Jack’s Generic Triathlon

Jack’s Generic Triathlon was founded by Jack Murray in 2003, at a time when he thought many triathlons had forgotten about the participants. Events had become so focused on getting big sponsors, accommodating pro athletes, and trying to look good that they sometimes neglected the actual product – the race. Athletes ended up paying more, but their racing experience was actually less. Jack had the idea to put on a race with very little pomp & circumstance, yet at the core be a great race. It would be well organized, safe, good value, and of course, fun. It reminded him of the generic aisle at the supermarket: It’s the same quality products, sometimes even better, but you don’t have to pay for the fancy packaging. And hence, the name Jack’s Generic Triathlon was born.

Today, the event has a lot more fancy packaging, but at its core, it is still all about the participants. Each edition is designed, planned, and priced with you, every day at the forefront of the experience.

The Jack’s Generic Triathlon sprint distance course is a 600-meter swim, 11.2-mile bike, and a 5K run. The swim course does an out and back rectangle in Walter E. Long Lake. The swim course has orange marker buoys, and red triangle turn buoys. Swim with the buoys on your left.

The event features one centrally located transition area that has restrooms and an aid station that is available before or after the swim and bike.

The bike course goes around the lake for 11.2 miles and features some rolling hills. There is a hill after the third right turn; it is best to downshift before entering the turn to make it up the hill with more ease.

The run is on a mix of off-road path and paved road. The run course returns to the finish line where participants receive their finisher medal and a reusable water bottle filled with ice cold water.