ABOUT THE KANUGA TRIATHLON

Kanuga Triathlon is designed to meet athletes where they are—whether you're tackling your first triathlon or returning to the sport after time away. By prioritizing athlete comfort, flow, and thoughtful course design, this event lowers common barriers to entry while still delivering a challenging and rewarding race experience in a truly special setting.

COURSE INFORMATION

SWIM COURSE
The event will begin with a 600 meter swim in Kanuga Lake. The swim features a time-trial start with the fastest swimmers going first and the rest following in approximately 3-5 second intervals, either individually or in pairs.

The swim takes place in open water and is designed to feel calm, controlled, and approachable. By utilizing a single-loop course and a time-trial start, athletes are able to focus on their own effort without the stress often associated with mass-start swims.

SWIM WARM UPS ARE 7-7:20 AM

SWIM START TIMES
Your start time will be assigned to you. You can anticipate approximately 3-5 seconds between each swimmer, if you would like to estimate your approximate start time. During the registration process you will be asked to submit your 100 yard swim time. This is not the fastest you can swim 100 yards but the time you expect to average during the entire swim. Here is a good guide when deciding what swim time to register:

0:50 – 1:20 : Super Fast (In contention to win the race and you swim competitively)

1:21 – 1:45 : Fast Enough (Still starting in the first 1/3 of the event)

1:46 – 2:10 : Average Swimmer (Swim well enough and don’t need to stop at the end of each lane)

2:11 – 2:44 : Novice (Still getting used to swimming in a triathlon)

2:45 – 4:59 : Complete beginner (I want to start at the back)

BIKE COURSE
The bike course reflects the varied terrain that defines riding in Western North Carolina. Athletes will experience a mix of smooth rural pavement and short unpaved connector sections that add variety and a sense of adventure without requiring technical riding skills. The course is scenic, engaging, and distinctly WNC.

The 13.5-mile bike course reflects the rolling and curvy terrain typical of Western North Carolina. The course is approximately 85% paved road, with two non-technical packed dirt/gravel service road sections totaling about 2 miles. This is not a mountain bike or trail course — it’s primarily a road ride with a bit of character mixed in.

Surface conditions can vary year to year. This is not your traditional aero-only triathlon course. It’s best suited for:

Road bikes with wider tires
Gravel bikes
Cyclocross bikes
Mountain bikes
This is a mostly road bike course (85%). The two 'off-road' sections are packed dirt/gravel service road (not technical trail) and riders should come prepared.

An e-bike division will be offered and scored separately.

RUN COURSE
The 5k course showcases the variety and character of the Kanuga trail system. Runners will experience a mix of single-track and double-track trail, forest road, and paved sections, creating a dynamic and approachable trail race. Gentle climbs are balanced with runnable flats, making the course engaging without being overwhelming. This blend of terrain offers something for everyone—whether it’s your first off-road race or you’re looking for a fun, scenic challenge.

The course cutoff will be 2 hours & 30 minutes from the swim start.

Includes finisher medal, free shirt until deadline, complimentary race photos and goody bag