MTC Zilla Tri 2026 — Columbia, IL

Welcome to the 3rd annual MTC Zilla Tri Sprint Triathlon WITH NEW EXPANDED YOUTH SHORT SPRINT AGE GROUPS! This triathlon is a great event for all ages, 10 and up, beginners and seasoned athletes. Event hosted by the Metro-Tri Club. Race begins in the beautiful Bolm-Schuhkraft Park in Columbia, Illinois. The SPRINT event, open to ages 14 and up, begins with a 300 meter serpentine swim in Columbia Bath and Tennis pool. The 11.2-mile bike course has mostly flat roads with one challenging hill, and railroad crossing (time not adjusted for stoppage at train track). The bike is non-draft legal. The 5K run course will take you through a neighborhood, onto the trail, and will have plenty of shade. The YOUTH SHORT SPRINT, open to ages 10-17 years, will begin with a 200 meter serpentine swim in Columbia Bath and Tennis pool. The 6 mile bike course has mostly flat roads with one challenging hill, and railroad crossing (time not adjusted for stoppage at train track). The bike is non-draft legal. The 2 mile run course will take you through a neighborhood with plenty of shade. *NOTE: Athletes aged 14-17 may choose to race in either the Short Youth Sprint OR the Full Distance Sprint if they are seeking a greater challenge. Triathlon is USAT sanctioned. USAT rules require bar ends to be plugged. Drafting rules apply. USAT officials will be on course. Be sure to register by July 1, 2026 to guarantee a t-shirt in your size. Online Registration ends August 1 at 12:00 pm. Packet Pick-up: Saturday, August 1, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm and Race Day 5:30 - 6:45 am, McDonnold Blvd, in Bolm-Schukraft Park, Columbia, IL. All athletes must pick up their own packet, NO EXCEPTIONS. Photo ID and USAT membership card are required. If you are not a USAT member you will need to purchase an annual membership or 1-day pass during registration. If you do not have your USAT membership card, you will be required to purchase a 1-day pass. Transition will open at 5:30 AM and close at 6:45 AM. Mandatory meeting with USAT official 6:45AM. Race begins at 7:00 AM Youth Super Sprint Athletes will be able to remove their gear from transition post race beginning at 8 AM. You must exit transition at BIKE OUT at this time. Sprint Athletes will be able to remove their gear from transition post race beginning at 9 AM. You must exit transition at BIKE OUT at this time. Sprint Course Maps: For bike route go to: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/5919968674/ (*time will not be adjusted for stoppage at train tracks). For run route go to : https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/5909809144 / Youth Short Sprint Course Maps: For 10-17 bike route go to: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/6426359836 (*time will not be adjusted for stoppage at train tracks). For 10-17 run route go to: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/6426365452 : A wards: In the SPRINT Race, Top Male and Female Finisher Awards will be given, as well as Top 3 age-division finishers for Male and Females: 14-15, 16-17 18-19 , 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54,55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, 85 and older. Awards Ceremony for the Sprint Race will begin at 9:30 a.m. outside the pool area. In the YOUTH SHORT SPRINT, awards will be given to the Top 3 age-division finishers for Male and Female: 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, and 16-17. Awards Ceremony for the Youth Short Sprint will begin at 8:15 a.m. outside the pool area. In the case of lightening the swim will be canceled and replaced with a 1k run for the Sprint Distance, 0.5 mile run for the Youth Short Sprint. In the case of severe weather the event will be canceled, no refunds/transfers. The race director(s) reserve the right to cancel or modify the race due to adverse conditions that make the race unsafe. In the event the race is canceled, it will not be rescheduled, and there will be no refunds. Awards and swag will not be mailed.