Giant Acorn Triathlon
Spotsylvania, United States · September · Independent (Kinetic Multisports)
Course: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 24.9 km (15.5 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 750 m / 15.5 mi (24.9 km) / 5 km (0.47 / 15.5 / 3.1 mi): a longer bike than a standard sprint.
Why people love it
- USA Triathlon Virginia State Championships venue in 2026
- Wetsuit legal about seven years in ten; water typically 24 to 26 °C (76 to 78 °F)
- Banked stadium-style seating overlooks the swim, run and finish
- Saturday Olympic and Sunday sprint, with a discount for racing both
- Shaded run, with a steep climb out of T2 and a long downhill to the finish
Watch out for
- Algal blooms occur in parts of Lake Anna; the swim would be cancelled if unsafe
- Steep run start out of T2; the Olympic repeats it, 100 m (328 ft) of climbing
- Late September weather swings: tropical-storm rain and fog delays reported
- Sprint bike is 24.9 km (15.5 mi), longer than a standard 20 km (12.4 mi) sprint
- The only racer report is from 2010; the course has changed since
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 satisfactionLoved3.6
A 2010 race report is positive and college teams return each year, but no recent racer has written about it. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.7
A 2010 racer found start calls accurate and awards smooth; college teams return yearly and the director handled a fog delay well. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.2
750 m (820 yd) lake swim and time-trial start; rolling 24.9 km (15.5 mi) bike. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.5
172 m (565 ft) bike gain and a 5 km (3.1 mi) run with a climb to start. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually3.7
Water 22 to 27 °C (72 to 81 °F) in 2015 to 2025; wetsuits legal to 25.6 °C (78 °F) about seven years in ten. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.3
Typically 24 to 26 °C (76 to 78 °F): comfortable, but warm in a wetsuit. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.9
The 2010 racer called the lake start fairly calm; a stormy 2023 weekend shows weather can add chop. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.3
750 m (820 yd) rectangle. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.6
Beach start, buoys every 75 m (82 yd); harmful algal bloom risk in the lake adds uncertainty. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood4.0
The organiser lists lifeguards, kayakers, EMS and a nervous-swimmer cap, with a time-trial start from a sandy beach. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.9
The organiser says great pavement, and 2009 forum posts about the same roads were positive. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.2
Rural county roads with marshals and sag support; closures are not documented. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.7
Country roads and farmland, with early autumn colour. · Low confidence
- WindMostly calm3.5
No wind data; sheltered rolling country. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.7
Lollipop, good pavement. · Medium confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat3.9
172 m (565 ft) over 24.9 km (15.5 mi). · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple3.8
Lollipop with few turns. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.5
Banked seating at the finish and a park run with a cheering hill. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.9
Run aid about every 1.6 km (1 mi), per the organiser. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.8
Wooded cabin and campground loops; trees in autumn colour. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.6
Short and shaded, climb out of T2. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat3.7
50 m (163 ft) over 5 km (3.1 mi). · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Late September in central Virginia is usually 12 to 27 °C (54 to 81 °F), an estimate. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Tropical-storm remnants, fog delay and cold rain reported in different years. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.0
State park with a lake beach, trees and early autumn colour. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.0
Banked seating over the swim, run and finish. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.9
About 90 m (300 ft) above sea level. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.3
Rural lake area; cabins and campsites book early; hotels 20 to 30 min away. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.5
Limited local lodging, moderate rates in nearby towns. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.1
Parking, swim, transition and finish are all inside the park. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Richmond airport is about 97 km (60 mi) away; this is a drive-in race. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.2
One venue with Friday evening or race-morning pickup and a discount for racing both days. · Low confidence
- Town and foodFine3.0
Winery and cider works near the park; limited town amenities. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Spotsylvania, Virginia, United States
- Typical month
- September
- Latest or next date
- 25 September 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (Kinetic Multisports)
- Field size
- About 88 athletes
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 24.9 km (15.5 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lake Anna State Park beach, Lake Anna (lake)
- Water temperature
- 22–27 °C (72–81 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional
- Swim start
- time-trial from a sandy beach
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 172 m (565 ft)
- Bike laps
- 1
- Run climbing
- 50 m (165 ft)
- Run laps
- 1
- Run shade
- Heavily shaded park roads
- Air temperature
- 12–27 °C (54–81 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate to humid
- Altitude
- 90 m (295 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Richmond (RIC); Washington Dulles (IAD) and Reagan National (DCA) are farther, 97 km (60 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Lake Anna State Park cabins and campground, Fredericksburg, Louisa
- Booking
- Lake Anna is a rural lake area with cabins, campsites and some chain hotels in Fredericksburg and Louisa. DC Rainmaker described it as about 90 minutes south of Washington. Most athletes drive in or camp in the park.
What racers and reviewers say
- Navy Sports: Women's triathlon sixth at Giant Acorn Collegiate CupRaced 2023 · article · Positive
College results report for 24 September 2023 at Lake Anna State Park, the collegiate cup run alongside the Giant Acorn weekend: 750 m (820 yd) swim, 25 km (15.5 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run, 16 teams. Fast swim splits of about 10:20 to 11:40 for 750 m (2,460 ft) show a straightforward lake swim. Coaches mention nothing wrong with organisation. Results-only article.
- DC Rainmaker: Kinetic 2009 Sprint Tri Race ReportRaced 2009 · blog · Positive
First-person sprint report from about 700 athletes at Lake Anna State Park. Transition sat by the lake with easy parking, the 750 m (820 yd) swim was calm apart from wooden pilings at the first turn, the 18 mi (29 km) bike rolled and began with a short climb, and the 5 km (3.1 mi) run opened with an uphill mile then flattened. Race-day packet pickup, a lean race bag and fast results earned praise. Old (2009) and under the former Setup Events banner.
“The event was run really well.”
Raced Giant Acorn 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 Giant Acorn Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.