Whether you’re new to triathlon or just into shorter race distances, the Chicago Triathlon SuperSprint is the perfect race for you.
This race will be held at Foster Beach, beginning with a short swim out and back, before taking your bike for a few loops on Simonds Dr., then enjoying a beautiful run along a path that sits just meters away from the Lake Michigan shoreline.
DIVVY WAVE
One hundred entries are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participating athletes will receive use of Chicago’s famous Divvy bikes for the 6.2 mile (10K) SuperSprint bike course. Athletes will also swim .23 miles (375 meters) and run 1.5 miles (2.5K) as part of the race.
The program is perfect for runners, swimmers and other single-sport athletes who are curious about triathlons, but aren’t quite ready to invest in the equipment. All participants in the Divvy Wave will be timed against each other, with top winners to receive special Divvy trophies.
Divvy bikes will be available for pickup onsite in a special transition area, with Divvy staff ensuring all bikes are race-ready. Standard race registration fees will apply. New registrations only.
Like all SuperSprint athletes, and beyond use of the Divvy bike, Divvy Wave participants will receive a t-shirt, finisher medal, post-race food and an amazing race experience.
Schedule
This is the 2023 schedule. Please check back at a later date for the 2024 schedule.
Friday, August 25, 2023
Chicago Triathlon Multisport & Fitness Expo
Hilton Chicago | 720 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL
The expo, packet pickup, and mandatory athlete briefings will be held in Salons A, B, and D.
Time
Event
1:00PM - 7:00PM
MultiSport & Fitness Expo
1:00PM - 7:00PM
Packet Pickup
12:30PM - 6:30PM
Mandatory Athlete Briefings
Saturday, August 26, 2023
Kids Tri Chicago
Foster Beach | 5200 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, IL
*Approximate time based on athlete safety.**Schedule is subject to change. Please review during race week.
Chicago Triathlon Multisport & Fitness Expo
Hilton Chicago | 720 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL
The expo, packet pickup, and mandatory athlete briefings will be held in Salons A, B, and D.
Time
Event
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MultiSport & Fitness Expo
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Packet Pickup
9:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Mandatory Athlete Briefings
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Bike Racking (Sunday Participants Only)
*Schedule is subject to change. Please review during race week.
EARLY BIKE RACKING:
Sunday participants are strongly encouraged to utilize the early bike check-in.
Enter the Transition Area from the south end, near the corner of Monroe and Lake Shore Drive.
Bike number MUST be on your bike to enter the Transition Area
Bikes only. No bags.
Overnight security will be provided (no need to bring a bike lock).
Sunday, August 27, 2023
Chicago Triathlon: International & Sprint Races
Swim Start | Monroe Harbor: 700 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
Transition Area | DuSable Harbor: 600 E. Randolph St, Chicago
Finish Line | Grant Park: 900 S. Columbus Dr, Chicago
Time
Event
4:00 AM
Transition Opens | DuSable Harbor (all athletes)
5:45 AM
Transition Closes (all athletes)
6:00 AM*
Race Start (International distance athletes)
6:30 AM
Transition Re-Opens (late Sprint check-in)
8:00 AM
Transition Closes (Sprint distance)
8:00 AM
Trolley Shuttle Service Begins (Monroe/LSD to/from Columbus/Balbo)
8:00 AM
Post-Race Party Opens (Finish Line)
8:08 AM*
Race Start (Sprint distance athletes)
9:45 AM
Last Athlete Enters Water
10:15 AM
Last Athlete Exits Water
10:30 AM
Last Athlete Enters Bike Course
11:45 AM
Last Athlete Exits Bike Course
12:00 PM
Awards Ceremony (near Finish Line)
12:00 PM
Last Athlete Enters Run Course
1:45 PM
Last Athlete Finishes
2:00 PM
Post-Race Party Ends
3:00 PM
Trolley Shuttle Service Ends
*Approximate time based on athlete safety.**Schedule is subject to change. Please review during race week.
PLEASE NOTE: Transition will reopen for select athletes on a flow, relative to the last bikers in reaching T2. Please present wristband to Transition staff, who will match it to your bike number. Bikes cannot be removed from Transition without a race number. Only athletes are allowed in Transition.
Gear Checklist
Being organized is important in many areas of life, especially when it comes to competing in the sport of triathlon. There are so many moving parts on race-day with regard to equipment needs, nutrition and pacing strategies that even a small misstep can mean the difference between a successful outcome and a disappointing race-day experience.
Every triathlete should develop a race-day checklist. This list should include everything necessary to have a positive event, from the time you wake up to when the race is over. Always be prepared for the worse too, especially when it comes to potential bike-related mechanical issues and weather.
Below is a summary checklist of items you may wish to consider packing for race-day, as well as additional tips to remember leading up to the race and on the day of the event. Add whatever works for you as needed.
Pre-race
Special foods or drinks
Extra shoes
Special needs bags (if allowed on the race course)
Tri bag
Necessary medications (inhalers, etc)
Extra alarm clock
Warm-up suit/warm clothes
Umbrella or rain gear
Timing chip band
Multi-tool kit
Electrical tape
Swim
Swimsuit or tri race kit
Swim cap
Goggles
Wetsuit or swim skin
Bike
Helmet
Cycling shoes
Bike/tri shorts or tri race kit
Air Pump
Water bottles
Nutrition bag
Flat repair kit (tire, tube, tire levers, CO2)
Arm warmers or leg warmers
Light wind vest
Sunglasses
Sunblock
Run
Race belt
Socks
Running shoes with quick laces
Hydration belt or water bottle
Hat or visor
Transition
Towel or mat
Extra water bottle
Sunscreen
Anti-chafe cream
Pre-post race
Extra clothes
Extra shoes/flip flops
Recovery nutrition
Sunscreen
Training
First Timers
The First Timers’ Program is available first-come, first-serve to ONLY those who will complete their first-ever outdoor triathlon. The program provides education sessions around tri-specific topics, live coaching during sessions and full race weekend support with a private swim start.
Join fellow racers at Open Water Swim sessions to help new triathletes and novice swimmers experience open water swimming in a safe, non-intimidating environment.
A fantastic course experience in the heart of Chicago
Divisions
Age Group
All individuals are automatically placed in this category, unless choosing a different division during the registration process. Age groups are subdivided by gender and five-year age increments (e.g. 20-24, 24-29, 30-34, etc.). It is important to note that Age Groups are assigned based on athlete age as of December 31 of race year (thus no changes during the calendar year).
100 Club (First Responders)
This division is open to all active duty safety personnel (Fire, Police, EMS, Military, Government Agencies, etc.). Proof of status must be presented at Packet Pick Up. First Responders are subdivided by gender.
Para Triathlete
Athletes with physical disabilities. Para Triathletes are subdivided by gender, and can be classified by a variety of standards. Typically, Life Time Tri classifies Para athletes into these categories:
Ambulatory
Visually Impaired
Wheelchair
Relay Teams
Participants have the option to enter varying distances as a relay team, consisting of 2–3 individuals. Teams may elect which person will complete each specific discipline. Team members share a single timing chip, which is passed from one team member to another in transition. While not all relay teams are competitive by nature, all teams are eligible for competitive awards.
First Timers
If you’re brand new to the sport, consider joining the popular Chicago Triathlon First-Timers’ Program (formally known as the “Live Grit First-Timers’ Program”). Started in 2014, the program offers a myriad of complimentary educational series, training support, access to the Chicago Triathlon Open Water Swim Clinic Series and other race weekend perks. Participants also rack together in Transition, as well as start together on race day, free of intimidation from others. This special program is complimentary (with race registration) and limited to the Sprint and International distances. As a recreational division, participants are not eligible for competitive awards, but that doesn’t really matter to this audience (all will receive a finisher’s medal and an official time)!
Awards
All eligible athletes will compete for awards in their respective divisions. More information will be provided at a later date.
Hilton Chicago
Hilton Chicago is the 2024 Chicago Triathlon Headquarters Hotel.
The Hilton is located just a few short blocks from the Start and Finish line areas. The Hilton will be home to the 2024 Chicago Triathlon Expo, Bike Valet and Packet Pick-up.
If you also plan on purchasing a VIP Package, look into our Hotel + VIP option that provides concierge booking services and late check-out opportunities.
BIKE RENTALS
We are proud to offer bike rentals exclusively through Unlimited Biking.
Unlimited Biking makes renting a bike for the Chi Tri a breeze. Whether you're coming from out of town, or a local looking to race the Windy City, Unlimited Biking is here for your bike needs.
When you book a bicycle with Unlimited Biking for the Chi Tri, you pick up your bike near the transition area on Saturday for the Mandatory bike check-in and drop off your bike post-race with their on-site team. Logistics, helmets, and even pedals are all taken care of for you!
Water bottle for Transition area and the Bike Course
At Packet Pick Up, each participant will receive a swim cap, race number (with pins to attach to clothing), required athlete wrist bands (kids receive one additional band for a parent/guardian), t-shirt and a goodie bag.
One parent or guardian will be allowed in the Transition area during designated times prior to the race start, and only allowed if wearing the matching youth triathlete wristband. Once the Transition area is closed, no one other than athletes, volunteers and staff will be allowed inside. Volunteers will be available to help tie shoes, buckle helmets, and direct the kids where to go. Family may connect with the athlete after they have crossed the Finish Line.
A pre-race Athlete Briefing will be held 15 minutes prior to the first wave start for each race at the Swim Start. Additionally, a detailed SuperSprint/Kids Tri briefing will be held at the Multisport & Fitness Expo on Friday, August 26 from 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. in the Continental A (Ground Floor).
Yes. Athlete packets contains two temporary tattoo numbers, which can easily be applied to each shoulder. On race morning, volunteers will be available between Transition and the Swim Start to write the age on participants’ calves (using permanent marker).
After being body marked, enter Transition to find the bike racks with your specific race/bib number. Kids, SuperSprint and Divvy groups will have separate areas within Transition. Volunteers and staff will be on-site to assist.
All athletes for the Saturday races must check their bikes in Saturday morning.
