Race Description
Established in 2017, the Lake Whatcom Triathlon is a USAT-sanctioned event and host of the WA State Age Group, High School and Club State Championships. The Olympic course includes a 1500-meter swim on Lake Whatcom, 40km bike ride along North Shore Drive and Y Road, and a 10km run around the trails of beautiful Whatcom Falls Park, with the transition area and start/finish lines at Bloedel Donovan Park. The race offers Olympic, Sprint, Aquabike and Kid’s Splash and Dash options. The event draws beginner to elite athletes, in individual and relay divisions, and includes an expo area for athletes and spectators.
Event Location
Start/Finish/Transitions - Bloedel Donovan Park
Event Schedule
Friday, July 11th, 2025
7:00 am - Swim course with marker buoys available to preview
4:30 pm - 7:00 pm: Packet Pickup at Bloedel Donovan Park
Saturday, July 12th, 2025 (RACE DAY) - Bloedel Donovan Park
5:00 am - 6:30 am: Transition Area Open - Olympic-Distance and Aquabike Athletes
5:00 am - 7:15 am: Transition Area Open - Sprint-Distance (please respect Olympic-Distance athletes who will be entering T1 after 7:15)
5:30 am - 7:15 am: Packet Pickup
6:45 am: Race Announcements at Finish Line - Olympic-Distance and Aquabike
7:00 am: Olympic Distance - Race Start - Wave start by age group
Aquabike - Race Start - About 1 minute after all Olympic-Distance Triathletes have started
7:45 am: Race Announcements at Finish Line - Sprint
8:00 am: Sprint Distance - Race Start - Wave start by age group
10:15 am: Splash and Dash pre-race announcements
10:30 am: Splash and Dash (All ages) - Race Start
11:00 am: Awards Ceremony - top Olympic, Sprint, Aquabike and Relay finishers announced
12:30 pm: All courses closed
Course Information
See the Course section of the site for maps and detailed directions.
Transition
Transition will be in the boat launch area again in 2025. The bike out and in ramp to Electric Ave will be closed to cars and all cars entering and exiting the park will utilize the (typical) entrance to the park. We will have cones and course marshals directing athletes. Overflow parking will still be on the grass field.
Wave Start Times 2025
Swim Caps with designated colors will be distributed at packet pickup according to wave start.
*Note: We are using USA Triathlon (USAT) rules for age groups, therefore you will be assigned to an age group based on the age you will be at the end of 2024.
If you are less experienced in open water and/or want to be extra visible to the safety crafts, white swim caps are available as an option.
Olympic Waves
(Subject to change - Final waves will be posted on Friday, July 11th)
Wave 1 - 7:00am
Elite/Open
Wave 2 - 7:02am
30-34 All Genders
40-44 All Genders
Relay
Wave 3 - 7:04am
45-49 All Genders
50-54 All Genders
55-59 All Genders
60-64 All Genders
65-69 All Genders
70-74 All Genders
Wave 4 - 7:06am
15-19 All Genders
20-24 All Genders
25-29 All Genders
35-39 All Genders
Aquabike Wave
Wave 5 - 7:08am
All Age Groups, All Genders
Sprint Waves
Wave 6 - 8:00am
30-34 All Genders
35-39 All Genders
40-44 All Genders
45-49 All Genders
Relay
Wave 7 - 8:02am
10-14 All Genders
15-19 All Genders
20-24 All Genders
25-29 All Genders
50-54 All Genders
55-59 All Genders
60-64 All Genders
65-69 All Genders
70-74 All Genders
75-79 All Genders
Awards
Awards will go to the top 3 overall female, male, non-binary, and relay team athletes, and to the top 3 female, male, and non-binary athletes in each age group.
Food Vendors
GirlNDog - Different types of cookies
Jalapeños - Chicken, pork, and beef tacos
Iconic Coffee Events - Coffee, espresso, and energy drinks
How to use your food vendor ticket: Inside your packet pick-up bag, you’ll find a food ticket worth $8 which can be used at any of our food vendors on race day. Additional purchases can be made with cash or card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. I live on Northshore Drive. Will the road be closed to traffic? Will I be able to get in and out of my house during the race?
A. Northshore Drive will not closed. Flaggers and Bellingham Police Department will be managing traffic from 7:00 am - 11:30 am. Cyclists will be traveling on Northshore from approximately 7:15 am - 11:30 am. You will be able to get in and out of your homes, however, it is safer for cyclists and residents to minimize entry and exit during that time. If you do enter or exit, please use caution when accessing Northshore.
Q. What is the lake temperature?
A. The current lake temperature measured by Glenn (July 11) was 72 degrees.
Q. Should I wear a race belt?
A. If you have a race belt we always recommend that for speed and ease.
We will also have some pins available at check-in if you forgot your race belt.
You only need the number for the run. There will be stickers in your packet for your bike and helmet, plus we will have body marking race morning.
Q. Can I switch my race length?
A. Yes, you can switch your race length. If you are switching from the Olympic to the Sprint you can do that at any time up to packet pick up - Just let us know when you are signing in. If you’d like to switch from Sprint to Olympic please send us an email at least a week before the race. You’ll be charged the difference between the two registrations at that time.
Q. I’m wondering about parking for the race. Are there alternative locations once the parking lot is full?
A. overflow parking will be available in the field next to the parking lot.
Q. Are power snorkels allowed in the swim portion?
A. USAT allows the use of power snorkels - however, you will not be eligible for awards.
Q. What is your wetsuit policy?
A. Wetsuits are allowed but not mandatory. We have several people who swim without one. We generally encourage them as they enhance safety and lead to faster swim times. If the water temperature were to go above 78 degrees Fahrenheit, USAT rules state no wetsuits would be allowed. This scenario is highly unlikely.
Registration Information
Time Cutoffs
| Time | Cutoff | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:45 am | Swim | All swimmers must be out of the water. |
| 9:00 am | Transition 1 | All cyclists must be out of T1. |
| 11:30 am | Bike | Bike course is officially closed. |
| 11:30 am | Transition 2 | All runners must be out of T2. |
| 12:30 pm | Run | Run course is officially closed. |
Refund Policy
Until June 1st we will issue a full refund minus 15% (to cover credit card processing and administrative fees), or allow you to transfer your registration to the following year. No refunds or transfers after June 1st.
Course Updates/Rules/Safety
USAT
One day membership was included with race registration so no additional payment is necessary.
All athletes must sign the USAT waiver (included in your online registration).
Swim
Swim caps are required
If you need help get the attention of a safety boat or paddle board, they can come to you.
It is ok to take a break with one of the safety boats.
Lake temperature is in the low 70’s - most recent measurement was 72 degrees
Bike
No headphones! (It is a safety thing for you to hear cars, other athletes, the flaggers, police and our volunteers - just do it).
No drafting
No littering
No riding your bike in the transition area, you cannot mount the bike until past the mount line just outside transition. The same line is the dismount line when you return to the park.
Your helmet must be buckled before you mount your bike.
Bike course signs are blue arrows and flour on the ground.
Stay to the right, unless passing on the left, once you make the pass, get back to the right.
You will (make a left turn towards North Lake Whatcom Park) and literally go to the very end of North Shore road to the turn around, please make sure your number is visible for the volunteer to see and write down your number.
Flaggers will be posted at each intersection and course marshals at a few key locations on course.
Olympic Racers will make a right turn at Y Road. There will be an aid station and course marshal directing you up the hill.
Sprint Racers will NOT make that right hand turn and instead continue on Northshore drive heading back the same way you came out.
(Olympic Only) SLOW DOWN as you come down Agate Bay Lane back to the lake, it is a tight 130 degree turn.
Be sure to say thank you to the aid station and course marshal volunteers - I know they love that you appreciate their work.
Run
No headphones! (It is a safety thing for you to hear other runners and volunteers).
No littering
Run course signs are red arrows and flour on the ground.
You will cross Electric Avenue to get into Whatcom Falls park, then it is all trail with a short sidewalk section along Woburn, but you will not cross any other streets than Electric Ave.
(Olympic Only) You will have an out and back leg that goes over the Alabama street bridge.
We will have course marshals at some key locations to help keep you on course, (they each have a course map too). If you think you’re off course, find one of the marshals and get back on course.
(Olympic Only) There is a volunteer at the turn around on the Railroad trail, make sure you have your number visible for them to see.
There will be 3 aid stations on the run.
For Olympic racers, you pass by your 1st and 2nd aid stations twice, giving you 5 aid opportunities total. The aid station at the top of the stairs (4th aid) will only have water and gels. Heed, Hammer Gel and Water will be available at all other aid stations.
For Sprint racers, you pass by your 2nd aid station (intersection) twice, giving you 4 aid opportunities total. The aid station at the top of the stairs (3rd aid) will only have water and gels. Heed, Hammer Gel and Water will be available at all other aid stations.
Be sure to say thank you to the aid station and course marshal volunteers - I know they love that you appreciate their work.
Transition
Athletes only in transition area. You will need to show your race number to enter and exit. Your race number must match any gear you are removing.
No nudity (if you need to fully change, use the restroom).
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JULY 12TH, 2025
