Root River Triathlon

Same day registration is available!

6:15 AM – 8:00 AM | Bike Drop
📍 Mound Prairie Bridge, County Rd 25, Houston, MN

• Return via County Hwy 25 → Hwy 16
• Bike helmets required — no exceptions
• Closes promptly at 8:00 AM — No bike check-in, no race.

6:15 AM – 8:00 AM | Boat Drop
📍 Sand dredge west of Hwy 76 bridge

• Drop off canoe/kayak, paddles & life vests
• Life vests required — no exceptions

6:30 AM – 8:00 AM | Packet Pickup & Registration
📍 At the start line

• Registration closes at 8:00 AM
• Packets include:
  • Bib number & safety pins
  • Timing chip (wear on left ankle)
  • Race T-shirt
  • Plastic bag for wet items

8:10 AM | Announcements & National Anthem
📍 At the start line

• Final instructions & race reminders

8:30 AM | Race Start

• 10 boats per heat
• First heat starts promptly at 8:30 AM
• 5-minute intervals between heats
• ⚠️ Do NOT switch heats — your time will be WRONG
• River bottom is sandy; shoreline may be muddy. Bring extra shoes

 
Transition Areas

Boat to Bike 

• Cross Timing Mat 1: exit boat
• Cross Timing Mat 2: before mounting bike

Bike to Run – Natural Playground, Trailhead Park

• Cross Timing Mat 3: drop bike & begin run

Finish Line
📍 Houston Nature Center Park

• Final time captured at finish
• Return timing chip to volunteers 
  • There is a $30 charge for unreturned timing chips!
• Complimentary snacks & drinks
• Showers available at the Nature Center
   

Awards – 12:00 PM
📍 Bandshell, Nature Center Park

• Full results: rootrivertriathlon.org
• Trophies: Overall Male & Female – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Relay Medals: 1st, 2nd, 3rd
• Age Group Medals (Male & Female – 1st, 2nd, 3rd):
  • 19 & under, 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70+ 

Gear Pickup

• Retrieve all gear from transition areas after the race
• Items left in Mound Prairie will NOT be returned to town
• Volunteer on-site until 1:00 PM — after that, it’s your responsibility
   

Public Parking Locations:

• Nature Center
• Houston Community Center
• Behind Farmer’s Elevator (N. Jefferson St)
• Behind Root River Market
• Barista’s Coffee House

If parking in Mound Prairie:
You must park south of the Root River bridge on County Rd 25.
Use Hwy 16 to return to Houston. No exceptions
 
Restrooms & Water Stations

• Portable restrooms:
  • Canoe/kayak start
  • Mound Prairie Boat Landing
  • Bike to Run Transition
• No restrooms on the run route
• Full restrooms & showers available at Nature Center
• Water stations at all transitions and along the course
   

📣 Spectator Info

We encourage cheering, clapping, cowbells, photos, and posters!

Best Viewing Areas – Be cautious of traffic:

Kayak/Canoe:

• Start near Hwy 76 bridge
• Boat landing via Hwy 25 bridge

Bike:

• Start on Hwy 25 (parking only south of bridge)
• Finish at Trailhead Park (behind bandshell)

Run:

• Start at Natural Playground
• Along W Elm Street (Houston High School)
• Finish at Nature Center Park
   

Refund Policy

No refunds. No exceptions. You are responsible — no excuses.

 
⚠️ Race Cancellation / Delay

• Kayak/Canoe Leg:
  • Canceled if Root River at Hwy 76 bridge > 5 ft
  • Monitor via USGS Water Data – Root River near Houston, MN
• Rescheduling:
  • Will occur only with enough notice to avoid major disruption
  • If rescheduling isn’t possible, bike leg replaces the paddle leg and is extended
• Weather Delays:
  • We’ll wait up to 1 hour for law enforcement clearance
  • If conditions remain unsafe, the race may be canceled due to an “act of God”