The Nation's Triathlon
Reviews and Race Information

Pros: The course was great, flat and fast bike and runs. Great backdrop of the National Monuments. Cons: They just keep adding people...6000 last year, and get ready for this: they are gunning for 8,000+ in 2010. I was fortunate to have an earlier swim wave last year (5th or 6th) and the bike was still a nightmare. Constant drafting or blocking and I didn't see a course marshall all day. Pre-race check-in was a disaster. There was a mandatory "safety" meeting that you had to attend in order to be able to get your hand stamped, so you could collect your race packet. All said, I was at the hotel for 2 hours just to get my bib number. At the meeting, two things struck me: 1 - the race director actually told everyone that if they got tired during the swim, they could hang onto a kayak until they felt better and then keep going. I guess they aren't paying attention to USAT rules, but this is illegal and grounds for an automatic DQ. If you can't finish any part of a race, then you shouldn't be competing in that distance. 2 - The race director asked "how many first time triathletes do we have here?" and over 80 percent of the room put up their hand. TNT should just start hosting their own races at this point. If you love the Purple Monster, this is your race. And while the swag in the race packet was pretty nice, $175+ is a hefty fee. For another 50 bucks, I could do a WTC 70.3 race.

Race fee (roughly $200) is nearly double the realistic price point for an Olympic distance race. They nearly doubled the size of the field to 6,000 participants in 2009 (but failed to disclose that information in advance). It made for a crowded bike course and a logistical nightmare... be ready to stand in line for hours to get your gear out of the transition area after the race! As previously pointed out, the large field + heavy first-timer field (TNT) = safety issues. That's not a knock on first timers (everybody has to start somewhere) or TNT (a great cause). Just not smart for the race director to crowd the course under such conditions. FYI... they are planning to up the field to 8,000+ participants in 2010. There are better / cheaper / safer options in the area.

I've done this race 2 years (2008 & 2009). 2008 it was great! The race was large but manageable for racers, spectators, and organizers. There were draw backs of the finish line not being where transition was. They fixed that for 2009 but failed to disclose the race number increase of nearly 2,000 participants!!! It was rumored that there would be 6,000!! Swim waves were going off 3 minutes apart for over an hour and made the swim ridiculously crowded and dangerous. Let alone us ladies that were in later waves had to sit around in the swim pen for what seemed like an enternity. The bike was a joke since the course was so jammed it was a non-stop draft line with no room to race or navigate. The run spreads out and you can finally breath some. The race has a great cause and purpose, but the increase in racers made it seem like i was their cash cow. It's a heavy first timer race so more experienced racers will find it VERY frustrating since you can't really "race" until the run. I think it would be great to do a TnT dedicated Tri one day or weekend and then have a true race another day or weekend. It's a great course.....but they should have never increased the numbers to the size they did.

This was my first olympic-length triathlon and was a fantastic experience. The entire event--from expo to finish line party--was extremely well-organized, efficient, and easy to figure out. Granted, my tri experience is limited, but I really can't imagine how Nation's '09 could have been better run.

Loved it every year I have done it! They have a fun Facebook Fan page too with contests and tri-related info: http://www.facebook.com/TheNationsTriathlon?ref=ts

Really, a great race, very pleasant.

It was one of the best courses I've done in a long time. The swim was enjoyable (and I don't often say that!), the bike was scenic and fast, the run was flat and along the river's edge with enough trees to provide occassional shade. Extremely well organized with the most energetic, inspired staff I've ever seen at a race. Plus, imagine getting a print out of your splits just seconds after crossing the finish line!!! That was ingenious.

Bike could have used a little paving of some slots, and some parts of the course were rather narrow, leading to some unintentional drafting on my part, but it was an awesome race

Great race with a good crowd. I was a little displeased with the organization of both the expo and the transition area on race morning (too few porta-potties and hard to hear/organize swim waves), but overall, this was a well done race. I can't imagine trying to organize 5000 racers, so I'm sure the task was daunting. The volunteers were great, everyone was very friendly, and the course was beautiful. I look forward to coming back next year!

This was my first Olympic triathlon - a huge field of competitors, a beautiful course. Swimming in the Potomac was perfectly fine, the bike course was scenic and a little rolling but fast and the run was totally flat and beautiful. Good volunteers and cheering support along the course. Yes, the post-race food offerings were poor but I didn't hang out for them. At this price point they can spring for something substantial. But I really enjoyed this race!

The beautiful weather didn't hurt, but the course and organization were top notch. That said, there was room to improve. Some suggestions, in order of percieved importance: 1. The layout of the post race events was great with the tables, chairs, and umbrellas. The band was great! My only criticism was the food, or lack thereof. For the cost of the race, the spread was unexcusable. Offer something more substantial and tasty. Those sandwitches were gross. Get some sponsors to offer some real food and beverages. 2. While the run was beautiful, it would have been great to get closer to some of the monuments and sites of the city. Still, I was very impressed with the support and how clean the course was. 3. The bike course was a bit crowded, but I've seen worse. Still, spreading things out would be helpful. 4. More swim bouyes would be nice. Overall is was a great experience and with a few simple tweaks, this could become even more of a world class race.

It was a fun race, but honestly, I don't think I ever need to do a race this big again. Too many logistical hassles. Swim waves were too closely spaced. No time for any kind of swim warm-up, not even a little bit of back and forth at the start line, just in the water and go. I was swimming into people up to 3 waves ahead of me, and getting swum over by the wave behind me. Not nearly enough bouys on the swim course. Bike course was nice, but definitely too crowded in spots, impossible not to draft or block -- considering that there were > 2000 people who registered that didn't finish the race (not sure how many started the race), I can't imagine what it might have been like if there were REALLY 6000 people on that course! If they want to keep the race this big, they really need to space the waves further apart, but that would mean it would take all morning to get everyone started.... Like I said, it was fun, I'm glad I did it, but I probably don't need to do it again.

There's nothing extraordinary about this race except for the fact that it is near DC's great sites. But you wont actually see any of them on the course. You have to start your day super early because of limited parking and accessibility. The city is expensive to stay in. It's super crowded (6k people) so you could be waiting more than an hour for your swim. The river is dirty and stinky. The swim start is disorganized. And the announcers were downers.

Can't complain about the course, but if you want us there at 5:30 on race morning, PROVIDE BREAKFAST!

The nation's triathlon is a great event in a beautiful city!

Overall good Triathlon. Maybe a bit too crowded and they needed about a dozen more bouys during the swim as too many swimmers (in previous waves) were zig zaging all over the swim course.

Logistically , this race is a nightmare but the beautiful course makes up for the hassles. The check in hotel was difficult to get around in and without someone to wait with your illegally parked at transition, bike check-in could be hard as well. Except for getting back to transition after the race and trying to get something to eat race day was flawless considering the number of participants. After race food was the worst I have ever had. PB&J and protein shakes-no water!! 2 years ago we had ham, turkey and roast beef sandwiches with muffins, fruit, Coke and water. It baffles me why with the race sold out in March ,why they can't manage to get the shirt size ordered. What happened to all the smalls and xsmalls?? GIven the cost of this race I would like a refund for the nice shirt I can't wear.

Some rough patches on the bike path but the swim & run were flawless. Thanks again to the organizers & volunteers who made it all happen. My first tri and I'm definitely coming back for more.

great race. potomac actually seemed clean during the swim, fast bike and run courses. lots of competitors and spectators, which made the whole day exciting.

My first olympic tri. Superbly organized. A great introduction to the olympic distance. will definitely be back next year!

Fantastic race!! Flawless logistics and an unbeatable setting - A great time was had by all

Good

Great first time Olympic Tri. Fast course and beautiful scenery. It's a little more $$ than other races like it but it's worth the money for the DC triathlon experience. I am going to tell my friends about this race.

The Nation's Triathlon was a wonderful event this year. Aside from having beautiful weather the entire day was perfect. We had heavy rains earlier in the week which led to a slight current in the river but once the swim began you couldn't even feel it. The bike was flat and fast with some great views of the nations capital and wooded suburbs surrounding it. The run was flat and plenty of shade and aid to keep you rolling until the end. THe crowd was full of energy and I felt encouraged all the way through the finish line. The race was well executed with over 6000 racers with the exception transition access after the race. There was an hour line to gain entrance back in to the transition area. This needs improvement for next year. Also, don't bother fighting traffic down by the race; park on constitution ave. Plenty of spots and meters don't run on Sundays.

This was a fantastic race and absolutely an amazing experience. Right in the heard of Washington DC the course offers fast and flat terrain with views you won't want to miss. I am definitely doing the race next year. I've read the other reviews about this race and disagree that the water was cold. I thought it was perfect temp with a half wetsuit.

Such a great race, I'm going back again

One of the best races in the area!

Excellent race! I love the cold water.

Excellent race. One of the best in the area! Bring your wetsuit, the water can be chilly.

I'm loving it!

This is an awesome race! I'm a big fan of nation's triathlon!