The One-of-a-Kind Course

Our Folsom Lake swim venue offers completely calm water, canyon scenery and a balmy 73 degrees in '09! Our rural bike course is on safe, extremely minimal traffic roads, featuring a secret, narrow, tree-canopied road diving down to the secluded banks of the Bear River. You will swear you're racing a Giro D'Italia stage! The setting for your run is the spectacular Auburn State Park - breathtaking views along the canyon rim, looking down at the American River below.

PARTICIPANT BENEFITS

This unique, beautiful and challenging venue is only a backdrop for a truly memorable event that will go to every length imaginable to cater to you as an athlete. This is an absolutely premium event that pampers you with the best gear, best food, best awards, best course signage, marking and support from 200+ volunteers and numerous local government agencies.

And since triathlon is an expensive sport and we aim to welcome all participants, we offer a discounted entry fee to those who need it most: Full-time students and others with extremely limited income. Email for details.

ENTRY FEE INCLUDES:

• Race T-Shirt - T3K's silky soft, tech fabric, long sleeve, loose fit, moisture/odor wicking garment (retail $32 - the best race T in the world!)
• Distinctive Finisher Medal - absolute top quality
• Incredible Finish Line Feast, featuring hot barbeque chicken, garlic bread, hot dogs, Jamba Juice smoothies, ice cold Cytomax and water, healthy treats, an incredible buffet of fresh fruit, and of course dessert!
• 10% off coupon for Sports Basement
• $10 Gift Certificate to Bradventures.com
• Lavish Age Group Awards
• Camping: RV and tent camping at Overlook Park for ZERO dollars (nacho libre - excelente!)

LOGISTICS

This is a two-transition race with the swim at Folsom Lake and T2 & finish line at the Railhead Park in Auburn. Folsom Lake is seven miles downhill from the finish line. Click here for complete race day logistics. 

WEATHER

May 31st average high temperature in Auburn is 80 degrees with a low of 54. (2009 event was 81F with slight breeze...we won't talk about 2008 (101F...). Sunrise is 5:41am, Sunset 8:23pm. The higher elevations on the bike ride (2,400' max) will be a little cooler in the morning.

Expected water temperature at Folsom Lake is 66-73 degrees (73 in 2009, 71 in 2008, 70 in 2007, 68 in 2006, 66 in 2005), making wetsuits mandatory except in the Sprint Tri, where they are optional. More details will be provided race weekend on water temp, which is dependent on the timing of the annual snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada and the continued effects of toxic emissions on global warming.

Official Charity

Running School Fundraiser: Enjoy a special benefits package when you race for a most ideal charity - Brad Kearns's Running School kids fitness program.

"This was THE best event I participated in last year, my first ironman included. Awesome course!"

- Bill Hadley, San Francisco, CA

**

"This race is in my all-time top-5 of the ~200 that I lavished wealth upon and languished through in my career. It's virtually a sacred experience and pilgrimage for anyone that really understands the essence of this sport."

- David Burgdorf, Claremont, CA

**

"Life isn't all about personal bests -- this course frees the athlete from personal expectations. It’s exactly the sort of race many people need."

- Gordo Byrn, Professional Triathlete, one-man cottage industry, web guru (www.gordoworld.com), author of "Going Long", 2003 champion

**

"This race sparks my passion for the sport. It's what racing should be about – the toughest athlete prevails."

- Tim DeBoom, Professional Triathlete, 2x Hawaii Ironman World Champion, 2004 World's Toughest Half champion, husband of world-famous triathlete and '04&'05 World's Toughest Half female champion Nicole DeBoom.

"This race was a life-changing experience. Before this event I had no intention of doing any Ironman-distance races. Now I feel ready."

- Karin Jeffrey, Triathlon coach and personal trainer

Pictured: 2003 Champion Gordo Byrn. 2004 Champions Tim DeBoom and Nicole DeBoom

produced by...

Thank you to...

Gina Kehr, 4th place Hawaii Ironman finisher in 2006, tuned for for '07 with a victory in the Int'l distance event.

Sweden's Clas Bjorling - 2006 men's champ and 13.1-mi run course record holder (1:21). 3rd in 2004, 2nd in 2005 and finally victory in 2006!

Andrea Ivan and Angie Weinberger (below) completed their sixth consecutive World's Toughest Half events in 2008!

2004 and 2005 Champion Nicole DeBoom cruises to victory on the running trails of the Auburn State Park.

2000 Triathlon Olympic Gold Medalist Simon Whitfield made his professional long course debut at the 2005 World's Toughest Half.

Want to Volunteer?

Experience the passion and excitement of triathlon first hand by supporting these athletes on race day! Email or call 530-888-9911 for details, or complete and return this Signup Form.

Train safe with the stylish, customized AT-logoed Runners ID tag!