Introducing the brand new "TwinCities Triathlon"

Sunday July 24th is the date of the Metro area's newest triathlon.  OptumHealth Performance (who runs the Manitou Triathlon) is hosting the brand new "TwinCities Triathlon."  This very unique triathlon will start out with a fast point-to-point swim down the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul.  The bike starts with a climb up the famed Ohio Hill to get on top of the Mississippi River valley bluffs.  And the run will be on either side of the river, with great views throughout.

The TwinCities Triathlon will have an Olympic Distance race (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run) and a Sprint Distance race (500 yard swim, 14 mile bike, 5K run).  If the date of July 24th sounds familiar, that's because they are putting this race up against the Chisago Lakes Triathlon, which drew over 1,300 racers last year, and over 50 additional relay teams.

Here's some more specific info on the race course from their website:

Venue and Transition:
Host to numerous grand scale events, Harriet Island offers breathtaking views of downtown St. Paul, the Wabasha Bridge and the Mississippi River. It’s pavilion, band shell and large grassy area make it perfect to host an event of this caliber. Look for a roomy transition area and great access for spectators.

Swim Course:
Get ready for your fastest swim ever! You will swim the 1.5K and 500 yd. point to point courses downstream in the Mississippi. The swim starts from the banks of the Mississippi and will offer more great views of the downtown skyline and the Wabasha Bridge. The Mississippi River will be closed to all boat traffic for a great and safe experience. Other great urban triathlons have their swims in rivers such as New York City (Hudson), Philadelphia (Schuykill) and Chattanooga (Tennessee) and we are thrilled to have this unique swim in Minnesota!

Bike Course:
This extremely unique single loop courses will offer a little bit of everything: cool climbs, smooth roads, fast flats and great views. The bike course will begin by directing athletes up the infamous Ohio Street climb and on to Cherokee Ave. At that point the course will flatten out as it heads south on a single loop route that will bring racers out on Dodd Road and back on South Roberts St. Wide and smooth shoulders will help athletes keep moving forward at a fast pace.

As you wind back in on Caesar Chavez, you will be greeted with another beautiful view of the St. Paul skyline. The 13 mile and 40K loops will offer a great mixture of both urban and rural landscapes.

Run Course:
Athletes will head out of transition to the east and wind their way onto Wabasha Ave and up and over the Wabasha Bridge. Spectacular views of downtown St. Paul and the river will help motivate runners. At the end of the bridge, runners will take a sharp right, head downhill to Shepard Rd and head west to their turnaround point. Athletes will return on the same route and finish along the banks of the Mississippi on Harriett Island.

Click on the slideshow to the left to see course maps for the 2 races.

The race costs $75 for the Oly or the Sprint through the end of May.  After that, it jumps up to $95.  Click here for more info on the race, and click here to register.

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