Triathlons in Illinois
Illinois has 23 upcoming triathlons scheduled for 2026. No single city dominates the calendar. Evanston leads with 3 races, followed by Springfield (3), Champaign (3), and Tremont (2). The remaining 52% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities. The list includes Chicago Triathlon in Chicago on August 15 — Olympic-distance triathlon.
Showing all 23
Triathlon
2026 Lake Zurich Triathlon
Lake Zurich, IL
Triathlon
2026 Lake Zurich Triathlon
July 11, 2026
Lake Zurich, IL
Triathlon
C-U Triathlon YMCA
Champaign, IL
Triathlon
C-U Triathlon YMCA
July 22, 2026
Champaign, IL
Triathlon
2026 Lake Springfield Triathlon
Springfield, IL
Triathlon
2026 Lake Springfield Triathlon
July 25, 2026
Springfield, IL
Triathlon
Wauconda Kids Triathlon
Wauconda, IL
Triathlon
Wauconda Kids Triathlon
July 25, 2026
Wauconda, IL
Triathlon
SuperTri Chicago Triathlon
Chicago, IL
Triathlon
SuperTri Chicago Triathlon
August 15, 2026
Chicago, 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.