Course - Bike

The Bike - 40K

The 2010 Nation’s Triathlon bike course is now wider with two lanes in each direction. This will give athletes more room on the course!

The 2010 Nation's Triathlon bike course is a single loop course with two lanes in each direction completely closed to all cehicular traffic! Nation's Triathletes will have these spectacular roadways, avenues and boulevards all to themselves on race day. The course winds through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country.

The course features gentle up-hill rollers on the way out and a super-fast downhill return. It is excellent for both novice triathletes and experienced competitors.

The route takes competitors past the Kennedy Center, CIA Headquarters, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, Watergate building, WWII Memorial, Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and Iwo Jima Memorial. No other triathlon in the world offers competitors this type of racing experience. Competitors will be take across the magnificent Memorial Bridge and bike over the swim course before entering T2.

This is simply the most incredible bike course in the country.

Course route subject to change at any time with or without prior notice.

According to a 2009 participant:

"Great Day! How could you not enjoy a ride through a beautiful city with no traffic -- that was the best part."

And from a 2008 participant:

"I’ve done a ton of triathlons (including twice at Nation’s) and must say the bike course this year was one of the best I’ve ever ridden."

course map Bike

course map run
  1. Bikers head east on Independence Ave
  2. Left on 17th St
  3. Left on Constitution Ave
  4. Onto and over Roosevelt Bridge
  5. Exit onto GW Memorial Pkwy northbound
  6. Turnaround just west of 495
  7. South on GW Memorial Pkwy southbound
  8. Exit and over Roosevelt Bridge
  9. Onto Potomac River Pkwy northbound
  10. Exit southbound on 27th St
  11. Enter onto Potomac River Fwy southbound
  12. Exit onto Rock Creek Pkwy northbound
  13. Turnaround by Kennedy Center
  14. South on Potomac River Fwy southbound
  15. Exit onto Memorial Bridge westbound
  16. Turnaround ½ way across bridge
  17. Eastbound on Bridge
  18. Right on Ohio Dr SW
  19. Finish or loop 2

Bike Rules/Regulations

  1. Bikes must be racked on Saturday prior to the race from 1:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Once racked, bikes will remain in the transition area and may not be removed until the race. Bikes MUST have bike numbers fastened on them and all athletes must have their race bracelets on to enter the transition area.
  2. Helmets must be on AND fastened before triathletes mount their bikes.
  3. Do not mount your bike until you are out of the transition area and past the mount/dismount line.
  4. ABSOLUTELY NO RIDING IN THE TRANSITION AREA.
  5. STAY RIGHT ON THE BIKE COURSE UNLESS YOU ARE PASSING. DO NOT RIDE ABREAST FROM ANOTHER COMPETITOR FOR ANY REASON WHATSOEVER UNLESS YOU ARE PASSING.
  6. You must pass the 20k mark by 11:00 AM or you will not be allowed to continue biking. You will receive a DNF and be allowed to do the run.
  7. Do not litter.
  8. If you have a flat move your bike off the course.
  9. Emergency conditions may occur during the race. Please pay attention to your surroundings for indication of the need to clear the course or take other instructed action.

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