A tri for everyone

Carlyle Lake Triathlon

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

In partnership with Carlyle Lake, the City of Carlyle, Il, and the US Army Corps of Engineers, MSE Racing is proud to bring to you the Carlyle Lake Triathlon. 

Experience an exciting rolling beach start for the beautiful Carlyle Lake swim, transitioning to a flat, scenic bike course over the planes of Illinois.  The run takes you on rolling country roads to finish coming over the spillway at the end with a view of the largest man-made lake in Illinois. With multiple distance options to choose from, there is sure to be an event for every type and skill level of triathlete.

You'll revel in the famously flat and fast roads of Carlyle, the view over the spillway of the dam, and much, much more!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025

LOCATION: 

Dam West Beach

801 Lake Road

Carlyle Township, IL 62231

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TIME: 3:30pm - 5:30pm (try and make this one)

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PRE-RACE TALK: 4:30pm with Race Director Sally Drake. 

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You CANNOT pick up someone else's packet unless you are doing a relay. Make sure you bring your photo ID.

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RACE PACKET: There will be 5 specific items to be aware of -

1. Wristband: There will be a wristband with your race number. These must be worn to access transition on Saturday and Sunday. If you misplace this band, you will need to secure a new one prior to entering transition..

2. Timing Chip: You will receive your timing chip when you pick up your packet at the expo on Saturday. DO NOT FORGET THIS ON RACE MORNING. You will wear the timing chip on your left ankle with the chip portion facing out. This is how you will be timed. NO CHIP = NO TIME = NO RESULTS.

3. Bike Sticker: place this on your bike, usually the seat post is the best place or the top tube.

4. Helmet Sticker: place this on the front of your helmet.

5. Race Bib: You are only required to wear your bib while you are on the run. It should always be forward-facing and visible. You can affix it to you using safety pins or a bib belt

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2025

LOCATION:

Dam West Beach

801 Lake Road

Carlyle Township, IL 62231

TIME:

4:30am – 12:00pm

AGENDA & DESCRIPTION:
PARKING: Parking signs and directions will be in place. There will be volunteers directing athletes and volunteers to specific parking areas. Please follow their directions for parking and do not run them over :)
 

4:30am – Transition Opens – check in gear. Athletes only in the transition area, we will check your wrist band that you will find in your packet. You will rack your bike according to your race number. Look for your number at the end of each rack. Bikes must be racked in alternating directions, preferably by the seat.

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5:00am – Wetsuit announcement – legal if water is 78 degrees or below. Not legal if it is over, and wetsuit optional if 78-82 degrees but this group will not be eligible for any awards or USAT points. 82 degrees or above – NO wetsuits allowed.

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5:00-6:00am - Onsite race day packet pickup at Dam West Beach on Carlyle Lake. You CANNOT pickup someone else's packet unless you are doing a relay. Make sure you bring your photo ID.

6:30am – Transition Closes – you will NOT be allowed back in. Athletes line up with their swim wave which is indicated by our swim cap color.

6:45am – Swim warm up or splash in if daylight allows
 

Pre-race announcements

7:00am – Wave starts begin! Duathlon will begin after all the swim starts have occurred.

Race management reserves the right to remove an athlete from the course and DNF the athlete if course officials determine there is no possibility of an athlete finishing the given discipline (swim, bike, run) before the posted cut off times based on an athlete’s location, time, and average speed up to that point.

ON COURSE NUTRITION:

Please carry your own nutrition. Water and electrolyte drink on the run for all athletes.

BIKE SUPPORT:

Our awesome sponsor, Big Shark Bicycles will have a mechanic in
transition for last-minute needs. Big Shark will also have a SAG vehicle on the course just in case you have an issue that you cannot fix during the ride.

FINISH LINE PARTY:

Food, drinks, and music at the finish line! Invite family and friends.

AWARDS:
Listen for announcements. We will do the awards as soon as the majority have finished.

• Top 3 Overall Male & Female Awards for the following divisions: Sprint Triathlon, Sprint Aquabike, Sprint Duathlon, Sprint High School Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, Olympic Aquabike, Olympic Duathlon 

• Top 3 Age Group Male & Female Awards for the following divisions: Sprint Triathlon & Olympic Triathlon

• Top 3 Relay Teams for the following divisions: Sprint Relay and Olympic Relay

All participants will race based on their age as of 12/31/2025.

The age group breakdown is standard 5-year age groups, 0-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30- 34….75+

USAT INFORMATION:
USAT, or USA Triathlon, is the national governing body of the sport of Triathlon. Sanctioning an event through USAT means the race is provided insurance for its athletes, race coordinators, and volunteers. As a sanctioned triathlon, all athletes are required to either be an annual USAT member or purchase a one-day membership pass. If you are currently a USAT member, please make sure to bring your proof of membership when you pick up your packet. If you do not bring this proof, you will be
charged the one-day membership fee. If you are not an annual member, you will need to purchase a one-day membership (to insure you as a triathlete) before you are able to pick up your packet. One-day membership will be collected when you register online. A USAT Official will be at the event and will be enforcing all USAT rules. It is strongly suggested you visit the USAT website for the complete list of rules and review. Race management reserves the right to remove an athlete from the course and DNF the athlete if course officials determine there is no possibility of an athlete finishing the given discipline (swim, bike, run) before the posted cut off times based on an athlete’s location, time, and average speed up to that point.

PHOTO DISCLAIMER:

There may be a photographer on site capturing pictures of the event. Since this is a public event, we reserve the right to post photos on our social media or agency website. Photos may also be used in promotional materials.

RACE SHIRT GUARANTEE:

Last day to register to guarantee a race shirt is September 1, 2025.

INCLEMENT WEATHER & REFUND POLICY:
There is NO rain date, We Go Rain or Shine. In case of inclement weather,
management reserves the right to cancel/alter/modify the race/course for safety concerns. In any case there will be No Refunds of race entry fees. Each athlete must accept any such risk of their entry fee paid. There is no complementary race entry to a future race. All monies collected are used to develop and produce the event, including all race supplies, staffing, and administration. We pledge to make every effort to produce a fair, safe, and exciting event for all. Any decision we make to go forth with the
race is based on the overall event safety. We have a strict NO REFUND policy.

ADDITIONAL RELAY INFORMATION:
Relay triathlon is a WONDERFUL way to experience a triathlon if you are not ready to run the whole thing, if you are not capable of competing in a specific leg, or if you just want an opportunity to share something unique with friends or family. A triathlon relay can be done with 2 or 3 people. The team can consist of all male participants, all female or mixed. Each person does 1 or 2 legs of the race. The timing chip will have a Velcro
strap on it and is handed off from one athlete to the next in transition. All athletes receive full swag and finisher medals.

SPECTATOR INFORMATION:
Spectators, the unsung hero of the triathlon. Without family and friends there to cheer us forward, the rigors of our sport would be far more difficult. MSE Racing is dedicated to ensuring that these vital portions of our triathlon family are given the opportunity to enjoy themselves while they wait for the next opportunity to see you fly by.
MSE Racing is proud to provide the following amenities:

• Sign making craft table for kids

• Yard game section

• Food trucks/food options available for purchase so that spectators can have something to eat

• Music for additional entertainment

• Vendor and club booths available to visit

So, bring out those cow bells and noise makers for a fun day at the race!

LODGING INFORMATION:
Reservation block available until August 9th but will likely sell out before then. This is within walking distance to the race start! Call the hotel and mention that you are with the Carlyle Lake Triathlon & MSE Racing.

Mariner’s Village

https://marinersvillagecarlylelake.com/

1 Resort Dr., Carlyle, IL 62231

618-594-7666