2027 USA Triathlon Winter Nationals

❄️ March 6th 2027: Gaylord All Outdoors Tri 45 USA Triathlon Winter National Championship -TRI THE COLD! 

Why Race the 2027 USA Triathlon Winter Nationals?

🏆 Official USA Triathlon Winter National Championship
Compete in the premier winter triathlon championship in the United States. Whether you're chasing a national title or simply testing yourself against athletes from across the country, this is your chance to be part of a championship-level event (USAT membership is required).

❄️ One of the Few Winter Triathlons in America
Winter triathlon remains a rare and exciting discipline in the U.S. If you've ever wanted to experience the challenge of running, fat biking, and cross-country skiing in a single race, this is your opportunity.

👟 Open to Beginners and First-Timers
Never raced a winter triathlon before? You're not alone. The event welcomes athletes of all experience levels, from first-time winter multisport competitors to seasoned national-caliber racers. Multiple race options help make the sport accessible to everyone.

🌨️ Reliable Winter Conditions
Hosted at Forbush Corners, a venue known for maintaining skiable conditions and snowmaking capabilities, athletes can register with confidence knowing winter racing conditions are a priority.

🔥 An Unforgettable Winter Adventure
Where else can you run through snowy trails, ride a fat bike across winter terrain, and finish on cross-country skis? Add in the pasta dinner, racing community, post-race celebrations, and a weekend in Northern Michigan, and you've got far more than a race. You've got a winter adventure.

📅 WHEN: 

March 5th & 6th 2027

3/5/27-Expo+ packet pickup + Pasta Dinner:  (Location & Time TBD)

3/5/27-Free Comedy Show: Tommy McClellan-Willard: Laugh and run - @ 8pm @ Snowbelt Brewery -located Downtown Gaylord MI

3/6/27-Triathlon Event Schedule: 

                 Transition Opens: 10am - 11:40am

                 Course Briefing: 11:45am

                 Triathlon Start: 3/6/27 @ 12pm

                  Duathlon Start: 3/6/27 @ 2:00 pm

                Awards: 3/6/27 @3pm

  Distances:

                Triathlon-5.5k Run / 10.5k Bike / 5.2k Ski  

                Duathlon 5.5k Run/5.2k ski

📍 WHERE:

Forbush Corners: 4971 W Co Rd 612, Frederic MI 49733  (btw-They make their own snow ;D). 

🎁 REGISTRATION INCLUDES

All‑you‑can‑eat pasta dinner on 3/5/27
Custom finisher medal
Shirt---TBD 
Warm post‑race snacks & hot drinks
Professional timing by RFTiming
Transition‑area aid station
Professional event photography

🏅 AWARDS (Please note, this is a USA Triathlon Winter Nationals event- to be eligible for age group awards you will need to be a USA Passport holder- Overall finisher awards are still eligible for everyone.

Overall Male & Female (Tri & Du) 
Clydesdale & Athena (Tri & Du) 

overall male & Female ADT (Tri & Du)

Overall Non‑Binary (1st & 2nd)

Age Groups: 5‑year brackets, 3‑deep (Male & Female)

Age Groups: 19 and Under, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80+ 

* To Qualify as Clydesdale: males 220+ lbs • Athena: females 165+ lbs

🌨 WEATHER POLICY Snow, shine, ice, or flurries — we race. If conditions become unsafe, course distances or layout may be adjusted. This is a non‑refundable event. If cancellation becomes necessary, we will reschedule as soon as possible. If there’s no skiable snow → Run • Bike • Run format will be used. For the Duathlon: This will be a 10k run. 

🚴‍♂️ RENTALS

XC Ski Rentals — Forbush Corners $25 • Fully waxed skis • Includes boots & poles • Day‑of rentals Call (989) 889‑2843 to reserve your size.

Fat Bike Rentals: locations for rentals Pending. -Please be patient during negotiations and check back often for updates

  email: info@lakeorionbikes.com or call 248-783-7050 Rental cost $75.

-Latitude-Sold out

-Northbound-Sold out

Regulations Sizing:

SKIs: Predominantly Freestyle: USA Triathlon courses are generally groomed for freestyle technique (skate skiing), meaning you can use either a V-shaped skating stride or a classic kick-and-glide approach. The trail will be also groomed for classic. Please note-the Freestyle and Classic will not be separated and will race together and not counted as separate events. 

FAT Tire Bikes: Minimum "Fat" Width: To comply with winter tri regulations tires must be 3.8 inches or wider. You will not be allowed to compete in the Triathlon with anything under a tire size of 3.8. (Bike tire size is required for nationals-if you choose to have a smaller tire you will not be considered for the age group awards but will be allowed to race).-Spikes are allowed on tires.

🏨 LODGING: Comfort Inn & Suites, Gaylord

Guests can book rooms by calling the Hotel Front Desk at 989-217-9700 and referencing the group name "Tri-45 Winter Triathlon," or they can book online using the direct booking link below.  https://www.choicehotels.com/reservations/groups/YN50S8

2 Queen Bed=$109

1 King with Sleeper Sofa=$119

(Rates do not include 6% MI sales Tax or 5% local lodging assessment)

❄️ BONUS: DOUBLE‑RACE CHALLENGE We’ve partnered with The Abominable Snow Tri (2/21/27). Complete BOTH races → Earn 3 medals! Add just $10 when registering for Abominable snow tri (choose double down) and then go to register for Tri 45 separately. Location: 6800 Cannonsburg Rd NE, Belmont, MI 49306 : https://www.trisignup.com/Race/MI/Belmont/TheAbominableSnowTri

Winter Triathlon Coaching: Tommy McClellan has competed in Winter Triathlons and many other race events. He is a seasoned athlete and Comedian. You will not only get a great coach, but one with a great sense of humor. Contact him directly at tommymcclellancomedy@gmail.com  OR Fill out this form:               https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfP5mn2Be0OxEsdijJaGEzfYg8ptamW61Lix6l7UUbZPwo_Tw/viewform?usp=header

Bonus Materials:

Training book for winter triathlons: https://a.co/d/0b4yJ9r3  / https://a.co/d/05VZ34wL 

Tri Mail Club: https://mailclubly.com/@trimail (use code TRI45 for $5 off the first month)

Sign Up to Volunteer

❄️ Be Part of Something Bigger This Winter! ❄️

The Tri45 USA Winter National Championship wouldn't be possible without our amazing volunteers!

Join us behind the scenes and help create an unforgettable race experience for athletes from across the country. Whether you're handing out medals, helping with check-in, directing participants, or cheering athletes on, you'll play an important role in making this championship event a success.

✅ Volunteer swag
✅ Event-day perks
✅ Front-row seat to the action
✅ A chance to support your local endurance community

Ready to make a difference?

👉 Sign up today: mrinck2@gmail.com: send name and number and we will be in contact =)

The 5K Ski Course starts just past the Yurt where the tree line starts. You will go counterclockwise on the loop and follow the markings. Flags will be placed on the course-Colors will be relayed before the race to know what to look for. If there is a limited amount of snow, the course will change to a 2.5k course that you will do 2xs. This is the course that the snow making is on. More information to follow with weather the closer we get. Please note, if we have no snow-it will be a 5k run instead of a 5k ski. 

The bike course starts and ends at the same location as the xc ski. However, you will be following a different set of colored flags. This is a 5k course and you will have to do it 2xs. On the map, where the red and orange come together (near the word Pancake) is the start of loop 2 and you follow the read back into the green trail loop and come out. There will be volunteers to assist with direction. Please be aware we are entering into state owned land and they are allowing us to use this property. This will help us avoid any really big hills (I know how much you all love going up hill). Please note, there are still hills, but they are rolling and manageable. There will be no pre race biking the day before the race. You will have to bike on the snowmobile trail near the course (note the yellow line that says Roberts rd-that is the trail you can ride on to start), this will allow the grooming to stay smooth for participants. 

The Run is 2.5k loop, so you will do the run twice to make it a 5k. Please note the green up arrows-is a gradual up hill and then it goes into a steeper down hill. Run with caution, there are some up and downs on this, it is not fully flat, but it is actually a fairly easy run.