Triathlon will once again return to New York as the city that never sleeps looks to reclaim its once-proud position among the sport’s most iconic venues.
Big Apple Triathlon will take place on Saturday, October 10, with registrations currently open for both the planned sprint and Olympic-distance races – each with a capacity of 1,250 athletes.
Swim-bike-run has always been popular in Manhattan; however, what was once a ‘must-attend’ event in the triathlon world calendar had become something of a nightmare for organisers as the complexities of hosting such a race amid the hustle and bustle of a manic city took their toll.
Wish comes true for triathlon fans
The COVID pandemic pretty much sealed its fate, and athletes have been waiting patiently ever since in the hope that they would once again have the opportunity to compete in a multisport event in the heart of New York City.
Those wishes have now come true thanks to triathlon and running operator Alpha Win, whose owner and CEO, Tommy Z Struzzieri, will also be taking on the role of race director.
He says the Big Apple Triathlon is set to be the marquee event of the 2026 triathlon calendar.
“We designed the Big Apple Triathlon to deliver an exceptional race experience for athletes of all levels,” he said. “With limited capacity and tiered registration, we encourage athletes and teams to register early to guarantee their place.
“As athletes and New Yorkers ourselves, we are working to curate a race that ensures every participant has a safe, fun experience while discovering New York City in a whole new way.
“So many athletes have been asking for the opportunity to race here again. We couldn’t be more excited to bring this world-class race to our hometown.”
Swimming in the Hudson River
Both the sprint (1.5km swim, 20km bike, and 4km run) and Olympic (1.5km swim, 40km bike, and 10km run) courses will include navigating a stretch of the Hudson River, followed by a bike leg along the West Side Highway and finish with a run through Central Park.
In its launch announcement on Instagram, the Big Apple Triathlon stated: “New York. We’re back. And we’re doing it differently.
“@bigappletriathlon isn’t about replicating what came before – it’s about building something with personality. Shaking hands. Learning names. Being accessible. Because racing in NYC should feel as electric as the city itself.
“October 10, 2026. Hudson River. West Side Highway. Central Park. See you there.”
Registrations open for both races
There are also options available for athletes wanting to combine forces for a relay – where one athlete swims, one bikes and another runs – while those wishing to avoid the run can also just do a sprint or Olympic-distance aquabike.
Following a period of early access, registration will take the form of three pricing rounds: Round 1 (first 500 entries per distance), Round 2 (next 500), and Round 3 (final 250). Athletes who register earlier will secure lower pricing and greater certainty of entry.
For registration and more information, visit: www.bigappletriathlon.com
