Participants self-seed for the swim with the fastest swimmers going first in heats of approximately 50.
  • Heats will start 3 – 5 minutes apart.
  • Participants are timed from their heat start.
  • Transitions are included in your overall time.
  • Participants not completing any portion of the event will not receive a time.
  • Participants finishing outside the time limit will not receive a time.
  • Timing chips MUST be returned at the end of the race.
  • Please Note: You are subject to a $75 replacement fee if your timing chip is not returned.

Absolutely! The bike course is open to vehicles. It is your responsibility to share the road and yield, even if it makes you a little slower. Please ensure your safety is accounted for.

The swim and run legs are also open to other users. As a guest of the park, it is your responsibility to go around others.

Results will be posted on our website the Monday following the race and on the Pacific Multisports webpage the day of the race. Check out our website for past race results and those speedy transition times.

Participants, staff, and volunteers wearing shoes in the lake will have their feet sprayed with a 1:1 vinegar/water mixture.

  • For participants, this will be upon exiting the lake and before making their way to the transition area. Staff and volunteers will be onshore making sure all shoes are sprayed in a timely manner.
  • Participants are asked to clean and dry anything that comes into contact with the lake within 48 hours.
  • More information will be given at Packet pickup and onsite.

For more details on the New Zealand Mud Snail visit Lake Padden Watershed – City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Resources

Contacts

Billy Reeves
Recreation Coordinator
(360) 778-7024
wpreeves@cob.org

P​ark and Recreation Contact Information​​​

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