Miami Man Triathlon
Miami (Larry and Penny Thompson Park / Zoo Miami), United States · November · Independent (Integrity Multisport)
Course: 0.5 km (0.3 mi) swim, 21.6 km (13.4 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 0.3 mi (0.48 km) / 13.4 mi (21.6 km) / 3.1 mi (5 km); starts 6:50 am (early) and 7:00 am
Why people love it
- Run goes through Zoo Miami past animals, about 8 km (5 mi) for the international race.
- Flat bike and flat run, so fast times are possible in cool weather.
- Sprint added in 2026 with an early-start wave for slower swimmers.
- Calm lake swim in view of spectators: 970 m (0.6 mi) or 480 m (0.3 mi).
Watch out for
- Packet pickup is mandatory the day before at a bike shop, not at the venue.
- Mid-November highs of 26 to 30 °C (78 to 86 °F) make the run warm.
- Police stop cars at junctions, not bikes, so the bike course is on open roads.
- Headwind sections on the flat bike course; expect crosswind too.
- Run is marked with cones only: ignore painted park arrows.
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
One 2019 rating of 4 out of 5, a 2024 newspaper report and old half-distance posts. The course has since changed. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.6
Older posts praise volunteers and traffic control, but the format changed and mandatory day-before packet pickup is a hurdle. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.0
First year of the sprint; early-start group for slower swimmers; 0.3 mi (0.48 km) swim, 13.4 mi (21.6 km) bike. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.8
Flat. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalSeldom2.4
Mid-November lake water is likely 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F), so wetsuits are borderline or banned under USA Triathlon rules. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.4
Warm spring-fed lake, estimated 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F); not measured in any report found. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.0
Small enclosed lake, calm per Triathlete 2021 description; one 0.6 mi (0.97 km) clockwise loop. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.0
0.3 mi (0.48 km) loop. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.8
Organiser says crystal clear water in view of spectators; one-at-a-time start in 2026 listing. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood3.6
Time-trial start one swimmer at a time, 35 minute swim cutoff, early start group for slower swimmers; alligator worries but organiser says none. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.4
2007 racer: about 90 percent smooth with some potholes; organiser says the first 2 mi (3.2 km) were substantially improved after 2021. · Low confidence
- Road closuresMostly open2.4
Organiser: police direct cars at intersections, not bikes; roads are open to traffic. · Medium confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant2.9
Rural farmland, described as lonely and flat. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind2.9
Strong northeast headwind in 2007 and racers advise being ready for headwind, tailwind and crosswind. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.8
Flat; wind risk. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat4.4
Flat. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple3.8
Out-and-back; volunteers and arrows at turns; riders advised to load the route on a bike computer. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent2.9
Zoo path section with animal exhibits but few spectators; one forum racer called it a long solo trudge. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
2007 volunteers praised, thin paper cups and uneven ice; modern aid not documented. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.3
Run through Zoo Miami's public path past animals is the signature feature per the organiser and a 2024 recap. · Medium confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.4
Short, but warm. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat4.3
Flat 2 mi (3.2 km) of zoo path plus loop. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.4
Mid-November highs of 26 to 30 °C (78 to 86 °F), lows of 16 to 22 °C (60 to 71 °F). · Medium confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.8
Rain on race date in 2 of the last 10 years (2019, 2020 per listing); 2018 downpour. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.8
Zoo, lake and park setting; no detailed scenery praise beyond the zoo run. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.3
Swim in view of spectators; bike and run leave the park. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
Sea level, about 3 m (10 ft). · High confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood4.0
Large metro area; many hotels (estimate). · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.4
Not researched; Miami hotel prices vary (estimate). · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.2
Parking passes by distance and entrance; parking is on site at the park but the park is large. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.3
Miami International about 30 km (19 mi) away (estimate); big airport. · Medium confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.0
Packet pickup is mandatory the day before at a bike shop, not at the venue; parking pass sets your arrival time. · Medium confidence
- Town and foodGood4.0
Miami area dining; the park itself is out in the southwest suburbs (estimate). · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Miami (Larry and Penny Thompson Park / Zoo Miami), Florida, United States
- Typical month
- November
- Latest or next date
- 15 November 2026
- Organiser
- Independent (Integrity Multisport)
- Field size
- About 2,000 athletes
- First held
- 2004
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.5 km (0.3 mi) swim, 21.6 km (13.4 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Cutoffs
- Swim 7:45 am (no bike start), Bike 8:44 am
- Swim venue
- Larry and Penny's Lake (lake)
- Water temperature
- 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)
- Swim start
- time-trial (one person at a time); early-start group for slower swimmers
- Swim laps
- 1
- Run shade
- Zoo path partly shaded by trees
- Air temperature
- 16–30 °C (61–86 °F)
- Humidity
- High
- Altitude
- 3 m (10 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Miami International (MIA), 30 km (19 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Coral Gables, Kendall, Homestead
- Booking
- Packet pickup is mandatory the day before (Saturday 10 am to 4 pm) at Mack Cycle, 5995 Sunset Dr, Miami; no race-morning pickup. Race-day parking by pass: arrive 5:00 to 6:00 am; athletes must be there at least 1 hour before their start. Transition opens 5:00 to 6:30 am.
What racers and reviewers say
- Slowtwitch forum: MiamiMan short reviewRaced 2007 · forum · Positive
Report on the old half-distance format at the same park. Very flat bike with mostly smooth pavement, good police control, strong northeast headwind on the return. Swim judged long with a congested first turn. Run on a paved path, then dirt and zoo, with flimsy cups. Easy park access and helpful volunteers; rated 8.5 of 10. Course has since changed.
“good end-of-year race”
- Slowtwitch forum: Miami Man HalfRaced 2007 · forum · Positive
A veteran of 2005 and 2006 called the lake swim one of the best of any half-distance race and the run pancake flat through two zoo loops. Wind varies by year, very windy one year and ideal the next. Old, half-distance, though it shows the long-running reputation.
- RaceRavesRaced 2019 · aggregator · Positive
Only one rating on the page (4 of 5): a first-timer called it a super fast, fun course where longer-distance racers pass animals at the zoo. The page also quotes 2021 to 2025 mid-November highs of 78 to 86 °F (26 to 30 °C (86 °F)).
“super fast”
- USA Triathlon (national championships recap)Raced 2018 · article · Mixed
Official recap when Miami Man hosted multisport nationals in 2018. Early downpours made roads slippery, then temperatures climbed; a winner called the heat extreme. Describes the lake swim, farmland bike and zoo run. Promotional but confirms the weather swings.
“searing hot temperatures”
Raced Miami Man 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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