French Creek TriFest (Triathlon & SwimFest)

Welcome back to the best local Philadelphia Area Triathlon Festival! The French Creek Triathlon Festival includes the following:Sprint TriathlonOlympic triathlon, including Aquabike, Relay division, and Athena/ClydesdaleSprint and Olympic DuathlonSplash and Dash (adult and youth) - 250m swim, 1 mile runSwimFest - 800m, 1600m, and 5K swim events.
New for 2023:
Join our Club Challenge! Compete for the Club Championship. When registering, select your club from our list to be included in the club challenge. If you club is not listed, email [email protected] to get your club added.
 
TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT, CLICK HERE!Lodging is available at Group Camp 2 (primitive cabins) and is FREE for all volunteers, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night.  Any racers who wishes to stay at the park, can reserve lodging for a nominal charge of $20.  Please put your name(s) on the lodging line item on our Volunteer SignUp.
We're excited to be back at French Creek State Park for our 11th edition of the French Creek Tri, and we've added more fun for all!Make it a family weekend...  Race with the kids in our Splash and Dash on Sunday, race in our SwimRun and SwimFest, and stay overnight too! You'll surely have a designated cheering section for each race!
USAT Youth Splash & Dash: Sunday, May 21, 2023 - 250m swim, 1 mile run

Splash and Dash-branded finisher medals for each athlete

USA Triathlon-branded drawstring bags

Waived youth event sanctioning fees!

Race Courses:750m Swim - Sprint, 1 loop.  Olympic, 2 loops.  All swimmers certify that they are capable of completing the distance and have completed an open water swim previously.12.1 Mile Bike - Sprint, 1 loop.  Olympic, 2 loops.  After loop 1, continue straight on Park Rd. instead of turning right to go back up the hill into transition.5K Run - Sprint, 1 loop.  Olympic, 2 loops.  PLEASE NOTE: The run course is approximately 1/3 paved trail, 1/3 gravel fire road, and 1/3 single track.  We strongly advise checking out this section of the course for shoe selection and familiarity purposes.Sprint Duathlon: 1 mile run, 12.1 mile bike, 5K RunOlympic Duathlon: 1 mile run, 22.4 mile bike, 10K Run
The French Creek Tri is a USAT Sanctioned event.Custom awards to top 3 in each age group, in each event.Free hot food buffet for all racers and volunteers.
REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULE:
Packet Pickup - Please SELECT YOUR PACKET PICKUP LOCATION HERE for Saturday participants only.  Sunday SwimFest racers may simply check in on Sunday morning.Pickup locations include: Lawrence Park Swim Club (Broomall, PA), Trooper Rd. Open Water Swim (Norristown, PA), Bryn Mawr Running Company (Bryn Mawr, PA), and French Creek State Park Boat Rental (Elverson, PA), day use area.
Weekend Schedule:Friday 5-7PM (and prior) Packet Pickup availableSaturday 5:45-7AM - Packet pickup available,  racers and general volunteers arrive.Saturday 7AM - Upper road closes.Saturday 7:15AM - Transition area closes.Saturday 7:30AM - Olympic Triathlon begins in heats.Saturday 7:38AM - Sprint Triathlon begins in heats.Saturday 7:45AM - Duathlon begins.Saturday 11:15AM - Approximate time for start of awards ceremony, sprint tri, followed by Olympic TriSunday 7-8AM - Packet pickup for Sunday SwimFest and Splash&DashSunday 8AM - 3 Mile Swim eventSunday 8:15AM - Adults splash and dashSunday 8:30AM - Kids splash and dashSunday 10AM - 1 Mile Swim eventSunday 11AM - 1/2 Mile Swim eventSunday 12 Noon - Awards ceremony for all events.AWARDS:There will be overall and age group awards for the top 3 M/F for each event as follows:Youth Splash & Dash (8U, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16)Adult Splash and Dash (19U, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)SwimFest (19U, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)Sprint/Olympic/Duathlon Age Groups are as per USAT standards, 5 year increments (18U, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+).Overall winners are not eligible for age group awards.
PARKING:Parking will be available in the upper (Day use) lot at the park.  NO RACERS, SPECTATORS, WORKERS, SPONSORS, OR VOLUNTEERS MAY PARK ON ANY GRASS.  ANYONE CAUGHT PARKING ON GRASS WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE RACE.
***Cell phone reception is very hit or miss at the park, so please don't count on it. The address of the park office is 843 Park Road, Elverson, PA 19520 (this may lead to the wrong location on some GPS routes). You can also Google Hopewell Lake - French Creek State Park Boat Rental is the start of the race and is very close to the parking area.
LODGING:French Creek Racing has reserved Group Camp 2, which is a series of primitive cabins, available for racers, spectators, and volunteers.  You can stay with us for the entire weekend.  Volunteers stay free, all others, $20 for the entire weekend.  Reserve your space HERE.
DIRECTIONS:• Directions from the Philadelphia / King of Prussia area: Take 422 West past Pottstown to the first red light.  Turn left onto River Bridge Road.  Cross the bridge and make a right onto PA-724.  Follow 724 West for 0.7 miles, then turn left on Red Corner Road. After 2.1 miles, make a left at the stop sign onto Shed Road. After 2.0 miles, the road will come to a T. Turn left on PA-345 South, then a quick right on Park Rd into the actual Park. Continue on Park Road for 2 miles and you'll see Hopewell Lake on your left. Continue to the next left after the park office. Continue to the top of the hill and park near the swimming pool.Directions from PA Turnpike (points south and west) – Take the Morgantown exit (298) of the PA Turnpike. Take I-176 North for 0.1 miles to exit 1A. Turn right on PA-10 North and follow for 0.5 miles. Turn right on Joanna Road. After 0.9 miles, turn right on Elverson Road. After 0.6 miles, make a slight left onto Hopewell Road. Hopewell Road turns to Park Road. Pass South Entrance Road. After 3.8 miles on Hopewell / Park, turn right before the park office. (If you pass Hopewell Lake, you went too far).  Continue to the top of the hill and park near the swimming pool.
No refunds. A registered athlete may request a deferral to next year's event if they do so at least 14 days prior to the event.  A nominal fee shall apply.
VOLUNTEERS: Interested in volunteering?  Email [email protected] and we'll find the perfect job for you.