Tri Goddess Tri

Grass Lake, United States · June · Epic Races (organiser; USA Triathlon sanctioned)

Course: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 16.6 km (10.3 mi) bike, 4.8 km (3.0 mi) run. 800 m (0.5 mi) / 10.3 mi (16.6 km) / 3 mi (4.8 km); Super Sprint 400 m (0.25 mi) / 10.3 mi (16.6 km) / 1.5 mi (2.4 km)

Tri Goddess Tri: lake access path, waterloo state recreation area (same park as the race) — Lake access path, Waterloo State Recreation Area (same park as the race). Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

3.5

Good

overall, out of 5

Top 33%#51 of 154

Better than 67% 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 3 reviews and 2 runner ratings. Treat this score as provisional. Why

Best for

Is it right for you?

First timer: 4.5 Ideal first race
PR potential: 3.2 Average
Wetsuit swim: 3.5 Usually
Swim support: 4.2 Good
Crowds: 3.6 Strong

Women-only field with many first-timers, plus super sprint, duathlon and aquabike options.
Bike has rolling hills over 16.6 km (10.3 mi) and the run mixes road and trail.

Race
3.9
Swim
3.8
Bike
3.0
Run
3.6
Conditions
3.3
Stay and travel
3.4

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

Women-only field with many first-timers, plus super sprint, duathlon and aquabike options.
Timed open water practice swim offered before the race, over the 800 m (0.5 mi) sprint swim.
Medals, age-group awards and a post-race breakfast with volunteers.
Lake swim with lifeguard coverage at a state recreation area.

Watch out for

Bike has rolling hills over 16.6 km (10.3 mi) and the run mixes road and trail.
A State Park permit or Recreation Passport is required to enter Waterloo.
Entry is about 123 USD, and non-members need a one-day USA Triathlon license.
Only two aggregator reviews and no race-day reports were found.
Next race is Saturday 26 June 2027 at 7:30 AM.

Race

3.9Very good

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
The one race-day review was very positive: welcoming, good volunteers and medals. Only two aggregator reviews exist. · Low confidence
OrganizationWell run3.9
A reviewer praised the expo and volunteers, and a columnist notes weekly training emails; no race-day detail. · Low confidence
First timer friendlyIdeal first race4.5
Women-only field with many first-timers, super sprint, an open water practice swim and a reviewer calling it welcoming. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

PR potentialAverage3.2
Rolling bike and a road and trail run make this more a first-race event than a fast one. · Low confidence

Swim

3.8Very good

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

Wetsuit legalUsually3.5
Wetsuit rule is not confirmed here; USA Triathlon rules apply to a late June swim. · Low confidence
Water temperatureComfortable4.1
A reviewer praised swim conditions; temperature is not published. · Low confidence
Calm waterMostly calm3.8
Inland lake at a state park; one reviewer praised conditions. · Low confidence
Swim easeEasy3.9
800 m (0.5 mi) lake swim for the sprint, 400 m (0.25 mi) for the super sprint. · Low confidence
Swim experienceGreat3.9
Lifeguards and good conditions per one reviewer. · Low confidence
Swim supportGood4.2
A reviewer praised lifeguard coverage, and a timed open water practice swim is offered. · Low confidence

Bike

3.0Good

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

Road surfaceMixed3.3
Paved roads; no condition reports. · Low confidence
Road closuresPartly closed2.8
Closure level is not documented. · Low confidence
Bike sceneryBeautiful3.7
State recreation area roads; one reviewer called the bike challenging, not scenic. · Low confidence
WindSome wind3.4
No wind information. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Bike speedAverage3.2
Paved but rolling over 16.6 km (10.3 mi), per the organiser. · Low confidence
Bike flatnessRolling2.9
The organiser and a reviewer both describe rolling hills. · Low confidence
Bike simplicityMostly simple3.5
No course complaints, but few details. · Low confidence

Run

3.6Very good

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

Crowd supportStrong3.6
A reviewer liked the volunteers and welcoming mood; spectator numbers unknown. · Low confidence
Aid stationsGood3.7
Volunteers were praised by a reviewer. · Low confidence
Run sceneryBeautiful3.8
Trail sections in a state recreation area. · Low confidence
Run conditionsModerate3.4
Short 4.8 km (3 mi) run on road and trail. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Run flatnessRolling3.3
Road and trail mix; a reviewer found it challenging but manageable. · Low confidence

Conditions

3.3Good

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

Air temperaturePleasant3.7
Late June in southeast Michigan, typically 16 to 27 °C (61 to 81 °F) at a 7:30 AM start. · Low confidence
Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
No race-day weather reports. · Low confidence
Venue beautyLovely3.9
Lake and wooded state recreation area. · Low confidence
Spectator friendlyEasy3.6
State park venue; spectators need a park permit. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

Low altitudeSea level4.7
About 300 m (980 ft) above sea level. · Medium confidence

Stay and travel

3.4Good

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

Hotel availabilityGood4.0
Jackson and Ann Arbor lodging within about 30 km (19 mi). · Low confidence
Hotel valueNormal3.4
Moderate Michigan prices; no race-specific data. · Low confidence
WalkabilityWalkable3.7
Single state park venue; layout not described. · Low confidence
Travel easeEasy3.7
Between Ann Arbor and Jackson, near I-94. · Low confidence
LogisticsSimple3.5
One park, but a State Park permit or Recreation Passport is needed to enter. · Low confidence
Town and foodFine3.4
Small town; a post-race breakfast is offered. · Low confidence

Key facts

Location: Grass Lake, Michigan, United States
Typical month: June
Latest or next date: 26 June 2027
Organiser: Epic Races (organiser; USA Triathlon sanctioned)
Entry fee: About $123
Distances (non-standard): 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 16.6 km (10.3 mi) bike, 4.8 km (3.0 mi) run
Swim venue: Portage Lake Unit, Waterloo State Recreation Area (lake)
Swim start: unknown (organiser lists a timed open water practice swim)
Air temperature: 16–27 °C (61–81 °F)
Humidity: Moderate (estimate)
Altitude: 300 m (985 ft)
Nearest airport: Detroit Metro (DTW), 70 km (43 mi) away
Where to stay: Chelsea, Ann Arbor, Jackson
Booking: Day trip from Ann Arbor, Jackson or Detroit; Epic Races is based in Ann Arbor. Post-race breakfast served.

Official race website (runsignup.com)

What racers and reviewers say

BibRave (2 reviews)aggregator · Positive
A first-time reviewer found the race welcoming rather than cutthroat, with many newcomers. She praised swim conditions and lifeguards, called the bike and run challenging but manageable, and liked the expo, medals and volunteers.
Living Stonepost, Triathlon Chroniclesblog · Mixed
A first-time triathlete writing before Tri Goddess, two weeks away, mentions Epic Races sending weekly training emails and signing up for a timed open water practice at Portage Lake. Mostly pre-race nerves; not a race-day report.
Michigan Runner Girl podcast, Epic Races foundervideo · Positive
Podcast episode with the Epic Races founder about the Goddess race series; the description calls Tri Goddess a beginner-friendly women's triathlon each June.

Raced Tri Goddess Tri? 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 Tri Goddess Tri? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.