Pemaquid Beach Triathlon

About the triathlon

Sign up for Maine's most beautiful triathlon at Pemaquid Beach in Bristol on August 23 (9:00 am start). Compete as an individual or as a team of up to three people. Much of the race route hugs the coastline of the iconic Pemaquid peninsula. This is a beautiful and fun community event - make it as competitive or as laid back as you like!

The Pemaquid Beach Triathlon is a fundraiser for Bristol Parks and Recreation. Proceeds will be used to build a playground at Pemaquid Beach Park. To date, we've raised $48,797 for the playground fund. Help us reach our goal of raising another $12,000 in 2026! 

Your race registration includes:

• a soft, ring-spun cotton tee featuring the race logo
• a souvenir finisher's prize, hand-made by a local artisan
• entrance to a fun and well-organized event with wonderful volunteer support!

Course Overview

Sprint Swim

The 400-yard ocean swim follows a clockwise triangle route, starting and ending at Pemaquid Beach. The water is chilly (temperatures average in the mid-to-low 60's in August)! For your comfort, we recommend a wetsuit, but it is not required. Sleeveless wetsuits are allowed. The transition area is a short distance from the beach along a sandy path.

Not-quite-sprint Bike

Now that Lower Round Pond Road has reopened, the bike route will return to the original 17.4 mile loop north into Bristol Mills on Route 130, east on Lower Round Pond Road, and south and west on Route 32 back to Route 130.

The route is characterized by steady, gentle rolling hills. Route 32 hugs the coast through the villages of Chamberlain and New Harbor, with lovely views of Muscongus Bay and far-off Monhegan Island.

Bike Route Directions:

1. Exit the west end of the transition area with your bike and proceed on foot to the mounting line at the park entrance (where the pavement begins)
2. Exit Pemaquid Beach Park and turn left onto Snowball Hill/Huddle Rd
3. Continue north then east approximately 1 mile and turn left onto Bristol Rd/Route 130
4. Continue north approximately 6 miles and turn right onto Lower Round Pond Road
5. Continue southeast approximately 2.5 miles and turn right onto Route 32
6. Continue south then west approximately 6 miles and turn RIGHT onto Bristol Rd/Route 130
7. Continue north approximately 1 mile and turn left onto Huddle Rd
8. Continue west then south approximately 1 mile and turn right into the entrance of Pemaquid Beach Park
9. Dismount at the dismount line where the pavement ends, just inside the park entrance, and proceed on foot with your bike back to the transition area

Bike Route Elevation Gain:

Sprint Run

The 3.1-mile out-and-back run course follows Pemaquid Trail, a quiet residential street with views of Johns Bay. Turn right on exiting Pemaquid Beach Park and turn right again onto Pemaquid Trail. Other than a moderate hill from the park exit up to Pemaquid Trail, the run route is quite flat.

See a map of the bike and run routes here.

Transition Area

There will be one transition area located on a grassy area between the pavilion and the dunes. The transition area opens at 7:00 a.m. and closes at 8:30 a.m. just before the mandatory pre-race meeting.

 

Other Details

Timing

Professional chip timing is provided by All Sports Events. Every athlete and relay team will receive a timing chip to be worn around the ankle. Individual participants will receive times for the swim, bike, run, transitions (T1 and T2), and finish.

Relays

Relay members share a single timing chip (worn around the ankle), which must be handed off to the next person after each leg of the race at the team's designated bike rack spot inside the transition area. The team's cyclist must receive the chip from the swimmer before removing the bike from the rack, and must replace the bike on the rack before handing the chip off to the runner. The overall time for a relay is the sum of times for each team member.

Results

See 2025 race results here!

Awards

• Top male/female overall
• Top 3 relay teams
• First and second place male and female finishers by age group (under 20, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 61-64, 65-69, and 70+)

T-Shirts and swag

Soft cotton-blend T-shirts featuring the race logo are included with all registrations completed before July 31. After that date, t-shirts are not guaranteed. All finishers get a prize, handmade by a local artisan!

Inclement Weather

The Pemaquid Beach Triathlon will not be canceled for any reason other than severe conditions that pose extreme danger to athletes and volunteers. Race management reserves the right to alter the course as indicated based on conditions at the time of the race. This includes, but is not limited to, shortening or changing the course route, removing one of the sports, or postponing the start time. There are no refunds based on weather-related changes or cancellations. If canceled, the Pemaquid Beach Triathlon will not be rescheduled.

Registration

Registration closes at noon on Saturday, August 22. There will be no race-day registration.

Scholarships/Discounts

We don't want for cost to be a barrier to anyone who wishes to participate in this community triathlon. If cost is a concern for you, please use the button below to contact the race organizer and request a discount. All requests will remain confidential.

Event Organizers

This race is hosted by Bristol Parks and Recreation, a department of the Town of Bristol responsible for managing Pemaquid Point Lighthouse Park, Pemaquid Beach Park, Ellingwood Information Center, and a number of other properties.

Organization and support is provided by Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, a non-profit, member-supported, nationally accredited land trust caring for the lands and waters of the Damariscotta-Pemaquid Region by conserving special places, protecting water quality, creating trails and public access, and deepening connections to nature through education programs.