Swan Lake Grit-N-Gravel Triathlon 2026 — Fergus Falls, MN

Swan Lake Resort & Campground is honored to host a gnarly race through the beautiful waters, formidable hills, and rugged trails of Minnesota lakes country. Our intent is to organize a safe and rewarding race experience for everyone. Triathlon Race Segments Individual and Relay teams will complete: Swim: 1,000 yard Athletes will depart from a beautiful sandy beach into serene Swan Lake for a 1,000 yard swim around clearly marked buoys. The course features a maximum depth of 8 ft and typical August water temperatures hover around 70°F. For participant safety, the swim segment will be closely patrolled by the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Department and Dalton Fire & Rescue. Bike: 18 mile The bike route offers a true dichotomy of terrain, with 60% hilly gravel roads and 40% buttery-flat pavement on the Central Lakes Trail, totaling over 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Athletes will ride approximately 1/2 mile each way on County Road 29 to access and return from the main gravel roads and Central Lakes Trail loops. Safety is a priority on the county road, with clear signage at all turns, volunteers stationed at crossings, and potentially Sheriff presence to help manage traffic. An aid station at the halfway point in Dalton provides a welcome break after the demanding gravel section and is also a great spot for fans to cheer on athletes. Trail Run: 4 mile The run course is an out-and-back route that begins on the hiking trails at the resort & campground before emerging onto a gravel road that leads to additional trails and some serious elevation at Ugly Duckling Lodge, where athletes will enjoy scenic views of Swan Lake along the property’s extensive trail system. The course features a healthy mix of gravel road, prairie trail, and dense wooded paths. A small aid station will be located at the turnaround point at Ugly Duckling Lodge. All Grit, No Chip This triathlon will be timed manually and casually. We plan to acknowlede Men's & Women's podium finishers, but don't expect to receive detailed time reports. If you are concerned with knowing your splits, plan to time them on your own with a device or friend. Speaking of time, the course is designed to be tough, so don’t expect to move at “pavement pace”. Schedule of Events 7-9am: athlete check-in 8am: yoga on the beach 9am: Kids Bike-N-Run race 9:30am: athlete meeting 9:45am: race start 12-3pm: live music, sauna, food & drink Safety & Medical Services Out of an abundance for caution, we've asked the OTC Sherrif's Water Patrol team to support athletes during the swim segment. On land, we've contracted with Ringdahl Emergency Medical Services for an ambulance and trained technician. In addition, we'll have several trained volunteers from Dalton Fire & Rescue to support on both land and water. Relay Captains The captains of triathlon teams should register 1st, pick a team name, pay the full registration fee, and invite any remaining teammates. USA Triathlon Note that registration requires a USA Triathlon membership ID, which helps us organize a safe event and cover the cost of event insurance. A single-race membership is free for kids, $9 for relay athletes, and $14 for individuals. It’s all integrated into the registration flow to minimize hassle. Kids Duathlon Bike-n-Run Race The kids race will be a short gravel bike loop followed by a mini run on the resort & campground roads. The entire course is on property for kids to remain visible at all times. It'll be a casual, fun race for ages 2 through 12 and parents are welcome to assist the little ones. We look forward to hosting an awesome event on our little slice of heaven. Whether you’re racing or watching, we hope you leave feeling inspired and appreciative of what the human body is capable of. Onward, Swan Lake Resort & Campground www.swanlake.camp | 218-736-4626 | hello@swanlake.camp