Triangle Sprint & Mini-Sprint

The Triangle Triathlon offers 3 separate events: the traditional Sprint Triathlon, the Mini Sprint Triathlon for novice triathletes and/or those new to open-water swimming, and NEW for 2026 - a youth triathlon (Super Mini).

As our way of saying thank you for your service to our country, we would like to offer you a 25% discount on your race registration.  
At check out please enter coupon code USA2026
*Please present your military ID at packet pick up to validate your discount.
*Please note the military discount is not applicable with bundle pricing. 

For all practical purposes, the bike course is a "closed" course. There will be exceptions to this rule, but the Wake County Sheriff's department will be closing New Hill Holleman Rd. north of Sharon Harris Rd. and south at Avent Ferry Rd. - which is now one of two turnaround locations.

There are no deferrals or transfers allowed after 5/20/2023.

Registered participants are allowed to defer or transfer their race registration to another Set Up Events owned race at any time UP TO two weeks before race day.
Deferral & Transfer fee is $20.
There are no deferrals or transfers allowed the final two weeks before the event.

USAT Sanctioned: This event is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event.

Event officials reserve the right to pull a participant off the course if it appears as though that participant will not be able to complete the race in under 2 hours, 30 minutes.

Minimum Age: The minimum age allowed for participating in this event is 10 years old.

Timing System: This event will be timed using the MyLaps Bib TagTiming System. All run turn locations will have timing mats to verify completion of the course.

Cut-Off Times:

Cut-off times for completing each segment of the race must be enforced as it affects police and volunteers.

Sprint:

Swim: Participants must complete the swim in under 30 minutes from the start of the race
Bike: Participants must complete the bike in under 1 Hour - 45 minutes from the start of the race
Run: Participants must complete the run in under 2 Hours - 30 minutes from the start of the race

Mini-Sprint:

Swim:  Participants must complete the swim in under 25 minutes from the start of the race
Bike:  Participants must complete the bike in under 1 Hour - 20 minutes from the start of the race
Run:  Participants must complete the run in under 1 Hour - 45 minutes from the start of the race

In the event of inclement weather the following procedures will be followed:

The event will be postponed in hopes the inclement weather will pass. If the inclement weather does not pass in time to complete the event safely in the original or modified format, the event will be canceled. If the weather passes and the event cannot be held within the permitted time limits, the event will be changed to a duathlon format and possibly modified in length to meet these restrictions.

Every effort will be made to hold this event on time on this date. Should this event be canceled due to an Act of God or other circumstance beyond the race directors control there will be no refunds, credits, or transfers.

NO EXCEPTIONS will be made to this policy.

By registering for this event you agree to this weather policy.

These hotels are the closest to the race site - approx. 15' away from the race site
They are all located at the intersection of Hwy 1 & Hwy 55 in Apex.

1)    Holiday Inn Express 
      1006 Marco Dr. - Apex  - 27502
      833-441-1241

2)   Springhill Suites
      1100 Marco Dr. - Apex - 27502
      866-785-4930

3)  Candlewood Suites
    1005 Marco Dr. - Apex - 27502
    855-516-1090

*  Participants in the mini-sprint will follow the same initial course as the sprint distance participants. 
*  However, the Shearon Harris road segment will be eliminated for the mini-sprint participants reducing the distance by approximately 7 miles.
*  The bike course takes advantage of a combination of closed roads and lightly traveled roads.

We're implementing a new run course for 2024. Much of the course is the same as before but we have taken runners off much of the main park road - eliminating problems associated with outbound runners and returning bikers.

Except for a very small portion of the run at the start and finish, the run is almost entirely on hard packed dirt surfaces.

*  Wave Start
*  The swim is a 400 meters in Harris Lake. 
*  Participants will begin after all participants in the traditional Sprint event have started. 
*  The starting location is the same but participants in the mini-sprint will swim to the finish beach while remaining close to the shore to maximize participant's comfort and feeling
    of safety. It will be a point to point swim.  
*  A water temperature will be posted on Thursday of race week.

*      Exit Harris Lake County Park on main park road      
·      Go 1.2 miles and turn right at park entrance on New Hill Holleman Rd.
·      Go 1.1 miles to turnaround at Avent Ferry Rd.
·      Go 2.9 miles to turn-around at Sharon Harris Rd.
·      Go 1.85 miles and turn right into Harris Lake County Park
·      Go 1.2 Miles to bike finish

SPRINT TRIATHLON

Awards will be presented to the Top 3 finishers in each of the following categories:

Triangle Sprint Distance Participants:

*  Advanced (M & F)
*  Age Groups (M & F):15 & Under,16-19,20-24,25-29,30-34,35-39,40-44,45-49,
                                 50-54,55-59,60-64,65-69,70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 & Over
*  Clydesdales (Males - 220 Lbs +)
*  Athenas (Females - 165 Lbs +)
*  Novice (M & F)
*  AquaBike (M & F)
*  Relay Teams (1 category only)

MINI-SPRINT AWARDS:

Top 3 males & top 3 females

SUPER MINI YOUTH:

Top 3 males & females (7-8)
Top 3 males & females (9-10)

General Rules

NCTS rules state that once you compete in a particular race category in an NCTS race - you must remain in that same category for all future NCTS races in that calendar year. The exceptions to this rule are the Aquabike, Novice and Weight categories. You may begin the year as a Novice and then switch into another qualifying category (ie: Age Group, Clydesdale). For Weight categories (Clydesdale 220+ and Athena 165+) it allows for you to drop to Age Group if you go below the weight limit for the category - however you won't transfer any race results and awards to your new category.  If you switch to Aquabike you can switch back to your previous category at any time without penalty.

Below is a brief description of each race category:

Advanced - Category for Elite participants. These are typically the fastest people in the race and they compete on an Elite/Professional level.

Age Group - Participants competing in their age group.

Clydesdale - Category for men who are over 220 lbs.

Athena - Category for women over 165 lbs.

Aquabike - Category for participants doing the Swim and the Bike only. Your race ends when you cross the Bike Finish mat.

Novice - Category for beginner participants. Participants competing as a Novice have usually done less than 3 events. No age restrictions.

NOTE: You may fit into one or more of the above categories, so whichever category you choose to compete in is completely your choice. Choose the category that you feel you would have the most fun competing in.

"No Shirt/No Swag" Registration Option:

Participants racing as individuals have the option of registering for a race at a discounted price and NOT receiving the race shirt and any “swag” given away at the race. If you opt to do this, select the registration category that fits you (Age Group, Clydesdale, Athena, etc.), and when you get to the stage during this registration process where you pick your race shirt size – you’ll see a “No Shirt/No Swag” option – and the discounted amount.

Relay team members do not have this option. They will automatically receive race shirts.

Race Shirt Deadline: 

In order to receive a Race Shirt - participants must register no later than May 16, 2026.

Race Shirt Purchasing:

If you registered after the Race Shirt deadline - check at the finish line at the conclusion of the race. If any inventory remains, Race Shirts will be sold for $10.

• Relays can comprise of a 2-person (one person does 2 legs, and one person does 1 leg) or 3-person teams (each person does 1 leg of the event). Teams can consist of any mix of genders.
• EACH Relay member MUST pick up his/her own packet.
• EACH Member MUST have their photo ID and USAT card (if applicable) to pick up their packet.
• If a member is a minor (17 or under), then a parent/guardian must show an ID to get their packet.
• If a member turns 18 by the end of 2026 they are considered an Adult per USAT, thus they must pick up their own packet.
• If you need to replace a relay member you can e-mail us using the Contact Us button at the top of the page with the changes.
• If it is the week of the event and you need to make a change to a relay member then you can make this change at packet pick up.
• At packet pick up you will be given a sheet of paper that explains how the relays will work (chip handoff, tagging spot, etc.).
• If you are an individual that wishes to switch to a relay team, log into your profile and click on change category next to the event you wish to convert to a relay. It will walk you through the steps to change from an individual to a relay.

The new run course was changed for the 2024 race. The new course keeps runners off much of the main park road - eliminating problems associated with outbound runners and returning bikers.

Except for a very small portion of the run at the start and finish, the run is almost entirely on hard packed dirt surfaces.

*      Exit Harris Lake County Park on main park road      
·      Go 1.2 miles and turn right at park entrance on New Hill Holleman Rd.
·      Go 1.1 miles to turnaround at Avent Ferry Rd.
·      Go 2.9  mlles and turn left on Sharon Harris Rd.
·      Go 3.55 miles to turn-around location at Reclamation Rd.
·      Go 3.55 miles and turn right on New Hill Holleman Rd.
·      Go 1.85 miles and turn right into Harris Lake County Park
·      Go 1.2 Miles to bike finish

*  Wave Start
*  The swim is a 750 meters in Harris Lake. It will be a point to point swim.
*  The start and finish of the swim are about 400 yards apart.
*  A water temperature will be posted by 9pm on Thursday of race week.

Most Commonly Violated USAT Rules:

Most Common

Blocking

Drafting

Position

USAT Identification:

ALL USAT members must show proof of a current membership at packet pickup. If you have recently renewed a membership, then you MUST print out a temporary card or receipt of payment (that shows the length of the membership period) to show at packet pick up. We will not take your word for it that your membership is current; you must SHOW us. Failure to do so will result in having to pay the one-day fee of $15.

CLICK HERE to be taken to the USAT website where you can renew your membership or print out a temporary card. You can also renew your membership at packet pick up if that's easier for you.

If I entered my USAT information when I registered, then why do I need to show my card at packet pick up? USAT rules state that all USAT members must show a valid membership card at packet pick up and failure to do so will result in having to pay the 1-day fee. Our events are sanction by USAT, therefore, we must follow these rules. Our website is not connected to USAT's website, so the information that you enter when you register could be incorrect. We must physically document the current expiration date of your membership when you pick up your packet as this is the only way we can confirm 100% that your membership is in fact current.

USAT's "Age Up" Policy:

An athlete's age for any USAT sanctioned race will be his/her age as of Dec. 31, 2026. The age he/she is on 12/31 will determine his/her racing age group. If an athlete is due to "age-up" into the next group, it will happen at the beginning of the year, not after the athlete's birthday. This action aligns regular U.S. age group racing with the method used by USA Triathlon for its National Rankings Program.

Examples:

John Smith is 39 and will turn 40 on November 20, 2026. John will be considered 40 for all 2026 races - and will race in the 40-44 age group at all 2026 races.
Sally Jones is 29 and will turn 30 on July 3, 2026. Sally will be considered 30 for all 2026 races - and will race in the 30-34 age group at all 2026 races.

USAT Wetsuit Rules:

*  Water temperature 78 degrees or lower - wetsuits legal
*  Water temperature 78.1 - 83.9 degrees - wetsuits optional (not eligible for ranking points or awards)
*  Water temperature 84 degrees or higher - wetsuits are not allowed

USAT rules state that competitors may wear wetsuits if the water temperature is 78 degrees or lower. 
USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is between 78.1 – 83.9 degrees, competitors may wear wetsuits but will not be eligible for awards or USAT ranking points.
USAT rules also state that if the water temperature is 84 degrees or higher, wetsuits may not be worn.

Registration opens - November 1, 2025

Super Mini Youth:  7:00 am

Sprint:  7:30 am

Mini-Sprint:  7:45 am

Sprint:

Swim: 750 Meters 
Bike: 25K
Run: 5K

Mini-Sprint:

Swim: 400 Meters  
Bike: 8.25 Miles 
Run: 1.5 Miles

Super Mini Youth:

Swim:  100 Yards
Bike:  2.5 Miles
Run:  1K

Packet pick-up on Friday is ONLY at Inside-Out Sports - there is no packet pick-up on Friday at the race site.
Packet pick-up on Saturday is ONLY at the race site.

1)  Location:

Inside-Out Sports, 2002 Grisdale Lane, Cary 
919-466-0101
(Intersection of Cary Parkway & James Jackson in the Preston Walk Shopping Center)

Day/Times:

Friday, May 29th:  3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

2)  Location:   

Race Site - Harris County Park - 2112 County Park Dr. - New Hill, NC 27562

Day/Times:

Saturday, May 30th:  5:45 AM - 7:00 AM

Important things to remember :

•   A photo ID is required for packet pick-up.
•   Cash, Check or Credit Card are accepted.
•   All participants must pick up their own race packet. (Including all relay team members)

PARTICIPANT MEETING:

We will no longer be holding in person participant meetings the night before races.
We will now be posting a participant video on the website a few days before the race that will take the place of the in person meetings.