Gillie Girl Sprint Triathlon

Camillus, United States · July · Independent (women-only, benefits Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund)

Course: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 24.1 km (15.0 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 0.5 mi (800 m) swim in 2 loops, about 15 mi (24 km) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run

Why people love it

Women-only race that welcomes first-timers and raises money for breast cancer research
800 m (0.5 mi) swim in two loops of a small spring-fed lake
Bike is about 24 km (15 mi) and described as relatively flat
Racers in 2023 enjoyed the morning fog and the cheering crowd
Aquabike option for those who want to skip the run

3.5Good

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 satisfactionLoved3.9
A 2023 TV report quotes a first-timer and a returning racer enjoying the fog and the cheering. Little else is written. · Low confidence
OrganizationWell run3.6
Fourteen editions and posted results, with no complaints found. Nobody has described the logistics. · Low confidence
First timer friendlyFriendly4.3
Women-only, welcoming to first-timers, with an 800 m (0.5 mi) swim in a small lake. · Medium confidence

PR potentialAverage3.3
Flat-ish 24 km (15 mi) bike. No finishing times found. · Low confidence

3.4Good

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

Wetsuit legalCoin flip3.4
Late-July lake temperature is not published. It is probably near the USA Triathlon limit of 25.6 °C (78 °F). · Low confidence
Water temperatureComfortable3.6
Spring-fed lake in July. Temperature is not published. · Low confidence
Calm waterMostly calm3.9
Small sheltered lake, and the morning fog suggests still air. · Low confidence
Swim easeEasy3.9
Two loops of a small lake, 800 m (0.5 mi) in total. · Low confidence
Swim experienceGreat3.8
A first-timer enjoyed the misty lake in 2023. Start format is not published. · Low confidence
Swim supportGood3.7
Support is not described. The event is built for novices. · Low confidence

3.1Good

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

Road surfaceMixed3.3
Road condition is not described. · Low confidence
Road closuresPartly closed3.2
Closure is not published. · Low confidence
Bike sceneryPleasant3.4
Camillus countryside. Not described by racers. · Low confidence
WindMostly calm3.5
Wind is not described. · Low confidence

Bike speedFast3.5
Described as relatively flat. Surface and wind are not described. · Low confidence
Bike flatnessMostly flat3.8
Described as relatively flat. Gain is not published. · Low confidence
Bike simplicityMostly simple3.5
Course details are not described. · Low confidence

3.6Very good

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

Crowd supportStrong3.9
Both racers quoted in 2023 praised the cheering, and the organiser calls the run spectator friendly. · Medium confidence
Aid stationsGood3.5
Aid is not described. · Low confidence
Run sceneryPleasant3.4
Park setting. Not described by racers. · Low confidence
Run conditionsEasy3.5
Morning start, though July heat is possible. · Low confidence

3.5Very good

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

Air temperaturePleasant3.7
Central New York July mornings are usually 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F). No race-day data found. · Low confidence
Weather reliabilityReliable3.5
Summer storms are possible. No cancellations found. · Low confidence
Venue beautyLovely3.8
Lake with morning fog in a park. One racer mentioned the fog. · Low confidence
Spectator friendlyEasy3.9
Run is described as spectator friendly, and the lake is small. · Low confidence

3.6Very good

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

Hotel availabilityGood4.0
Syracuse area lodging is plentiful, and many athletes drive in. · Low confidence
Hotel valueGood3.7
Ordinary market. · Low confidence
WalkabilityWalkable3.6
Single park venue. Parking details were not found. · Low confidence
Travel easeEasy3.9
Syracuse airport is about 25 km (15 mi) away. Not verified. · Low confidence
LogisticsSimple3.7
Single venue. Packet pickup details were not found. · Low confidence
Town and foodFine3.3
Suburban village. · Low confidence

Location: Camillus, NY, United States
Typical month: July
Latest or next date: 26 July 2026
Organiser: Independent (women-only, benefits Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund)
First held: 2012
Distances (non-standard): 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 24.1 km (15.0 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
Swim venue: Gillie Lake, Veterans Memorial Park (natural, spring-fed) (lake)
Swim laps: 2
Altitude: 150 m (490 ft)
Nearest airport: Syracuse Hancock (SYR)
Booking: Day-trip race.

CNY CentralRaced 2023 · article · Positive
TV news piece on the 2023 race. A first-timer enjoyed the lake fog and the crowd; a returning racer said the cheering made it fun. The report gave a half-mile (800 m) swim, 15 mi (24 km) bike and 5 mi (8 km) run, though other listings say 5 km (3.1 mi). Raises money for breast cancer research.
“a lot of cheering”
CNY Central staff
Eagle NewsRaced 2012 · article · Positive
2012 launch story of the first Gillie Girl at Gillie Lake, started by a local entrepreneur as an all-women, fundraising race. First course was 800 m (2,620 ft) swim and 14 mi bike, and the start was 8:30 am.

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