Kanuga Triathlon

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 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 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)

SWIM COURSE LINK

Lake Safety & Swim Start

For everyone's safety, diving into the lake is not permitted. Athletes will enter the water feet first only from the dock.

Swimmers will line up at the swim start and cross the timing mat before entering the lake. After your timing chip is activated, step off the dock feet first and begin your swim.

The swim course is counterclockwise, heading out toward the dam and around two turn buoys before returning to shore. As you approach the finish of the swim, watch for the swim exit buoy marking your exit point on shore.

Please follow all instructions from race officials, lifeguards, and volunteers to help ensure a safe and enjoyable race for everyone.

Swim Rules + Open Water Readiness

The Kanuga Triathlon includes an open water lake swim. Participants should be comfortable swimming in open water before registering for this event.

If you are especially nervous about open water swimming, we encourage you to practice in open water before race day or consider completing a pool swim triathlon first. This is not meant to discourage anyone, but we want every participant to feel safe, prepared and confident when they enter the water.

Swim Safety

Lifeguards, kayaks and/or paddleboards will be positioned on the swim course. If you need assistance during the swim, raise your hand and a member of the safety team will come to you.

You may hold onto a kayak, paddleboard or safety boat to rest and catch your breath. You may not use a safety craft to make forward progress on the course.

If you are unable to continue, the safety team will assist you from the water.

Allowed

• Swim cap (provided)
• Goggles
• Any swim stroke
• Stopping to tread water, float or rest
• Holding onto a stationary safety craft for rest only

Not Allowed

• Wetsuits - SEE IMPORTANT UPDATE BELOW!
• Snorkels
• Fins
• Hand paddles
• Kickboards
• Pool noodles
• Life jackets
• Inflatable swim buoys
• Any flotation or propulsion device

WATER TEMPERATURE UPDATE: 8/3/26
We received our first water temperature update from Kanuga 8/3/26, and the lake is cooler than we anticipated! As of 9:30am on 8/3/26, the water temperature reading was 74.3°F.

Although the Kanuga Triathlon is not sanctioned by USA Triathlon, we are using its standard age-group wetsuit cutoff as our guide. If the water temperature is 78.0°F or below on race morning, wetsuits will be allowed.

Based on this reading, the cooler lake water may be working in your favor, and this race may actually be wetsuit legal!

We will continue monitoring the temperature throughout the week and posting updates in the Event Guide. The final wetsuit decision will be based on the race-morning water temperature.

If you have a wetsuit and want the option, bring it with you. Just remember: We are not Ironman, and we will not have wetsuit “strippers” waiting when you exit the water! You will need to remove it yourself in transition.

For this short swim, the decision is yours: Is the added buoyancy, speed and peace of mind worth the extra time it may take you to get out of your wetsuit?

We will keep you posted!

Water Depth

The swim takes place in Kanuga Lake. Water depth varies throughout the course and may change based on the lake level leading up to race day. Participants should assume they will not be able to stand during the swim and should be prepared to swim the full distance in open water.

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.

BIKE COURSE UPDATE - 8/3/26

We received a helpful tip from fellow racer Reece that Henderson Street recently had some big, chunky gravel added - and it is pretty gnarly, even by a HIGHLY experienced cyclist’s standards.

For everyone’s safety, we have removed the .4-mile Henderson Street section near Osceola Lake from the bike course. Instead, you will continue on Price Street and turn left onto Old Kanuga Road.

The Ride with GPS route and cue sheet have both been updated. Please make sure you download the updated Ride with GPS file and cue sheet before race day!

There are no water stations on the bike course - please plan to carry your own nutrition and hydration on your bike.

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.

Bike Course Cutoff

Athletes must return from the bike course by 10:15am to begin the run. Athletes returning after 10:15am will not be permitted to start the run. Overall course cutoff is 11:00am.

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

BIKE COURSE LINK

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.

A water station will be available on the run course at approximately Mile 1.5 and again at Mile 2.8. Water and Gatorade will be available at both locations to help keep athletes fueled and hydrated through the finish.

RUN COURSE LINK

COURSE CUTOFFS

The Kanuga Triathlon will utilize a time trial swim start beginning at 7:30 AM, with athletes entering the water individually at approximately 5-second intervals. The final athletes are expected to start the swim around 7:55 AM.

All athletes must be out of the water by 8:30 AM, complete the bike course and begin the run by 10:15 AM, and finish the race by 11:00 AM. Athletes who do not meet these cutoff times may be removed from the course for safety reasons.

The course cutoff is 11:00 AM.

Please note: We will have photographers on the course but we cannot guarantee photos of each participant.