Hawk Island Triathlon

You know what they call the last person to finish a triathlon? A TRIATHLETE!!

The Hawk Island Triathlon is a beginner-friendly event designed for people of all ages, body types, fitness levels and abilities. We offer a safe and supportive environment and make accommodate wherever possible for persons with disabilities.

Sure, we have hardcore competitors who race for gold. We also have Aunt Betty, the kid who cuts your lawn, and Bob from finance. Whether they race to win or race to finish, they are all TRIATHLETES. Are you ready to join them?

We offer Sprint, Super Sprint, and Kids options. The Sprint is perfect for beginners and experienced athletes who like a "warm-up" event to start the summer triathlon season.  The Super Sprint is available for those who want the multisport experience at a more doable distance. Participants in these categories range in age from 8 to 80+. 

The kids race has three categories with varying distances for ages 1-14. The swim course is shallow enough that Goldfish and Dolphins can touch at all times, and the entire Kids race is within Hawk Island County Park, providing optimum safety for racers & visibility for parents. 

Think your child is too young? Think again... We see baby triathletes in swim diapers and floaties, and they are adorable! From toddlers to teens, we've got the perfect race for our next generation of multi-sport athletes. 

Get the Race Day Run Down: Tips for Beginners

Event details and schedule

(Scroll to bottom for race weekend schedule)

Distances

Goldfish (age 6 and under): 25m swim, 125m bike, 125m run. 

Dolphin (age 10 and under): 100m swim, 3 mile bike, 1k run.

Shark (age 14 and under) 200m swim, 4.5 mile bike, 2k run.

Sprint: 500m swim, 10 mile bike, 5k run.

Super Sprint: 200m swim, 4.75 mile bike, 2.5k run.

Courses

Kids Swim: Goldfish swim in shallow water parallel to shore (life vests and other swim aids allowed for this age group). Dolphins swim the perimeter of the shallow beach area, inside the buoy lines. Sharks swim the perimeter of the entire beach area, outside the buoy lines. Lifeguards and guides are stationed in the water with swimmers.  

Kids Bike: Goldfish bike in a cordoned-off parking area (training wheels/scooters allowed). Dolphins bike 2 loops around the rivertrail within Hawk Island Park. 3 loops for Sharks. 

Kids Run: Goldfish run in a cordoned-off parking area. Dolphins run out and back along the scenic beach path and boardwalk. Double loop for Sharks.

Sprint/Super Swim: Counterclockwise from north beach to south beach. Super Sprint is counter clockwise around the perimeter of the beach buoy line (same course as Sharks). 

Sprint/Super Bike: Local streets through South Lansing and Michigan State University farms.  

Sprint Run: Scenic paved path out and back on South Lansing's award winning river trail. Half distance for Super Sprint. 

Kids Maps. Sprint/Super Sprint maps

Registration

Rates increase on January 1, March 1, May 1, and May 19, 2024.   

Goldfish: $25 / $30 / $35 / $40 / $45 / $50 on race day

Dolphins/Sharks: $35 / $40 / $45 / $50 / $55 / $60 on race day

Sprint: $75 / $85 / $90 / $95 / $100 / $110 on race day

Super Sprint: $60 / $70 / $75 / $80 / $85 / $95 on race day

Relays: $130 / $150 / $160 / $170 / $180/ $200  on race day

Online registration ends at 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 30. Onsite registration is available during Saturday and Sunday check-in. CashApp, Venmo, and Credit Cards accepted onsite (CC has processing fee). 

Race Shirts

Cotton race shirts are included with Kids registration.

Technical race shirts are available as an opt-in purchase during Sprint/Super Sprint registration. We have this option based on feedback from athletes who have more race shirts than they know what to do with. Allowing only folks who want a shirt to purchase a shirt eliminates waste and reduces the carbon footprint of our race. 

The option to purchase a shirt during online registration ends at midnight on Sunday, May 19, as this is the last day shirt sizes can be guaranteed. Check size chart on race website before ordering. Overruns in various sizes will be available for purchase on a "first-come" basis on race day. 

Timing

Goldfish are non-competitive. No timing.

All other race categories are chip timed (disposable ankle strap) with T1 and T2 splits.

Awards

All participants recieve a finisher medal.

Placement awards are given to....

Kids: Top three boys and girls in each age division (Dolphins and Sharks).

Sprint: Top three men and women overall, top three masters (40 & older), and top three winners in each age/weight division.

Super Sprint: Top three men and women in each age division.

Location/Amenities

Hawk Island County Park is located at 1601 E. Cavanaugh St. between Pennsylvania and Aurelius Roads in Lansing, MI. The park features a beautiful beach and swimming area, splash park, playground, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, picnic grounds and shelters, and a beach house/snack bar. 

Park Policies

Hawk Island Park is family and pet friendly. Dogs are welcome on a 6ft or shorter leash in the park and off leash in the 17 acre Soldan Dog Park located at the northeast corner of Hawk Island Park.

Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed. 

Parking 

On-site parking is available for $3 for Ingham County residents, $5 for non-residents. Free parking is available at Soccer Zone, a half mile walk on the river trail to the race pavilion.

IMPORTANT: Park access on race day is dictated by your arrival and departure times. Vehicles may enter and leave the park before 8 a.m. and after 10 a.m. Anyone who plans to arrive or depart between 8 and 10 a.m. (this includes racers, spectators, and volunteers) must park at Soccer Zone and walk into the park. 

There is only one route for vehicles in and out of the park (on Cavanaugh), and it crosses the path of racers returning from the bike course. Except in cases of emergency, we do not allow vehicles to enter or exit the park while the Sprint/Super Sprint bike course is active.   

Check-In

Early check-in is Saturday, June 1, from 12-4pm. Participants receive bib#, swim cap, shirt, disposable timing strap, and body marking (if requested, otherwise race day).

Race Day check-in is 6-7:30 for Sprint/Super, 10:30-11:45 for Kids.  

Race Policies

BIB Transfers: Registrations can be transfered to another racer through Active.com ($10 fee). Racers handle all financial transactions related to swapping registrations. No transfers allowed after 5pm, Thursday, May 30. 

Note: If the registration being transfered included a shirt order, and transfer is complete by Sunday, May 19, shirt size can be changed. After that, the new participant will get the original shirt ordered.

Transition Area: For the safety and security of our participants, the transition area is off limits to everyone except racers and volunteers (wearing fluorescent volunteer shirts or orange vests). Race numbers MUST be displayed to gain access to the transition area.

*The only exception is for Goldfish. Parents are allowed to assist their child along the entire course. 

See Weekend Schedule below for times that transition area closes. The transition area will reopen after the race at the discretion of Race Staff. This is for the safety and consideration of all participants, no exceptions.  

Athlete Conduct: We reserve the right to disqualify anyone who behaves inappropriately toward fellow competitors, volunteers, or race management staff.

No Refunds: While we sympathize with athletes unable to participate due to injury, illness or other circumstances, no refunds will be given under any circumstance. This includes cancellation due to severe weather and natural disasters. You may opt to purchase race insurance from Active.com.  

Safety/Medical Services

Lifeguards from Ingham County Parks, local YMCAs, and swim schools will be on shore and in the water monitoring the swim. There's no such thing as too many lifeguards, so if you know anyone with current certification, we can always use more. 

First Aid is available in the medical tent near the finish line courtest of McLaren Greater Lansing family medicine residents and nurses. 

Aid Stations

There are two water stations along the Sprint/Super run course. The first is at the turn around point for Super Sprinters, second is at the turn around for Sprinters. There is one water station on the Dolphin/Shark run. Water is also available under the race pavilion and at the finish. We do not have water on the bike course – make sure to bring a bottle.

Massage   Therapists are available from 9-12. Volunteers

Our volunteers ensure we provide a safe and enjoyable race experience for particiants and spectators. In addition to set up and tear down, volunteers provide direction on the swim, bike, and run courses. They monitor the parking and transition areas, serve refreshments, provide body markings, and hand out medals. Teams, clubs, and other organizations are welcome to volunteer as a group. We provide training, shirts, and food! Some of our most enthusiastic helpers are parents, family, and friends. If you or anyone you know is interested in helping, please follow the link, and sign up today!    

Lodging

We are proud to have Candlewood Suites as our preferred accommodations for the Hawk Island Triathlon. This property is conveniently located on the last leg of the bike course at 3545 Forest Road, next to MSU’s University Club and Forest Akers Golf Course.

Hotel guest rooms have a kitchenette, free internet access, and on-site fitness center. And they are pet friendly! Discounted room rates are availalbe for triathletes and their families. Reserve your suite by calling (517) 351-8181.

See the Sights!

As long as you're in town, you might consider taking the kids to one of 80+ local attractions like Potter Park Zoo, Impression 5 Science Center, the State Capitol Building, the Michigan Historical Museum, REO Olds Museum, Beal Botanical Garden, and so many more! Visit the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau for more great events in the Lansing area on race weekend. 

Benefit   Proceeds from this event support South Lansing CDA's food equity initiatives:    South Lansing Urban Gardens (SLUG) manages 4+ acres of urban land with a teaching farm and community plots for 147 low-income, refugee, and New American families who save money on groceries by growing their own food. Our staff manage food production in two 90-foot hoops and teach gardening, nutrition, and healthy cooking to youth, adults, and folks with disabilities. All food grown by SLUG is donated to local pantries and soup kitchens.   South Lansing Farmers Market supports 30+ local growers and food-related entrepreneurs. We've helped several of our gardeners make the transition to market vending. We also help families stretch their food dollars by accepting all types of food assistance.   Our walk-up food pantry and "free-rigerator" allow neighbors in need to get milk, eggs, cheese, fresh produce, dry/canned goods, and personal care items 24hrs/day. We encourage pantry users to take our garden classes, and we've taught several to grow and preserve their own food.

Race Weekend Schedule

Friday, May 31, 2024

6-7:30pm   Practice Swim and newbie Q&A

Saturday, June 1, 2024

12-4   Early Check-In for all races

Sunday, June 2, 2024

5:45     Gates open

6:00     Sprint/Super check-in & transition area open

7:30     Check-in closes

7:45     Transition area closes

7:50     Pre-race briefing at the swim start 

8:00     Swim start (waves listed at check in)  

10:30   Kids check-in & transition area open

11:00   Sprint/Super awards 

11:45   Kids check-in closes

12:00   Goldfish 

12:15   Sharks

12:30   Dolphins

1:00     Kids Awards