TriRidgefield Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon
Ridgefield, United States · May · Independent (USA Triathlon listed)
Course: 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 21 km (13.0 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run. Half-mile (800 m) swim / 13 mi (21 km) bike / 5 km (3.1 mi) run per the organizer; a duathlon runs alongside with a 2 mi (3.2 km) first run.
Why people love it
- Hometown sprint since 2007, with a duathlon option for non-swimmers.
- 800 m (0.5 mi) pond swim, wetsuit legal in every previous year, with kayaks on course.
- Past racers praise the race director, volunteers and a friendly field.
- Registration opens 1 January and, per a past racer, the race fills early.
- You can swim the designated area at Great Pond in the week before the race.
Watch out for
- The bike is rolling to hilly with corners; ride it beforehand if you can.
- The run climbs for most of the first 1.6 km (1 mile).
- One past racer said local road surfaces have worsened over the years.
- The swim is crowded and hard to pace for newcomers, per the 2025 report.
- Bike length varies by listing, 20.5 to 22.5 km (12.75 to 14 mi); check the course map.
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: Tough
- Racer satisfactionLoved3.8
A 2025 first-timer enjoyed it and a past racer praised the director, volunteers and field; only two accounts, one from 2010. · Low confidence
- OrganizationWell run3.8
2010 local coverage and a past racer describe a well-run, volunteer-heavy event; the course has since moved. · Low confidence
- First timer friendlyFriendly3.8
An 800 m (0.5 mi) pond swim with kayaks, wetsuits and a duathlon option; the 2025 first-timer found the swim crowded and the bike hilly. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- PR potentialAverage2.9
A rolling to hilly bike and an uphill first mile (1.6 km) on the run suggest average to slow times; none published. · Low confidence
Swim
Wetsuit odds, water temperature, calm, and the experience of the start. Counts for 16% of the overall score.
- Wetsuit legalAlmost always4.8
Every previous year was wetsuit legal, at or below 25.6 °C (78 °F), according to the event FAQ. · Medium confidence
- Water temperatureComfortable3.6
A 2025 racer called the water pleasantly warm; temperatures are not published. · Low confidence
- Calm waterMostly calm4.3
A small pond, so no swell; crowding rather than chop is the issue. · Medium confidence
- Swim easeModerate3.3
The 2025 report found it hard to settle and to avoid other swimmers. · Low confidence
- Swim experienceGreat3.6
Warm pond water and kayaks on course, but crowded for beginners. · Low confidence
- Swim supportGood3.8
Kayaks on course and a practice swim the week before; start format and lifeguard numbers are unconfirmed. · Low confidence
Bike
Road surface, closures, scenery and wind. Counts for 18% of the overall score.
- Road surfaceMixed2.6
A past racer said local roads have deteriorated, which is why he stopped racing it. · Low confidence
- Road closuresPartly closed3.0
Suburban town roads; the level of closure is not described. · Low confidence
- Bike sceneryBeautiful3.5
A 2025 racer called it a neat ride through a typical Connecticut suburb. · Low confidence
- WindMostly calm3.5
Wooded Connecticut suburb; wind is not mentioned. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Bike speedAverage2.9
Hilly with corners and downhills; the 2025 racer felt a pre-ride would have made him faster. · Low confidence
- Bike flatnessRolling2.9
Described as hilly and rolling over about 21 km (13 mi); no elevation figure is published. · Low confidence
- Bike simplicitySome technical parts2.9
Corners and downhills are noted in the 2025 report. · Low confidence
Run
Crowds, aid stations, conditions underfoot and scenery. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Crowd supportDecent3.3
Mostly local field and volunteers; spectator numbers are unknown. · Low confidence
- Aid stationsStandard3.4
Aid details are not documented; past racers praise the volunteers. · Low confidence
- Run sceneryPleasant3.3
Suburban roads. · Low confidence
- Run conditionsModerate3.1
Asphalt with hills at the end of a hilly bike. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Run flatnessRolling2.9
Punchy rolling hills, mostly uphill for the first 1.6 km (1 mile); no elevation gain is published. · Low confidence
Conditions
Air temperature, how predictable the weather is, setting, and spectating. Counts for 13% of the overall score.
- Air temperaturePleasant3.7
Late May to early June is usually mild in Connecticut; the 2025 weekend was cold and rainy. · Low confidence
- Weather reliabilityVariable3.2
New England spring can swing between rain and warmth; the race runs rain or shine. · Low confidence
- Venue beautyLovely3.5
Great Pond and a small New England town; little photo coverage. · Low confidence
- Spectator friendlySome viewpoints3.4
Swim and finish are near the start area; the bike goes out of sight. · Low confidence
Course traits, not part of the score
- Low altitudeSea level4.5
About 220 m (720 ft), well under 700 m (2,300 ft). · Medium confidence
Stay and travel
Hotels, walkability, getting there, and the town around the race. Counts for 10% of the overall score.
- Hotel availabilityGood3.6
Mostly a local day-trip race; Danbury and Ridgefield hotels are not constrained. · Low confidence
- Hotel valueNormal3.3
Hotel prices were not checked. · Low confidence
- WalkabilitySome driving3.3
Parking and transition layout at Great Pond are not described. · Low confidence
- Travel easeOne connection3.0
Westchester airport is about 48 km (30 mi) away; New York airports are farther. · Low confidence
- LogisticsSimple3.5
Single venue and a 7 am start; packet pickup details were not checked. · Low confidence
- Town and foodGood3.7
Ridgefield village has restaurants and shops. · Low confidence
Key facts
- Location
- Ridgefield, Connecticut, United States
- Typical month
- May
- Latest or next date
- 31 May 2026
- Organiser
- Independent (USA Triathlon listed)
- Field size
- About 365 athletes
- Entry fee
- About $103
- First held
- 2007
- Distances (non-standard)
- 0.8 km (0.5 mi) swim, 21 km (13.0 mi) bike, 5 km (3.1 mi) run
- Swim venue
- Great Pond, 19 Great Pond Road (lake)
- Wetsuit
- Legal
- Swim start
- wave
- Swim laps
- 1
- Bike laps
- 1
- Run laps
- 1
- Altitude
- 220 m (720 ft)
- Nearest airport
- Westchester County (HPN), 48 km (30 mi) away
- Where to stay
- Ridgefield village, Danbury
- Booking
- Local day-trip race; most entrants are from the area (85 percent were residents in 2010).
What racers and reviewers say
- Slowtwitch forumRaced 2025 · forum · Positive
A first-time triathlete raced the 2025 sprint. The pond swim was pleasantly warm but hard to pace among other swimmers, and he rested on a kayak. The bike was hilly with downhills and corners and he called it a neat ride through a typical Connecticut suburb. The run was punchy and uphill early. He enjoyed the day, and a replying past racer praised the race director, volunteers and field but said road surfaces had worsened.
“Neat ride through a typical CT suburb.”
- Patch (Ridgefield)Raced 2010 · article · Positive
Local coverage of the fourth race in 2010 at Martin Park: 365 competitors, about 85 percent residents, and nearly all volunteers and sponsors from town. The winner called it incredibly well organized and fun, and a participant called it safe and well staffed. A first-timer said it was worth the training. The course has since moved and changed.
“an incredibly well-organized race and a lot of fun”
Raced TriRidgefield Sprint Triathlon and Duathlon? 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.
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