Chisago Lakes Triathlon
Chisago City, United States · July · Independent (USAT sanctioned; also runs a 70.3-distance race)
Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 24 km (14.9 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. Listed 0.25 mi (0.4 km) / 15 mi (24 km) / 3.1 mi (5 km) in 2024-25; a 2014 report had a 22 mi (35 km) bike.
Why people love it
- Sprint swim is a short 0.4 km (0.25 mi) in a sandy-bottom lake, with self-seeded waves.
- Wide, smooth roads on the bike; a 2014 sprinter called it mostly flat.
- Low-key, cheap local race with food and coffee, per a returning sprinter.
- Saturday packet pickup, 10 am to 3 pm, saves a stressful race morning.
- Large field of around 900 across sprint, Olympic and half-distance races.
Watch out for
- Heat and wind slowed the 2022 and 2024 races; plan for a headwind on the bike.
- In 2024 the Olympic swim measured about 1,400 m (0.87 mi) and some results came late.
- Arrive by 6 am to park; transition closes at 6:40 am and the first wave starts at 7 am.
- Bike includes a tunnel under a major road where riders keep left, and a short grass section.
- Few athletes have written about the run; recent accounts are mostly about the half-distance race.
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
A happy 2014 sprinter, a 2022 recap and 2024 racer comments; the half-distance winner also enjoyed the venue and will return. · Low confidence
- OrganizationAdequate3.4
2024 athletes reported a long swim, a wave-interval change that flipped a sprint result, and slow official results. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.0
Quarter-mile swim, self-seeded waves and low entry fee; one first-person account. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.6
Flat and smooth by one account; wind and heat can slow it. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalCoin flip3.1
Late July water is likely 22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F), near the USAT 25.6 °C (78 °F) limit; rule not found. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.7
Warm sandy-bottom lake with some weeds, per a 2014 sprinter; temperature is estimated. · Low confidence
- Calm waterSome chop3.4
No reports of rough water, but athletes found sighting hard in 2022 and 2024. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.6
Quarter-mile swim in a sandy lake with some weeds. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceFine3.4
Sandy lake bottom with some weed; few athletes describe the swim. · Low confidence
- Swim supportStandard3.4
Wave starts with self-seeding; no athlete describes kayak or rescue cover. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.9
A 2014 racer called the roads wide and smooth; a short grass section sits near transition. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.2
Traffic control is not described by athletes; the roads are rural. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.5
Lake country roads; the half-distance winner enjoyed the scenery. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.5
Wind hit the 2022 and 2024 races, and the half-distance winner called the headwind tough. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.8
Wide smooth roads; wind is the main drag. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat3.9
A sprinter called the 2014 bike mostly flat; recent course pages differ. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.3
Course includes a tunnel under a major road where riders keep left, and a short grass patch. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.4
Finish at Paradise Park; little athlete comment on crowds. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.7
The half-distance winner praised volunteers; nothing specific on aid stations. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.3
Roads and town streets; little athlete comment. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.3
Short run, but heat in late July. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat3.7
5 km (3.1 mi) with a turnaround at the school; no elevation data. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.0
Warm and humid in late July, 18 to 30 °C (64 to 86 °F); heat slowed 2022 and 2024. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.3
Heat and wind in two of the documented years; no cancellations reported. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.5
Lakeside park setting; the half-distance winner liked the scenery. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.6
Single park venue; few reports on spectating. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.6
About 280 m (920 ft) above sea level. · Low confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.5
Small lodgings in Chisago City, Lindstrom and Center City; most athletes drive from the Twin Cities. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.5
Small-town lodging; not researched in detail. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.5
Half-distance athletes use a permit lot across the street; others should arrive by 6 am to park. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.0
About 50 minutes by car from the Twin Cities; MSP airport is 75 km (47 mi) away. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.9
Saturday packet pickup, a short Sunday-morning window and early parking; one park venue for all distances. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodFine3.0
Small towns nearby; one 2014 racer mentions food and coffee at the race. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Chisago City, Minnesota, United States
- Typical month
- July
- Organiser
- Independent (USAT sanctioned; also runs a 70.3-distance race)
- Field size
- About 500 athletes
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 24 km (14.9 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Chisago Lake at Paradise Park, 11031 Stinson Ave, Chisago City (lake)
- Water temperature
- 22–26 °C (72–79 °F)
- Swim start
- wave (half, then Olympic, then sprint; self-seeded waves)
- Air temperature
- 18–30 °C (64–86 °F)
- Humidity
- Humid
- Altitude
- 280 m (920 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP), 75 km (47 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Lindstrom, Chisago City
- Booking
- Day trip from the Twin Cities, about 50 minutes (estimate). Small lodgings in Chisago City, Lindstrom and Center City.
What racers and reviewers say
- Minnesota TRI News (Ben's Return to Chisago)Raced 2014 · blog · Positive
Third straight sprint for this age grouper. Quarter-mile swim in a sandy, slightly weedy lake, then a 22-mile (35 km) bike on mostly flat, smooth, wide roads with a tunnel and a grass patch, then a 5K. Cheap entry at $45, with food and coffee, about 500 athletes per race.
“I have been negligent in my training this year”
- Minnesota TRI News (First-time champions)Raced 2022 · article · Mixed
Recap of the 2022 Olympic and sprint races, with 400 or more finishers. Warm and very windy day; a women's sprint finish was the closest in the event's 16-year history.
“the closest women's finish in the 16-year history of the event”
- Minnesota TRI News (Lukus Klawitter)Raced 2022 · blog · Positive
Winner of the half-distance race at this venue. Sighting was hard, he missed a turn and a headwind made the bike tough, but he enjoyed the scenery, volunteers and run, and plans to come back. Half-distance report, so only the venue and wind apply here.
“I will definitely be back for this race.”
- Minnesota TRI News (Chisago Olympic and sprint coverage)Raced 2024 · article · Mixed
Heat and wind slowed the 2024 races. Several athletes said the Olympic swim ran about 1,400 m (0.87 mi) rather than 1,200 m (0.75 mi) and the bike about 25.1 mi (40.4 km). A wave-interval change flipped a sprint result and made one result take almost eight minutes to become official.
“The race is young, only three years old”
Raced Chisago Lakes 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.
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