Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlon (iron-distance with 116 mi bike)

Penn Yan, United States · August · Independent

Peasantman Steel Distance Triathlon (iron-distance with 116 mi bike): keuka lake at sunrisePhoto is not from race daySee1,Do1,Teach1, CC BY 2.0
Keuka Lake at sunrise. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

Why people love it

  • Very low cost: $350-485 for a full
  • USAT Ultra Distance Nationals host (2025-2027)
  • Clear lake water and smooth, low-traffic roads per reviewers
  • Friendly, responsive race director

Watch out for

  • Bike is about 187 km (116 mi), not 180 km (112 mi)
  • Very small full field, about 40 starters and few finishers
  • Hilly bike causes run blow-ups
  • Amish buggies on course
  • Water temperature, wetsuit rules and cutoffs not verified

Race

3.3Good

How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 27% of the overall score.

  • Racer satisfactionLoved3.6

    All reviewers are positive (clean water, smooth roads, friendly director), but they are few; one found the swim choppy and the bike harder than advertised. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationWell run3.7

    A responsive race director, marshals at every turn and clear marking; the first year, 2013, had kinks with half-distance caps. · Low confidence

  • First timer friendlyDoable2.8

    Cheap ($350-485), friendly and light on traffic, and first-timers have finished, but the bike is rolling and long and the field is tiny. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • PR potentialSlow2.1

    The bike measures about 185-187 km (115-116 mi), 6 km (4 mi) over standard, with rolling hills; run blow-ups are common. · Low confidence

  • Course easeTough2.6

    A long, rolling bike (about 1,800 m (5,910 ft) / 5,900 ft estimated) over four 47 km (29 mi) laps in August warmth; hard, not extreme. · Medium confidence

Swim

3.9Very good

Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Wetsuit legalUsually4.3

    Mid-August water is likely 21-25 °C (70-77 °F), and USAT allows wetsuits to 25.6 °C (78 °F); there is no race-specific data. · Low confidence

  • Water temperatureComfortable4.4

    A related Keuka event lists 16-23 °C (60s to low 70s °F); mid-August is likely 21-24 °C (70-75 °F). · Low confidence

  • Calm waterMostly calm3.5

    A long lake that is usually calm, though one 2013 racer found it choppy. · Low confidence

  • Swim easeEasy3.6

    A two-lap 1.9 km (1.2 mi) loop; in 2013 there was confusion at the last buoy with the half-distance yellow caps. · Low confidence

  • Swim experienceGreat3.9

    Clear, clean water per two reviewers, with a small-field start and no crowding. · Low confidence

Bike

3.3Good

Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 19% of the overall score.

  • Road surfaceGood3.8

    Smooth roads per 2013 and 2025 reviewers; some chipseal is likely. · Low confidence

  • Road closuresMostly open2.3

    Open roads with marshals, shared with Amish buggies and local cyclists. · Low confidence

  • Bike sceneryBeautiful4.0

    Finger Lakes farmland, Amish country and lake views. · Low confidence

  • WindSome wind3.3

    No wind complaints found, though open lakeside farmland can be breezy. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Bike speedSlow2.4

    Rolling hills, little drafting and an extra 6 km (4 mi) of distance; a 2026 racer called it hard and long. · Low confidence

  • Bike flatnessRolling2.9

    Published climbing is vague; likely about 1,800 m (6,000 ft) for the full, the upper hilly band. · Low confidence

  • Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.4

    Marshals at every turn on a rolling lakeside loop; no technical complaints. · Low confidence

Run

2.8Good

Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Crowd supportSparse1.6

    About 40 starters, with volunteers at turns but little crowd. · Low confidence

  • Aid stationsStandard2.8

    A 2026 racer said volunteers are at every turn 'but little else'; there are no complaints about aid. · Low confidence

  • Run sceneryBeautiful4.0

    A lake-shore course. · Low confidence

  • Run conditionsModerate3.4

    A flat road run in mid-August warmth; fades reported are mostly from the hard bike. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Run flatnessMostly flat3.9

    Described as scenic and rather flat along the northwest shore of Keuka Lake. · Low confidence

Conditions

3.8Very good

Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 15% of the overall score.

  • Air temperaturePleasant3.7

    Mid-August Penn Yan highs are about 26 °C (79 °F) with cooler mornings; warm but not hot, and no heat reports. · Low confidence

  • Weather reliabilityVariable3.2

    Mid-August in the Finger Lakes brings thunderstorm risk, but no cancellations were found. · Low confidence

  • Venue beautyLovely4.0

    Finger Lakes vineyards and lake. · Medium confidence

  • Spectator friendlySome viewpoints2.7

    A compact park venue, but four laps of a 47 km (29 mi) loop mean viewing is mostly at the park. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Low altitudeLow4.4

    Keuka Lake sits at about 217 m (712 ft). · Medium confidence

Stay and travel

3.5Good

Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 11% of the overall score.

  • Hotel availabilityBook early3.0

    A small town; the 70.3 Musselman about 29 km (18 mi) away competes for August rooms, but this field is only about 40. · Low confidence

  • Hotel valueGood3.6

    Camping was reported at $50 for two nights, and lakeside hotels exist. · Low confidence

  • WalkabilitySome driving2.8

    Options within 6 km (4 mi) of Indian Pines Park, including a lakeside Hampton Inn. · Low confidence

  • Travel easeOne connection2.8

    Rochester airport is about 90 km (56 mi) and an hour's drive away; a car is needed. · Low confidence

  • LogisticsSimple4.2

    A single venue with same-day sign-up on Saturday and one loop. · Low confidence

  • Town and foodFine3.1

    A small Finger Lakes town with wineries. · Low confidence

Key facts

Location
Penn Yan, New York (Finger Lakes), United States
Typical month
August
Latest or next date
15 August 2027
Organiser
Independent
Field size
About 40 athletes
Entry fee
About $350
First held
2013
Distances
3.8 km (2.4 mi) swim, 180 km (112 mi) bike, 42.2 km (26.2 mi) run
Swim venue
Keuka Lake, Indian Pines Park (lake)
Bike laps
4
Altitude
210 m (690 ft)
Nearest airport
Rochester (ROC), 90 km (56 mi) away
Where to stay
Penn Yan, Keuka Lake shore
Booking
Small-town; one athlete camped 4 miles away for $50 for two nights. 70.3 Musselman is ~18 mi away so August lodging in the Finger Lakes can be busy.

Official race website (firstknightracing.com)

What racers and reviewers say

  • Slowtwitch forum (Peasantman Iron Distance Aug 16 2026 thread)Raced 2026 · forum · Mixed

    Raced the half. Called the bike hard and long with a reported "3k" of climbing (unit not stated; likely ~3,000 ft / 915 m (3,000 ft) on the 59 mi / 95 km (59 mi) course), little drafting, and noted everyone he passed on the run had faded. Volunteers at every turn but little else; camped cheaply nearby; cost $200 for the half.

    “a hard, long bike course”

    Jkgoff
  • Slowtwitch forum (same thread)Raced 2026 · forum · Mixed

    Noted only 6 women started the full and 4 finished, questioned the small field and how the event breaks even, and relayed a Strava report of about 115 mi (185 km (115 mi)) on the bike.

  • Slowtwitch forum (same thread)Raced 2026 · forum · Positive

    Found the race director super nice and responsive when emailed before the race.

  • Slowtwitch forum (Peasantman in NY, 2013 thread)Raced 2013 · forum · Positive

    First-ever full distance: enjoyed the clear water, smooth roads, light traffic and enthusiastic volunteers; very good experience.

  • Slowtwitch forum (same 2013 thread)Raced 2013 · forum · Positive

    Full finisher: 27 registered, 23 started, 22 finished; friendly organizers, challenging course which he liked.

Show 5 more
  • Slowtwitch forum (same 2013 thread)Raced 2013 · forum · Mixed

    First-time full: found the bike harder than advertised, the swim choppy, and was confused at the last buoy by half-distance yellow caps; posted the fastest run split of the day before cramping.

  • Slowtwitch forum (same 2013 thread)Raced 2013 · forum · Positive

    Did the half; first-year race was fun and well organized with some kinks directing athletes; estimated about 30 full finishers.

  • Slowtwitch (Budgeting in the Time of IRONMAN)Raced 2025 · article · Positive

    Feature on cheap alternatives. First-time full finisher Ben Ulmer went 12:50:54, found a personal vibe where he knew nearly everyone, and blew up on the run. A forum commenter praised clean water, smooth low-traffic roads and clear markings. Full cost $350-$485 versus $460 for nearby 70.3 Musselman.

  • Flying Fish Hockey / local newsRaced 2025 · article · Mixed

    Profile of a 47-year-old who nearly quit at mile 2-3 (3-5 km (1.9–3.1 mi)) of the run with stomach trouble, walked, recovered, and still won his age group to qualify for Worlds.

  • 585 Magazinearticle · Positive

    Describes steel distances as longer by bike, USAT sanctioned, at Indian Pines Park, with over $44,000 given to local Penn Yan groups since 2013.

Sources

Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.

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