Black Canyon Triathlon

Montrose, United States · September · Montrose Recreation Foundation / Montrose Recreation District

Course: 0.5 km (0.3 mi) swim, 22 km (13.7 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 500 yd / 457 m pool swim, 22 km / 13.7 mi bike (2023 and 2026 listings; 14.6 mi / 23.5 km in older reports), 5 km / 3.1 mi run

Black Canyon Triathlon: black canyon of the gunnison near montrose (regional landmark, not the race course) — Black Canyon of the Gunnison near Montrose (regional landmark, not the race course). Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

3.2

Good

overall, out of 5

Bottom 28%#112 of 154

Ahead of 27% of the 154 races.

2345

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

What does this score mean?

Based on 2 reviews. Treat this score as provisional. Why

What held it back

Held back by run (2.4) and bike (2.5). See the breakdown below.

Best for

Is it right for you?

First timer: 4.5 Ideal first race
PR potential: 2.8 Average
Swim support: 4.6 Abundant
Crowds: 3.2 Decent

500 yd (457 m (1,500 ft)) pool swim, good for nervous swimmers
Altitude of about 1,775 m (5,820 ft) makes it feel harder

Race
3.3
Swim
4.3
Bike
2.5
Run
2.4
Conditions
3.1
Stay and travel
3.5

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

Pick up to 3 races to compare side by side

Why people love it

500 yd (457 m (1,500 ft)) pool swim, good for nervous swimmers
Youth, team and family divisions for ages 6 to 70
Small community feel with about 200 athletes
Single site at the Montrose Recreation District

Watch out for

Altitude of about 1,775 m (5,820 ft) makes it feel harder
One past racer reported chipseal, wind and hills on the bike
Late-September mornings can be chilly
Bike distance changed over the years, from 23.5 km (14.6 mi) to 22 km (13.7 mi)
Only one racer account exists, from a pro; few age-group reports

Race

3.3Good

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 pro racer called it a fun, low-key event with a small-town feel; local press adds sunny mornings and 150-plus entrants. · Low confidence
OrganizationWell run3.6
Local press credits volunteers and a safe event across 25 editions; no racer details on logistics. · Low confidence
First timer friendlyIdeal first race4.5
Pool swim, youth, team and family divisions, and mixed bikes welcome, for ages 6 to 70. · Medium confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

PR potentialAverage2.8
Hills and false flats on the bike, climbing run, at 1,775 m (5,820 ft) altitude. · Low confidence

Swim

4.3Very good

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

Water temperatureComfortable4.3
Indoor pool swim, so no cold-water risk. · Low confidence
Swim easeEasy4.4
A 457 m (500 yd) pool swim. · Medium confidence
Swim experienceGreat3.6
Pool, but one racer had to sight around a slower swimmer. · Low confidence
Swim supportAbundant4.6
Pool swim with lanes suits nervous swimmers; lifeguard numbers are not documented. · Low confidence

Bike

2.5Below par

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

Road surfaceMixed2.6
Rough chipseal reported by one racer. · Low confidence
Road closuresPartly closed3.0
Not documented; local roads. · Low confidence
Bike sceneryBeautiful3.5
Town edge and farmland; few racers comment on scenery. · Low confidence
WindSome wind2.8
Wind noted in one report. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Bike speedAverage2.8
Hills, false flats, wind and chipseal reported. · Low confidence
Bike flatnessRolling2.8
Hilly per one report; no elevation figure. · Low confidence
Bike simplicityMostly simple3.8
City streets and county roads loop, no technical reports. · Low confidence

Run

2.4Below par

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

Crowd supportDecent3.2
Small community event with family teams; about 200 athletes. · Low confidence
Aid stationsStandard3.2
Not documented. · Low confidence
Run sceneryPleasant3.2
Neighborhood streets. · Low confidence
Run conditionsModerate3.4
Paved sidewalks and streets. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Run flatnessRolling2.9
A steady climb above town was reported on an earlier course. · Low confidence

Conditions

3.1Good

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

Air temperaturePleasant3.6
Late-September mornings are chilly, around 3 °C (37 °F), warming to 22 °C (72 °F). · Low confidence
Weather reliabilityReliable4.0
Western Colorado September is dry and stable; pool swim removes lake risk. · Low confidence
Venue beautyPleasant3.0
Recreation center and streets; the canyon is nearby but not on course. · Low confidence
Spectator friendlyEasy3.6
Pool and community center start/finish. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Low altitudeElevated1.8
About 1,775 m (5,820 ft). · High confidence

Stay and travel

3.5Very good

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

Hotel availabilityGood4.0
Town of 20,000 with chain hotels. · Low confidence
Hotel valueGood3.8
Small-town rates. · Low confidence
WalkabilityWalkable3.6
Recreation center start, finish and transition sit together. · Low confidence
Travel easeOne connection3.4
Montrose airport is about 5 km (3 mi) away, with limited flights. · Medium confidence
LogisticsSimple3.9
Pool, start and finish share one recreation district site; packet pickup details are not published. · Low confidence
Town and foodFine3.4
Small but decent town. · Low confidence

Key facts

Location: Montrose, CO, United States
Typical month: September
Latest or next date: 26 September 2026
Organiser: Montrose Recreation Foundation / Montrose Recreation District
Field size: About 200 athletes
Entry fee: About $80
First held: 2002
Distances (non-standard): 0.5 km (0.3 mi) swim, 22 km (13.7 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
Swim venue: Montrose Recreation District pool (pool)
Wetsuit: Not applicable (pool)
Swim start: pool time-trial by division (youth, teams, then individuals)
Run shade: open
Air temperature: 3–22 °C (37–72 °F)
Humidity: low
Altitude: 1,775 m (5,820 ft)
Nearest airport: Montrose Regional (MTJ), 5 km (3 mi) away
Where to stay: Montrose
Booking: Hotels in Montrose town.

Official race website (bctri.com)

What racers and reviewers say

Ben Hoffman Racing (Black Canyon Sprint report)blog · Positive
The IRONMAN champion won in 59:59 as Kona prep. He found a short swim, hills and false flats with rough chipseal and wind on the bike, then a run with a steady climb above town. He called it a fun low-key event with a small-town feel.
“low-key”
Ben Hoffman
Montrose Press (14th annual race coverage)Raced 2015 · article · Positive
More than 150 competitors on a sunny, chilly morning swam at the Aquatic Center, then rode a 23.5 km (14.6 mi) loop on the west side. The race raised money for local firefighters and the recreation foundation. Page itself rate-limited on fetch.

Raced Black Canyon 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 Black Canyon Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.