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Triathlete favorite offers beautiful and challenging experience in Truckee July 22-23
July 22 – 23 brings the 36th Donner Lake Triathlon to Truckee, California. The event offers something for everyone with almost all triathlon distances represented including a Sprint, Olympic, 70.3 Half, Kids event and Aquabike. The swim portion takes place in the pristine clear waters of Donner Lake starting and finishing at West End Beach. The bike portion takes riders up and down and the iconic Donner Pass and the run is a scenic loop around Donner Lake. The event features a single transition area located adjacent to finish area festivities. The Donner Lake Triathlon is truly a must do event for all triathletes looking for a scenic challenge on an iconic course.
Donner Lake Triathlon Sprint
0.25 mile swim • 6 mile bike • 2 mile run
Online registration:
- Closes at 11:00PM Thursday July 20th for the KIDS and SPRINT race
- Closes at 10:00PM Friday July 21st for the OLYMPIC and HALF race
Course | Aid Stations
Swim:
The Sprint swim course is 1/4 mile in Donner Lake with two left turns. Corners are marked by large buoys and kayakers/boats are along the course to ensure your safety. The average water temperature of Donner Lake in July is 64-69 degrees. Wetsuits are optional. The swim course maps are posted on our Course Maps page.
Bike:
The bike course takes place on Old Highway 40. The entire course is paved.
The Sprint bike course is 6 miles total- 3 miles each way up to Donner Summit and back. The total climb on the bike for the sprint course is about 975’. The turnaround point is at the view area on Rainbow Bridge (will be well marked and staffed on event day). There is no aid station on the sprint bike course and athletes are encouraged to bring a full water bottle with them on their bike.
Run:
The Sprint run course features a 2 Mile out-and-back run on South Shore Drive. Triathletes leave the transition area on the South side of the parking lot. You will pass two aid stations while on the run: one as you leave the transition area and the other at the turn-a-round point.
The Foot Down Bike Stop: Whether you are competing in the Sprint, Olympic, Aquabike, or Half distance, you will be required to perform a foot down stop at the bottom of the descent, before continuing on to re-enter the transition area. A foot down stop means one of your feet comes out of your bike clips (or off your pedal) and rests on the ground in a designated spot while your bike is at a complete stop for a minimum of 3 seconds. The reason for the foot down stop is a purely a safety issue. Should the foot down not be enforced, we would be cleaning up cyclists’ carnage as they attempted (unsuccessfully) to make the 130 degree turn back into the transition area at 45 mph. Everyone has to do the foot down stop so there is no advantage/disadvantage for anyone. Failure to comply will result in a DQ and there are absolutely no exceptions.
Mount/Dismount Area: At the Donner Lake Triathlon, you are not permitted to ride your bike in the transition area. There is a mount and dismount area outside of the bike start/bike finish tents.
Donner Lake Triathlon Olympic
0.9 mile swim • 24.8 mile bike • 6.67 mile run
Online registration:
- Closes at 11:00PM Thursday July 20th for the KIDS and SPRINT race
- Closes at 10:00PM Friday July 21st for the OLYMPIC and HALF race
- See the schedule page for ONSITE registration times
Course | Aid Stations
Swim: The Olympic swim course is one 1500 meter lap in Donner Lake with two left turns. Corners are marked by large buoys and kayakers/boats are along the course to ensure your safety. The average water temperature of Donner Lake in July is 64-69 degrees. Wetsuits are optional. The swim course maps are posted on our Course Maps page.
Bike: The bike course takes place on Old Highway 40. The entire course is paved.
The Olympic bike course is 40K (24.8 miles) and is also an out-and-back course. Cyclists start their ride with a climb up to the top of Donner Pass (about 1125’). This portion, first and last 4 miles, of the bike course is closed to all vehicular traffic (except emergency vehicles). Upon reaching the pass you will have a great view of Donner Lake and the Truckee Valley. You continue westbound along Old Highway 40, passing Sugar Bowl and Donner Ski Ranch, cabins, ponds and other wonderful scenery. This portion of the course is relatively flat with small rolling hills. Upon reaching I-80, you will cross over the freeway and continue towards Kingvale. This portion of the coures is surrounded by trees and you can often glimpse the South Yuba River. The turn-a-round point will include an aid station where you can toss your water bottle in exchange for a new one (either filled with water or fluid replacement). The course concludes with a curvy and speedy descent down Scenic Old Highway 40 where we remind you to use extreme caution.
The Foot Down Bike Stop: Whether you are competing in the Sprint, Olympic, Aquabike, or Half distance, you will be required to perform a foot down stop at the bottom of the descent, before continuing on to re-enter the transition area. A foot down stop means one of your feet comes out of your bike clips (or off your pedal) and rests on the ground in a designated spot while your bike is at a complete stop for a minimum of 3 seconds. The reason for the foot down stop is a purely a safety issue. Should the foot down not be enforced, we would be cleaning up cyclists’ carnage as they attempted (unsuccessfully) to make the 130 degree turn back into the transition area at 45 mph. Everyone has to do the foot down stop so there is no advantage/disadvantage for anyone. Failure to comply will result in a DQ and there are absolutely no exceptions.
Mount/Dismount Area: At the Donner Lake Triathlon, you are not permitted to ride your bike in the transition area. There is a mount and dismount area outside of the bike start/bike finish tents.
Half Iron 70.3 Triathlon
1.2 mile swim • 56 mile bike • 13.36 mile run
Online registration:
- Closes at 11:00PM Thursday July 20th for the KIDS and SPRINT race
- Closes at 10:00PM Friday July 21st for the OLYMPIC and HALF race
- See the schedule page for ONSITE registration times
Course | Aid Stations
Swim: The HALF swim course is one 1.2 mile lap in Donner Lake. Two left turns. Corners are marked by large buoys and support (kayaks/SUP/boats) are along the course to ensure your safety. The average water temperature of Donner Lake in July is 64-69 degrees. Wetsuits are optional. The swim course maps are posted on our Course Maps page.
Bike: The bike course takes place on Old Highway 40. The entire course is paved.
The Half bike course is 56 miles. The course continues 4 miles past the Olympic turnaround point. From the far end of the course, near Cisco Grove, you will ride a 12 mile out and back section. Once you reach the far end of the course the second time you head back to the transition area. Cyclists start their ride with a climb up to the top of Donner Pass (about 1125’). This portion, first and last 4 miles, of the bike course is closed to all vehicular traffic (except emergency vehicles). Upon reaching the pass you will have a great view of Donner Lake and the Truckee Valley. You continue westbound along Old Highway 40, passing Sugar Bowl and Donner Ski Ranch, cabins, ponds and other wonderful scenery. This portion of the course is relatively flat with small rolling hills. Upon reaching I-80, you will cross over the freeway and continue past Kingvale, and towards Cisco Grove. This portion of the course is surrounded by trees and you can often glimpse the South Yuba River. The turn-a-round point will include an aid station where you can toss your water bottle in exchange for a new one (either filled with water or fluid replacement). The course concludes with a curvy and speedy descent down Scenic Old Highway 40 where we remind you to use extreme caution.
The Foot Down Bike Stop: Whether you are competing in the Sprint, Olympic, Aquabike, or Half distance, you will be required to perform a foot down stop at the bottom of the descent, before continuing on to re-enter the transition area. A foot down stop means one of your feet comes out of your bike clips (or off your pedal) and rests on the ground in a designated spot while your bike is at a complete stop for a minimum of 3 seconds. The reason for the foot down stop is a purely a safety issue. Should the foot down not be enforced, we would be cleaning up cyclists’ carnage as they attempted (unsuccessfully) to make the 130 degree turn back into the transition area at 45 mph. Everyone has to do the foot down stop so there is no advantage/disadvantage for anyone. Failure to comply will result in a DQ and there are absolutely no exceptions.
Mount/Dismount Area: At the Donner Lake Triathlon, you are not permitted to ride your bike in the transition area. There is a mount and dismount area outside of the bike start/bike finish tents.
Donner Lake Aquabike
1.2 mile swim • 56 mile bike
Online registration:
- Closes at 11:00PM Thursday July 20th for the KIDS and SPRINT race
- Closes at 10:00PM Friday July 21st for the OLYMPIC and HALF race
- See the schedule page for ONSITE registration times
Course | Aid Stations
Swim: The AQUABIKE swim course is one 1.2 mile lap in Donner Lake. Two left turns. Corners are marked by large buoys and support (kayaks/SUP/boats) are along the course to ensure your safety. The average water temperature of Donner Lake in July is 64-69 degrees. Wetsuits are optional. The swim course maps are posted on our Course Maps page.
Bike: The bike course takes place on Old Highway 40. The entire course is paved.
The Aquabike bike course is 56 miles, same course as the HALF. The course continues 4 miles past the Olympic turnaround point. From the far end of the course, near Cisco Grove, you will ride a 12 mile out and back section. Once you reach the far end of the course the second time you head back to the transition area. Cyclists start their ride with a climb up to the top of Donner Pass (about 1125’). This portion, first and last 4 miles, of the bike course is closed to all vehicular traffic (except emergency vehicles). Upon reaching the pass you will have a great view of Donner Lake and the Truckee Valley. You continue westbound along Old Highway 40, passing Sugar Bowl and Donner Ski Ranch, cabins, ponds and other wonderful scenery. This portion of the course is relatively flat with small rolling hills. Upon reaching I-80, you will cross over the freeway and continue past Kingvale, and towards Cisco Grove. This portion of the course is surrounded by trees and you can often glimpse the South Yuba River. The turn-a-round point will include an aid station where you can toss your water bottle in exchange for a new one (either filled with water or fluid replacement). The course concludes with a curvy and speedy descent down Scenic Old Highway 40 where we remind you to use extreme caution.
The Foot Down Bike Stop: Whether you are competing in the Sprint, Olympic, Half or Aquabike distance, you will be required to perform a foot down stop at the bottom of the descent, before continuing on to re-enter the transition area. A foot down stop means one of your feet comes out of your bike clips (or off your pedal) and rests on the ground in a designated spot while your bike is at a complete stop for a minimum of 3 seconds. The reason for the foot down stop is a safety issue. Should the foot down not be enforced, we would be cleaning up cyclists’ carnage as they attempted (unsuccessfully) to make the 130 degree turn back into the transition area at 45 mph. Everyone has to do the foot down stop so there is no advantage/disadvantage for anyone. Failure to comply will result in a DQ and there are absolutely no exceptions.
Mount/Dismount Area: At the Donner Lake Triathlon, you are not permitted to ride your bike in the transition area. There is a mount and dismount area outside of the bike start/bike finish tents.
For the Kids
Ages 4 – 12 • Non-competitive • Short, fun courses
The Donner Lake Kids Triathlon is an actual triathlon featuring the swim-bike-run format for kids ages 4 to 12. The focus of the event is to provide a triathlon experience to this age group in a non-competitive and fun atmosphere.
The Donner Lake Kids Triathlon follows the classic form of triathlon featuring the three disciplines of swim, bike and run in that order. The swim is in Donner Lake at West End Beach. This is a sandy bottom smooth transition from land to lake area. The swim course is marked with buoys for the turns and has water safety staff monitoring the course. Age divisions start separately and are divided into groups or waves based on the number of entrants. After completing the swim participants head to the transition area located close the lake shore on a grass field. Kids set up their bikes and other gear in the transition area. They transition from the swim to the bike and then from the bike to the run in this location. The transition area has rows that are numbered. Kids find their spot based on the bib#. Volunteers and staff help in the transition to assist with the gear and directions. Once transitioned to the bike participants head out the bike course. Volunteers and course marking show the way. Once the bike course is complete riders head back into the transition area and transition to the run. Again volunteers and course markings show the way. The run course and the event ends at the finish line and arch where each competitor is presented with a finishing medal. There is post event food (fruit, etc.) provided to all participants.