Basic Race Info


Race Overview
The Columbus Triathlon and Multisport Festival has something for everyone of all ages and ability levels! Races include beginner, sprint, olympic, and ⅓ iron distances in triathlons, duathlons, aquabikes, and aquathlons as well as 3k/6k open water swim and 5k/10k/15k run only distances. Participants call the Columbus Triathlon one of the best events in Ohio because of our positive and friendly community of support! It's a small race with a big race atmosphere. Plus there is free training help along with awesome race tees, event photos, finisher medals and a post-race meal! Race assured that we will ensure the safety of all athletes, have medical support and law enforcement on site, adhere to all Federal, State and Local ordinances and implement mandated COVID-19 protocols to limit the spread of the virus so you can achieve your goals! All are welcome at the Columbus Triathlon and Multisport Festival.

Athlete Guide For Race Weekend

Learn more details about all aspects of the race in a handy guide you can download, print and keep. Be ready for race day with all the details. CLICK HERE to view or download.

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Race Distances

Click Here to go to the RACES page for full race distance details.

  • Beginner Triathlon or Duathlon = 300m Swim / 7 Mile Bike / 1.5 Mile Run (First Duathlon Run is 1.5 Miles)
  • Sprint Races = 750m Swim / 13 Mile Bike / 5k Run (First Duathlon Run is 1.5 Miles)
  • Olympic Races = 1500m Swim / 26 Mile Bike / 10k Run (First Duathlon Run is 5k)
  • ⅓ Iron Races = 1500m Swim / 39 Mile Bike / 15k Run (First Duathlon Run is 5k)
  • 3k & 6k Swim Only = 1.86mi & 3.73mi Swim
  • 5k, 10k & 15k Run Only =  3.1mi, 6.2mi & 9.3mi Run


Race Venue
The Columbus Triathlon and Multisport Festival will take place at Deer Creek State Park Beach in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, which is about 50 miles south of Columbus. 


Packet Pick-up, and the Start/Finish Lines will be at the beachfront. The address is 14403 Crownover Mill Rd, New Holland, OH 43145. Follow the signs for the Beach. There is plenty of parking at the beachfront, and all the race festivities will be in the main parking lot right up the hill from the beach.

Parking and Restrooms
There will be parking available at the beachfront. Brick and mortar restrooms will be available onsite in addition to a portable toilet by the transition area.

Race Awards
We do not offer race awards because we believe everyone is a winner. So enjoy your swag, post-race food and drink, and celebrate your accomplishment with family and friends. 


Our races are sanctioned by USAT, and we submit age group results in the triathlon, duathlon, aquathlon, and aquabike in 5-year increments to USAT (within 15 days of the race) for the purposes of calculating national rankings and eligibility for USAT Nationals and All American consideration.​


Packet Pick-up Procedures
Athletes can pick up their race packets on Saturday evening from 6pm-7pm or the morning of the race starting at 6am. Packet pickup will be in the furthest parking lot to the right when you pull into the park heading towards the beach; please look for the red and white registration check-in flag. Packet pickup will work like this: 

  • Please register online before you come to packet pick-up. There is no in-person race day registration at the race venue due to USAT sanctioning however you can register onsite from your cell phone via the columbustriathlon.com website. Registration will remain open online through the start of the last race, so register before you come or again plan to register on your phone. 
  • Each person must pickup their own packet as we need every participant to sign a physical waiver prior to participating. Early packet pickup the evening before the event is strongly encouraged to reduce the wait time on race day.
  • When you approach the registration tables please give the staff your name and they will hand you your race swag, which includes: 
    • Swim cap (everyone who will be swimming as a part of their race)
    • Race bib and pins - Every athlete (with the exception of the open water swimmers) will be required to wear a bib number on the front of their body during the final running/finish portion of the race. You can pin the number to you or use a race belt. 
    • Bike sticker - Every athlete in the triathlon, duathlon and aquabike will be required to have a race number sticker on their bike. Bike numbers can be placed on the top tube or seat post.
    • Event tee (please register at least 2 weeks in advance to be guaranteed)
    • Finisher medal (please register at least 2 weeks in advance to be guaranteed)

NOTE: You will get your timing chip race morning. Please come back to the registration area for that race morning but if you are just picking up your timing chip that process will be fast.
NOTE: You will get your body marking on race morning. Please see the information below for more information on how you will be marked. You will get marked by one of our staffers on race morning.​

Body Marking

​Body marking is an essential part of triathlons and other multisport races. These numbers help identify you on race day and can be used to help timers, volunteers, staff, and emergency workers identify you. 

  • Every racer needs to complete body marking in order to participate except for the run only athletes.
  • Body marking on site: You will get your body marking on race morning at the entrance of the transition area. There will be a staff member there to body mark you.


STEP 1 – RIGHT & LEFT BICEPS - EXCEPT RUN ONLY
Write race number on RIGHT & LEFT BICEP - Race Number is written vertically on both sides
NOTE: If you will have on sleeves or tattoos where the race numbers cannot be seen the body markers will write on your forearms or the back of the hands.










​STEP 2 - RIGHT CALF - EXCEPT RUN ONLY
Write Abbreviated Race on Racers RIGHT CALF


BT = Beginner Triathlon 
ST = Sprint Triathlon 
OT = Olympic Triathlon
3T = ⅓ Iron Triathlon

BD = Beginner Duathlon 
SD = Sprint Duathlon 
OD = Olympic Duathlon
3D = ⅓ Iron Duathlon

SAB = Sprint Aquabike 
OAB = Olympic Aquabike
3AB = ⅓ Iron Aquabike

SAR = Sprint Aquathlon (Aqua-Run) 
OAR = Olympic Aquathlon (Aqua-Run)
3AR = ⅓ Iron Aquathlon (Aqua-Run)

3S = 3k Open Swim
6S = 6k Open Swim


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STEP 3 - LEFT CALF - EXCEPT RUN ONLY

​Write race number on LEFT CALF



Start Details

  • All races will start at the beachfront, with the exception of the duathlons, which start at the run out area of transition. 
  • There will first be a brief pre-race meeting or you can review all the information in the athlete guide and race website for more information. You may also ask questions of our staff as needed on race day or email/call us with questions in advance of the race. 
  • Race distances will start in waves (see Start Times below), if a distance (eg: sprint triathlon) has a lot of participants we may have multiple waves (eg: gender or age specific start waves) inside of that specific distance and each wave will take 15-30 minutes to start all racers. Please arrive to your start area 15 minutes prior to the earliest wave start time or you may miss your race start.
  • All swim race segments will begin in waist high water to avoid dangerous running and jockeying for position from land to water. If you are a fast/advanced swimmer we recommend you start at the front of the group, if you are a slow/beginner swimmer we recommend you start in the back, average swimmers in the middle. We will not tell you where to line up in the water as you know your body, conditioning, experience and comfort level better than we do.
  • Any athlete that misses their start time will need to alert the starting race timer prior to starting or jumping into another race distance start wave. 


Start Times

For more information please visit the SCHEDULE portion of the website.


Please arrive at your designated start area at least 15 minutes before your race begins. Your race will begin after a brief pre-race meeting. 

7:00am-7:15am: ⅓ Iron + Olympic Duathlons
7:15am-7:30am: ⅓ Iron + Olympic Triathlons, Aquabikes, Aquathlons & 6k + 3k Open Water Swimmers
7:45am-8:00am: Sprint Triathlon, Aquabike & Aquathlon
8:00am-8:15am: Beginner Triathlon​
8:15am-8:30am: Sprint & Beginner Duathlons & All Run Only Distances (5k, 10k & 15k)

1:00pm: Timing is closed & event ends, all athletes must have completed the race. 


Race Packing List
We want to help you pack for race day! Please check out any of the following websites for recommendations on what to bring with you on race day.

·   https://completetri.com/the-ultimate-triathlon-race-day-checklist

·   https://www.trainingpeaks.com/blog/triathlon-race-day-checklist-1

·   https://www.active.com/triathlon/articles/beginner-s-triathlon-gear-list-no-need-to-break-the-bank

·   https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/triathlon-checklist.html


​The Finish Line
All athletes, regardless of race type or distance, will have the same finish line where you walk, jog or run through an inflatable arch. Open water swimmers need to run up the beach and through the finish line to record your finish time. Aquabikers need to rack their bikes and then walk, jog or run through the finish line. Everyone else will finish their run race segment by running through the finish line arch. 

Post Race Food and Drink!
After the race we will have food and drink ready for you to enjoy and celebrate your accomplishments! Please stick around to cheer on other competitors or take some food and refreshments home with you.


Results
Results will be available on this website the day of the race: ColumbusTriathlon.com. Results will be submitted to USA Triathlon within 15 days of the race. Results are submitted in 5-year age group increments for the triathlon, duathlon, aquabike and aquathlon for the purposes of USAT rankings.


Course Information Click Here

August 20, 2023

Deer Creek State Park

Columbus Triathlon & Multisport Festival