Best in the West Triathlon

Overall score 3.2Good
Thin evidence2 sources#192 of 265 sprint triathlons

Sweet Home (Foster), United States · 0.5 / 19.31 / 4.99 km

Race day Sun 13 Jun 2027

Website (opens in a new tab)

Course: 0.5 km (0.3 mi) swim, 19.3 km (12.0 mi) bike, 5.0 km (3.1 mi) run. Sprint: 500 m (547 yd) swim, 19.3 km (12 mi) bike, approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) run.

Is it right for you?

First timer
Friendly3.7
PR potential
Fast3.5
Wetsuit swim
Usually3.5
Swim support
Good3.5
Crowds
Strong3.5

Watch out: The race now takes place in June; older reports describe September. All 4

Held back by race (2.8) and swim (3.0).

Best for

Provisional: based on 2 sources. Why

Raced it? Your rating helps.

Score breakdown

Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.

Each bar is a range of 0.25 points; the light bar holds this race. The average race scores 3.4.

What does this score mean?

Why people love it

  • Sprint: 500 m (547 yd) swim, 19.3 km (12 mi) bike, approximately 5 km (3.1 mi) run.
  • Historical finishers valued the welcoming race community.
  • The organizer lists four run aid encounters.

Watch out for

  • The race now takes place in June; older reports describe September.
  • The run climbs about 79 m (260 ft); expect rolling terrain.
  • Traffic was present in a historical sprint account; reconfirm current road control.
  • Both detailed sources disclose event, volunteer or sponsor ties.

Latest or next race

Sun 13 Jun 2027

Official race site(bestinthewesttriathlon.com, opens in a new tab)
Bike climbing
101 m (330 ft)
Cutoffs
swim 09:00 course closes, bike 10:30 traffic control ends

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What racers say

Overall score 3.2 out of 5

2 reviews and race reports

2 reviews

  • Running in Place and Getting Nowhere Fast

    Raced 2019 · Running in Place and Getting Nowhere Fast

    Tone: Mixed

    The Pure Endurance athlete and event volunteer enjoyed her sprint with her husband, relaxed swimming and a welcoming community. Rain made the bike wet, and she describes a frightening encounter with a skidding car. The hilly run still felt rewarding; these are historical September conditions.

    Covers Swim, Bike, Run, Conditions

    Read on runninginplaceandgettingnowherefast.blogspot.com (Running in Place and Getting Nowhere Fast, opens in a new tab)
  • Kambria Schumacher

    Raced 2014 · Kambria Schumacher

    Tone: Positive

    Kambria enjoyed the sprint swim, quick bike and rolling run during her 2014 double-race weekend. She discloses helping the event with her family and sponsorship from blueseventy. Only her sprint experience is summarized; the September water conditions are historical.

    Covers Swim, Bike, Run

    Read on kambriaschumacher.blogspot.com (Kambria Schumacher, opens in a new tab)
Raced Best in the West Triathlon? Rate it

Pick a score, then tell the next athlete about the course, conditions and logistics.

Scores

Open a category for its ratings and the evidence behind them.

Good. 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 satisfactionLoved3.7

    Historical sprint finishers describe a welcoming race they wanted to repeat. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationWell run3.6

    Historical participants appreciated the community; both authors also disclose event or volunteer ties. · Low confidence

  • First timer friendlyFriendly3.7

    The short swim helps, but the rolling run and traffic deserve preparation. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • PR potentialFast3.5

    Comparable finish-time data are unavailable. · Low confidence

Good. Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.

  • Wetsuit legalUsually3.5

    Race-day water temperatures and wetsuit decisions are not documented across editions. · Low confidence

  • Water temperatureComfortable3.5

    Typical race-day water temperatures remain unverified. · Low confidence

  • Calm waterMostly calm3.5

    Recent athlete descriptions of water conditions are limited. · Low confidence

  • Swim easeEasy3.7

    Historical sprint athletes enjoyed the short swim; current sighting buoys support navigation. · Low confidence

  • Swim experienceGreat3.7

    Historical athletes describe relaxed, enjoyable Foster Lake swims. · Low confidence

  • Swim supportGood3.5

    Recent athlete descriptions of swim safety coverage are limited. · Low confidence

Good. Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.

  • Road surfaceMixed3.4

    The organizer lists pavement and chipseal; recent athlete surface accounts are limited. · Low confidence

  • Road closuresPartly closed3.3

    A historical sprint athlete encountered a dangerous car; current complete closure is unverified. · Low confidence

  • Bike sceneryBeautiful3.5

    Few athletes have described bike scenery. · Low confidence

  • WindMostly calm3.5

    Typical bike wind conditions remain unverified. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Bike speedFast3.7

    The short route is mostly flat, with one small hill. · Low confidence

  • Bike flatnessMostly flat4.1

    Organizer bike ascent is about 101 m (332 ft) over 19.3 km (12 mi). · Medium confidence

  • Bike simplicityMostly simple3.5

    Recent athlete descriptions of turns and descents are limited. · Low confidence

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

  • Crowd supportStrong3.5

    Few athletes have described spectators along the run. · Low confidence

  • Aid stationsGood3.7

    The organizer lists four run aid encounters; current athlete confirmation is limited. · Low confidence

  • Run sceneryBeautiful3.5

    Few athletes have described run scenery. · Low confidence

  • Run conditionsModerate3.4

    Historical finishers describe small hills; current shade helps. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Run flatnessRolling3.1

    Organizer run ascent is about 79 m (260 ft) over approximately 5 km (3.1 mi). · Medium confidence

Good. Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.

  • Air temperaturePleasant3.5

    Typical race-day temperatures remain unverified. · Low confidence

  • Weather reliabilityReliable3.5

    The race moved to June; older September conditions do not establish current seasonal reliability. · Low confidence

  • Venue beautyLovely3.7

    Historical sprint participants enjoy Foster Lake and its surroundings. · Low confidence

  • Spectator friendlyEasy3.5

    Recent spectator experiences are sparsely documented. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Low altitudeLow3.5

    Race elevation has not been independently verified. · Low confidence

Good. Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.

  • Hotel availabilityGood3.5

    Athlete reports do not establish hotel availability. · Low confidence

  • Hotel valueGood3.5

    Athlete reports do not establish race-week accommodation value. · Low confidence

  • WalkabilityWalkable3.5

    Parking and walking arrangements are not fully documented. · Low confidence

  • Travel easeEasy3.5

    Airport transfers and travel experiences are sparsely documented. · Low confidence

  • LogisticsSimple3.5

    Current pickup and transition arrangements are only partly documented. · Low confidence

  • Town and foodGood3.5

    Athlete reports say little about local dining. · Low confidence

Course

Swim, 0.5 km (0.3 mi)

Foster Lake, Lewis Creek Park

Start
wave
Laps
1 lap
Cutoff
09:00 course closes

Bike, 19.3 km (12.0 mi)

Pavement and chipseal.

Laps
1 lap
Climbing
101 m (330 ft)
Cutoff
10:30 traffic control ends

Run, 5.0 km (3.1 mi)

Laps
1 lap
Climbing
79 m (260 ft)
Surface
mixed

Similar races in North America

Key facts

Location
Sweet Home (Foster), Oregon, United States
Typical month
June
Distances
0.5 km (0.3 mi) swim, 19.3 km (12.0 mi) bike, 5.0 km (3.1 mi) run

Sources

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

Training for Best in the West Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.