Wolfman Triathlon and Trail Runs

The Wolfman Triathlon is one of Wisconsin’s original off-road triathlons. Held in the rugged Northwoods, this multi-discipline race includes:

• A 3-mile Class II whitewater paddle
• A 13-mile technical mountain bike ride
• A 3.75-mile rugged trail run
• Racers start in staggered 30-second intervals beginning at 8:00 AM.

Triathlon Course Overview

Paddle (3 miles) Racers launch their kayaks or canoes onto a rocky, scenic Class II section of the Wolf River just north of Langlade, WI. This exhilarating 3-mile whitewater paddle finishes at the DNR landing in Langlade.

Bike (13 miles) After pulling boats ashore, racers sprint to their bikes and head east on Highway 64 before entering the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. The course continues through the Nicolet Roche trail system—an extensive network of technical singletrack with plenty of climbs, descents, and challenges. The segment finishes near the Gardner Dam Adventure Base.

Run (3.75 miles) The trail run begins with a bridge crossing over the Wolf River, winding along the riverbank and through lush forest trails. Expect steep climbs, dense ferns, and a final river crossing (yes, you'll get wet!) before reaching the finish line and legendary Wolfman After Party.

Additional Race Divisions

Tandem Teams
Tandem teams race as a unit and must paddle together in the same boat. The bike and run legs are completed individually, and their times are combined.  Note: If one team member fails to finish, the team is disqualified.

Relay Teams
Compete as a 3-person relay team, with one person handling each leg of the race.  Fastest total combined time wins.

Can't find a full team? Reach out to us—we’ll help match you with others! Or post in our Facebook group to connect with fellow racers.
 
Trail Run Events

🟩 Wolfman Heavy 5K – 10:00 AM
Don’t be fooled by the name—this “5K” clocks in at 3.75 miles on rugged terrain. Follow the same trail used in the Triathlon, featuring riverbank running, forest climbs, lush ferns, (optional) rope climb, and a river crossing before the big finish at the After Party.  You might question your sanity mid-race… but you'll be ready to sign up again by the end!

🟨 Wolfman Heavy 10K – 10:00 AM
A new challenge replacing the former Heavy Half! This 2-lap course doubles the Triathlon run route for a total of ~7.5 miles, including two river crossings. You’ll start and finish in the same location as the 5K.

Presented by the Wolfman Triathlon Inc.

Creating a healthier lifestyle by sharing the resources around us and giving back to the community!

The Wolfman Triathlon started in 1994 through the Wolf River Territories Association as a way to highlight the beauty of the Wolf River area as well as boost tourism for the surrounding communities.  

The triathlon’s weekend headquarters is located at the Gardner Dam Adventure Base.  The weekend reflects more of a festival atmosphere with onsite camping and a large tent for all the festivities and live music.  After racers compete, there is a locally prepared feast, awards presentation, and live entertainment.

The Wolfman is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.  Over the course of planning and the event, more than 130 people volunteer from local organizations that help contribute to the success of the event.  Since 2011 when the Wolfman became a 501(c) 3, the Wolfman has donated to over 24 non-profit organizations.  All profits are donated to nonprofit organizations that volunteer to help with the event.  

In 2025 - we were able to give over $7000 in donations.

Thanks to these groups who made the 2025 Wolfman possible!

Antigo Bike & Ski Club
Antigo Swim Club
Antigo Wrestling
Antigo Youth Bowling
Bonduel High School Tech Ed Dept
Elcho X-Country Ski Club
Gardner Dam Adventure Base
LAMBA
Langlade Area Sled Dog Club
Sierra Club River Touring Section
White Lake Historical Society
Wisconsin Bike Patrol
Wolf River Trout Unlimited
Wolf River Volunteer Fire Dept

Proceeds from Sheena's Run 5K 
benefit the Langlade County Sheriff's Office K9 Unit.

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2025 Race Partners

May 17, 2025 Root River Triathlon (Houston, MN)

May 17, 2025 White Deer Triathlon (Boulder Junction, WI)

June 7, 2026 Cuyuna Off-Road Triathlon (Ironton, MN)

July 26, 2025 Black Squirrel Scurry (Merrill, WI)

July 26, 2025 Tricky Trout Triathlon (Hayward, WI)

August 9, 2025 YKnot Tri (Lake City, MN) 

August 24, 2024 Rugged Toad Adventure (Waverly, IA)

August 23, 2025 WILD Hodag Mini Triathlon (Rhinelander, WI)

September 6, 2025 Wolfman Triathlon (White Lake, WI)

September 20, 2025 DSI Triathlon (Red Wing, MN)

October 4, 2025 Kickapoo Valley Reserve Dam Challenge (La Farge, WI)

Registration Questions:

• Resend Confirmation Email
• Reset My RunSignUp Password
• Edit My Participant Information
• Edit Emergency Contact Information
• Edit My Credit Card

Race Questions:

Where do I check-in and pickup my race packet?
Gardner Dam Scout Camp, Friday September 11th, 2026 5-9PM. Located on Hwy 55, 4.5 miles south of Hwy 64. Everyone's boats will need to pass a safety inspection before they are allowed to check-in.  PHOTO ID REQUIRED!  Racers will only be allowed to pick up their race packet. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Race packets given out Friday night until 9:00pm, NO LATE pick up allowed. 

START TIMES:  
Start times will be given to racers upon check-in on Friday night. The race will have starts at 30-second intervals, beginning at 8am.  A start list will be posted Friday at the Outfitter Building at the Scout Camp for boat inspections and also at the registration table. You will need to find your start time and your bib number on that list. If you are renting boats from Rick Klade or River Forest Campground, you do not need to have your boat inspected.  Start times may change slightly from the notification you received prior to the event. You must be at the start 30 minutes prior to your start time!  If you are not lined up and miss your start time you will be disqualified.

TRAIL RUN START TIMES:  The run races begin at 10 am. 

May I listen to my music while I compete?
NO PERSONAL LISTENING DEVICES ALLOWED E.G. IPODS, MP3 PLAYERS

How do I get to the start?
Shuttle service will be provided for racers to the start area.  Starting at 6:30 A.M. a shuttle will run from the FINISH to the START with the last run at 9:45 A.M.  It is OK to have someone who is with you shuttle you back to the start.  Note:  There is no shuttle back to the start from the finish line after the race…plan accordingly to have a ride back to the start after your race!

Is there a cut off time?
As a courtesy to the many volunteers, racers failing to make the BOAT/BIKE exchange by 12 Noon or the BIKE/RUN exchange by 1:30 P.M. will be disqualified.

Can I have a 2 person relay team?
We encourage 3 person teams.
If you want to have a 2 person team, the price is the same as a 3 person team. Please contact us to set this up. You are responsible for getting yourselves to each transition.

Please familiarize yourself with the

OVERALL LOGISTICS/RACE-DAY INSTRUCTIONS. Follow the link on the left.
 

Wolfman Trail Run Description:

Wolfman Heavy 10K - Coming in at about 7.5 miles, the NEW Wolfman Heavy 10K will give you plenty of time to enjoy the technical challenges of the Wolf River basin.  This 2 lap race will include technical trails, climbs along the river.  Each lap is capped off with a river crossing, one more climb and finally a parade lap to the finish.  It's like no 10K you've done before. 

Wolfman Heavy 5K - The Wolfman Heavy 5K clocks in at 3.75 miles and follows the same trail as the Wolfman Triathlon.  The beautiful course includes the Wolf River bank, ferns, climbs, crossing the Wolf River and a finish line at the Wolfman After Party.  

Wolfman Triathlon Description:

The Wolfman Triathlon, presented by Wolfman Triathlon Inc., one of the first off-road triathlons in Wisconsin, consists of three segments: 3-mile whitewater paddle…13-mile mountain bike ride…and 3.75-mile rugged trail run.

All Triathlon Racers
Racers begin in kayaks/canoes on the very rocky 3-mile class II whitewater section of the beautiful Wolf River just north of Langlade, WI. The downriver canoe/kayak leg ends at the DNR landing in Langlade. Racers then pull their boats ashore and sprint to the bike racks for a 13-mile mountain biking portion of the race. After a short ride east on highway 64, the course enters the Chequamegon Nicolet National Forest* and the area’s extensive network of challenging technical single-track mountain bike trails of the Nicolet Roche. The course eventually exits the National Forest, crosses Highway 55 south of Langlade into the Gardner Dam Adventure Base. The last leg of the race is a 3.75-mile rugged trail run, which begins with a bridge crossing of the river and continues along the scenic Wolf River.  To get to the finish, you get to wade across the river, immediately climb up a steep hill (rope assist optional), and continue on to the arched finish and after party!

Triathlon Tandem Teams
Tandem competitors race as a team. Tandem teams must paddle in the same boat. The bike and run segments are timed individually and combined into one score. The fastest combined time wins. If one member fails to finish, the team is disqualified.

Triathlon Relay Teams
A relay option is available, competing as a 3-person team. Each team member does of the three race segments and passes off the timing chip to the next team member.  If one member fails to finish, the team is disqualified. If you're having trouble finding a teammate, give us a shout and we'll do our best to pair you up with someone. Even better, give a shout out on our Facebook page, and you're sure to find some takers.