Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Triathlon
- Date Sat 29th August 2026
- Time 8:00AM CDT
- Location Fergus Falls, Minnesota
- Price Free - $175.00
- Races 3 races
- Distances 1 Mile
Last chance to enter
Race day is fast approaching
Event summary
Join us for the exhilarating Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Triathlon on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in the stunning Fergus Falls, Otter Tail area of Minnesota! This unique triathlon promises an unforgettable experience as participants navigate through the breathtaking waters, challenging hills, and rugged trails that define Minnesota's lakes country.
Athletes will embark on an action-packed day that includes a 1,000-yard swim in the serene Swan Lake, followed by an 18-mile bike ride featuring a mix of hilly gravel roads and flat pavement, and culminating with a scenic 4-mile trail run. Whether competing individually or as part of a relay team, participants can expect a rewarding challenge that emphasizes safety, community support, and fun. With a vibrant atmosphere including live music, food, and activities for the whole family, the Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Triathlon is the perfect event for both seasoned competitors and newcomers alike. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to test your limits and enjoy the beauty of nature!
Athletes will embark on an action-packed day that includes a 1,000-yard swim in the serene Swan Lake, followed by an 18-mile bike ride featuring a mix of hilly gravel roads and flat pavement, and culminating with a scenic 4-mile trail run. Whether competing individually or as part of a relay team, participants can expect a rewarding challenge that emphasizes safety, community support, and fun. With a vibrant atmosphere including live music, food, and activities for the whole family, the Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Triathlon is the perfect event for both seasoned competitors and newcomers alike. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to test your limits and enjoy the beauty of nature!
Organiser's Description
Swan Lake Resort & Campground is honored to host a gnarly race through the beautiful waters, formidable hills, and rugged trails of Minnesota lakes country. Our intent is to organize a safe and rewarding race experience for everyone.
TRIATHLON RACE SEGMENTS
Individual and Relay teams will complete:
* SWIM: 1,000 YARD
* Athletes will depart from a beautiful sandy beach into serene Swan Lake for a 1,000 yard swim around clearly marked buoys. The course features a maximum depth of 8 ft and typical August water temperatures hover around 70^0F. For participant safety, the swim segment will be closely patrolled by the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Department and Dalton Fire & Rescue.
* BIKE: 18 MILE
* The bike route offers a true dichotomy of terrain, with 60% hilly gravel roads and 40% buttery-flat pavement on the Central Lakes Trail, totaling over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Athletes will ride approximately 1/2 mile each way on County Road 29 to access and return from the main gravel roads and Central Lakes Trail loops. Safety is a priority on the county road, with clear signage at all turns, volunteers stationed at crossings, and potentially Sheriff presence to help manage traffic. An aid station at the halfway point in Dalton provides a welcome break after the demanding gravel section and is also a great spot for fans to cheer on athletes.
* TRAIL RUN: 4 MILE
* The run course is an out-and-back route that begins on the hiking trails at the resort & campground before emerging onto a gravel road that leads to additional trails and some serious elevation at Ugly Duckling Lodge, where athletes will enjoy scenic views of Swan Lake along the propertys extensive trail system. The course features a healthy mix of gravel road, prairie trail, and dense wooded paths. A small aid station will be located at the turnaround point at Ugly Duckling Lodge.
ALL GRIT, NO CHIP
This triathlon will be timed manually and casually. We plan to acknowlede Men's & Women's podium finishers, but don't expect to receive detailed time reports. If you are concerned with knowing your splits, plan to time them on your own with a device or friend. Speaking of time, the course is designed to be tough, so dont expect to move at pavement pace.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
* 7-9AM: athlete check-in
* 8AM: yoga on the beach
* 9AM: Kids Bike-N-Run race
* 9 athlete meeting
* 9 race start
* 12-3PM: live music, sauna, food & drink
SAFETY & MEDICAL SERVICES
Out of an abundance for caution, we've asked the OTC Sherrif's Water Patrol team to support athletes during the swim segment. On land, we've contracted with Ringdahl Emergency Medical Services for an ambulance and trained technician. In addition, we'll have several trained volunteers from Dalton Fire & Rescue to support on both land and water.
RELAY CAPTAINS
The captains of triathlon teams should register 1st, pick a team name, pay the full registration fee, and invite any remaining teammates.
USA TRIATHLON
Note that registration requires a USA Triathlon membership ID, which helps us organize a safe event and cover the cost of event insurance. A single-race membership is free for kids, $9 for relay athletes, and $14 for individuals. Its all integrated into the registration flow to minimize hassle. All youth participants receive a complimentary USA Triathlon membership.
KIDS DUATHLON BIKE-N-RUN RACE
The kids race will be a short gravel bike loop followed by a mini run on the resort & campground roads. The entire course is on property for kids to remain visible at all times. It'll be a casual, fun race for ages 2 through 12 and parents are welcome to assist the little ones.
We look forward to hosting an awesome event on our little slice of heaven. Whether youre racing or watching, we hope you leave feeling inspired and appreciative of what the human body is capable of.
Onward,
SWAN LAKE RESORT & CAMPGROUND
www.swanlake.camp [https://www.swanlake.camp] | 218-736-4626 | hello@swanlake.camp
TRIATHLON RACE SEGMENTS
Individual and Relay teams will complete:
* SWIM: 1,000 YARD
* Athletes will depart from a beautiful sandy beach into serene Swan Lake for a 1,000 yard swim around clearly marked buoys. The course features a maximum depth of 8 ft and typical August water temperatures hover around 70^0F. For participant safety, the swim segment will be closely patrolled by the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Department and Dalton Fire & Rescue.
* BIKE: 18 MILE
* The bike route offers a true dichotomy of terrain, with 60% hilly gravel roads and 40% buttery-flat pavement on the Central Lakes Trail, totaling over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Athletes will ride approximately 1/2 mile each way on County Road 29 to access and return from the main gravel roads and Central Lakes Trail loops. Safety is a priority on the county road, with clear signage at all turns, volunteers stationed at crossings, and potentially Sheriff presence to help manage traffic. An aid station at the halfway point in Dalton provides a welcome break after the demanding gravel section and is also a great spot for fans to cheer on athletes.
* TRAIL RUN: 4 MILE
* The run course is an out-and-back route that begins on the hiking trails at the resort & campground before emerging onto a gravel road that leads to additional trails and some serious elevation at Ugly Duckling Lodge, where athletes will enjoy scenic views of Swan Lake along the propertys extensive trail system. The course features a healthy mix of gravel road, prairie trail, and dense wooded paths. A small aid station will be located at the turnaround point at Ugly Duckling Lodge.
ALL GRIT, NO CHIP
This triathlon will be timed manually and casually. We plan to acknowlede Men's & Women's podium finishers, but don't expect to receive detailed time reports. If you are concerned with knowing your splits, plan to time them on your own with a device or friend. Speaking of time, the course is designed to be tough, so dont expect to move at pavement pace.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
* 7-9AM: athlete check-in
* 8AM: yoga on the beach
* 9AM: Kids Bike-N-Run race
* 9 athlete meeting
* 9 race start
* 12-3PM: live music, sauna, food & drink
SAFETY & MEDICAL SERVICES
Out of an abundance for caution, we've asked the OTC Sherrif's Water Patrol team to support athletes during the swim segment. On land, we've contracted with Ringdahl Emergency Medical Services for an ambulance and trained technician. In addition, we'll have several trained volunteers from Dalton Fire & Rescue to support on both land and water.
RELAY CAPTAINS
The captains of triathlon teams should register 1st, pick a team name, pay the full registration fee, and invite any remaining teammates.
USA TRIATHLON
Note that registration requires a USA Triathlon membership ID, which helps us organize a safe event and cover the cost of event insurance. A single-race membership is free for kids, $9 for relay athletes, and $14 for individuals. Its all integrated into the registration flow to minimize hassle. All youth participants receive a complimentary USA Triathlon membership.
KIDS DUATHLON BIKE-N-RUN RACE
The kids race will be a short gravel bike loop followed by a mini run on the resort & campground roads. The entire course is on property for kids to remain visible at all times. It'll be a casual, fun race for ages 2 through 12 and parents are welcome to assist the little ones.
We look forward to hosting an awesome event on our little slice of heaven. Whether youre racing or watching, we hope you leave feeling inspired and appreciative of what the human body is capable of.
Onward,
SWAN LAKE RESORT & CAMPGROUND
www.swanlake.camp [https://www.swanlake.camp] | 218-736-4626 | hello@swanlake.camp
Races
-
Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Triathlon - Individual Athlete
Sat 29th August 2026 (8:00AM CDT)
$110.00
Swan Lake Resort & Campground is honored to host a gnarly race through the beautiful waters, formidable hills, and rugged trails of Minnesota lakes country. Our intent is to organize a safe and rewarding race experience for everyone. -- Triathlon Race Segments -- Swim: 1,000 yard Bike: 18 mile Trail Run: 4 mile -- All Grit, No Chip -- This triathlon will be timed manually and casually. We plan to acknowlede Men's & Women's podium finishers, but don't expect to receive detailed time reports. If you are concerned with knowing your splits, plan to time them on your own with a device or friend. Speaking of time, the course is designed to be tough, so dont expect to move at pavement pace. -- Swim Details -- Athletes will depart from a beautiful sandy beach into serene Swan Lake for a 1,000 yard swim around clearly marked buoys. The course features a maximum depth of 8 ft and typical August water temperatures hover around 70^0F. For participant safety, the swim segment will be closely patrolled by the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Department and Dalton Fire & Rescue. -- Bike Details -- The 18 mile bike route offers a true dichotomy of terrain, with 60% hilly gravel roads and 40% buttery-flat pavement on the Central Lakes Trail, totaling over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Athletes will ride approximately 1/2 mile each way on County Road 29 to access and return from the main gravel roads and Central Lakes Trail loops. Safety is a priority on the county road, with clear signage at all turns, volunteers stationed at crossings, and potentially Sheriff presence to help manage traffic. An aid station at the halfway point in Dalton provides a welcome break after the demanding gravel section and is also a great spot for fans to cheer on athletes. -- Trail Run Details -- The 4 mile run course is an out-and-back route that begins on the hiking trails at the resort & campground before emerging onto a gravel road that leads to additional trails and some serious elevation at Ugly Duckling Lodge, where athletes will enjoy scenic views of Swan Lake along the propertys extensive trail system. The course features a healthy mix of gravel road, prairie trail, and dense wooded paths. A small aid station will be located at the turnaround point at Ugly Duckling Lodge. -- Safety & Medical Services -- Out of an abundance for caution, we've asked the OTC Sherrif's Water Patrol team to support athletes during the swim segment. On land, we've contracted with Ringdahl Emergency Medical Services for an ambulance and trained technician. In addition, we'll have several trained volunteers from Dalton Fire & Rescue to support on both land and water. -- USA Triathlon -- Note that registration requires a USA Triathlon membership ID, which helps us organize a safe event and cover the cost of event insurance. A single-race membership is $14 for individuals. Its all integrated into the registration flow to minimize hassle. -
Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Triathlon - Team Relay
Sat 29th August 2026 (8:00AM CDT)
$175.00
Swan Lake Resort & Campground is honored to host a gnarly race through the beautiful waters, formidable hills, and rugged trails of Minnesota lakes country. Our intent is to organize a safe and rewarding race experience for everyone. -- Triathlon Race Segments -- Swim: 1,000 yard Bike: 18 mile Trail Run: 4 mile -- Relay Captains -- Captains must register 1st, pick a team name, pay the full registration fee, and invite any remaining teammates. -- All Grit, No Chip -- This triathlon will be timed manually and casually. We plan to acknowlede Men's & Women's podium finishers, but don't expect to receive detailed time reports. If you are concerned with knowing your splits, plan to time them on your own with a device or friend. Speaking of time, the course is designed to be tough, so dont expect to move at pavement pace. -- Swim Details -- Athletes will depart from a beautiful sandy beach into serene Swan Lake for a 1,000 yard swim around clearly marked buoys. The course features a maximum depth of 8 ft and typical August water temperatures hover around 70^0F. For participant safety, the swim segment will be closely patrolled by the Otter Tail County Sheriffs Department and Dalton Fire & Rescue. -- Bike Details -- The 18 mile bike route offers a true dichotomy of terrain, with 60% hilly gravel roads and 40% buttery-flat pavement on the Central Lakes Trail, totaling over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Athletes will ride approximately 1/2 mile each way on County Road 29 to access and return from the main gravel roads and Central Lakes Trail loops. Safety is a priority on the county road, with clear signage at all turns, volunteers stationed at crossings, and potentially Sheriff presence to help manage traffic. An aid station at the halfway point in Dalton provides a welcome break after the demanding gravel section and is also a great spot for fans to cheer on athletes. -- Trail Run Details -- The 4 mile run course is an out-and-back route that begins on the hiking trails at the resort & campground before emerging onto a gravel road that leads to additional trails and some serious elevation at Ugly Duckling Lodge, where athletes will enjoy scenic views of Swan Lake along the propertys extensive trail system. The course features a healthy mix of gravel road, prairie trail, and dense wooded paths. A small aid station will be located at the turnaround point at Ugly Duckling Lodge. -- Safety & Medical Services -- Out of an abundance for caution, we've asked the OTC Sherrif's Water Patrol team to support athletes during the swim segment. On land, we've contracted with Ringdahl Emergency Medical Services for an ambulance and trained technician. In addition, we'll have several trained volunteers from Dalton Fire & Rescue to support on both land and water. -- USA Triathlon -- Note that registration requires a USA Triathlon membership ID, which helps us organize a safe event and cover the cost of event insurance. A single-race membership is $9 per relay athlete. Its all integrated into the registration flow to minimize hassle. -
Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Duathlon - Kids Race
Sat 29th August 2026 (9:00AM CDT)
Free
The kids race will be a short gravel bike loop followed by a mini run on the resort & campground roads. The entire course is on property for kids to remain visible at all times. It'll be a casual, fun race for ages 2 through 12 and parents are welcome to assist the little ones. -- USA Triathlon -- Note that registration requires a USA Triathlon membership ID, which helps us organize a safe event and cover the cost of event insurance. A single-race membership is free for kids and integrated into the registration flow to minimize hassle.
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Location
17463 County Highway 29, Swan Lake Resort & Campground, Fergus Falls, 56537, MN, United States
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Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Triathlon
