Annually hosting 1800 participants, the Door County Triathlon has been welcoming athletes to Egg Harbor, Wisconsin since 2005. The race offers a beginner friendly sprint distance on Saturday morning, the Mark Ernst Memorial Kids Triathlon on Saturday afternoon and a more competitive 70.3 mile effort on Sunday. In 2024 Door County’s signature event, the 70.3 mile distance, was the largest non-Ironman 70.3 mile race in the U.S. (497 finishers) ahead of the Patriot Half (357 finishers) and Clash Daytona (323 finishers). In 2023 it was selected as USA Today’s Best Triathlon In The U.S.
We reached out to Sean Ryan, the Race Director, to find out the secret sauce to Door County’s extended success. “Our success is based on a great destination, solid execution, and our community’s involvement. The numerous quaint villages that dot the Door County peninsula provide endless dining, shopping and tourism amenities and a natural scenic backdrop that is perfect for sports enthusiasts. By offering the three events over two days, it allows the race to serve as the highlight for a family ‘tri-cation.’ Nearly half of the participants have a fellow family member taking part in the same or another event at our venue that weekend. The athletes’ seamless experience is thanks to our core team of dedicated organizers that have worked hard to produce a five-star race for more than two decades. And we are fortunate to have more than 20 local charities that benefit financially from the race and help fill the volunteer ranks each year.”
Sean’s advice for other race directors is always focus first on making an impression, not making a profit. If you consistently produce a quality event, the registration numbers and the entry fees will generate the profits needed to justify your efforts. Organizers need to work within budget limits but participant safety and the quality of the experience shouldn’t be sacrificed to achieve profits.
About Door County Triathlon. The Door County Peninsula is often referred to as the “Cape Cod of the Midwest.” This popular Midwestern tourist destination offers an abundance of lodging, dining, shopping and entertainment options. The sandy shorelines and majestic bluffs along Green Bay north of Sturgeon Bay provide an ideal setting for a triathlon. Frank Murphy Park is located in Horseshoe Bay, just 15 miles north of Sturgeon Bay and 3 miles south of Egg Harbor. The park has an ornate pavilion, a sandy beach, and a permanent pier that is perfect for spectators. Several large fields directly across the road from the park’s entrance provide ample parking for participants and spectators.
About Cal Tri Events. Cal Tri Events is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the largest national short-course triathlon series in the U.S. Their mission is to provide safe, affordable, and accessible triathlon experiences that make a difference in the communities they serve. The Cal Tri Events difference includes $85 all-in early bird pricing, free pre race swim clinics, and the best 15 words in triathlon; Free race transfers, deferrals & participant transfers as late as the day before the race. Learn more at www.californiatriathlon.org.