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 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.

Registration opens December 1, 2022

Register Now


Date

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Location

Lake Padden Park – West Entrance
4882 Samish Way
Long Course start time: 8:30 am
Short Course start time: 1:00 pm

Fees

  • December – February: $65
  • March – April: $85
  • May – June 9: $100
  • Relay: +$20

Packet Pick-up (ID Required)

Details will be provided closer to the event date.

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

  • Long Course: 7 am – 8:15 am
  • Short Course: 7 am – 12:30 pm

Preparation Clinic

Clinics:

  • TBD

Please Note: 

  • This program is non-refundable
  • Both events closed at 325 registrants
  • ID required at check-in

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 which race you are in. There is relatively little elevation gain until participants exit the water, clamber up a berm, then run/amble up a hill and enter the transition area where the 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.  Bring your photo ID.

Volunteer

We need volunteers to help with set up/take down, the bike and run course between. Any help between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. would be appreciated. Contact: Billy Reeves at (360) 778-7000 or e-mail wpreeves@cob.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Treat each other, our staff and 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.
  • Bike helmets must be worn and buckled any time you are on your bike.
  • Only participants only 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 transition 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 transition 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.

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.

We do not allow transfers between individuals.

No, you may not. Motors; electric, internal combustion, chemical rockets, hamster wheels and other non-human forms or propulsion, are prohibited.

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.

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

Training is highly encouraged for your health and overall 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.

Time limits are not flexible. The Long Course distance-time limit is 3 hours. The Short Course distance-time limit is 2.5 hours.

Relay teams will exchange the timing chip in the transition area. Participants will wait at the bike rack. Note: Relay participants will not wait directly in front of the transition entrance/exit.

We offer trophies for the top 3 male and female finishers in each race. We also offer trophy to the top Athena and Clydesdale athlete. We do not do age group awards. Draw prizes are open to all participants and volunteers.

Male and Female 10 & 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+, Clydesdale (200 lbs), Athena (160 lbs) weigh-in at packet pick-up.

  • 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.

Yes!

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.

A link to pictures of each leg will be posted on our Facebook page after the event or on our photographer’s website (Jon Brunk Photography).

You can reach us at Billy Reeves wpreeves@cob.org or (360) 778-7024.

Resources

Contacts

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

P​ark and Recreation Contact Information​​​

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