2026 MATTS 3RD ANNUAL VELODROME 4K TT (Sponsored by ABD and PACT)

NSYT is hosted by the not-for-profit Evanston-based OWLS (Open Water Lake Swimmers) and draws on over fifteen years of experience inspiring youth through triathlon.

The event is held at Evanston Township High School. This includes a pool swim, closed to traffic bike course, and run on ETHS grounds.

Event Distances:

11-14 year old: Swim 200 yards, Bike 5 miles, Run 1.2 miles

7-10 year old: swim 100 yard, Bike 2.5 miles, Run 0.7 miles

5-6 year old splash & dash: swim flexible based on skill and comfort level, Run 0.5 mile

*For need based scholarship, please contact Craig Strong at [email protected]

*If your child would like to race in a different age category than their current age for any reason (Ex: shorter or longer swim), please register them for their current age group and then email [email protected] so we can make the change for you.

Packet Pick Up:

Friday, August 14th 5-7:00 PM

Saturday August 15th 4-7:00 PM

Both packet pickups will be located at ETHS in the grassy area near the pool entrance off of Dodge Avenue, north of Door 1.

Race Series.

After galloping over the wide crushed limestone lanes at Chauncey’s in April and overcoming the hills on the wide grass/dirt pathways of Hickory Knolls in June, we are now venturing onto the twisting and turning single-track trails of Paul Douglas Forest Preserve in Hoffman Estates.

Choose from three different distances – approximate 4 miles / 9.5 miles / 13 miles – for a true trail running experience!

Date: August 23, 2026

Start Time: 7:30am (all distances)

Distances:

Approximate 4 miles / 9.5 miles / 13 miles

Walking-only participants are only allowed in the 4 mile distance, and support on all three courses will be removed at 12:00 Noon.

Location: Paul Douglas Forest Preserve, Central Avenue (just west of Roselle Rd, and just east of Barrington Rd), Hoffman Estates

Sponsors: Dick Pond Athletics, Mount to Coast and Darn Tough

Beneficiary: Chicago Area Mountain Bikers (CAMBr)

CAMBr is the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers, a volunteer organization of hundreds of riders who work to ensure that mountain bikers have diverse and challenging local opportunities to enjoy their sport. Our members have donated thousands of work hours to build and improve area trails.

The mission of the Chicago Area Mountain Bikers is to educate bicyclists, promote responsible trail use, prevent trail closings, maintain and build multi-use natural surface singletrack and freeride cycling opportunities in the Chicago area. CAMBr seeks to promote trail and freeride bicycling through stewardship, environmental and social responsibility, education, and a spirit of cooperation among all trail users, the conservation community, and governing bodies.

Please visit cambr.org if you are interested in finding out how you can get involved with CAMBr’s trail maintenance activities and/or cycling events.

Sponsored by

IMPORTANT: The Forest Preserve has very strict regulations in place regarding the trail use at Paul Douglas – if the trails are WET, the trails are CLOSED. If there is significant rain in the days immediately before race day and the Forest Preserve office deems the trails are not usable, we will shift the race to the asphalt bike path at the preserve. You will receive an email from us no later than Friday evening, August 21, notifying you of the change to the bike path with details about the course and race distances.