Heart O' Dixie Triathlon

The 46th edition of the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon will be held on Saturday June 20th, 2026 - during the Neshoba County Fair. The race begins at 6:30 a.m. with a 1/2 mile swim in Lake Tiak O’Khata in Louisville, MS -  followed by a 27 mile bike ride down hwy 15 into Philadelphia, MS -  it concludes with a 6.5 mile run finishing on the horse racing track at the historic Neshoba County Fairgrounds. The first Heart O' Dixie Triathlon was held in 1980 not long after the first modern swim/bike/run Triathlon event was held at Mission Bay in San Diego, California in 1974.  The Heart O' Dixie Triathlon is one of the longest running triathlons in the United States. We invite you to come experience one of the most unique, yet thrilling triathlons in the U.S.

COURSE RECORDS

Overall Times

Men's : Joseph Curro (1995) - 1:48:24; Swim - 10:18; Bike - 1:03:19, 26.1avg.; Run - 34:47, 4:59 pace

Women's: Deanna Frank (2001) - 2:00:53; Swim -12:07; Bike - 1:06:34, 24.8avg.; Run - 42:13, 6:02 pace

Individual Segment Times

Swim:

Bike: Tyson Pompelia (2018) and Jay McCurdy (2023) - 1:01:12, 27.0 mph

Run: Joseph Curro (1995) - 34:47, 4:59 pace

1. How do I get back to the start from the finish line?

• There will be transportation provided via bus at the conclusion of the Awards Program;

• Have someone come with you to the race and they bring your vehicle to the fairgrounds

• Catch a ride with friends or family.

• See "transportation" section on our website for full details 

2. What happens to my gear that I leave at the swim start during my swim/bike transition?

• • You have until 2:00 p.m. to retrieve that gear.

       

     

              

3. Can I register the morning of the race?

• NO, race day registration is not permitted.  Registration closes at the conclusion of the pre-race meeting, the night before the race. 

4. In the past, the athletes were able to pay for USA Triathlon licenses online and then sign the waiver at the Lake?

• If you are a USA Triathlon annual license holder, bring your license and a photo id. If you don't have a license on you, you must purchase one ahead of time or you will not be able to compete in the race.

• You must have a license to compete in the race.

• The one day license is $15/adult and yearly $10/child, payable before you race.

5. Do I need to bring a photo ID with my USA Triathlon license?
    - Yes, bring both 

6. What happens if I do not have a Photo ID?
    - you cannot pick up your race packet and you cannot race, no exceptions. 

7. Where is the best place to stay for the race?

     - Refer to the lodging tab on this website or reviews through web searching. 

8.How do I get my running gear to the bike/run transition area?

There will be a bag in your race packet that you will place in a trailer marked "bike/run transition".  The bag will have your number on it.  The race staff will transport this bag to the bike/run transition, and it will be waiting on you when you arrive and dismount the bike. (further explanation available at the race meeting) 

9. When will we pick up our timing chips?
The timing chips will be available on race morning (beginning at 5:15am) inside the Lake Tiak-O'Khata resort and you must show us your race number in order to get one. The only person allowed to pick up the chip is the racer themself 

10. Bike racks:

Swim/Bike Transition is marked with your race number.

The Bike/Run Transition is marked with your race number.

If your question is not on this page, please email your question to heartodixietriathlon@gmail.com

and also make plans to attend the pre-race meeting the night before the race at Lake Tiak-O'Khata.

PHILADELPHIA:

Dancing Rabbit Inn
Hwy 16 W
601.389.6600

Best Western Plus
15211 Hwy 16 W
601-656-9484 • 1.800.465.4329

Quality Inn 
1530 Hwy 16 W
601-656-3553• 1.800.424.6423

Pearl River Resort
866-447-3275

Western Motel
1011 Holland Avenue (Hwy 19S)
800-893-9126 • 601.656.1223

Save Inn
1026 W. Beacon Street
601-656-1221

Days Inn

10909 Holland Avenue
1-800-893-9134 • 601.650.3590

Super Inn & Suites
1526 Hwy 11W
800-806-6131 • 601.656.3166

Deluxe Inn & Suites
1004 Central Dr. (close to Hwy 16W)
1-800-976-3177 • 601.656.0052
 
LOUISVILLE:

Lake Tiak-O'Khata Resort
213 Smyth Lake Road
(888) 845-6151
(SWIM START AND PRE-RACE MEETING)

Best Western Red Hills Inn
201 Hwy 15 N
(662) 773-9090

Louisville Motel
724 S Church Ave.
(662) 773-6271

Village Inn
417 N Church Ave.
(662) 773-8031

SURROUNDING AREA:
Carthage, 24 miles west of Philadelphia
Forest, 40 miles southwest of Philadelphia
Kosciusko, 35 miles northwest of Philadelphia
Meridian, 35 miles south of Philadelphia

Drafting was legal from 1980 through 1989. From 1990 to present day, drafting is enforced as a time penalty by USAT rules.

Men's Champions

1980..............................................Vic Kelly 2:14:55

1981..............................................Vic Kelly 2:00:42

1982..............................................Vic Kelly 2:01:33

1983..............................................Mike Kirtley 1:56:57

1984..............................................Garry Castelli 1:56:19

1985..............................................Mike Kirtley 1:56:25

1986..............................................Banks Helfrich 1:45:54 - Course Record (Drafting)

1987..............................................Mike Kirtley 1:49:39

1988..............................................Garry Castelli 1:52:20

1989..............................................Mike Plumb 1:51:35

1990..............................................Jay Stiller 1:54:38

1991..............................................Jay Stiller 1:52:53

1992..............................................Mike Plumb 1:51:05

1993..............................................Mike Plumb 1:51:36

1994..............................................Joseph Curro 1:50:25

1995..............................................Joseph Curro 1:48:24 - Course Record (Non Drafting)

1996..............................................Mike Plumb 1:51:35

1997..............................................Mike Plumb 1:56:41

1998..............................................Chris Eschbach 1:51:05

1999..............................................Joseph Curro 1:53:51

2000..............................................Mike Plumb 1:54:11

2001..............................................Joseph Curro 1:51:33

2002..............................................John Noblin 2:01:55

2003..............................................Forrest Owens 2:00:00

2004..............................................Matt Winstead 1:57:19

2005..............................................James Curwen 1:58:18

2006..............................................Donny Forsyth 2:00:43

2007..............................................Tyler Stanfield 1:57:08

2008..............................................Madison Flowers 2:03:03

2009..............................................Felipe Bastos 1:57:23

2010..............................................Alex Woodard 1:54:23

2011..............................................Aaron Ainsworth 2:02:29

2012..............................................Nathan Davis 1:57:42

2013..............................................Victor Stanfield 1:57:56

2014..............................................Chuck Rose 1:59:10

2015..............................................Blake Lowery 1:58:59

2016..............................................Tyson Pompelia 2:02:04

2017..............................................Tyson Pompelia 1:59:02

2018..............................................Tyson Pompelia 1:55:36

2019..............................................Adam Leister 2:00:32

2021..............................................Daniel Wile 2:07:25

2022..............................................Allen Stanfield 2:00:19

2023.............................................Jay McCurdy 1:53:33

2024..............................................Jay McCurdy 1:52:52

2025..............................................Jay McCurdy 1:58:09

Women's Champions

1980..............................................Sara Anderson 2:48:02

1981..............................................Janet Holloway 2:29:10

1982..............................................Ann Wright 2:22:05

1983..............................................Elaine Gomez 2:18:47

1984..............................................Elaine Alritz 2:10:52

1985..............................................Lori Childress 2:24:59

1986..............................................Linda McCauley 1:59:39 - Course Record (Drafting)

1987..............................................Pam Bowen 2:02:34

1988..............................................Pam Bowen Cox 2:01:40

1989..............................................Lori Childress Lazarri 2:05:43

1990..............................................Pam Bowen Cox 2:07:10

1991..............................................Ann George 2:15:12

1992............................................. Ann George 2:11:51

1993............................................. Ann George 2:13:32

1994..............................................Therese Bynum 2:09:12

1995..............................................Mary Chamblin 2:14:27

1996..............................................M.C. Jerman 2:15:03

1997..............................................Lori King 2:10:46

1998..............................................Amy Davis 2:09:34

1999..............................................Deanna McDonald 2:12:12

2000..............................................Kate Hartley 2:10:10

2001..............................................Deanna Frank 2:00:53 - Course Record (Non Drafting)

2002..............................................Deanna Frank 2:05:52

2003..............................................Lori Goldweber 2:11:47

2004..............................................Ali Rutledge 2:13:05

2005..............................................Joy Johnson 2:14:45

2006..............................................Caroline Smith 2:14:25

2007..............................................Deanna Frank 2:10:21

2008..............................................Margot Hair 2:04:09

2009..............................................Kelly White 2:16:55

2010..............................................Jeanie Zelinski 2:13:32

2011..............................................Hallie Blunck 2:07:24

2012..............................................Leah Watters 2:09:53

2013..............................................Sara Gibson 2:12:53

2014..............................................Sara Gibson 2:11:45

2015..............................................Pam Cox 2:21:18

2016..............................................Mary Robinson 2:17:47

2017..............................................Mary Robinson 2:16:28

2018..............................................Anna Wile 2:16:41

2019..............................................Anna Wile 2:15:39

2021..............................................Megan Davis 2:24:11

2022.............................................Anna Wile 2:15:56

2023.............................................Courtney Ballard 2:17:56

2024.............................................Courtney Ballard 2:19:18

2025.............................................Sara Gibson 2:15:07

Top Neshoba County finisher (Dickey Nowell Award began in 1987)

1980..............................................Lee Dukes 2:30:55

1981..............................................Guy Nowell 2:37:51

1982..............................................Guy Nowell 2:37:39

1983...........................................................................NA

1984...........................................................................NA

1985..............................................Doug Sherriff 2:25:41

1986..............................................Doug Sherriff 2:20:33

1987..............................................John D. Williams 2:20:00

1988..............................................John D. Williams 2:09:48

1989..............................................John D. Williams 2:04:56

1990..............................................Chad Clark 2:34:49

1991..............................................John D. Williams 2:09:57

1992..............................................John D. Williams 2:06:40

1993..............................................Steve Murray 2:44:07

1994..............................................John D. Williams 2:07:05

1995..............................................John D. Williams 2:09:28

1996..............................................John D. Williams 2:02:54

1997..............................................Jess May 2:09:23

1998..............................................Ryan Nance 2:43:18

1999..............................................Ryan Nance 2:14:37

2000..............................................Anthony Steele 2:23:03

2001..............................................Ryan Nance 2:09:04

2002..............................................Shayne Martin 2:20:14

2003..............................................Shayne Martin 2:09:10

2004..............................................Temple Waddell 2:30:00

2005..............................................Richard Goldman 2:20:48

2006..............................................Richard Goldman 2:18:50

2007..............................................Jason Murray 2:19:54

2008..............................................Richard Goldman 2:21:43

2009..............................................Richard Goldman 2:10:44

2010..............................................Richard Goldman 2:12:51

2011..............................................Derek Crenshaw 2:13:37

2012..............................................Richard Goldman 2:09:06

2013..............................................Richard Goldman 2:08:39

2014..............................................Richard Goldman 2:14:34

2015..............................................Richard Goldman 2:06:43

2016..............................................Richard Goldman 2:07:32 (male)......Shannon Morrow 3:34:43 (female)

2017..............................................Richard Goldman 2:11:49 (male).......Kasey Gipson 3:20:54 (female)

2018..............................................Richard Goldman 2:11:52 (male)......Shannon Morrow 3:12:02 (female)

2019..............................................Richard Goldman 2:21:16 (male)......Crystal Bryan 2:54:19 (female)

2021.............................................Preston Breazeale 2:53:19 (male) ...Jerica Hazelwood 3:15:22 (female)

2022.............................................John Miller 2:38:44 (male) ................Crystal Bryan 3:10:58 (female)

2023.............................................Anthony Steele 2:19:00 (male)..........Crystal Bryan 3:02:18 (female)

2024.............................................Derek Crenshaw 2:11:12 (male)....... Julie Joiner 3:02:27

2025.............................................Derek Crenshaw 2:07:19

The Philadelphia Sertoma Club was originally formed in 1980 as a civic club made up of local businessmen with a desire to benefit the people of Neshoba County.  The Philadelphia charter was sanctioned under the parent organization, Sertoma International.  With a common goal of "service to mankind," both clubs, as well as many more throughout the United States, concentrate their focus on helping youth and children with speech and hearing impairments.  To raise money to assist the community, the Philadelphia Sertoma Club created a fundraiser to serve this purpose.  The Ironman World Championships began in 1978 in Hawaii and the club used that model to form the foundation of the Heart O' Dixie Triathlon. 

At that time, triathlons were a new activity and many in this area were unfamiliar with the sport.  One of the club members, Lee Dukes, a member of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness, suggested a triathlon for a fundraiser and so began the formation of the HOD Triathlon.  The club presented its 46th consecutive race in 2025 and the HOD remains one of the longest consecutive running triathlons in the contiguous United States.

The original race in 1980 was 35 miles from Louisville to Philadelphia, consisting of a .5 mile swim, 27.5 mile bike and 7 mile run and the most recent race in 2025 was the same way.  Today the club strives to put on an exciting, safe race for all participants in this point to point event and always looks for ways to make the race better year after year.  Over the last 46 years, the course remains unchanged! 

Friday, July 25th
4:00 - 7:00 PM: Packet pickup inside Lake Tiak-O' Khata Inn

6:30 PM: Pre-Race Meeting inside Lake Tiak-O' Khata Inn (highly encouraged to attend) 

Saturday, July 26th (RACE DAY)
5:15 AM: Chip and Packet Pick-up begins

5:15 to 6:15AM: Transition area opens 

6:30 AM: Race start

11:00 AM: Course Closes

11:00 AM: Awards Ceremony at the Neshoba County Fairgrounds

11:30 AM: Bus transport from Neshoba County Fairgrounds to Lake Tiak-O'Khata

2:00 PM: Transition areas 1 and 2 close, all swim gear and bikes should be picked up by this time.
 

The top 15 spots for both male and female participants will be seeded by the Race Director based on information from other races and previous HOD triathlon results; all others will start based on the order of registration. This is put in place to ensure the race operates as smooth and safe as possible, for ALL participants. 

You will keep the buoys to your RIGHT during the entire swim.

The swim is 1/2 mile.

Swim caps are not required but are recommended for safety. In the instance swim caps are provided by the race staff, they will be required to be worn by USAT.  Swim caps increase the ability of our water safety team to spot you in the effect that you need assistance. 

Mississippi's Giant Houseparty will open on the Friday before the race, welcoming visitors from all sections of the state and nation.

The Neshoba County Fair has been tabbed as “the nation’s last true remaining campground meeting,” and “the world’s largest campground meeting.”

Over 100,000 visitors are expected for this year’s event, including temporary residents of the fairground’s over 600 cabins and 575 campers.

The Heart O’ Dixie Triathlon, nationally known entertainers, horse racing on Mississippi’s only licensed race track, a rodeo, antique car show, flea market, livestock shows, beauty contest, talent contest and round-the-clock partying will highlight this year’s week-long festival of fun.

Click here for more information.

- A bus will be available for transportation back to the race start (Lake Tiak-O'Khata) for participants only. 

- The bikes, along with your belongings, will be left in the bike-to-run transition area until 2:00 p.m. 

- We will provide security at the bike-to-run transition area until 2:00 p.m. to ensure your bike is safe.

- Only the participant or someone assisting the participant (with proper race number documentation) will be allowed into the transition area to retrieve the bike. Every participant will receive a bike retrieval ticket in their packet. If you are not the participant, then you MUST present the race number or bike retrieval ticket of the participant. Upon exiting the transition area, you WILL be required to show the matching number with the bike that you are retrieving. If these numbers do no match then you will not be able to remove the bike. There are no exceptions to this process.  

- The bus will leave the finish line area of the fair grounds in route back to Lake Tiak-O'Khata (the race start) at the conclusion of the awards ceremony (approximately 11:30 a.m.) The bus will stop by the bike-to-run transition area on the way back to the race start so that you can retrieve your belongings.

- If you have any questions, please contact the race director at heartodixietriathlon@gmail.com.

The Heart O' Dixie Triathlon is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event and governed by USAT rules. If provided by USAT, referee will be on-site throughout the race to enforce the rules. Failure to adhere to these rules will result in a time penalty or disqualification. Your USAT license to participate in the event will be added during your online registration. If you already have a license or membership, you must present it at packet pick-up to prove its validity, along with a valid photo id or be prepared to pay for a one day license/youth membership.

USA Triathlon Competition Rules will apply. These rules are found in the Triathlon Competition Guidebook.
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon/About/Multis...

Rule Modifications for Physical challenged Athletes
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon/About/Multisport/Competitive-Rules#RuleModificationsPara

Most Common Rules Violations

https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Triathlon/About/Multis...

We are excited to announce that beginning in 2026 we will have professional race photography offered to all participants!

Our official race photographer will be... Weaver Images

Weaver Images will be offering individual photographs or package options available for purchase after the race. You will be bale to access the Weaver Images website through a link we will post on social media and our race website. 

They will be located through out all areas of the race course and finish line!