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Root River Triathlon 2027

Date
Saturday, May 15, 2027
Start time
8:30 AM start (Chicago)
Entry fee
From $65 · goes up to $75 on Oct 31, 2026
Included with entry
Includes a shirt
Fundraising
Takes optional donations when you register
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Registration is open.

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Official race website

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Events and entry fees

EventDistanceWhenEntry feeCap
2-Person Canoe6.8 MilesRelay or teamOpen water swimMay 15, 20278:30 AM$65$75 after Oct 31, 2026–
2-Person Kayak6.8 MilesRelay or teamOpen water swimMay 15, 20278:30 AM$65$75 after Oct 31, 2026–
3 Person RelayTriathlonRelay or teamOpen water swimMay 15, 20278:30 AM$65$75 after Oct 31, 2026–
4 Person RelayTriathlonRelay or teamOpen water swimMay 15, 20278:30 AM$65$75 after Oct 31, 2026–
Canoe6.8 MilesOpen water swimMay 15, 20278:30 AM$65$75 after Oct 31, 2026–
Kayak6.8 MilesOpen water swimMay 15, 20278:30 AM$65$75 after Oct 31, 2026–

Entry fees exclude processing fees. Prices and dates come from the race's registration page and refresh nightly.

Register on RunSignup

The 2-Person Canoe fee goes up to $75 on Oct 31, 2026.

Race day planning

Entry fee schedule

  • $65 until Oct 31, then $75 until May 15, then $85 until May 16.

Online registration closes May 16, 2027, unless the race fills first.

Light and altitude

Sunrise on race morning is at about 5:41 AM, and the 2-Person Canoe starts at 8:30 AM.

Fees exclude processing fees. Comparisons use current entry fees and published results from races nearby.

Start location and course

Houston Nature Center, Houston, MN 55943

The pin marks the address the race lists, which is usually the start. Course maps are the organizers' own.

Kayak

120
finishers
2:28:08
median (21:47 /mi)
1:47:53
winning time
42% / 58%
women / men
median 2:28:081:50:213:46:07
Finish times, fastest to slowest. Each bar is a slice of the field; the dashed line is the median.

4 Person Relay

3
finishers
2:29:21
median
2:18:58
winning time
–
women / men

Aggregated from official results (Five Star NTP) for Root River Triathlon. Individual finisher names are not stored here.

How fast do you need to be at Root River Triathlon?

At the 2026 Kayak, the fastest tenth finished in 2:01:59 or better, the top quarter in 2:10:06, and half the field in 2:28:08; the last tenth came in after 3:03:56.

At the 2026 4 Person Relay, the fastest tenth finished in 2:21:02 or better, the top quarter in 2:24:09, and half the field in 2:29:21; the last tenth came in after 2:55:48.

Third place by age group, 2026 Kayak
AgeWomenMen
20-292:09:06n/a
30-392:20:491:55:10
40-492:22:502:09:26
50-592:19:172:04:21
60-69n/a2:09:05
70+n/a2:38:20

Groups with fewer than five finishers are left out. Awards vary by race; check the race's rules.

What would my time get me?

Where a finish time would have placed in 2026.

Finishers by year

Down 28 percent since 2022.

All events combined, from official results.

Root River Triathlon Other year by year

From 2022 to 2026, the field went from 154 to 120 finishers, and the median time rose from 1:20:57 to 2:28:08.

YearFinishersMedianFastest tenthWinner
2026120 (-8%)2:28:08under 2:01:591:47:53
2025131 (+4%)2:37:57under 2:07:571:51:41
2024126 (-5%)2:23:32under 2:00:331:46:22
2023133 (-14%)2:11:43under 1:54:481:38:23
20221541:20:57under 1:00:2845:23

From each year's official results for the Other; virtual options are left out.

From the race's page

What the organizers of Root River Triathlon cover on their registration page, in brief.

Schedule and packet pickup

Race Day Schedule

Same day registration is available! 6:30 AM – 8:00 AM | Packet Pickup & Registration. 📍 Houston Nature Center, 215 W Plum St, Houston, MN 55943. Registration closes at 8:00 AM. Packets include:Bib number & safety pins. Timing chip (wear…

Rules and FAQ

FAQ's & Logistics

Q. How do I create a Team for 2-person Canoe/Kayak or Relay during registration? Watch this video tutorial we made. https://youtu.be/r-EUzT1jq_w. Q. Are there restrictions or regulations on what kind of canoe/kayak, bike, or paddle I can…

The cause

The Lions Club

All proceeds from this event benefit local and international Lions projects. For more information, you may contact one of our members, or in writing at: Houston Lions Club. PO Box 732 - Houston, MN 55943.

Full details on the race's RunSignup page

Race details

Where
Houston Nature Center, Houston, MN 55943Map
Course
Road
Included with entry
T-Shirt
Donations
Accepted when you register
Distances
Triathlon
Editions
2027 (May 15, 2027), 2026 (May 16, 2026), 2025 (May 17, 2025), 2024 (May 18, 2024), 2023 (May 20, 2023), 2022 (May 21, 2022)

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Quick answers

When is Root River Triathlon?
Saturday, May 15, 2027, starting at 8:30 AM.
How much does it cost?
Entry starts at $65 before processing fees, and rises to $75 on Oct 31, 2026.
When does registration close?
Online registration closes May 16, 2027, unless the race fills first.
Do athletes get a shirt or medal?
Entry includes a shirt, according to the race's registration page. Check it for sizes and whether kids' races get the same.
Can I donate to a cause when I register?
Yes. The registration form offers an optional donation, usually for the charity or nonprofit the race supports. The race's own page names the cause.
What distances are offered?
Triathlon.
How big is it, and how fast?
In 2026, 120 athletes finished the Kayak; the median finish was 2:28:08 and the winner finished in 1:47:53.
Where does it start?
Houston Nature Center, Houston, MN 55943.
Is there a course map?
Yes, the organizers publish the route on drive.google.com; the link is under Start location and course.

From the organizers

Experience the beauty of Bluff Country in the Root River Valley with our exciting non-swimming triathlon! Since its inception in 1998 by the City of Houston, this triathlon has been a thrilling event for participants of all ages. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a newcomer, there's something for everyone to enjoy.

Participation is open to men and women of every age (young people of 17 years and younger with the consent of their guardian).

Read the full description on RunSignup