Steamboat Lake Triathlon

Clark, United States · July · Independent (Without Limits Productions)

Course: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 20 km (12.4 mi) bike, 5.6 km (3.5 mi) run. 0.5 mi / 800 m swim, 12.4 mi / 20 km bike, 3.5 mi / 5.6 km run

Steamboat Lake Triathlon: steamboat lake with hahns peak range behind — Steamboat Lake with Hahns Peak range behind. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

3.1

Good

overall, out of 5

Bottom 23%#120 of 154

Ahead of 22% of the 154 races.

2345

Each bar is a range of 0.25 points; green holds this race. The average race scores 3.4.

What does this score mean?

Based on 2 reviews. Treat this score as provisional. Why

What held it back

Held back by stay and travel (2.0) and race (2.6). See the breakdown below.

Best for

Scenery

Is it right for you?

First timer: 3.3 Doable
PR potential: 2.1 Slow
Wetsuit swim: 3.3 Coin flip
Swim support: 3.7 Good
Crowds: 2.6 Decent

Lakeside run on dirt trail through wildflower meadows
Venue is at about 2,500 m (8,100 ft); expect slower times and cool water

Race
2.6
Swim
2.9
Bike
3.0
Run
2.7
Conditions
3.8
Stay and travel
2.0

Every score is out of 5, and 5 is always the better end.

Pick up to 3 races to compare side by side

Why people love it

Lakeside run on dirt trail through wildflower meadows
Long fast descent on the bike, about 64 km (39.8 mi)/h (40 mph)
Small field of about 160, with race-day packet pickup and easy parking
Dedicated first-timer swim wave, per the director in 2014

Watch out for

Venue is at about 2,500 m (8,100 ft); expect slower times and cool water
Hilly bike and a steep first run mile of 1.6 km (1 mi)
Water temperature reports vary from 18 to 23 °C (65 to 74 °F)
May not run every year; the next listed date is 2027-07-25
Only one racer report, from 2016; the rest is director interview

Race

2.6Good

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: Very tough

Racer satisfactionLoved3.8
One 2016 racer loved the lake, wildflowers and easy parking but noted cold water, a small transition and slow awards. · Low confidence
OrganizationWell run3.5
Race-day packet pickup and a capped field, but the 2016 racer saw a small transition and a long wait for awards. · Low confidence
First timer friendlyDoable3.3
The director says a dedicated first-timer wave runs, but altitude, cold water and hills make it harder. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

PR potentialSlow2.1
Hilly bike and run at about 2,500 m (8,100 ft). · Low confidence

Swim

2.9Good

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

Wetsuit legalCoin flip3.3
Rule unknown; reported water temperatures range from 18 to 23 °C (65 to 74 °F). · Low confidence
Water temperatureAcceptable3.0
Reports conflict: a 23 °C (74 °F) listing against 18 to 21 °C (65 to 69 °F) felt cold in 2016. · Low confidence
Calm waterMostly calm3.6
Mountain lake, no chop reports; final stretch hard to sight (2016). · Low confidence
Swim easeModerate3.4
Racer struggled to sight and swim straight at the end (2016). · Low confidence
Swim experienceGreat3.7
Scenic lake; the 2016 racer found the final stretch hard to sight. · Low confidence
Swim supportGood3.7
Waves of 40 to 50 and a last first-timer wave (2014 preview); no safety details from racers. · Low confidence

Bike

3.0Good

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

Road surfaceMixed3.3
No reports. · Low confidence
Road closuresPartly closed2.8
Rural county road, no closure info. · Low confidence
Bike sceneryBeautiful4.0
The race page calls it the most scenic bike course; the racer praised the lake and wildflowers. · Low confidence
WindSome wind3.3
No reports. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Bike speedAverage2.6
Big climb out of the park, a long descent, then more climbing back. · Low confidence
Bike flatnessHilly2.3
Described as hilly with big climbs; no figure, likely over 300 m (1,000 ft) over 20 km (12.4 mi). · Low confidence
Bike simplicityMostly simple3.5
Fast descent at about 64 km (39.8 mi)/h (40 mph); out and back. · Low confidence

Run

2.7Good

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

Crowd supportDecent2.6
Small field of about 160 in a remote park. · Low confidence
Aid stationsStandard3.2
One run aid station mentioned (2016). · Low confidence
Run sceneryBeautiful4.4
Lakeside dirt trail through wildflower meadows (2016 racer). · Medium confidence
Run conditionsModerate2.6
Hills and dirt trail at 2,500 m (8,100 ft). · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Run flatnessRolling2.5
Steep first mile then rolling. · Low confidence

Conditions

3.8Very good

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

Air temperaturePleasant4.0
Cool mountain mornings with highs near 27 °C (80 °F). · Low confidence
Weather reliabilityVariable3.0
Mountain afternoon storms are common in July, but 8 a.m. start; no race data. · Low confidence
Venue beautyLovely4.4
Mountain lake in a state park, wildflowers. · Medium confidence
Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.2
Small venue with easy parking; remote location. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Low altitudeHigh altitude1.0
About 2,500 m (8,100 ft). · High confidence

Stay and travel

2.0Below par

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

Hotel availabilityBook early2.8
Remote: camping spots at the park, hotels an hour away in Steamboat Springs. · Low confidence
Hotel valueNormal3.0
Summer resort town prices. · Low confidence
WalkabilityWalkable3.8
Park venue with camping on site. · Low confidence
Travel easeAwkward2.2
Remote, small regional airport and about an hour from Steamboat Springs. · Medium confidence
LogisticsSimple3.8
Race-day packet pickup, small single transition, easy parking. · Low confidence
Town and foodFine2.6
Clark has little; Steamboat Springs about an hour away. · Low confidence

Key facts

Location: Clark, CO, United States
Typical month: July
Latest or next date: 25 July 2027
Organiser: Independent (Without Limits Productions)
Field size: About 160 athletes
First held: 2011
Distances (non-standard): 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 20 km (12.4 mi) bike, 5.6 km (3.5 mi) run
Swim venue: Steamboat Lake, Steamboat Lake State Park (lake)
Water temperature: 18–23 °C (64–73 °F)
Wetsuit: Unclear; one racer wore one in 2016; listing says 74 F (23 C) average
Swim start: wave (40 to 50 per wave, age ordered, first-timer wave last in 2014)
Key climbs: big climb leaving the park; return climbs
Run shade: open
Air temperature: 8–27 °C (46–81 °F)
Humidity: low
Altitude: 2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Nearest airport: Yampa Valley Regional (HDN), Hayden
Where to stay: Steamboat Lake State Park campground, Steamboat Springs
Booking: Limited camping spots at the state park; hotels in Steamboat Springs about an hour away.

Official race website (withoutlimits.co)

What racers and reviewers say

Cyclizing (Steamboat Lake Triathlon race report)Raced 2016 · blog · Positive
The blogger finished 18th of about 160. He praised the lake and wildflower scenery, easy parking and race-day packet pickup. Cons were cold water, a steep first run mile, a hilly bike with a long fast descent, a small transition and a long wait for awards.
Steamboat Pilot (4th running preview)Raced 2014 · article · Positive
Director Lance Panigutti called it one of the best courses and the venue among the prettiest. Entry capped at 350 and sold out two years; turnout 263 (2011), 301 (2012), 323 (2013). Swim waves hold 40 to 50 with a first-timer wave added.

Raced Steamboat Lake 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 Steamboat Lake Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.