The Sharon Triathlon
Sharon, United States · August · Max Performance Racing (organiser; USA Triathlon sanctioned)
Course: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 19.8 km (12.3 mi) bike, 7.1 km (4.4 mi) run. 0.5 mi (805 m) / 12.3 mi (19.8 km) / 4.4 mi (7.1 km)
Why people love it
- Flat, fast 12.3 mi (19.8 km) bike that local racers treat as a time trial.
- Half-mile (805 m) lake swim, about 25 °C (77 °F) in one report; wetsuits optional.
- Shaded 4.4 mi (7.1 km) run loop around Lake Massapoag.
- Around 500 finishers a year, including 100 or more novices.
Watch out for
- Run is 4.4 mi (7.1 km), longer than the usual 3.1 mi (5 km) sprint run.
- Lots reportedly fill by 6:45 AM, so arrive early.
- Fog and rain have hurt swim sighting and roads in past years.
- A rider drafted in a pack in 2018; expect a busy bike course and ride legally.
- Most written accounts are from 2011 to 2018; the 2027 date is not confirmed.
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
One athlete called it great and well run; local news reported hundreds of finishers over several years. Few first-hand accounts. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.0
An athlete praised the running of the event and the town reported no complaints in 2011, but there are few accounts. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.2
Over 100 novices raced in 2011, and the swim is a half mile (805 m) in a warm lake with a flat bike. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.9
The 12.3 mi (19.8 km) bike is flat and fast, but the run is longer than a standard sprint at 4.4 mi (7.1 km). · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalCoin flip3.0
Wetsuits are optional under USA Triathlon rules (legal up to 25.6 °C (78 °F) / 78 °F); water was 25 °C (77 °F) in 2018. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.8
One athlete reported 25 °C (77 °F) water in 2018, warm and pleasant without a wetsuit. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm3.9
Inland lake with no chop reported; fog was the only complaint. · Low confidence
- Swim easeEasy3.7
Half-mile (805 m) lake swim; fog made sighting hard in 2018. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.6
Warm lake from a town beach, but little first-hand detail on the swim. · Low confidence
- Swim supportStandard3.4
Beach entry and wave or time-trial starts; no one has written about safety boats or kayaks. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.3
Road surface is not described anywhere; suburban New England roads. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed2.9
Police prepare the route, but roads do not appear to be fully closed, and a rider drafted in 2018. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryPleasant3.3
Residential and rural roads through four towns; nobody praised the views. · Low confidence
- WindMostly calm3.6
Wooded suburban roads and no wind complaints, but little detail. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast4.1
Described as flat and fast; a 34:53 split over 12.3 mi (19.8 km) won an age group in 2018. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat4.2
The organiser and a 2018 racer call it flat. No elevation figure is published. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicityMostly simple3.7
A single loop through four towns; nobody describes it as technical. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.4
Finish at Memorial Park; no one has described crowds. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
Aid on the run is not documented. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful4.0
A 2011 report praised the shady course all around the lake. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy3.5
Shaded, but at 4.4 mi (7.1 km) it is longer than a standard 3.1 mi (5 km) sprint run. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessMostly flat3.7
Loop around the lake, elevation not published and likely gentle. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.6
Mid-August in eastern Massachusetts, typically 18 to 28 °C (64 to 82 °F) and humid. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.3
Rain in 2011, rain and fog in 2018, good weather in 2012. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.8
Town lake beach and park; the lake loop is the draw, with little reviewer praise. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.7
Beach park venue with the swim and run loop near the finish. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level5.0
About 65 m (215 ft) above sea level. · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.8
Many Boston-area hotels within 15 to 25 km (9 to 15 mi). · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
Typical Boston-suburb prices; most athletes drive in the same day. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable3.5
One park venue, but lots reportedly fill by 6:45 AM. · Low confidence
- Travel easeEasy4.1
About 45 km (28 mi) from Boston Logan Airport and close to I-95. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.7
One venue and one transition; packet pickup details were not confirmed. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.5
Small town; the 2026 event listing mentions a post-race barbecue and beer garden. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Sharon, Massachusetts, United States
- Typical month
- August
- Latest or next date
- 9 August 2026
- Organiser
- Max Performance Racing (organiser; USA Triathlon sanctioned)
- Field size
- About 500 athletes
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 19.8 km (12.3 mi) bike, 7.1 km (4.4 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lake Massapoag, off Memorial Park Beach, Sharon (lake)
- Water temperature
- 24–26 °C (75–79 °F)
- Wetsuit
- Optional
- Swim start
- time trial in 2026 packet; waves in 2018
- Bike laps
- 1
- Run laps
- 1
- Run shade
- Shaded loop around the lake (2011 Patch, organiser)
- Air temperature
- 18–28 °C (64–82 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate to high (estimate)
- Altitude
- 65 m (215 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Boston Logan (BOS), 45 km (28 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Sharon, Foxborough, Mansfield
- Booking
- Day-trip race for Boston-area athletes; on-site lots reportedly fill by 6:45 AM, so arrive early.
What racers and reviewers say
- Team PHenomenal Hope race recapRaced 2018 · blog · Positive
Age-group winner calls it a great, well-run event close to home. Swim ran in waves in 77 °F (25 °C) water with fog hurting sighting; the 12.3 mi (19.8 km) bike was flat and the run felt good. Complaints were about rain on the drive and a rider sitting in a draft pack.
- Sharon Patch 2011 race recapRaced 2011 · article · Positive
510 finished after a rainy start that cleared. The run was praised as shady around the lake and the director said over 100 novices raced. Max Performance organised; results were posted promptly.
“beautiful shady course all around the lake”
- Sharon Patch 2012 race recapRaced 2012 · article · Positive
503 finishers aged 15 to 77, favourable weather, bike through four towns. Director in his fifth year of running a six-race series; the race was then nearly 25 years old.
- Sharon Patch permit and director Q and ARaced 2012 · article · Positive
Town recreation director said the race had no complaints in 2011 for the first time in his tenure. The director said police and public works prepare the route and detours should not be needed. Local-government source, not an athlete.
Raced The Sharon Triathlon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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