Crystal River Sprint Triathlon (Crystal River Triathlon Series)
Crystal River, United States · May · DRC Sports
Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 19.3 km (12.0 mi) bike, 4.8 km (3.0 mi) run. 0.25 mi (400 m) swim, 12 mi (19.3 km) bike, 3 mi (4.8 km) run per organiser and local news. Duathlon and aquabike also run.
Why people love it
- Short 400 m (0.25 mi) Gulf swim from the beach suits first-timers.
- Flat out-and-back 19.3 km (12 mi) bike on paved roads.
- About 350 starters in 2024 called it friendly and non-competitive.
- Relay, duathlon and aquabike options on the same day.
Watch out for
- Little shade on the run, and late May can be hot and humid.
- Fort Island Gulf Beach was storm-damaged in 2024; check the venue before booking.
- Only one race-day news report; wetsuit rule and elevation are not published.
- Remote: about 135 km (85 mi) from Tampa airport.
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
About 350 starters in 2024 called it friendly and non-competitive, and a volunteer has worked it since 2004. One local news report. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.7
No problems reported in a 2024 race-day news report; no athlete has described registration or marshalling. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.2
400 m (0.25 mi) swim and a friendly crowd, per local news. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast4.0
Flat 19.3 km (12 mi) bike and run; times not reported. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalSeldom1.5
Gulf water is likely about 26 to 28 °C (79 to 82 °F) in late May, so wetsuits are unlikely. Rule not published. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureUncomfortable2.4
Estimated Gulf temperature of 26 to 28 °C (79 to 82 °F); no published reading. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.5
Open Gulf beach start; no athlete has described chop or current. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.9
400 m (0.25 mi) beach-start swim. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.5
Beach wave start in the Gulf; no athlete has described water clarity. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood3.5
Wave starts and a short swim; no athlete has described kayaks or lifeguards. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.5
Paved roads; no athlete has commented on quality. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.3
No athlete says whether roads are closed or only marshalled. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.5
Coastal route near the Gulf; few descriptions. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind3.1
Open Gulf coast roads; wind not documented. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.9
Flat out-and-back 19.3 km (12 mi). · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessPancake flat4.5
Coastal route with no published climbing. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple4.0
Simple out-and-back route. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.1
About 350 starters and local volunteers; no description of spectators on the run. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
Organiser lists water at 1.6 km (1 mi) and 3.2 km (1 mi and 2 mi) on the run. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.4
Gulf coast run; few descriptions. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.1
Easy surface, little shade. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.5
Flat out-and-back 4.8 km (3 mi). · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool2.8
Late May typically 22 to 31 °C (72 to 88 °F) and humid. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Gulf storms are possible; hurricane season cancelled an October 2024 series race. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.5
Gulf beach venue that was storm-damaged in 2024. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.4
Beach venue with an out-and-back layout; few reports. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
Essentially sea level. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.6
Gulf coast town with moderate lodging. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.6
No reports of high prices. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.2
Single beach venue; parking details are not published. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection2.6
About 135 km (85 mi) from Tampa airport. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.5
One beach venue for swim, transition and finish; packet pickup details not confirmed. · Low confidence
- Town and foodFine3.4
Small Gulf town; few athlete comments. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Crystal River, Florida, United States
- Typical month
- May
- Latest or next date
- 23 May 2026
- Organiser
- DRC Sports
- Field size
- About 350 athletes
- First held
- 1998
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 19.3 km (12.0 mi) bike, 4.8 km (3.0 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Fort Island Gulf Beach, Gulf of Mexico (sea)
- Water temperature
- 26–28 °C (79–82 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Unlikely
- Swim start
- wave
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 1
- Run laps
- 1
- Run shade
- Little shade on the last 5 km (3 mi) per a reviewer
- Air temperature
- 22–31 °C (72–88 °F)
- Humidity
- humid
- Altitude
- 1 m (3 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Tampa International (TPA), 135 km (84 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Crystal River town
- Booking
- Late May is off-season for the manatee tourism trade.
What racers and reviewers say
- RaceRavesRaced 2022 · aggregator · Positive
One 5 of 5 review (the sister race page for the sprint itself has zero ratings). Reviewer liked the timing, tech shirt, finisher medal, well-laid-out course with water stops and age-group awards. Said the final 5 km (3 mi) were hot with little shade and the post-race food and party were good.
- Citrus County ChronicleRaced 2024 · article · Positive
Local race-day report on about 350 starters from Florida, Georgia and Brazil, with family relays, an 11-year-old and Ironman finishers. Athletes called it friendly and non-competitive; a volunteer has raced it since 2004. No problems reported. Article text says 2025, but its Saturday May 25 date matches the 2024 calendar.
“My only competition is myself.”
Raced Crystal River Sprint Triathlon (Crystal River Triathlon Series)? 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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