About PDX Triathlon Festival
Join us for the 40th Annual PDX Triathlon Festival at Blue Lake park and kick off the summer racing season. It is a scenic, flat and fast course with Super Sprint/My 1st Tri, Sprint & Olympic Distances & a FREE KIDS Tri too! NEW: Paddle Triathlon for those of you who would rather kayak or paddle-board! Relay options are great for friends, family & co-workers!
The Annual PDX/Blue Lake Triathlon was started by the Portland Triathlon Association and Frank Goulard, who is still an active, local Masters Triathlete. He participates in many of our events so come on out and meet the legend, the man who started it all for us here locally!
This weekend festival offers an Olympic and Sprint Distance Triathlon, Duathlon & AquaBike, and a Super Sprint / My 1st Tri course that offers shorter distances for those new to the sport or just going for pure, raw speed. The Super Sprint is also a great event for our Junior Triathletes!
Recognized by NW triathletes as the “must do” event to open the triathlon season, the PDX Triathlon encompasses two full days of racing (Super Sprint & Kids races on Saturday & Sprint & Olympic races on Sunday) including a Sports & Fitness Expo. Triathlon Clubs from across the NW gather to launch the MultiSport season.
The bike courses are flat and fast, with the majority occurring on a section of Marine Dr that is closed to all but local traffic. This makes the course one of the safest and fastest in the region.
Race Starts in:
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Check out how much fun we have at PDX Triathlon Festival!

Date & Time
07/17/2021: 4:00pm & 6:00pm Start Times
07/18/2021: 8:00-8:30am Start Times
Super Sprint / My 1st Tri – This race is designed for the first time triathlete, those new to the sport, our Junior Triathletes and/or those looking for raw speed! The swim is a shorter, more manageable 1/4 mile distance, (instead of the standard 1/2-mile Sprint distance swim), 10 mile bike ride (vs 12 miles and it’s a 2 loop course making it very spectator friendly!) and a flat 2 mile run (vs 3 mile sprint course).
A maximum of 1000 athletes per day can race so be sure to register early as this race fills fast!
SATURDAY:
- Kids Tri Races – Start at 4:00pm. Find details for the Kids Triathlon in the Course Details section.
- Sunset 5K: Start at 6:00pm.
SUNDAY:
- Super Sprint / My 1st Triathlon: 1/4 Mile Swim, 10 Mile Bike, 2 mile Run (Start Time – 8:00am in waves)
- Super Sprint Duathlon: 2 mile Run, 10 Mile Bike, 2 mile Run (Start Time – 8:00am mass start)
- Super Sprint AquaBike: 1/4 Mile Swim, 10 mile Bike (Start Tme – 8:00 in waves)
- Sprint Triathlon: ½ mile Swim, 12.5 mile Bike, 5K Run (Start Time – 8am in waves)
- Sprint Duathlon: 5k Run, 12.5 mile Bike, 5k Run (Start Time – 8am mass start)
- Sprint AquaBike: ½ mile Swim, 12.5 mile Bike (Start Time – 8am in waves)
- Olympic Triathlon:1.5K Swim, 40K Bike, 10K Run (Start Time – 8:30am in waves)
- Olympic Duathlon: 5k Run, 40K Bike, 10K Run (Start Time – 8:30am mass start)
- Olympic AquaBike: 1.5K Swim, 40K bike (Start Time – 8:30am in waves)
NOTE: Our 2020 PDX Triathlon Festival has been chosen as the USAT Triathlon Age Group and High-school State Championships. The High-school State Championship distance is the Sprint Triathlon only. The Adult Age-group State Championship distance is the Olympic Triathlon only. 25% of the top athletes in each division will qualify for nationals.
Location Details
BLUE LAKE PARK: 21224 NE Blue Lake Road – Do not enter from Marine Drive as this entrance will be closed.
Directions
DIRECTIONS TO BLUE LAKE PARK:
Blue Lake Park is located 15 miles east of downtown Portland, OR. Take I-84 to the Fairview Exit (exit #14). Follow the signs to Blue Lake Park. Do not try to enter the park from Marine Drive. That exit will be closed that morning for course setup.
Event Highlights & Post-event Festivities
Free Beer & Post-event meal
Technical Runner’s t-shirt & Finisher’s Medal
Sense of accomplishment – Feels so good
Enjoy the after-race party with music, food and beverages, awards and prizes, and lots of fun as we Rock the Park! The energy and fun keeps flowing after the races, making this a Race-Party not to miss!
Post-race food and beverages will help athletes refuel and Mt. Tabor will be onsite to help you celebrate your accomplishment! Vendors in the Sports & Fitness Expo will have samples for tasting throughout the events.

Packet Pickup Details
REMEMBER YOUR ID AND USAT MEMBERSHIP CARD (if applicable) - It's a USAT requirement! If you're picking up packages for other athletes, be sure you have a signed copy of the Authorization form and a copy of the athlete's ID.
If you unable to pickup at any of the times listed below, please email us at registration@whyracingevents.com to make other arrangements.
Friday, July 16th Foot Traffic NE (PDX) 10:00am-7:00pm
Saturday, July 17th On Site (Blue Lake Park) 2:00pm-7:00pm
Awards & Course Records
2018- Scott McBeth 45:52
2018- Madison Wick 50:53
Super Sprint Duathlon:
2018- Kevin Cashatt 52:04
2018- Jodie Bolt 1:00:06
Super Sprint Aquabike:
2017- David Livengood 42:24.2
2019 – Hayley Espelund 40:05
2016- John Holland 55:01:00
2019- Lori Deschamps 1:08:04
Sprint Duathlon:
2019- Jason Klein 1:10:43
2017- Sarah Barber 1:15:22
Sprint Aquabike:
2018- Harmon Laurin 52:31
2018- Leslie Beard 54:01
2012- Jeff Smith 1:55:29
2018- Catherine Harley 2:13:25
Olympic Duathlon:
2011- Jeff Hoppert 1:56:23
2014- Teri Sheasby 2:16:49
Olympic Aquabike:
2013- Jon Walker 1:22:04
2019- Barkley Hope 1:31:29
Awards will be presented to the Top 3 Overall Male & Female champions and Overall Masters Male & Female champions (Overall Male & Female, and Masters Male & Female will be removed from the individual age division awards). Awards will also be presented to the 1st thru 3rd place finishers in each individual age group and division. The 1st and 2nd place Relay teams in each division will also receive awards.
Divisions: Individuals: 15 and under, 16-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80 & over. Clydesdale’s (men 220lbs & over) and Athena’s (women 165lbs & over)
Relay Teams: Men’s, Women’s and Mixed divisions for Triathlon and Mixed Teams for Duathlon & Aquabike.
Friends and Family Division – A non-competitive division created for the sole purpose of allowing participants of different ages and genders to swim in the same wave. For example, this allows fathers/daughters, mothers/sons, husband /wives, boyfriends/girlfriends, siblings, etc. to enjoy the triathlon together and to help one another through the swim leg of the event. When participants fail to swim in their correct wave, as determined by age & gender in most all triathlons, their split times and finish time are compromised. So, if you choose to participate out of your wave choose this division to uphold the integrity of your results and the overall results of the event.
Awards Ceremony will begin as soon as the majority of racers have completed the event. Hang out, have a drink, eat some food and share your racing stories while we wait for the results to be verified. Awards must be picked up. Unfortunately, they cannot be mailed.
Award Criteria:
- If you choose to race in the Clydesdale (220+ pounds) or Athena (165+ pounds) categories, you are not eligible for Age Group awards due to USAT restrictions. You must choose one or the other.
- Based on USAT age categories, if your birthday is prior to December 31st of that race season, you will race in the older age group even if you haven’t celebrated your birthday yet. Due to USAT sanctioning you will ‘age-up’.
- Friends & Family – if you choose to race in this category, you will not be eligible for awards. This is a non-competitive category that allows friends and family to start in the same wave group together regardless of their ages.
Beneficiary
SPECIAL OLYMPICS, LOCAL SCHOOL ATHLETICS AND PROGRAMS
Why Racing Events is proud to support the Special Olympics, High School sports programs and other non-profit organizations through this event and all the races and fundraisers on the Why Racing Events calendar each year.
Contributions over the years from these NW races and fundraisers have exceeded $3 million dollars. We are very thankful to the athletes, sponsors, vendors, partners and volunteers who contribute to the success of our events, allowing us to offer this community support!
Special Instructions
- Participants must pay a $5 park fee per vehicle when entering the park on race day. Please bring $5 CASH to keep the lines short!
- Practice swimming is to occur INSIDE THE ROPED BUOY-LINE at the Swim Beach ONLY. Violators are subject to an $89 citation (Metro Title 10.01.130) and exclusion from the event.
- Please be aware: Park officials have asked us to pass along to all the dog lovers out there – NO PETS ALLOWED IN THE PARK. Sorry, but pooches have to stay home for this event.
Kid’s Events
Kids Tri race entry includes a t-shirt and a cool medal for the kids so they can brag about their well-earned accomplishment. It is a non-competitive, non-timed, no-pressure, fun event for the kids. Check the Course Details section for Kids Triathlon course details and logistics.
Note: More competitive Junior & Youth athletes may find a better challenge participating in the Super Sprint race. We will offer a separate wave for our younger athletes participating in the Super Sprint.
FAQ’s
Can I register on Race Day? Can my friend pick up my packet?
What are the Rules?
Can I use a personal music devise while cycling?
Can I use a personal music devise while running?
- If you chose to use a personal music device, you must always keep one ear open for instructions so only one ear-bud can be used at any time.
- If you are using a personal music devise with two earbuds, you will be immediately disqualified. Trust us, we don’t want to have to enforce a disqualification but in order to assure the safety of all athletes, this is a very important rule.
- We also request that if you chose to use a personal music device that you keep the volume to a minimum to assure all instructions can be heard.
Do I need to wear a wetsuit?
Will there be on-site mechanical/bike support?
Where can I find lost items?
What should I do if my shirt doesn't fit?
Do I have to use a road or racing bike?
Do I have to run?
Will there be water on the course?
Will there be bathrooms on the course?
Where should I tell my friends and family to go to cheer me on?
We DO NOT want them driving on the Bike course to maximize safety for all cyclists.
Travel & Accommodations
If you stay at any hotel near the PDX Airport, you will be 10 minutes from the start/finish venue.
Portland Oregon Visitors Association: www.travelportland.com
Portland has so much to offer so come for the entire weekend and make it a fun and memorable RACE-cation! Although a weekend is not nearly enough to see all the beauty in this area, so feel free to extend your stay or be sure to come back for one of our other local races. You can check off one bucket list item each time you visit – there really is that much to see!
Restaurants



Training & Preparation
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Volunteers
Event Partners
We’re honored to partner with these great companies to provide you the absolute best race experience. We couldn’t do it without them so please show them the LOVE and support them as a thank you for all they do for our community.
Sponsors
Beneficiary
CONTACT
WHY Racing Events Inc.
1108 NE 146th Street, Suite J
Vancouver, WA 98685
Phone: 360-314-4682
Email: info@whyracingevents.com