Waupaca Area Triathlon

Waupaca, United States · August · Waupaca Area Triathlon (local board)

Course: 0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 20.1 km (12.5 mi) bike, 3.2 km (2.0 mi) run. Short course: 1/4 mi (0.4 km) swim, 12.5 mi (20.1 km) bike, 2 mi (3.2 km) run. Long course: 1/2 mi (0.8 km), 20 mi (32.2 km), 3.1 mi (5 km). Older reports give the short bike as 12 mi (19.3 km).

Why people love it

  • About 900 racers across courses; entries capped most years
  • Short course: 0.25 mi (0.4 km) swim, 12.5 mi (20.1 km) bike, 2 mi (3.2 km) run
  • Wetsuits allowed; swim in Shadow Lake in waves of about 50
  • Run finishes through downtown Waupaca to South Park
  • Friday afternoon packet pickup plus race-morning pickup

Watch out for

  • Entries have capped out in past years, so register early
  • Bike climbing and a course map are not published
  • Parking is not listed
  • Evidence is local news, not athlete race reports

Race

3.8Very 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

    Local news quotes racers, including a pro who called it among the best organised races, and finds no complaints. No athlete review pages. · Low confidence

  • OrganizationWell run4.1

    Long-running race with capped fields near 900, volunteers, and a pro racer calling it well organised. No reports of problems. · Low confidence

  • First timer friendlyFriendly4.2

    Short course has a 1/4 mi (0.4 km) swim, wetsuits allowed, and kids and relay options. Waves of about 50 swimmers. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • PR potentialAverage3.4

    Rolling countryside bike per RunSignup; non-standard distances make comparison loose. · Low confidence

Swim

3.5Very good

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

  • Wetsuit legalUsually3.8

    Wetsuits may be worn; mid-August lake water is typically 21 to 26 °C (70 to 79 °F), near the 25.6 °C (78 °F) limit. · Low confidence

  • Water temperatureComfortable3.7

    Mid-August water is typically 21 to 26 °C (70 to 79 °F); no race-day reading found. · Low confidence

  • Calm waterMostly calm3.7

    Sheltered lake with an out-and-back swim; no one has reported chop either way. · Low confidence

  • Swim easeEasy4.3

    Short 0.4 km (0.25 mi) out and back with waves of about 50. · Low confidence

  • Swim experienceGreat3.9

    Lakeside park start in front of the crowd, waves of about 50; no clarity reports. · Low confidence

  • Swim supportGood3.8

    Wave starts of about 50 swimmers; safety craft are not described. · Low confidence

Bike

3.4Good

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

  • Road surfaceMixed3.3

    Rural Wisconsin county roads; no surface reports. · Low confidence

  • Road closuresPartly closed3.2

    Closure level not documented; local roads supported by town volunteers. · Low confidence

  • Bike sceneryBeautiful3.8

    Countryside and lakes southeast of town per the course description; no athlete comments on the scenery. · Low confidence

  • WindMostly calm3.5

    Lake country with tree cover; no wind complaints. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Bike speedAverage3.4

    Countryside southeast of town with rolling hills; no speed data. · Low confidence

  • Bike flatnessRolling3.2

    Rolling hills per the organiser; climbing is not published for the 20 km (12.5 mi) bike. · Low confidence

  • Bike simplicityMostly simple3.8

    Countryside loop; no technical sections reported. · Low confidence

Run

3.9Very good

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

  • Crowd supportStrong3.7

    Run goes through downtown Waupaca to the finish at South Park; no crowd reports. · Low confidence

  • Aid stationsGood3.6

    Volunteer-run with stipend; aid detail not published. · Low confidence

  • Run sceneryBeautiful3.8

    Downtown streets to a lakeside park finish. · Low confidence

  • Run conditionsEasy3.8

    2 mi (3.2 km) short course run; August warmth is the factor. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Run flatnessMostly flat3.5

    Downtown Waupaca streets; elevation not published. · Low confidence

Conditions

3.6Very good

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

  • Air temperaturePleasant3.9

    Mid-August 7 AM start, typically 15 to 28 °C (59 to 82 °F). · Low confidence

  • Weather reliabilityVariable3.3

    Midwest summer thunderstorms possible; no cancellations found. · Low confidence

  • Venue beautyLovely3.9

    Lakeside South Park setting with downtown streets near the finish; no athlete comments on the look of the place. · Low confidence

  • Spectator friendlyEasy3.9

    Compact park venue with the finish in South Park; no spectator reports. · Low confidence

Course traits, not part of the score

  • Low altitudeSea level4.8

    About 260 m (850 ft) above sea level. · Medium confidence

Stay and travel

3.6Very good

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

  • Hotel availabilityBook early3.2

    Small resort town; summer lodging not checked. · Low confidence

  • Hotel valueNormal3.4

    Not checked. · Low confidence

  • WalkabilityWalkable4.2

    Swim, transition and finish all at South Park. · Low confidence

  • Travel easeOne connection3.0

    About 55 km (35 mi) from Appleton airport; Green Bay and Milwaukee farther. · Low confidence

  • LogisticsSimple4.2

    One park for swim, transition and finish; Friday and race-morning packet pickup on site. · Low confidence

  • Town and foodGood3.8

    Small lakeside tourist town with downtown restaurants; not checked. · Low confidence

Key facts

Location
Waupaca, Wisconsin, United States
Typical month
August
Latest or next date
15 August 2026
Organiser
Waupaca Area Triathlon (local board)
Field size
About 900 athletes
First held
2001
Distances (non-standard)
0.4 km (0.2 mi) swim, 20.1 km (12.5 mi) bike, 3.2 km (2.0 mi) run
Swim venue
Shadow Lake, South Park (921 S Main St, Waupaca) (lake)
Water temperature
21–26 °C (70–79 °F)
Wetsuit
Optional
Swim start
wave
Swim laps
1
Bike laps
1
Run laps
1
Air temperature
15–28 °C (59–82 °F)
Humidity
humid
Altitude
260 m (855 ft)
Nearest airport
Appleton International (ATW), 55 km (34 mi) away
Where to stay
Waupaca, Chain O' Lakes area
Booking
Lake resort town; summer weekends can book out. Not checked.

Official race website (waupacaareatriathlon.com)

What racers and reviewers say

  • ThedaCare: Waupaca Area Triathlon 15th yearRaced 2015 · article · Positive

    Sponsor article from the 15th edition: about 1,000 adult athletes plus nearly 300 children on the Friday youth race, with capacity reached for several years because of the park's space. The board president says racers think it is very well run; volunteers get a stipend for a local club and proceeds fund two scholarships. Also introduced a relay for ages 11 to 15.

    “They think it is very well run.”

    ThedaCare (sponsor)
  • Waupaca Now: race-day coverage with racer quotesarticle · Positive

    Local news coverage of a past edition quoting racers and organisers. A professional triathlete who raced the long course called it among the best organised races he has done. No problems reported in the piece.

  • Waupaca Now: later edition coveragearticle · Positive

    Second local news piece from another year with organiser and racer quotes about the short and long courses. No complaints in the coverage.

Raced Waupaca Area 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 Waupaca Area Triathlon? Moku Coach builds your plan around race day.