The Gateway to the West … 10 Triathlons in and around Missouri and Illinois
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Time to read 5 min
St. Louis has played a significant role in U.S. history as a gateway to the west, a hub of commerce, a city of cultural importance, and home to some great triathlons. Founded in 1764 by French fur traders, it became part of the United States in 1803 with the Louisiana Purchase.
The city gained prominence as the starting point for the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804, helping to open the American frontier. Now that your brief history lesson is over, why should someone do a triathlon in St. Louis? Beyond its rich history, St. Louis offers a fantastic setting for endurance athletes. The city’s proximity to the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers provides a unique backdrop for the swim leg, while its rolling hills and scenic parks—such as Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country—make for a beautiful yet challenging bike and run course. Plus, the city’s passionate sports culture, from the Cardinals to the Blues, means there’s always an energetic and supportive crowd.
Missouri is a big state, with Kansas City on the Western side (yes, bordering Kansas) and St. Louis on the Eastern side bordering Illinois. St. Louis to Chicago (in the upper right corner of Illinois) is roughly a 4-5 hour drive, and there are a lot of triathlons in between so we’ll feature a few of those also below.
May 18 th – Lake Lou Yaeger Triathlon
Litchfield, Illinois
https://www.mseracing.com/lakelouyaegertri
Start the season off with the the inaugural Lake Lou Yaeger Triathlon in Litchfield, Illinois! With multiple race options available, athletes will kick off with a beach start in the beautiful Lake Lou Yaeger, followed by a scenic bike ride through flat, picturesque country roads. The run portion takes you on a stunning tour of the lake area, winding through campsites and offering breathtaking views of the water and surrounding nature.
May 18 th – Kansas City Triathlon
Kansas City, MO
https://www.trisignup.com/Race/MO/KansasCity/KCTriathlon
The Kansas City Triathlon is the largest and one of the most renowned triathlons in the region, attracting both novice and veteran triathletes. For novice and veteran triathletes there will be a time trial swim start. The bike and run is a closed, flat and fast course. The race is early in the season which has a good probability of being wetsuit legal.
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June 7 th – Innsbrook Triathlon
Innsbrook Resort, MO
https://www.mseracing.com/innsbrook-triathlon
Go and race in the most beautiful venue near St. Louis! Innsbrook Resort ( https://innsbrook-resort.com ) is full of breathtaking views, lakes, and wooded acres. The race is starting at Lionshead Beach on Lake Aspen! It is a gorgeous, sandy beach start. Swim in the lake, bike on gentle rolling hills surrounding the resort, and run on part gravel, part pavement as you take in the scenery.
June 8 th – Innsbrook Kids Triathlon
Innsbrook Resort, MO
https://www.mseracing.com/innsbrook-kids-triathlon
If you have a child, and they have any interest in triathlon you have to take them to the 5th annual USAT sanctioned Innsbrook Kids Triathlon! Innsbrook Resort is full of breathtaking views, lakes, and wooded acres.
The swim takes place at the spectator friendly Charrette Creek Commons pool and then off to the flat and fast bike course! Your youth athlete will ride on scenic paved roads partially closed to traffic with plenty of volunteers along the course and clearly marked turns.
Then onto the fun run! It is also FLAT and is half pavement, half on a shady gravel trail.
NOTE: There’s also a kids triathlon in September (see below). For more information on kids triathlons visit USA Triathlon’s website - https://www.usatriathlon.org/multisport/youth
June 29 th – Lou Fusz Subaru St. Louis Triathlon
Maryland Heights, MO
https://www.mseracing.com/stl-triathlon
In partnership with St. Louis County Parks, the beautiful City of Maryland Heights, and MoDOT – come race the fastest, most electrifying triathlon in the Midwest. This is a USAT Sanctioned Event. Taking place at the scenic and local favorite, Creve Coeur Park, the Lou Fusz Subaru St. Louis Triathlon is ideal for both veterans, and those new to the multi-sport experience.
July 20 th – Ballwin Triathlon
Ballwin, MO
https://www.mseracing.com/ballwin-triathlon
27 years of fun, in partnership with the City of Ballwin, race the iconic 27th annual Ballwin Triathlon. The USAT sanctioned Ballwin Triathlon is a 300-yard pool swim, 9-mile bike, and 3.4-mile run. If you are fast, blink and it’s over! This race is very popular and fills up to capacity almost every year. Wave start times are available on a first come, first serve basis so be sure to secure your spot early if a certain start time is important to you.
July 26 th – Lake Springfield Triathlon
Springfield, IL
https://www.mseracing.com/lake-springfield-triathlon
In the wake of the Civil War, Springfield helped give birth to the Wild West era. In July 1865, the town square was the site of the nation's first-recorded shootout.
Welcome to Abe Lincoln's home town! The Lake Springfield area is a gorgeous setting and we love the dock swim start, the bike on quiet country roads, and the run is interesting and fun. And Abe himself will race with you, top hat and all, and hand you your medal!
Springfield is a city in southwestern Missouri. The Discovery Center of Springfield has interactive science exhibits on topics from DNA to dinosaurs. To the north, Dickerson Park Zoo features animals from around the world, plus train rides. Trams run through a cave filled with stalagmites and flowstones at Fantastic Caverns. The Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park has trails and botanical gardens.
August 17 th – 370 Lakeside Triathlon
St. Peters, MO
https://www.mseracing.com/370-lakeside-triathlon
Join an amazing group of triathletes for the 5th annual USAT sanctioned 370 Lakeside Triathlon! This race begins with a beautiful beach start at 370 Lakeside Park. Enjoy the lake swim, scenic fast bike course on the country roads of St. Charles County and finish your race with a run on the flat park trails. The race offers a variety of race options from a 5k run, super sprint or sprint for newbies, up to half distance!
September 14 th – Ballwin Kids Triathlon
Ballwin, MO
https://www.mseracing.com/ballwin-kids-triathlon
In partnership with the City of Ballwin, come race the fun USAT sanctioned 18th annual Ballwin Kids Triathlon. This is the chance for our youngest athletes to get to experience a triathlon in this scaled down race.
If you didn’t already know it, the Scouts of America has a new merit badge for multisport and triathlon.
September 21 st – Carlyle Lake Triathlon
Carlyle, IL
https://www.mseracing.com/carlyle-lake-triathlon
In partnership with Carlyle Lake, the City of Carlyle, Il, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, welcome to the Carlyle Lake Triathlon.
Experience an exciting rolling beach start for the beautiful Carlyle Lake swim, transitioning to a flat, scenic bike course over the plains of Illinois. The run takes you on rolling country roads to finish coming over the spillway at the end with a view of the largest man-made lake in Illinois. With multiple distance options to choose from, there is sure to be an event for every type and skill level of triathlete.
You'll revel in the famously flat and fast roads of Carlyle, the view over the spillway of the dam, and much, much more!