The Forge Gravel Triathlon

The Forge Gravel Triathlon Saturday, July 20, 2024 USAT Gravel Series USAT Sanctioned Event    Race Information

The Forge Gravel Triathlon is a unique short course, multi-sport event that offers an exhilarating, adventurous experience for triathletes of all abilities, from beginners to professionals.  The course takes place in The Forge: Lemont Quarries, with a swim in the Forge Quarry and the bike and run on the trails in the Park and the adjoining trails, all located adjacent to historic downtown Lemont. Athletes and spectators will enjoy exclusive views of The Forge’s exhilarating attractions and natural ecosystem, which includes the historic I&M Canal and multiple quarry lakes.

USAT: The 2024 race is a USA Triathlon sanctioned event and is on the USAT Gravel Triathlon Series. This will impact some rules that we have to implement. USAT Membership: As a USAT sanctioned event and part of the Gravel Series, all registrants must hold an annual USAT license or purchase a one day pass. This process is integrated with your registration.

Aquabike = Swim + Bike Format

Duathlon = Run + Bike + Run Format

Relay Option = 2 or 3 Person Relay, any combination of gender.

Course Information

Triathletes can prepare for a challenge that includes:

* Open water swimming in the natural, spring-fed Forge Quarry with a time trial start from the dock
* Two-lap bike course on crushed limestone trails and some gravel roads
* Mixed terrain run including crushed limestone and a section of MTB and single-track trails
* Transition located at The Mount, The Forge’s entertainment stage and large lawn area

Swim Course Map: The swim be ~ 540 yards of open water in the natural, spring-fed Forge Quarry with a time trial start from the dock. The course will be a rectangle, starting from the dock, swimming clockwise, with three right hand turns at large buoys.  The swim will finish and exit on the dock on ladders. The dock will have two way traffic on it with swimmers lining up to start and athletes exiting the swim headed to T1. Please stay to your left at all times on the dock.  

Bike Course Map: The bike course is a 10.7 mile route of two loops on a lollipop style course. There is a short, approximately .3 mile section that is the stick on the lollipop, then a ~5 mile loop that will be ridden twice. The bike course is on crushed limestone trails and some gravel roads. It is flat and not technical but will have a few ruts, bumps, small hills, several sharp turns, wooden bridge crossings, and loose gravel sections.  

Run Course Map: The run course is ~3+ miles on mixed terrain, including crushed limestone and a section of MTB single-track trails. It is mostly flat, but will have a few technical and small hill sections, including dirt, rocks and mulch covered trails.

Transition: Transition will be located in the lawn area by The Mount within the park. It will be a  short ~500 foot run from the Swim exit to T1 on a carpeted surface. Bike racks will be organized by wave / bib number, but bikes will not be assigned a specific space.

Duathlon: The Duathlon will start shortly before the triathlon swim with a mass start near transition.  Run 1 will be approximately 1.5 miles.  The bike will be the same course as the triathlon, and Run 2 will be the same 3 mile course as the Triathlon.

Aquabike: Aquabikers will rack their bikes before taking a short sprint to the finish line. Completing their race after both swimming and biking the courses described above. 

Relay: Relay racers must stay in the transition area until they have completed their leg of the race. Timing device must be transferred to respective competitor within transition area. The timing device must be on each relay member at the start and finish of their portion of the race. All relays will compete in one category regardless if they are 2 or 3 person and gender makeup.

Registration

Entry Fees:

Tier 1 (Until January 31, 2014)

Tri, DU and & Aquabike $85 | Relay 2-Person $155 | Relay 3-Person $235

Tier 2 (Until April 30, 2024) 

Tri, DU and & Aquabike $95 | Relay 2-Person $155 | Relay 3-Person $235

Tier 3 (May 1, 2024 - Race Day)

 Tri, DU and & Aquabike $105 | Relay 2-Person $170 | Relay 3-Person $255)

Race Cap is 350

Relay Registration: 1st Team Member / Captain creates the team, pays the full relay team fee, then the other team members register, joining that team.

USAT Membership: As a USAT sanctioned event and part of the USAT Gravel Series, all registrants must hold an annual USAT license or purchase a one day pass. This process is integrated with your registration. 

Elite Wave (Triathlon):  We are offering an elite wave that will start as a mass deep water start - male and female combined.  Those starting in this wave will be timed on gun time and eligible for top three overall awards and prize money.  You must start in this wave to be eligible for top three overall and prize money.  To be eligible for this wave please select it in the questions during registration. 

Includes: 
electronically timed results with swim, bike, run and T1/2 splits
earned overall and age group awards
A cool swag bag (No t-shirt this year - we are doing something unique!)
post-race party with a DJ, food, beer, and other beverages

TBD if registration will be available at packet pick-up and race day if the event is not sold out.

Training

Watch this website and join The Forge Race Series group on Facebook for opportunities for open water swims, training runs and training programs conducted by Coach Liz Waterstraat / Multisport Mastery.  

Athletes’ Guide  

2024 Athlete's Guide will be release by April 1.

Directions

Use these directions to the Forge.

Map / Google Address is: 227 Heritage Quarries Dr., Lemont, IL 60439

Parking

Use Lots 1 or 2 after the 2nd stop sign on the gravel road. They are the closest to the bridges to enter The Forge, packet pick-up, and the start and finish line area.

Parking Map

Important Parking Info:

On race day, we encourage carpooling.  The Forge has adequate parking, but the race field, volunteers and spectators will maximize the use of our parking lots. Please follow signs directing you to parking. Athletes will park in the lots on the north side of the I&M Canal, which is a short walk across the bridges to The Forge.

Please note that after the race begins, vehicles will not be permitted to enter or exit the park until after the race is complete at approximately 9:30 am. The park access road is part of the bike course and will be closed once the race starts.

Athletes or spectators who may need to leave early should park in the public lots or street parking in downtown Lemont and ride or walk to The Forge, approximately 1 -1 ½ miles.

The shuttle system at the Metra Station will not be available on race day. 

Packet Pick-Up:

Dates, times and locations to be announced by April 1.  Expect 2 -3 pick-up days prior to race day in various locations plus race day pick-up.

Race Day Schedule
5:00 AM –            Parking Opens
5:15 AM –            Transition and Race Day Packet Pick-Up Open
6:30 AM –            PPU and Transition Set-Up Closes
6:35 AM –            Course Talk / Briefing – Near the Swim Start 
6:40 AM –            Wave Line-Up Ends / Swim staging by Wave on the shelf near the Dock / Creamery
6:40 AM –            National Anthem
6:50 AM –            Elite Wave Start (Deep Water / Mass Start)
6:55 AM –            Duathlon / Wave TT Starts
7:15 AM –            Last Wave Starts
7:45 AM –            Anticipated 1st Finisher
8:00 AM –            Post Race Food / Beverage Available
9:15 AM –            Anticipated Last Finisher
~9:15 AM –         Transition Opens for Exit / Departure
9:15 AM –            Awards at the Mount / Stage

All athletes and spectators are encouraged to stay at The Forge after the race for a post-race celebration. Food and beverage will be available for purchase at The Foundry and the activities at The Forge will be open.  

Results:

2021, 2022 and 2023 result are here: Forge Triathlon Results

Awards

Due to the time trial start format, all awards will be based on chip / electronic time, including overall awards.

Awards will be the following:

1st – 3rd Overall Male and Female
1st Overall Male and Female Masters (Age 40+)
1st Overall Male and Female Lemont Resident
1st Overall Male and Female First Time Triathlete
Mr. and Ms. Mid Pack (Athlete that finishes in the exact middle of the pack in their gender by placement)
1st – 3rd 10-Year Age Groups from < 20 – Age 70+ (Example, Male 30-39, Female 40-49, Female <20)
 
Cash prizes will be awarded to the 1st - 3rd Overall Males and Females in the Triathlon: Amount TBD

Additional awards, prizes and raffles will be offered and announced before the race.

Race Photos & Video

2022 Photos

2021 Photos

Volunteering

Not racing?  We love volunteers.  Sign up will be open soon.

Sponsors and Partners

For Sponsor and Partnership Information Contact: Dave Fako at [email protected] or 708-705-6791

Questions?

Questions about the race?  Contact: Dave Fako at [email protected] or 708-705-6791