French Creek TriFest (Triathlon & SwimFest)

We are excited to be back at French Creek State Park for our 14th edition of the French Creek Triathlon! Make it a family weekend...

Race in our Triathlon on Saturday and stay overnight for our SwimFest on Sunday with open water swim races, a SwimRun, and a kids' Splash and Dash!

The French Creek Triathlon & SwimFest includes the following:

• Sprint Triathlon

• Olympic triathlon, including Aquabike, Relay division, and Athena/Clydesdale

• Sprint and Olympic Duathlon

• Splash and Dash (adult and youth) - 250m open water swim, 1 mile run

• SwimFest - 800m, 1600m, and 5K open water swim events.

The French Creek Tri & Youth Splash and Dash are USAT Sanctioned events.

Custom awards to top 3 in each age group, in each event.
Free hot food buffet for all racers and volunteers.

We will follow the USAT Wetsuit rule of 78º temperature threshold. Should the water temperature exceed 78º, anyone wearing a wetsuit will not be counted in the official results.  Should the water temperature exceed 84º F, no wetsuits may be worn.  We will post the water temperature on our Facebook Page the week leading up to the race, and final temperature will be announced on race morning.

COURSES:

750m Swim
Sprint, 1 loop.  Olympic, 2 loops.  All swimmers certify that they are capable of completing the distance and have completed an open water swim previously.

12.1 Mile Bike
Sprint, 1 loop.  
Olympic, 2 loops (22.1 miles) - After loop 1, continue straight on Park Rd. instead of turning right to go back up the hill into transition.

Sprint: 5K Run & Olympic: 10K Run 
The run courses are approximately 1/2 paved trail and 1/2 gravel fire road. 

Sprint Duathlon: 1 mile run, 12.1 mile bike, 5K Run
Olympic Duathlon: 1 mile run, 22.1 mile bike, 10K Run

DIRECTIONS:

***Cell phone reception is very hit or miss at the park, so please don't count on it. The address of the park office is 843 Park Road, Elverson, PA 19520 (this may lead to the wrong location on some GPS routes). You can also Google Hopewell Lake - French Creek State Park Boat Rental is the start of the race and is very close to the parking area.

• Directions from the Philadelphia / King of Prussia area: Take 422 West past Pottstown to the first red light.  Turn left onto River Bridge Road.  Cross the bridge and make a right onto PA-724.  Follow 724 West for 0.7 miles, then turn left on Red Corner Road. After 2.1 miles, make a left at the stop sign onto Shed Road. After 2.0 miles, the road will come to a T. Turn left on PA-345 South, then a quick right on Park Rd into the actual Park. Continue on Park Road for 2 miles and you'll see Hopewell Lake on your left. Continue to the next left after the park office. Continue to the top of the hill and park near the swimming pool.
• Directions from PA Turnpike (points south and west): Take the Morgantown exit (298) of the PA Turnpike. Take I-176 North for 0.1 miles to exit 1A. Turn right on PA-10 North and follow for 0.5 miles. Turn right on Joanna Road. After 0.9 miles, turn right on Elverson Road. After 0.6 miles, make a slight left onto Hopewell Road. Hopewell Road turns to Park Road. Pass South Entrance Road. After 3.8 miles on Hopewell / Park, turn right before the park office. (If you pass Hopewell Lake, you went too far). Continue to the top of the hill and park near the swimming pool.

PARKING:

Parking will be available in the upper (Day use) lot at the park.  NO RACERS, SPECTATORS, WORKERS, SPONSORS, OR VOLUNTEERS MAY PARK ON ANY GRASS.  ANYONE CAUGHT PARKING ON GRASS WILL BE SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION FROM THE RACE.

NO REFUNDS and no rain date.  In the event of inclement weather, entries will roll into next year's race, or you may defer to another FCR event.  A registered athlete may request a deferral to next year's event if they do so at least 14 days prior to the event.  A nominal fee shall apply.

VOLUNTEERS: Interested in volunteering?  Email erin@frenchcreekracing.com and we'll find the perfect job for you. TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT, CLICK HERE!

French Creek Triathlon & SwimFest

May 17-18, 2025

Athlete Guide

There will be overall and age group awards for the top 3 M/F for each event as follows:

Sprint/Olympic/Duathlon Age Groups are as per USAT standards, 5 year increments (18U, 19-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70+).

Youth Splash & Dash (8U, 9-10, 11-12, 13-16)
Adult Splash and Dash (19U, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)
SwimFest (19U, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70+)

Overall winners are not eligible for age group awards.

TRIATHLON:

750m Swim

• Sprint, 1 loop.  Olympic, 2 loops.  All swimmers certify that they are capable of completing the distance and have completed an open water swim previously.

12.1 Mile Bike

• Sprint, 1 loop.  

• Olympic, 2 loops (22.1 miles) - After loop 1, continue straight on Park Rd. instead of turning right to go back up the hill into transition.

Sprint: 5K Run & Olympic: 10K Run 

• The run courses are approximately 1/2 paved trail and 1/2 gravel fire road. 

Sprint Duathlon: 1 mile run, 12.1 mile bike, 5K Run
Olympic Duathlon: 1 mile run, 24.2 mile bike, 10K Run

SWIMFEST:

• 5K Swim - 3 Loops
  

• 1 Mile Swim - 1 Loop
  

• 800m Swim - 1 Loop

  
  

French Creek Racing has reserved Group Camp 2, which is a series of primitive cabins, available for racers, spectators, and volunteers.  You can stay with us for the entire weekend.  Lodging is FREE all weekend for Volunteers. Any racers who wishes to stay at the park, can reserve lodging for a nominal charge of $20.  Please put your name(s) on the dates you will be staying with us on our SignUp.

Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0B4BA9A729A0F85-53534611-french#/

Packet Pickup:

For Triathlon Participants Only: You will be asked to select your packet pick up location during the registration process. The default pick up is Friday evening at French Creek State Park. Race Day pick up is available for a $5 add on fee.

• Thursday, May 15 - 5:15-7:00pm Trooper Open Water Location 1400 S. Trooper Rd. Norristown, PA 19403
• Friday, May 16 - 5:00-7:00pm French Creek State Park Boat Rental (Registration Tent)  **Default
• Saturday, May 17 - 5:00-6:30am French Creek State Park Boat Rental (Registration Tent)  **$55 ADD ON FEE APPLIES

Sunday SwimFest racers will simply check in on Sunday morning.

Pickup locations include: Lawrence Park Swim Club (Broomall, PA), Trooper Rd. Open Water Swim (Norristown, PA), and French Creek State Park Boat Rental (Elverson, PA), day use area.

Weekend Schedule:

Friday 5-7PM (and prior) Packet Pickup available

Saturday 5:00-6:45AM - Packet pickup available,  racers and general volunteers arrive.
Saturday 6:30AM - Upper road closes.
Saturday 6:45AM - Transition area closes.
Saturday 7:00AM - Olympic Triathlon begins in heats.
Saturday 7:08AM - Sprint Triathlon begins in heats.
Saturday 7:15AM - Duathlon begins.
Saturday 10:45AM - Approximate time for start of awards ceremony, Sprint Tri, followed by Olympic Tri

Sunday 7-8AM - Packet pickup for Sunday SwimFest and Splash&Dash
Sunday 8AM - 3 Mile Swim event
Sunday 8:15AM - Adults splash and dash
Sunday 8:30AM - Kids splash and dash
Sunday 10AM - 1 Mile Swim event
Sunday 11AM - 1/2 Mile Swim event
Sunday 12 Noon - Awards ceremony for all events.

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