August Triathlon: Olympic & Long Course (70.4 miles)
Experience one of the Southwest’s best venues. This local, family-run event was founded in 1984 and is the 5th oldest triathlon West of the Mississippi River. The race course includes breathtaking views of the San Francisco Peaks, Lake Mary, and Mormon Lake. It takes place right after the monsoon season with flora in full bloom. Medals for all finishers, handcrafted awards, food, fun, and a great course. The Upper Lake Mary boat docks are about ten miles south of Flagstaff, AZ on Lake Mary Road at mile post 333.
The Course – Check Maps Below for Details
Distances
- Olympic Race: 1500 m Swim, 40 km Bike, and 10 km Run
- Long Course Race (70.4 miles total): 1900 m Swim, 56.1 mi Bike, and 13.1 mi Run
The Swim
This is the City of Flagstaff Reservoir: Upper Lake Mary. Average lake temperature is 67-72° F. Wetsuits OK. Rolling time trial start. Long Course swim cutoff: 1 hour 10 minutes. Swim courses start at the North Dock (near transition), travel clockwise around triangle turn buoys, and finish at the North Dock (same) up into the transition area.
The Bike
Olympic is an out and back on Lake Mary Rd. One aid station for Olympic and 3 aid stations for Long Course. Long Course goes out Lake Mary Rd. then right on Mormon Lake Rd (Olympic continues straight), through the town of Mormon Lake, then turns right on Lake Mary Rd. Turnaround just before the Discovery Telescope near Happy Jack. Stay on Lake Mary Rd. all the way back into transition.
Beautiful vistas of lakes, mountains, and forest. Long Course has some hills with nothing bigger than a 395 ft climb, and great views of San Francisco Peaks. Long Course bike cut-off is 5:15 after the last swimmer starts. You will not be allowed to start the run if you enter transition past this time. Race numbers must be attached to your bike frame. Cyclists are personally responsible for the proper working condition of their bike. Bike helmets are required.
The Run
Out and back run on paved roads along beautiful Lake Mary. Courses climb a decent hill (~ 1 mile and 385′ climb) and are otherwise flat. Race numbers must be worn and visible from the front. Water aid stations are every 1.5 miles. Run defensively and follow all instructions of safety personnel. Traffic will not be stopped for this event, except at the intersections and turnarounds, and then at the discretion of the safety personnel. Run elevation graph HERE.
The Rules
This is a USAT-sanctioned event. It is an athlete’s responsibility to know the course and know the rules. Take a few minutes to review the videos and most common rules to know on USAT’s website.
Be sure to review the course maps below, and we recommend driving the course if you have not done a Mountain Man race before.
You must be an annual member and have your membership card with you OR pay a one-day event fee of $15 at packet pickup. You may also purchase it online through a USAT.
USA Triathlon offers an Adult ($50) and Youth ($10) Annual Membership. This 12-month membership eliminates the requirement to purchase one-day memberships for any USA Triathlon sanctioned event and comes with exclusive sponsor discounts from USA Triathlon Partners. You can purchase annual memberships when you register, or separately through USAT.
Event Details
Packet Pick-Up
Online registration closes on Friday at 3:00 PM. No race day registration, but in-person registration is available at packet pick-up sessions.
- All athletes must present a picture ID to pick up their packet.
Pick up your packet at one of the following sessions:
- Friday 8/15 Packet pick-up at Single Track Bikes located at 575 W. Riordan Rd., Flagstaff – 4:00-6:00 PM. No info sessions, just a quick pick-up and run.
- Saturday 8/16 Packet pick up, info session, and Q&A at race site from 2:00-4:30 PM (Upper Lake Mary Day Use Area/Docks). Race Director Talk at 4:00 PM – highly recommended for all new/first-time triathletes.
- Timing chips will be distributed on race day at the main ramada above the transition area. Be sure to take your run bib to verify your race number with your timing chip number.
For the one or two who can’t make it, please get your packet on event morning BEFORE 5:30 AM.
Triathlon clubs are welcome to set up a tent next to the transition area. Please contact us if you are planning to do so.
Race Fees/Registration
Early registration makes logistics easier and more cost-effective for us, so the earlier you register the less you pay. Look for early bird prices and holiday promotions November-January!
Prices increase incrementally on 2/1, 3/1, 5/1, 6/1, 7/1, and 8/7. Olympic: $115-$180 and 70.4: $160-$250.
Online registration closes on 8/15 at 3PM. No race day registration, but in-person registration is available at packet pick-up sessions.
Cancellation Policy, Transfers, and Insurance
You can manage and Self-Edit your registration information through ACTIVE up until a week before the event, transfer to another participant until 2 weeks before an event, and transfer categories up until a week before the event. Click the Cancellation Policy above to review the policy for cancellations that can not be accomplished by editing in Active.
COVID-19 Mitigation Guidelines
Parking
FOR SATURDAY PACKET PICK UP AND RACE DAY:
Athletes using the south parking lot Friday, Saturday, and Sunday will be required to pay the parking fee at the kiosk. The automated fee machine (credit cards only, no cash) is located at the center entrance and fees are: daily $10/ vehicle, weekly $15/ vehicle. Receipt should be displayed on dashboard. The annual Coconino National Forest Red Rock Pass ($20) might be a good option for some folks and is sold at the Lake Mary Country Store. America the Beautiful passes are also honored and should be displayed on dashboard.
You can also park along Lake Mary Rd. free of charge, but be sure to park completely off of the pavement/asphalt, and not in areas that have traffic cones or no parking signs – you may receive a ticket for parking on the pavement or restricted areas. This is for the safety of participants, spectators, and drivers. Sunrise is approximately 5:45 AM, so you may want a flashlight for walking to transition.
Schedule of Events & Logistics
Transition: Opens at 5:30 AM, and closes 15 minutes prior to your swim start. Only athletes allowed in transition. Please be kind and aware of other athletes at all times in transition.
Swim Times and Format:
- 6:30 AM – Rolling start for all 70.4 Long Course categories. Self select your placement in line. Timing chip starts when you cross the timing mat just before you walk into the water.
- 6:45 AM – Rolling start for all Olympic Categories
Awards
Awards ceremonies are contingent on results posting, but we aim to host them at approximately 10:45 AM (Olympic), 1:00 PM (70.4 Overall/Master’s Winners).
Course Closure
For the safety of our athletes and volunteers we must adhere to the timing coordinated with permitting and safety personnel. The swim course closes after 1 hour and 10 minutes, the bike course closes after 5 hours and 15 minutes, and the run course closes by 3:00 PM. If an athlete is still on one of the courses at these cutoff times, then they will be asked by volunteers or staff to exit the course, and turn in their timing chip.
Know the Course: Map and aid stations
Be sure to take a close look at course maps (Long Course, Olympic). There is an aid station at the bike out/run out of transition. There are no additional aid stations on the Olympic bike course. There are aid stations at approximately mile 14.2 (water and Gatorade drink bottles to grab, and GU Gels), and mile 30 at the turnaround (water and Gatorade bottles and GU Gels), and mile 45 of the Long Course bike. There is now an Olympic aid station at mile 14. There are run aid stations approximately every 1.5 miles on the run courses with water, electrolyte drinks, gels, and salty snacks.
While there will be volunteers and Rangers to help stop traffic, Lake Mary Road is open to traffic, and it is the racer’s responsibility to follow all course signs and rules of the road. Please ride, run, and drive safely.
Race Results
2024 RESULTS
2023 RESULTS
2022 RESULTS
RFID Race Timing Systems by 4Peaks Racing.
Awards & Goodies
All finishers receive medals. Handcrafted trophies designed by local artist Marvin Toya for the top Overall and Master’s Male and Female winners. Awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place by age group. Clydesdale/Athena and Aquabike top 3 male and female only. T-shirt and a water bottle or Mountain Man Mug at packet pick-up. Post-race snacks and food. See a past example HERE.
The Weather
Could be a little cool in the early morning and a chance of monsoon rain later in the day: perfect for racing. Low 80’s for the high.
There are plenty of online resources to check the weather for the upcoming week, for example, The Weather Channel for Flagstaff, Arizona.
Accommodations & Area Info
There are many great activities in Flagstaff. Make your experience amazing by spending the weekend. Plan your adventure HERE.
Learn more about this beautiful mountain town HERE.
Accommodations:
Flagstaff has many great lodging options.
Several U.S. Forest Service campgrounds are located on the course. They don’t take reservations and are on a first come first serve basis. Also, camping is allowed anywhere in the Coconino National Forest but not in the transition parking lots. Please check the forest service website for any fire or camping restrictions.
Training Resources
Looking to upgrade your gear, training schedule, or just learn a little more? Check out the links HERE.
Race Types & Categories for Everyone
Mountain Man offers many different race types and distances. To learn more, go HERE.
Mountain Man Events
Cool, Clean, and Green
Flagstaff
They just don’t make towns like this anymore!
