Chicago Triathlon
Chicago, IL
- Olympic/International, Sprint, Super sprint
- Triathlon
- Official race website
One of the world’s largest and most accessible triathlons. From first-timers to seasoned veterans, kids to grandparents, age-group competitors to paratriathletes, the Chicago Triathlon has an experience for everyone on the shores of Lake Michigan. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced athlete looking for a personal record, the Chi … MORE
Local Historical Weather (Aug 22):
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| H (°F) | 81 | 78 | 87 | 82 | 82 |
| L (°F) | 66 | 56 | 71 | 65 | 71 |
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Kids race organization is a shame
Not a serious and respectful even for a 100$ kids event ! They gave the wrong bibs to my 9y daughter because they didn't print enough bibs ...so no ranking … MORE
Not a serious and respectful even for a 100$ kids event ! They gave the wrong bibs to my 9y daughter because they didn’t print enough bibs …so no ranking , no picture , no timing ! What a disappointment for her in comparaison to her friends !
Next disappointment is the no answer for a refund or at least a voucher for next year .
The kids race is basically a fundraising for the private company chicagotri . At 100$ per kids for less than 30mn race it is a lucrative business but doing that on kids is giving you an idea of the company and philosophy of the event ! Money money money …welcome in 2022 kids sport event .
Thank you
Extraordinarily convenient urban tri
I'm not what you'd call an experienced triathlete, but with that disclaimer now out of the way, here are some things I really liked about the Chicago Triathlon: ORGANIZATION/PRODUCTION: --Packet … MORE
I’m not what you’d call an experienced triathlete, but with that disclaimer now out of the way, here are some things I really liked about the Chicago Triathlon:
ORGANIZATION/PRODUCTION:
–Packet pickup and the expo conveniently took place at a downtown hotel that was near a number of ‘L’ stops, rather than way out at McCormick Place or Navy Pier
–Triathletes were allowed to rack their bikes in the transition area the day before the race (a fenced-off area under 24-hour surveillance), meaning I didn’t have to ride my bike down in the morning or take it down with me on the train at 4:30am. This was GREAT.
THE SWIM:
–The swim took place in Monroe Harbor, where athletes swim south and then north without ever straying too far from the wall. It would be easy for spectators to walk along the (paved) shoreline and follow their athlete, and there were plenty of boats out on the swim course for athletes to hang off of it they needed a breather. Past a certain point, athletes could hang off of the wall if needed.
–My only complaint about the swim is that upon exiting, there’s somewhere between a 0.25-0.5 mile run to the transition area
THE BIKE:
–The bike course goes north and then south along Lake Shore Drive for about 15 miles before descending into Lower Wacker, and then descending *again* to the Lower Randolph Busway, which is described by organizers as “Chicago’s most secretive and unobstructed expressway.” The bike course used to be 2 loops of LSD, but this setup doesn’t require any loops or circuits. I liked it.
THE RUN:
–The 10K run goes south and then north along the lakefront path, running through the rather fetching museum campus, before turning onto Columbus for a big finish. There was plenty of aid along the run course, I had no complaints.
POST-RACE PARTY:
–All finishers received a big plate of food from Goose Island catering, as well as 1 complimentary beer. There was a band playing at the post-race party, and there were trolleys to shuttle runners from the finish area to the transition area to reclaim gear and bikes (though the transition area was only about a mile away, easily walkable).
–The medals were LARGE and very well-done; I greatly preferred the 2015 version to the medal I received from the same race in 2014.
This race mostly takes the guesswork out of competing in a triathlon, so I would say it’s an ideal race for beginners all the way through pros.