Triathlons in North Carolina
North Carolina has 30 upcoming triathlons scheduled for 2026. Most of the calendar falls in the warmer months: 23 of 30 races (77%) take place between May and September, with August (11 events) the busiest month. No single city dominates the calendar. Clemmons leads with 3 races, followed by Huntersville (2), Durham (2), and New Hill (2). The remaining 70% of the calendar is spread across smaller cities.
Triathlons by month in North Carolina
Aug (11) · Jul (6) · Sep (5) · Oct (3) · Apr (2) · Feb (1) · Mar (1) · May (1)
Showing 24 of 30
Triathlon
Huntersville Sprint Triathlon
Huntersville, NC
Triathlon
Huntersville Sprint Triathlon
July 15, 2026
Huntersville, NC
Triathlon
Smiley Sprint Triathlon
Clemmons, NC
Triathlon
Smiley Sprint Triathlon
July 29, 2026
Clemmons, NC
Triathlon
Humans of Steel Triathlon
New Hill, NC
Triathlon
Humans of Steel Triathlon
August 2, 2026
New Hill, NC
Triathlon
High Point Triathlon
High Point, NC
Triathlon
High Point Triathlon
August 8, 2026
High Point, NC
Triathlon
Cape Fear Youth Triathlon Team (CFYTT) Kids Triathlon Race
August 23, 2026
Wilmington, NC
Triathlons in Nearby States
Frequently asked questions
What are the standard triathlon distances?▾
The main distances are Sprint (750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run), Olympic (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10K run), Half-Ironman/70.3 (1.2mi swim, 56mi bike, 13.1mi run), and full Ironman (2.4mi swim, 112mi bike, 26.2mi run). Browse all distances on RACE.
What do I need for my first triathlon?▾
At minimum you need a swimsuit, goggles, a road or tri bike, helmet, running shoes, and a race belt for your number. Many beginners start with a sprint triathlon, which can be completed in 1-2 hours.
What is the difference between sprint and Olympic triathlon?▾
A sprint triathlon is roughly half the distance of an Olympic triathlon. Sprints typically take 1-1.5 hours while Olympic distance races take 2-3.5 hours. Sprints are ideal for beginners.
How do I qualify for the IRONMAN World Championship?▾
Athletes qualify by earning a slot at an IRONMAN-branded qualifying race. Each full IRONMAN event allocates slots to age group winners. The World Championship is held annually in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.
What are the biggest triathlons in the US?▾
The SuperTri Chicago Triathlon is the largest single triathlon event with 8,000+ athletes. IRONMAN events in Texas, Florida, Lake Placid, and Arizona draw thousands. Escape From Alcatraz is a bucket-list race. Find them all on RACE.