In 2024, the Spudman Triathlon’s 2,400 spots sold out in a record 10 minutes. This year the organizers moved to a lottery system, and they received 3,300 entries for the 2,400 places. Founded in 1987 and taking place on the last Saturday in July, Spudman Triathlon is lovingly produced by the Burley Lions Club; and it includes both a river-assisted downstream sprint and an olympic distance. The 2026 event will be their 40th anniversary. One Spudman feature is the “Family and Friends” wave to accommodate athletes who want to participate without competing for podium awards.
We caught up with 80 years young race cofounder Scott Bloxham and current race director Carl B. Darrington to learn more about Spudman’s secrets of success. Scott will race Spudman for the final time this year. From the first race in 1987- which attracted 189 athletes, Scott and his co-founder Ron Ploeger, have focused on creating a great family experience. The race has grown with those families and their participation over performance emphasis, while also welcoming elite athletes. After a couple years of trial and error, the race became sustainable, and is now known as a multisport juggernaut. Their success has enabled them to contribute significantly to the local community. In 2024 Spudman donated $43,000 to local organizations who supported the race in some way. And their volunteer involvement is legendary, including residents like Sandy Baker. For over three decades she has dedicated eight months each year to handcraft the much sought- after ceramic spuds trophies, molding, coloring, firing, glazing, and painting each one.
When the 2025 Ironman 70.3 Boise race was relaunched last September, the race moved from its traditional second weekend of June date to the last Saturday in July; Spudman race weekend. Ironman 70.3 Boise is scheduled to return after a decade-long hiatus since 2015 when 878 athletes crossed the finish line. Based on this year’s registrations, Spudman’s position as a premium fast course race with a loyal athlete community has seemingly made it immune from even the world’s most popular triathlon brand. We see you Spudman!
About Burley Lions Club. The Burley Lions Club is the sponsor of the Spudman Triathlon. The Burley Lions Club was founded in 1938 and has been working to enhance our community through service ever since. In an effort to find a fundraiser to provide funds to support for the community, the Spudman Triathlon was born in 1987. This race has grown from a few hundred racers in the beginning years to now over 2,400 participants. Spudman is always the last Saturday in July and is truly a community event with support from hundreds of volunteers. We are a 100% volunteer organized race and all proceeds go back into the local community.
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.