Per Facebook page: “Bluff Creek is taking 2022 off.”
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The Bluff Creek Triathlon is for all triathletes! From the first time triathlete to the seasoned pro triathlete you will find what you are looking for in the Bluff Creek Triathlon. Bluff Creek Triathlon is a USAT-sanctioned, Sprint distance and Olympic distance event. Located near Ogden, Iowa, Bluff Creek Triathlon’s Olympic bike course features two passes through the Des Moines River Valley!
The Olympic swim course starts at the park’s only beach, which is across the lake from the transition area and boat ramp. Participants will swim to the boat ramp from the beach. Once participants have set up their transition area near the boat ramp, they will need to take a 2 mile shuttle to the beach on the other side of the lake. Keep in mind that the Transition will close earlier than at most races to allow enough time to get everyone to the beach. Please keep this in mind and try to come a little earlier than normal.
The Olympic swim course has three turns. The turns will be marked with tetrahedron/triangle-shaped buoys. Buoys for the Olympic course will be a different color than buoys for the Sprint swim course. Swimmers will leave in waves, which will be announced the week of the race. Swimmers will keep buoys on their right.
Bike course: When descending into the DSM River Valley please obey the posted speed limit of 55 M.P.H. Also be aware of other cyclists around you and remember to ride right. Because of the descents and ascents in and out of the valley this course is more challenging than the sprint which is flat. There is 640 feet of total elevation change on this course which doesn’t qualify it as flat or mountainous. The Olympic bike course is a 24.8 mile out and back course. This course is mainly flat with two exceptions when you cross the DSM River Valley. The valley crossings offer a steep descent into the valley and then a steep ascent to get out of the valley. The roads in between the valley crossings could be consider typical Iowa terrain.
The first 3.7 miles of the bike course is shared by cyclist from the sprint and Olympic distances. At 3.7 miles Hwy P-70 will intersect with Hwy E-18. Olympics turn right or east and sprinters go straight. The intersection will be well-marked with signs and have volunteers and a Sheriff’s Deputy.
The run course for the Olympic distance race will be 6.2 miles and will be on the roads within the park. The first .25 miles and last .25 miles are on grass. The majority of the run is on pavement. The section of the run on the pavement is the looped section and must be completed twice. There are no major hills on the course and their will be two aid stations which you run past twice for four aid stations.
The Sprint swim course starts at the park’s only beach, which is across the lake from the transition area and boat ramp. Participants will take a shuttle to the beach and then swim across the lake to the Transition area. The Sprint swim course has only one turn, which is near the boat ramp exit.
The Sprint bike course is 15 miles long and is flat. There is only one turn which is a 180 degree turn 7.5 miles away from Transition. The total elevation change for the entire course is 164 feet which qualifies it as a flat course. The first 3.7 miles of the bike course is shared by cyclists from the Sprint and Olympic races. At 3.7 miles, county road P70 will intersect with county road E18. Sprinters go straight and Olympics turn right or east.
Bluff Creek Triathlon’s Sprint Run Course distance is 3.1 miles and will be on the roads within the park. At the beginning of the Sprint Run Course there is a short (less than 1/2 mile) section of running on short grass or gravel. There are no major hills on the course and there will be at least two aid stations.
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Great end of season triathlon!
This was my second year doing Bluff Creek and since it's the only Olympic distance left in the area I plan to keep coming back! The shirts this year were … MORE
This was my second year doing Bluff Creek and since it’s the only Olympic distance left in the area I plan to keep coming back! The shirts this year were super cute and there was an option to take a USAT towel which I use on my trainer all the time!
Swim – The swim course is great in a beautiful park. It’s a point to point swim so you take a shuttle to the start but a lot of people just swam across the lake to warm up! Swam a huge PR for myself.
Bike- Twister hill absolutely destroyed me this year so be prepared for it 🙂 Other than that the bike is pretty flat!
Run – Once again the hills on the run are killer! Having to do them all twice is mentally a challenge. I love the beginning and end through the prairie/forested section of the park.
Be ready for hills!
I did this course for the first time this year. I had a great experience and would definitely go back! Swim - Starts at the park beach. It's a point … MORE
I did this course for the first time this year. I had a great experience and would definitely go back!
Swim – Starts at the park beach. It’s a point to point swim so you have to get bused over to the start. The water was calm and the lake had beautiful trees surrounding it! Great course support in the water! I swam my fastest swim ever. The distance from the end of the swim to transition is fairly far – just something to be aware of! This year it was not wetsuit legal but I think it has been in past years.
Bike – The olympic bike course has Twister Hill on it – super fun on the way down and tough on the way up! Other than that it is fairly flat and typical Iowa country scenery.
Run – The run is pretty cool – starts out running on a trail through some prairie. Then you do a double loop through the park roads. There is some pretty solid hills on the run that you have to hit twice.
Overall – this is one of the few olympic distance tris left in Iowa so I definitely plan to do it again 🙂