Triathlons in Illinois
Illinois has 19 upcoming triathlons scheduled for 2026. No single city dominates the calendar. Evanston leads with 3 races, followed by Naperville (2), Columbia (2), and Olney (2). The remaining 53% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities. The list includes Chicago Triathlon in Chicago on August 15 — Olympic-distance triathlon.
Showing all 19
Triathlon
2026 Naperville Sprint Triathlon
Naperville, IL
Triathlon
2026 Naperville Sprint Triathlon
August 1, 2026
Naperville, IL
Triathlon
Booster Bash Tri & 5K
Salem, IL
Triathlon
Booster Bash Tri & 5K
August 1, 2026
Salem, IL
Triathlon
MTC Zilla Tri Youth Event
Columbia, IL
Triathlon
MTC Zilla Tri Youth Event
August 2, 2026
Columbia, IL
Triathlon
2026 Naperville Sprint Triathlon
Naperville, IL
Triathlon
2026 Naperville Sprint Triathlon
August 2, 2026
Naperville, IL
Triathlon
SuperTri Chicago Triathlon
Chicago, IL
Triathlon
SuperTri Chicago Triathlon
August 15, 2026
Chicago, IL
Triathlon
The Forge Gravel Triathlon
Lemont, IL
Triathlon
The Forge Gravel Triathlon
August 15, 2026
Lemont, IL
Triathlon
North Shore Youth Triathlon
Evanston, IL
Triathlon
North Shore Youth Triathlon
August 22, 2026
Evanston, IL
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard triathlon distances?▾
The main distances are Sprint (750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run), Olympic (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run), Half-Ironman/70.3 (1.2mi swim, 56mi bike, 13.1mi run), and full Ironman (2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run). Browse all distances on RACE.
What do I need for my first triathlon?▾
At minimum you need a swimsuit, goggles, a road or tri bike, helmet, running shoes, and a race belt for your number. Many beginners start with a sprint triathlon, which can be completed in 1-2 hours.
What is the difference between sprint and Olympic triathlon?▾
A sprint triathlon is roughly half the distance of an Olympic triathlon. Sprints typically take 1-1.5 hours while Olympic distance races take 2-3.5 hours. Sprints are ideal for beginners.
How do I qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship?▾
Athletes qualify by earning a slot at an IRONMAN-branded qualifying race. Each full IRONMAN event allocates slots to age group winners. The World Championship is held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
What are the biggest triathlons in the US?▾
The SuperTri Chicago Triathlon is the largest single triathlon event with 8,000+ athletes. IRONMAN events in Texas, Florida, Lake Placid, and Arizona draw thousands. Escape From Alcatraz is a bucket-list race. Find them all on RACE.