The Nation’s Triathlon is a prestigious sporting event in Washington DC that includes a scenic drive that winds through the National Mall, a 1.5k swim in the Potomac River, a 40k bike tour through the streets of DC and Maryland, ending with a tour of 10k Historical Monuments of the city. Weekend festivities include a free two-day health and wellness expo and a meta festival with a live band. The Nation’s Triathlon benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the world’s largest nonprofit health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research.
In 2014, Triathlon added a Sprint race for the first time in its nine-year history. The shortest distance features a 750-meter swim, a 16-mile single-loop bike, and a 5-kilometer run, finishing within sight of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
Date: September 10, 2017, starting at 7 am
Registration: participants can register individually or as a team. View registration details.
All entrants will receive a runner-up medal, technical jersey, red carpet finish, post-race breakfast, and access to the finish line concert and beer garden.
The Nation Triathlon has grown from a competition with fewer than 500 finalists in 2006 to being recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest international distance triathlon event in the nation. The event features multiple races within a race, including a Military Challenge, open to military and active duty veterans, CQ-Roll Call Congressional Challenge, open to federal and Hill employees, the Commander-in-Chief Challenge, open to participants of the three teams of the military academy, and the Tri Club Challenge, for the members of the triathlon club.
Nations triathlon course locations
Spectators can watch the events from the transition area, located along Ohio Drive, west of the Tidal Basin.
- Swim course participants will swim in the Potomac River past Arlington National Cemetery and under the Memorial Bridge twice.
- The bike route starts from the transition area east on Independence Ave and passes the Potomac River, the White House, the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Institute of Peace of the United States and the Kennedy Center.
- The race route is a unique circuit that takes competitors past the Tidal Basin, Jefferson Memorial, National Holocaust Memorial, US Mint, Hains Point, and more. The finish line is adjacent to the transition area and the swimming start area.
View a map Please note that course routes are subject to change.
Transportation and parking on race day
Parking is limited in the area and athletes are encouraged to drop off in the transition area before 5:30 am. Parking spaces are available in lots A, B and C at Haines Point. Please note that these lots will fill up quickly, are received on a first come, first serve basis and once the roads close at 5:45 am the lots will no longer be accessible. Other street parking options are available near Independence Ave and 15th St. and several nearby lots and garages. An athletes-only shuttle will run from the Washington Hilton from 4: 30-6: 15 a.m. Read more about parking near the National Mall.
Triathlon weekend events
Health & Fitness Expo – September 8-9, 2017. Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC. The free exhibition is open to the public and features more than 50 vendors with the latest in triathlon equipment, nutrition samples, souvenirs, and a series of interactive clinics. Race participants collect their race pack at the expo. The hours are from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. M. On Fridays and from 9:00 a. M. At 6:00 p. M. Saturdays. The closest tube station is Dupont Circle.
Finish Line Festival – September 10, 2017, 8:00 am- 3:00 pm West Potomac Park – Athletes and spectators can enjoy a wide range of activities and services at the Finish Line Festival.
It is estimated that the first competitor will cross the finish line at 8:50 am The awards ceremony will begin at 11:30 am
Website: www.nationstri.com
