Tri the Parks – Richard B Russell Sprint XL takes place at Richard B Russell State Park in Elberton, Georgia, offering three distinct formats for athletes. Participants can choose from a 5-mile event, a 22-mile distance, or a 28-mile option, with racing modes including triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike disciplines. The event starts at 7:30 AM on July 11, 2026, with entry fees ranging from $94 to $179 depending on your selected distance and format. Located at 2650 Russell State Park Drive, the venue provides a state park setting for your summer racing. Consider booking accommodation in or near Elberton well in advance, as the early morning start time means you'll want convenient lodging close to the park.
From the Race Organizer
TRIATHLON, DUATHLON, AQUABIKE: SPRINT XL DISTANCE EVENT RACE INFORMATION Registration cutoff is 5:30 AM on race day or when field limit is reached if earlier Field limit is 350 T-shirts are NOT guaranteed if you sign up after June 27 Transition Area: Bike racks are coordinated to match with your assigned race number. Place your bike in the rack corresponding with your number Body Marking: All athletes will be marked with race number and age Swim Caps: Swim caps are provided in your race packet and must be worn. Your cap color identifies your swim start position EVENT TIMELINE 5:30 a.m. Park opens 5:30 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. Check-in 7:00 a.m. Report to the beach for the swim seed positioning and duathlon course start 7:15 a.m. Start sequence information and last minute course updates 7:30 a.m. Race starts 11:00 a.m. Awards ceremony begins TRIATHLON COURSE: Sprint XL Swim Course: A 750 meter triangle course (ONE 750 meter lap) with the swim start and exit at the shoreline area marked by large START and FINISH signs. The wetsuit ruling will be made when the USAT Official takes the race day water temperature reading on the morning of the race. Wetsuits are legal when the temperature is below 78 degrees. The swim portion of the race will be conducted in a time trial start with athletes lining up in race number sequence and starting every 5 seconds. Sprint XL Bike Course: The bike course follows the park main road out of the park and onto smooth, paved county roads for an out and back loop course. Follow Russell State Park Drive out and turn left onto Ruckersville Road at the 2.1 mile mark. Continue on Ruckersville Road and turn left onto Hulmes Chapel Road at the 5.8 mile mark. Follow Hulmes Chapel and turn left onto Middleton Church Road at the 11.5 mile mark. Follow Middleton Church Road and turn left onto Pearl Mill Road at the 12.9 mile mark. Continue on Pearl Mill Road until it turns into Harpers Ferry Road at the 14.3 mile mark. Continue on Harpers Ferry Road and turn right onto Ruckersville Road at the 18.6 mile mark. Continue on Ruckersville Road back to the park entrance at the 19.9 mile mark and follow to bike finish. The course is marked with directional signs and mile markers every two miles. All turns will be staffed with Tri the Parks personnel and uniformed Sheriff officers, but it is the racer’s responsibility to know the course. This course is open to traffic, so in addition to course turns, Sheriff personnel will be stationed at other significant intersections. Please do not turn just because a patrol car is at the intersection, look for signage and Tri the Parks personnel. Sprint XL Run Course: The run course is a ONE lap 3.1 mile run that follows a trail for the first half mile and then follows paved park roads for the remaining course. Water stations are located at each mile of the course. Gatorade will be available as well as water at the first water table coming out of transition and at the Finish. The course is mostly flat and fast. SPRINT XL DUATHLON COURSE: The duathlon start line is located adjacent to the race finish line and will start at 7:30 a.m. at the same time the triathlon begins. The first leg of the event consists of a 3.1 mile run course which follows the triathlon run course in reverse of the direction of the second run leg (see map at website). The bike course is the same course as the triathlon course and the final run leg follows the same 3.1 mile course as the triathlon. SPRINT XL AQUABIKE COURSE: The Aquabike course consists of the same swim and bike legs as the Sprint XL Triathlon. The swim portion of the race will be conducted in a time trial start with athletes lining up in race number sequence and starting every 5 seconds. At the conclusion of the bike course, exit transition T2 and make a sharp turn to cross the finish line. Aquabikers will find a green wristband in their packets to be worn during the race to help distinguish you. COURSE MAP: Course maps are available below and will also be included in your race packet. PARKING: Parking will open at 5:30 AM and will be on a first-come, first serve basis. Volunteer attendants will direct you to a space and it will begin at the beach area close to transition. Overflow parking will be at the pavilion parking approx. ¼ mile away from transition. Please remember to bring your photo ID with you as it could be a long walk to race check-in/transition.
Hotels Near This Race
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Tri the Parks – Richard B Russell Sprint XL 2026 — Elberton, GA
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Race Travel Insurance
Don't forget travel insurance for July 11.
You've trained for months and booked a trip to Elberton, GA.
A pre-race injury, a delayed flight, or a family emergency can derail the whole thing.
Travel insurance can help cover your race entry fee, hotel, and flights if you can't make it,
and may cover medical costs if something goes wrong on the course. Plans typically only run
5-7% of your total trip cost — and running events are covered under standard plans with no
additional coverage needed.
Trip cancellation up to 100% of prepaid costs
Running events covered under standard plans — no add-ons needed
Trip interruption up to 150% of non-refundable costs
When is Tri the Parks – Richard B Russell Sprint XL 2026 — Elberton, GA?
Tri the Parks – Richard B Russell Sprint XL 2026 — Elberton, GA takes place on July 11, 2026. The race is held in Elberton, Georgia.
Where is Tri the Parks – Richard B Russell Sprint XL 2026 — Elberton, GA held?
Tri the Parks – Richard B Russell Sprint XL 2026 — Elberton, GA is held at 2650 Russell State Park Drive in Elberton, Georgia.
Where can I find hotels near Tri the Parks – Richard B Russell Sprint XL 2026 — Elberton, GA?
RaceHotelFinder shows hotels sorted by distance from the race venue in Elberton. Use the map or list view on this page to compare options and book race weekend accommodation.
