Beaver Lake Triathlon
Sammamish, United States · August · Independent (Sammamish Running)
Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 22 km (13.7 mi) bike, 6.9 km (4.3 mi) run. 0.25 mi swim, 13.7 mi bike (13.4 to 13.8 mi in other sources), 4.3 mi run. Shorter swim and longer run than a standard sprint.
Why people love it
- 400 m (0.25 mi) lake swim in warm, calm water.
- Plenty of parking and restrooms at the start; race-morning check-in.
- Shaded forest finish on a 6.9 km (4.3 mi) run.
- Pasta feed and safety briefing run before race day.
- Family and first-timer divisions in a low-key local race.
Watch out for
- One major hill and about 150 m (500 ft) of climbing make the 22 km (13.7 mi) bike hard.
- The run is billed flat, but a reviewer found it rolling.
- In 2023 bib pickup ran about 90 minutes late.
- Warm years push water above 25.6 °C (78 °F), so wetsuits may be barred.
- Two swim waves felt crowded in 2023; only one recent review exists.
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: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.6
A 2023 first-timer review was mixed, a 2009 forum report was positive, and 2008 winners called it fun. · Low confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.2
2008 winners praised the volunteers, but in 2023 bib pickup started about 90 minutes late. One recent review. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.5
A 400 m (0.25 mi) calm swim and a family division, but a first-timer in 2023 found the swim crowded and the bike hilly. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.8
Winning times 1:06 to 1:17 on a hilly 22 km (13.7 mi) bike; one big hill slows everyone. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalCoin flip2.9
Water was 22 °C (72 °F) in 2009 but 27 °C (80 °F) in 2023, above the USA Triathlon limit of 25.6 °C (78 °F). · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.9
Warm water: about 22 °C (72 °F) in 2009, bathtub-like in 2008, about 27 °C (80 °F) in 2023. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.2
Calm on race morning in 2023; small lake with no current. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.0
Short 400 m (0.25 mi) lake swim, but the 2023 start felt crowded. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.3
Warm, tree-lined lake, but a crowded two-wave start in 2023. · Low confidence
- Swim supportStandard3.2
Wave starts, but a 2023 first-timer found two waves too few and flotation devices are not allowed. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.4
Country and local roads; surface quality is not described. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly open2.4
Country and local roads with some busier stretches; closures are not stated. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.6
Wooded country roads near Duthie Hill; few athletes comment on scenery. · Low confidence
- WindMostly calm3.6
Wooded plateau; wind is not documented. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage2.8
One big hill and a fast descent; a 2023 reviewer called the bike hard for its length. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessRolling2.6
A 2012 route change added about 150 m (500 ft) of climbing, and athletes call the bike hilly for 22 km (13.7 mi). · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.0
A fast descent (about 70 km/h (43.5 mph) / 45 mph in 2009) and road turns. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.0
Kids at aid stations were cheered in 2009; modest crowds. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.5
Four water stations on the bike; run aid with kids volunteering in 2009. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.7
A 2023 reviewer called the shaded run pleasant. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.8
Shaded neighbourhood roads, a short trail and a forest finish. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling3.3
Billed flat, but a 2023 reviewer found the 6.9 km (4.3 mi) run rolling. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.5
Usually 12 to 24 °C (54 to 75 °F), but 2008 reached above 32 °C (90 °F). · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.7
Late-August Pacific Northwest is mostly dry; heat is the risk. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.7
Small forested lake park. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.6
Lake park start and finish with plentiful parking. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.7
About 150 m (490 ft), estimated. · Low confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.9
Redmond, Issaquah and Bellevue hotels sit 10 to 20 km (6 to 12 mi) away. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.1
Eastside Seattle pricing; not researched in depth. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.0
Parking next to the lake, one park for transition, swim and finish. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy3.7
Sea-Tac is 45 km (28 mi) away, and Seattle traffic can be slow. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.7
One venue, plentiful parking and race-morning check-in; 2023 bib pickup ran late. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.5
Pine Lake Ale House hosts the awards; suburban Sammamish. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Sammamish, Washington, United States
- Typical month
- August
- Latest or next date
- 30 August 2026
- Organiser
- Independent (Sammamish Running)
- Field size
- About 420 athletes
- First held
- 1994
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 22 km (13.7 mi) bike, 6.9 km (4.3 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Beaver Lake, Beaver Lake Park (lake)
- Water temperature
- 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional; most swimmers went without in 2023
- Swim start
- wave starts (two waves in 2023 per a first-timer, felt crowded)
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 1
- Key climbs
- One major hill (Duthie Hill in recent listings)
- Run laps
- 1
- Run shade
- Shaded in places (forest finish)
- Air temperature
- 12–24 °C (54–75 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate
- Altitude
- 150 m (490 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA), 45 km (28 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Redmond, Issaquah
- Booking
- Day-trip race; hotels in Redmond, Issaquah and Bellevue 10 to 20 km (6 to 12 mi) away.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2023 · aggregator · Mixed
First-timer review (the only RaceRaves review): a low-key local race, calm but crowded swim in water near 27 °C (80 °F) with two waves judged too few, a hilly 13.5 mi (21.7 km) bike with one major hill that needs patience, and a pleasant shaded run that was hillier than billed. Bib pickup was supposed to be the day before but organisers were about 90 minutes late, though bibs went out on race morning.
“low-key local race”
- RunningAHEAD Masters Running forumRaced 2009 · forum · Positive
Detailed 2009 report: a swim without a wetsuit in low 70s F (about 22 °C (72 °F)) water among 446 swimmers, a bike that was his favourite leg with a fast descent and a long grind back up the hill, and a run that loosened after a hard first half mile. Bike racks hold 20 each and are first come, first served; a family and friends division and first-timers were present.
- Issaquah ReporterRaced 2008 · article · Positive
Hotter-than-normal 2008 race: 21 °C (70 °F) at the 7:45 am start and 90s F in the afternoon, with 521 athletes. The women's winner called the water bathtub-like and the day a bit hot but fun; the men's winner praised the volunteers and organisation.
“It was a bit hot, but it was fun”
- Issaquah ReporterRaced 2009 · article · Mixed
The 2009 race had 417 finishers, down from 521 in 2008. The Spokane men's winner led the bike until about mile 7 (11 km) and fell back on the hills; the women's winner is a local who trains on the course.
- Issaquah ReporterRaced 2010 · article · Positive
The 17th edition drew 362 athletes from across the Northwest. Results list only; the winners ran 1:10 and 1:17 for the 13.8 mi (22.2 km) bike and 4.3 mi (6.9 km) run course.
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- Issaquah ReporterRaced 2012 · article · Mixed
Preview of the 19th annual race: construction moved the bike route to include a stretch of Redmond-Fall City Road with a climb of about 150 m (500 ft). Registration from 6 am, start 7:45 am, organised by the Beaver Lake Community Club.
Raced Beaver Lake Triathlon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
Pages we used for facts and ratings. See how we rate.
Training for Beaver Lake Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.