Naperville Sprint Triathlon
Naperville, United States · August · Independent (Experience Triathlon)
Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 22 km (13.7 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 375 m / 22 km / 5 km (410 yd / 13.7 mi / 3.1 mi) in 2021; 400 m (437 yd) in 2015; 750 m (820 yd) in 2011.
Why people love it
- Calm quarry swim of 375 to 400 m (410 to 437 yd), shorter than a standard sprint
- Flat paved bike of 22 km (13.7 mi)
- Shaded, flat 5 km (3.1 mi) run on park paths
- Duathlon, aquabike and kids races run at the same venue
- Called very easy and a good entry-level race in local press
Watch out for
- Beach parking is limited; the city guide says to arrive 90 minutes before your wave.
- Swim is shorter than a standard 750 m (820 yd) sprint, so times are not comparable.
- Wetsuits are unlikely to be legal in warm August water of roughly 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F).
- Humid August mornings; the city guide advises hydrating early.
- Reports come from local press only; 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 satisfactionLoved4.0
Participants and local press describe a well-run, welcoming event; 1,900 took part in 2017 and about 1,000 in 2021. No blogs found. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.0
A 2017 age-group runner-up called it well organised; in 2013 police, public works and volunteers supported the course. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyIdeal first race4.5
Short calm swim of 375 to 400 m (410 to 437 yd), flat course, called entry level. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.9
Flat 22 km (13.7 mi) bike and run; short swim. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalSeldom2.3
Estimated August water of 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F) is near or above the 25.6 °C (78 °F) limit. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureAcceptable3.2
Estimated 24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F) in August, warm; the water temperature is not published. · Low confidence
- Calm waterGlassy4.5
City guide describes calm, enclosed quarry water; an organiser called the swim safe. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.2
Short, enclosed and calm quarry swim. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.6
Pleasant beach venue and a roped course; the water is a quarry, not clear. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood4.0
Roped beach swim in waves; an organiser called the 400 m (437 yd) swim safe. No kayak detail found. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceGood3.7
Paved, less-congested roads; no complaints. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.3
Residential roads with police and public works help in 2013; how much is closed is not published. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant3.3
Residential Naperville along River Road. · Low confidence
- WindSome wind3.4
Suburban streets with trees; no wind reports. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.9
Fast and flat per the city guide, with some sharp turns. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat4.4
City guide calls the 22 km (13.7 mi) bike flat; no elevation figure, likely under 60 m (200 ft). · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts3.4
City guide notes sharp turns between straights. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.9
Volunteers cheered in 2013 and an organiser's partner called the 2021 energy overwhelming. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.5
Volunteers praised in a 2013 recap; no detail on aid stations. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.7
Park paths and neighbourhood streets. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.8
Shaded paths, but a humid August morning; a 14-year-old in 2017 found the run the hardest part. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.6
City guide calls the 5 km (3.1 mi) run flat. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.2
Estimated 19 to 29 °C (66 to 84 °F) with humidity at a 7 AM August start. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityReliable3.5
Midwest summer; sunny in 2013 and no cancellations found. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.8
Tree-lined park with a quarry beach. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy4.0
Beach park with the finish in view; parking is restricted. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeLow4.4
About 205 m (670 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
Chicago suburb with plenty of hotels. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.4
Mid-priced suburban hotels. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving2.9
Beach parking is restricted; downtown decks are a short walk or jog away. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.2
O'Hare is about 45 km (28 mi) away and Midway about 50 km (31 mi). · Low confidence
- LogisticsSome complexity3.4
One venue, but beach parking is limited and the city guide says to arrive 90 minutes early. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGreat4.5
Downtown Naperville Riverwalk dining. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Naperville, Illinois, United States
- Typical month
- August
- Latest or next date
- 1 August 2027
- Organiser
- Independent (Experience Triathlon)
- Field size
- About 1,000 athletes
- First held
- 2008
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 22 km (13.7 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Centennial Beach, a former quarry swimming area run by the Naperville Park District (lake)
- Water temperature
- 24–28 °C (75–82 °F)
- Swim start
- wave
- Run shade
- Shaded park paths and neighborhood streets
- Air temperature
- 19–29 °C (66–84 °F)
- Humidity
- Humid Midwest August morning
- Altitude
- 205 m (675 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Chicago O'Hare (ORD), 45 km (28 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Downtown Naperville
- Booking
- Downtown Naperville and Route 59 hotels; most athletes are local.
What racers and reviewers say
- NCTV17 (10th anniversary)Raced 2017 · article · Positive
Report on the 10th edition at Centennial Park: more than 1,900 took part, 400 m (437 yd) swim, 22 km (13.7 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run, plus aquabike, aquathon and a new kids race. An age-group runner-up called it well organised and a 14-year-old found the final run the hardest part.
“well organized”
- NCTV17 (2021 recap)Raced 2021 · article · Positive
Post-pandemic edition at Centennial Beach with about 1,000 participants: 375 m (410 yd) swim, 22 km (13.7 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. The overall men's winner took 54:50 and the organiser's partner said the energy of the athletes was overwhelming.
- Positively Naperville (2013)Raced 2013 · article · Positive
Race-day report: sunny morning, new bike and run routes along Jefferson Avenue and River Road, 7 AM start at Centennial Beach, volunteers cheering and police and public works helping; every finisher got a medal.
- Daily HeraldRaced 2017 · article · Positive
Local newspaper coverage: reports more than 2,000 athletes at an earlier edition and calls it a very easy, good entry-level event. An organiser said a 400 m (437 yd) swim is safe there.
“very easy, very good entry level”
- Naperville.com event guideRaced 2026 · article · Positive
City guide for 2026: calm quarry swim suited to beginners, fast, flat bike on southwest-side roads with sharp turns, shaded flat run, restricted parking and downtown decks. Tips include practising sighting and hydrating early.
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Sources
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