Mad River Triathlon is a four-sports event set in picturesque Mad River Valley, VT.

The running race starts at the Warren School and follows the Mad River Path and VT 100. Racers will follow footpaths along the River and the shoulder of the road for 5 miles to the start of the paddling leg at Lareau Swimming Hole in Waitsfield. 

Transitioning to canoes and kayaks (or anything else that floats) racers will paddle 6 miles of fast-moving water, interspersed with class I and occasional II rapids to the takeout on Meadow Road and the beginning of the biking leg.

A 10-mile-long bike leg consists of gravel roads, single track, unimproved forest roads,  and pavement. The bike leg brings racers to the base of Mount Ellen for the final AT ski event.

The ski event will consist of skinning up Mount Ellen and skiing down to the finish line. 

 

Registration includes food and a drink following the event.  Join us for festivities at Mt. Ellen at the conclusion of the triathlon!

 

Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days before the event - full refund minus a 10% administrative fee

15-29 days before the event - 50% refund

Less than 14 days before the event - No Refund. 

 

Inclusivity:

The race organizers are making every effort to create an inclusive event, by allowing different kinds of equipment, providing equipment that people may not commonly own (boats and paddling gear), allowing racers to choose the legs they wish to participate in, offering a broad range of race categories and accommodations for adaptive athletes. Additionally, if you cannot afford the registration fee, just let us know.  We offer a sliding scale based upon need.

 

Race Categories:

Individual 

Individual - Take on the whole event as an individual.

Adaptive - We are encouraging as many adaptive athletes as possible.  See below for specific instructions and accommodations.

Kids - Wrap up the whole event with an awesome race experience for kids!

 

Team

Team racing together - Complete the whole event as a group… nobody left behind!

Relay team - Teams of 2-4 work together to complete the entire course.

 

Taster - just interested in doing one leg of the race?  Here's your category!

Run Leg

Paddle Leg

Bike Leg

AT Ski/Ride Leg

 

 

For Adaptive Athletes:

The following accommodations are available:

• Running leg can be done on a bike
• A guided raft for taking the athletes down the river
• Snowmobile transport up Mount Ellen

Please contact the race organizers if you need additional accommodations

 

Kids Race

A kids race (ages 0 - 12) will start immediately after the conclusion of the main event at the base of Mount Ellen and will consist of a bike obstacle course followed by an uphill run to a downhill ski event. Parents will be able to assist their children with transitions

 

Equipment 

Paddling:

Tandem and Solo Canoes, kayaks, SUP and inflatables are allowed. Life jackets are required, flotations are recommended for hard-shell boats. Helmets required for kayaks and suggested for all craft.

Biking:

Gravel or Mountain bikes are recommended. Depending on the trail conditions and your bike, you may have to run-a-bike for the single track and forest road portions. Helmets are required.

Skiing:

AT, telemark skis or split boards with skins are recommended. You can also combine snowshoes with skis, or climb and ski down on Nordic skis.

 

Course variations

The race course will be fine-tuned to the trail, river and snow conditions on the day of the race.