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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Listening Point - General Discussion :: Paddle triathlons
 
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thegildedgopher
03/02/2025 08:42PM
  
Heard a story about a triathlon out east with the swimming portion replaced by paddling, and it really intrigued me. I started looking for an opportunity to participate in something like this in Minnesota, but the first few options I found had all been discontinued and then I got distracted and gave up.

I always like getting recommendations from actual people anyway, so I figured i would post here and ask. Any ideas? The discontinued tri-loppet in Minneapolis would have been ideal for me as I much prefer riding mtn bike on singletrack over road bike on paved surfaces.
 
straighthairedcurly
03/04/2025 09:02PM
  
In WI, but this is a long running event (started in 1995): Wolfman Triathlon


Downriver paddle - 3 miles
Single-track mountain biking - 13 miles
Trail run - 3.5 miles


My husband and I both competed in this event 1996-1999 and loved it. Well run event and great route. I even took 1st place in my category 2 years in a row.

Looks like their website also lists a bunch of other MN and WI events (some of which are all off-road triathlons): Other Triathlons
 
Blatz
03/03/2025 06:35AM
  
Years ago Giants Ridge in Biwabik MN had a Mountain Triathlon. Paddle, Mt Bike and Trail Run. It was pretty cool. I won the solo division.
 
Speckled
03/03/2025 08:27AM
  
I've done a few of them over the years.


The P4 (Paddle, Pedal, Plod, Plunge) on Madeline Island in WI.
The Rochester ECO-Tri
There were others as well...struggling to remember their names though. You're right though many seem to disappear. I think the P4 is still active - I remember that being hard to sign up for and hard to find information on.


Cuyuna Off-Road Triathlon has always been on my list and still seems to be active.
https://www.cuyuna.com/off-road-triathlon/ (sorry not a hot link...didn't feel like the extra work)


A google search for Off Road Triathlon might find a few more.





 
Unas10
03/03/2025 04:46AM
  
http://kvr.state.wi.us/Events/Annual-Events/DamChallenge/


No firsthand experience with this one. I have been through the area (driftless region of Wisconsin), and it is beautiful.

I did one many years ago with my son. 5 mile run from Hilsboro to Union Center, 6-ish miles down the Baraboo River to Wonewoc, 8(?) mile bike ride to Elroy.
 
thegildedgopher
03/05/2025 07:59PM
  
straighthairedcurly: "In WI, but this is a long running event (started in 1995): Wolfman Triathlon



Downriver paddle - 3 miles
Single-track mountain biking - 13 miles
Trail run - 3.5 miles



My husband and I both competed in this event 1996-1999 and loved it. Well run event and great route. I even took 1st place in my category 2 years in a row.


Looks like their website also lists a bunch of other MN and WI events (some of which are all off-road triathlons): Other Triathlons "


How challenging would you consider the class II paddle to be? I’m more of a novice paddler to be honest. Wolfman looks cool but I might be more comfortable starting with Cuyuna.