Hayden Triathlon
Hayden, United States · July · Independent (non-profit community race)
Course: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 21.7 km (13.5 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 750 m / 21.7 km / 5 km (820 yd / 13.5 mi / 3.1 mi). Bike was about 12 mi (19.3 km) in 2025.
Why people love it
- Beach swim in Hayden Lake, 750 m (820 yd), wetsuit optional, swim cap provided
- Bike climbs 197 m (646 ft) over 21.7 km (13.5 mi), with 2 to 3 short hills
- Run is 5 km (3.1 mi) around Hayden Lake Golf Club, finishing at the beach
- Racers in 2026 praised the volunteers and support
- Start, transition and finish are all at Honeysuckle Beach
Watch out for
- Wind made the 2026 swim choppy.
- Bike was lengthened to 21.7 km (13.5 mi) in 2026, from about 19 km (12 mi).
- Field sold out at about 400 in 2026, up from 350.
- July is peak hotel season around Coeur d'Alene.
- Only two local press recaps exist; few athletes have written about the 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 satisfactionLoved4.1
Racers quoted in 2026 local press enjoyed it and praised the support; no blogs or forum posts found. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.1
Capacity grew from 350 to 400 in 2026 with more bike racks and signs; a 2025 rider crashed after meeting a volunteer. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.2
Short 750 m (820 yd) swim, wetsuit optional, welcoming racers; 2026 chop was a test. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.5
Moderate 197 m (646 ft) of climbing; 2026 was windy. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.0
Allowed; mid-July water of about 17 to 22 °C (63 to 72 °F) is under the 25.6 °C (78 °F) limit. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.9
Estimated 17 to 22 °C (63 to 72 °F) in mid-July; not published. · Low confidence
- Calm waterSome chop3.2
The 2026 morning was windy and the water somewhat choppy; the lake is otherwise sheltered. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.6
750 m (820 yd) in a lake; choppy in 2026. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.9
Beach start on a North Idaho lake with forested shoreline; few athlete comments on the water. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood3.5
Five start groups and a provided swim cap; no kayak or lifeguard detail found. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.4
No surface reports. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.1
Closure level not published; volunteers marshal the course, and a 2025 rider crashed after meeting a volunteer. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.9
Lakeside North Idaho pines; few athlete comments. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.8
The 2026 morning was windy; no other wind reports. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage3.3
Two or three hills and a windy morning in 2026 over 21.7 km (13.5 mi). · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat3.6
Organiser lists 197 m (646 ft) over 21.7 km (13.5 mi), roughly 180 m (590 ft) per 20 km (12.4 mi); press said mostly flat. · Medium confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple3.8
Local roads out from the beach; no technical sections reported. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.9
Families lined Honeysuckle Avenue in 2025 and a 2026 racer called the support awesome. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.7
Volunteers were praised by racers; no detail on aid station spacing. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.9
Run around a lakeside golf club. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.7
5 km (3.1 mi) on a July morning, partly shaded; heat not reported. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat3.8
Loop around a golf club; elevation not published. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant4.2
Estimated 12 to 29 °C (54 to 84 °F) on a dry July morning. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.9
Dry North Idaho July; wind is the main variable. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.2
Hayden Lake beach with pine-covered shoreline. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.0
Start, transition and finish are all at Honeysuckle Beach. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeModerate3.0
Start at 686 m (2,250 ft), close to the 700 m (2,300 ft) midpoint. · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityBook early3.0
July is peak season around Coeur d'Alene, about 10 km (6 mi) away; book early. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal2.8
Resort-area summer pricing. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.4
Beach venue with parking; details not published. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Spokane airport is about 65 km (40 mi) away. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple4.0
Single beach venue; packet pickup and parking details not published. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Hayden and Coeur d'Alene are about 10 km (6 mi) away. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Hayden, Idaho, United States
- Typical month
- July
- Latest or next date
- 10 July 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (non-profit community race)
- Field size
- About 400 athletes
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 21.7 km (13.5 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Honeysuckle Beach, Hayden Lake (lake)
- Water temperature
- 17–22 °C (63–72 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional
- Swim start
- wave
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike climbing
- 197 m (645 ft)
- Key climbs
- about 2 to 3 short hills
- Run shade
- Golf course road, partial
- Air temperature
- 12–29 °C (54–84 °F)
- Humidity
- Dry
- Altitude
- 686 m (2,250 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Spokane International (GEG), 65 km (40 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Hayden, Coeur d'Alene
- Booking
- Coeur d'Alene resort hotels about 10 km (6 mi) away fill in July; Hayden has some options.
What racers and reviewers say
- Coeur d'Alene Press 2026 recapRaced 2026 · article · Positive
Race report on the record field of about 400: windy, sunny morning, somewhat choppy water, mostly flat bike, run around the golf club. A top local woman and a 62-year-old returning racer both enjoyed it; another racer called the support awesome.
“The support here is awesome”
- Coeur d'Alene Press 2025 recapRaced 2025 · article · Positive
Report on 295 finishers: half-mile (0.8 km) lake swim, 12 mi (19 km) bike, 3.1 mi (5 km) run, with families lining Honeysuckle Avenue. The overall winner crashed after meeting a volunteer on the bike but still won; the top two were six seconds apart.
Raced Hayden 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 Hayden Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.