Trinona Triathlon
Winona, United States · June · Storm Sporting Events (nonprofit); USAT sanctioned
Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 17.7 km (11.0 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. 0.25 mi (0.4 km) swim / 11 mi (17.7 km) bike / 3.1 mi (5 km) run.
Why people love it
- Calm Lake Winona swim, glassy in some years, with a quarter-mile 0.4 km (0.25 mi) sprint swim.
- Racers call the Olympic bike world class, with the 1.9 km (1.2 mi) Garvin Heights climb.
- Very flat, shaded run around the lake.
- Sprint bike is a simple out and back, good for first-timers.
- Run by a local nonprofit; racers say the director's investment shows.
Watch out for
- Storms cancelled or shortened the Olympic bike in 2016 and 2025; everyone rode the sprint loop.
- Garvin Heights is steeper than 9 percent, with fast descents and technical neighbourhood turns.
- Heat reached about 35 °C (95 °F) in 2012; other years were cool and windy.
- Lake can be weedy in places.
- Parking and packet pickup details were not found.
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 satisfactionLoved4.2
Racers from 2010 to 2019 praise the course and community; storms in 2016 and 2025 and heat in 2012 dented some days. · Medium confidence
- OrganizationWell run4.1
A hometown race director's investment shows; storm delays were handled, though the Olympic bike was cut to the sprint loop in 2016 and 2025. · Medium confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly4.1
Quarter-mile calm swim and an out-and-back 17.7 km (11 mi) bike. · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialFast3.5
Course records fell on the 2016 sprint loop in cool conditions. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalUsually4.0
Mid-June water is likely 18 to 23 °C (64 to 73 °F), under the USAT limit of 25.6 °C (78 °F); rule not found. · Low confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable4.1
Athletes describe a comfortable-temperature lake, sometimes weedy; one 2010 racer found less weed than feared. · Medium confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.4
Glassy in 2010 and a calm lake in 2018, per two racers. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeEasy4.1
Short, calm lake swim. · Medium confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.8
Park and bandshell setting on a calm lake; some weed. · Medium confidence
- Swim supportGood3.5
Wave starts on a calm lake; athletes do not describe kayak or rescue cover. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed3.4
Bluff roads and neighbourhood streets; no athlete reports on pavement quality. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.4
Police and traffic control are not described; bluff roads are partly neighbourhood streets. · Low confidence
- Bike scenerySpectacular4.5
Winners and racers call the bike world class and scenic, with the bluff climb as the highlight. · Medium confidence
- WindSome wind3.2
Cool and windy in 2013 and 2016; no steady wind pattern reported. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedFast3.5
Course records on the sprint loop in 2016 after the storm. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessMostly flat3.7
Out and back without the Garvin Heights climb, per one racer's account. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts2.7
Technical neighbourhood sections, a fast descent and a steep climb; the sprint is a simpler out and back. · Medium confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportStrong3.5
Park setting by the lake; few athletes mention crowds. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsGood3.6
No athlete detail on aid stations; race run by a nonprofit with volunteers. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryBeautiful3.7
Shaded lake path and park; little athlete comment. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsEasy4.1
Flat and shaded 5 km (3.1 mi). · Medium confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessFlat4.7
Very flat, shaded run around the lake. · Medium confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperatureWarm or cool3.4
Ranges from cool and windy to about 35 °C (95 °F) heat in 2012. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable2.6
Storms stopped or changed the race in 2016 and 2025; heat in 2012; cool and windy in 2013. · Medium confidence
- Venue beautyLovely4.4
Lake Winona park below bluffs; racers describe a scenic, eco-friendly feel. · Medium confidence
- Spectator friendlyEasy3.8
Transition and finish sit by Lake Winona; little athlete comment on spectating. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.7
About 200 m (650 ft) above sea level. · Low confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.5
Winona hotels near the lake in a small tourist town. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueGood3.6
Small-town rates; not researched in detail. · Low confidence
- WalkabilityWalkable4.0
Transition sits in front of the lake; parking details were not found. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.1
La Crosse airport is about 45 km (28 mi) away; Winona is a small town off the main routes. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.6
Single lake venue; packet pickup and parking details were not found. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.9
Bluff-country college town with a downtown near the lake. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Winona, Minnesota, United States
- Typical month
- June
- Latest or next date
- 14 June 2026
- Organiser
- Storm Sporting Events (nonprofit); USAT sanctioned
- Field size
- About 350 athletes
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 17.7 km (11.0 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Lake Winona, Winona Lake Park bandshell (lake)
- Water temperature
- 18–23 °C (64–73 °F)
- Swim start
- wave
- Key climbs
- Garvin Heights, about 1.9 km (1.2 mi) above 9 percent, on Bicycling Magazine's Top 100 US climbs; timing mats top and bottom
- Run shade
- Shaded by trees
- Air temperature
- 15–28 °C (59–82 °F)
- Humidity
- Moderate to humid
- Altitude
- 200 m (655 ft)
- Nearest airport
- La Crosse Regional (LSE), 45 km (28 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Downtown Winona, Lake Winona
- Booking
- Winona hotels near the lake; bluff-country tourist town.
What racers and reviewers say
- Minnesota TRI News (Alex Hooke)Raced 2010 · blog · Positive
Second-place finisher's account. Glassy swim with less weed than feared, rolling bike with the steep Garvin Heights climb, a fast descent and technical neighbourhood sections, then a fast run. Racers' community and eco-friendly feel get a mention.
“The water was glassy smooth and not nearly as weedy as I anticipated.”
- Minnesota TRI News (Steve Stenzel)Raced 2012 · article · Mixed
Recap of a hot June day with temperatures in the mid-90s F (about 35 °C (95 °F)). About 300 individuals plus 30 teams in the International race, about 350 plus 22 teams in the sprint.
“used a speedy swim to take the win”
- Minnesota TRI News (Patience rewarded)Raced 2016 · article · Mixed
Thunderstorms, lightning and wind caused repeated delays. The Olympic race was cancelled because the bike roads were too dangerous, and everyone rode the 11 km (6.8 mi) sprint bike course; cool, breezy conditions after the storm gave course records.
“proved that good things come to those who wait.”
- Minnesota TRI News (Nikki Dostert Sudberry)Raced 2018 · blog · Positive
Calm, comfortable lake that can be weedy, a scenic bike with a 1.2 mile (1.9 km) climb above 9 percent called the Battle of the Bluff, timing mats at the bottom and top, an out-and-back sprint bike, and a very flat shaded run.
“it's such a calm lake”
- Minnesota TRI News (Jacob Braaten)Raced 2019 · blog · Positive
Athlete returned seven years after the Olympic race that got him into the sport; split times show a long, tough day with a 1:12 bike (about 33 km/h (20.5 mph), 21 mph). He thanked the directors, volunteers and city.
“the days where I struggled and battled my way to the finish line”
Raced Trinona Triathlon? Your notes on the course, conditions and logistics help the next athlete decide.
Sources
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