CRDA Atlantic City Triathlon (TRI AC)
Atlantic City, United States · August · DelMo Elite Events
Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 17.7 km (11.0 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 0.25 mi (402 m) swim, 11 mi (17.7 km) bike (race page also says 10 mi / 16.1 km), 5 km (3.1 mi) run.
Why people love it
- Closed expressway lane makes a flat, fast bike: 17.7 km (11 mi) sprint or 35.4 km (22 mi) Olympic
- Sprint swim is 402 m (0.25 mi) in a calm, protected bay with a rolling start
- Boardwalk run finishes in front of Boardwalk Hall
- Beach Patrol, Coast Guard and police cover the water
Watch out for
- No shade on the bike and wind can build across the marshes
- Live traffic runs beside the closed lane, with rumble strips and debris reported on the shoulder
- Finish is 1.1 km (0.7 mi) from transition; expect a shuttle or a long walk
- Aid is sparse: carry your own bottle on the run
- No practice swim is allowed
Race
How racers feel about it, how well it is run, and how it treats a first timer. Counts for 30% of the overall score.
Toughness: Moderate
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.8
Racers and the organiser report a fast, well-run event; 2022 and 2024 racers also flagged thin aid and a long walk to the finish. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.7
Long-running, polished event with rolling start and live tracking, but a 2022 racer met empty coolers and 2024 racers disliked the shuttle and traffic. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.2
0.25 mi (402 m) bay swim, flat bike and 5 km (3.1 mi) boardwalk run; traffic beside the shoulder needs care. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.0
Flat and fast over 17.7 km (11 mi) of expressway, with the wind the main risk. · Medium confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalCoin flip3.2
Wetsuits are legal but earn no awards from 25.6 °C (78 °F); August bay water is 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F). · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.3
Back bay water is 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F) in August: warm, slightly brackish, comfortable without a wetsuit. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.2
Protected bay with a single loop. The 2022 racer's problems were contact and goggles, not chop. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.4
Only 402 m (0.25 mi) in a protected bay with a rolling start. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.1
Brackish bay beside a boathouse, no practice swim and a long walk to transition; the rolling start avoids a scrum. · Medium confidence
- Swim supportGood4.1
Beach Patrol, Coast Guard, police and fire crews cover the water and the start is rolling; no practice swim is allowed. · Medium confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.6
Expressway asphalt, but a 2022 racer reported debris on the shoulder and rumble strips to avoid. · Medium confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.0
Right lane and shoulder only; live traffic stays on the left and a 2022 truck pushed riders onto debris. · Medium confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant2.8
Highway and salt marsh with no shade; the novelty is riding the expressway, not the view. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind2.8
Open marsh with no shade; a 2022 racer met stronger wind than expected and older posters recall expressway headwinds. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast4.3
Closed lane and few turns; wind and rumble strips cost some speed. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessPancake flat4.7
Essentially flat out and back over 17.7 km (11 mi), with a few ramps and overpasses. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple4.2
Straight out and back for the sprint, loop and a half for the Olympic, with one turnaround at Exit 4. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.6
Boardwalk crowds and a finish in front of Boardwalk Hall; the bike course cannot be watched. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard2.8
A 2022 racer found sparse aid, long lines and empty coolers. The sprint has one water fill station: carry a bottle. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.8
Ocean breeze, casino skyline and Boardwalk Hall finish; some racers find it busy. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.5
Short 5 km (3.1 mi) on wood; heat and sandy patches were reported by a 2022 racer. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.8
Flat Boardwalk out and back to MLK Blvd. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool2.9
August on the Jersey shore runs 22 to 30 °C (72 to 86 °F) and humid; 2024 racers noted heat late in the run. · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
Summer thunderstorms and tropical weather are possible; no recent cancellations found. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyPleasant3.4
Boardwalk, beach and casinos: lively and unusual rather than scenic, with an expressway bike. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.2
Swim and transition are at Bader Field but the finish is on the Boardwalk 1.1 km (0.7 mi) away. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level, about 2 m (7 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.4
Many large casino hotels, though August weekends are the busiest time of year. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.4
Casino rooms can be cheap midweek but jump on August weekends; no race rate found. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving2.7
Posters from the 2024 nationals report a 20 to 25 minute walk or 10 to 12 minute shuttle from transition to the finish. · Medium confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.9
Atlantic City airport is 19 km (12 mi) away; Philadelphia is 100 km (62 mi) and New York is an easy drive. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.2
One transition and race-morning pickup, but a separate finish, shuttles, congested Albany Ave and a 6:30 am start. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood3.5
Casino restaurants and Boardwalk food; mixed appeal as a town. · Medium confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
- Typical month
- August
- Latest or next date
- 1 August 2027
- Organiser
- DelMo Elite Events
- Field size
- About 1,350 athletes
- Entry fee
- About $139
- First held
- 2011
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 17.7 km (11.0 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Swim 8:15 am clock, Bike 10:10 am clock
- Swim venue
- Back Bay at Bader Field beside the Atlantic City High School Boathouse (bay)
- Water temperature
- 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional (legal below 29 C / 84 F; no awards if 25.6-28.8 C / 78-83.9 F)
- Swim start
- rolling start from a ramp (timing mat), single loop, ramp exit near transition
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- Small overpasses and ramps only
- Run laps
- 1
- Run shade
- None on the Boardwalk
- Air temperature
- 21–30 °C (70–86 °F)
- Humidity
- High
- Altitude
- 2 m (7 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Atlantic City International (ACY), 19 km (12 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Boardwalk casino hotels, Ventnor (approach Bader Field from the west)
- Booking
- Large casino hotel stock along the Boardwalk; book early for August weekends.
What racers and reviewers say
- Slowtwitch: USAT Nationals Atlantic City 2024Raced 2024 · forum · Mixed
Thread on the course used for the 2024 nationals: water 77.2 °F (25.1 °C), bike essentially flat with no shade, wind a possible factor. Transition-to-finish walk of 20-25 minutes or a 10-12 minute shuttle and congested Albany Ave were common complaints.
- Slowtwitch: Challenge Atlantic City course threadsRaced 2018 · forum · Mixed
Older threads on the same Bader Field venue: organiser describes a flat protected back bay and a fast Boardwalk run; posters praise DelMo's organisation overall while one recalls oppressive expressway headwinds at the full distance.
- Shore Local Newsmagazine: AC Triathlon returnsRaced 2024 · article · Positive
Preview of the 14th edition: up to 1,400 athletes, steady 1,300-1,400 entries, sprint billed as the beginner option and flat and fast courses; organiser stresses safety and efficiency.
- CBS Philadelphia: triathletes gear upRaced 2025 · video · Positive
Short 2025 segment calling the race one of the most popular in New Jersey for beginners and seasoned athletes; organised by DelMo with Casino Reinvestment Development Authority support. No athlete criticism.
- RaceRaves: Atlantic City TriathlonRaced 2025 · aggregator · Mixed
Page lists sprint 0.25 mi swim, 11 mi bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run and an Olympic of 1 mi / 22 mi / 10 km; zero reviews and zero ratings, so it adds no weight.
Raced CRDA Atlantic City Triathlon (TRI AC)? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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Training for CRDA Atlantic City Triathlon (TRI AC)? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.