What Is an Aquabike?
Published by My Mind is Racing
An aquabike is a two-discipline multisport race: a swim followed by a bike, with no run. It is built for the athlete who loves the water and the bike but wants — or needs — to leave the run out. Many aquabikes are run as a division alongside a triathlon, sharing the same swim course, transition, and bike route, so you can race the same morning as your triathlete friends and finish when you roll across the line off the bike.
Who it is for
Aquabike draws two crowds. The first is triathletes sidelined from running — by injury, recovery, or the simple toll that running takes — who still want to train and race competitively. The second is strong swimmers and cyclists who were never runners to begin with and prefer a format that rewards what they are good at. Because it removes the run, aquabike is also a gentler entry point into multisport for newcomers wary of a full triathlon.
Distances and format
There is no single standard aquabike distance. Events set their swim and bike legs to match the triathlon they accompany, so distances vary widely:
- Sprint-style: roughly a 750 m swim and a 20 km bike.
- Olympic-style: roughly a 1.5 km swim and a 40 km bike.
- Long-course / 70.3-style: roughly a 1.9 km swim and a 90 km bike.
Always check the specific event — the swim and bike legs are inherited from the host race, and indoor or pool-based aquabikes can differ again.
How it differs from a triathlon and an aquathlon
A triathlon is swim, bike, and run; an aquabike simply drops the run. That one change reshapes the race. Pacing on the bike is no longer about saving your legs for a closing run, so many athletes ride harder all the way to the line.
Aquabike is easy to confuse with aquathlon, but the two are different two-discipline formats. An aquathlon is swim and run, with no bike — the mirror image of an aquabike. A duathlon, by contrast, is run, bike, run. Each format keeps two of the three triathlon disciplines and is a way into the sport for athletes who want to skip the third.
Race-day flow
An aquabike has just one transition, which keeps race day simple:
- Swim: the field starts in the water or from the shore and completes the swim leg, often shared with the host triathlon.
- Transition (T1): athletes move from the water to the bike, swapping wetsuit and goggles for helmet and shoes.
- Bike: the ride makes up the bulk of the race. The finish line is the end of the bike leg — there is no run and no second transition.
Your finish time is the total from the swim start to the moment you complete the bike, including transition.
Notable events
- iLine Construction AquaBike 2026 (Mount Maunganui, New Zealand) — a dedicated aquabike race.
- 2026 FEB Indoor TRI A Triathlon & AquaBike (Bountiful, Utah) — an indoor, pool-based aquabike option.
- NSW Club Championships 2026 (Forster, New South Wales) — aquabike alongside the club championship racing.
- Hell of the West Weekend (Queensland, Australia) — aquabike offered within a multisport weekend.
- 2026 Hundy Festival (Dundowran, Queensland) — a festival with an aquabike division.
Browse the full, current list of aquabike races by location and date using the Aquabike tag on our events listing.
Upcoming races
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Fri, Jul 24, 2026 at 7:15 AMSee full details
Tri Millennium is one of West Michigan's longest-standing multi-sport events and a favorite among many local athletes. Located in the beautiful Millennium Park in Grand Rapids, MI, Tri Millennium offers an Olympic and Sprint distance triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike. Our Olympic race features a 1,500-meter swim, 24.8-mile bike, and 6.2-mile run. Our Sprint distance race features a 750-meter swim, 12.4-mile bike, and 3.1-mile run. Relay options are available for both races.
The inland waters of Millennium Park are typically calm and pleasant, the surrounding roads follow the rolling terrain for the bike course, and the paved trails through the park are flat and fast, making Tri Millennium a great race for the elite athlete looking for a summer "A" race, a beginner athlete looking to complete their first triathlon, or a primer race for those prepping for the MiTi half or full triathlon later in August. With professional timing from Trivium Racing and a full complement of volunteers and support on race day, Tri Millennium is a race for everyone.
Tri Millennium's charity partner is Bridge Street Ministries, a Christian urban youth ministry in Grand Rapids' West Side, working to support the spiritual, academic, and social development of inner-city youth, leading them with a vision of hope and restoration and believing that they will be the future leaders of our community. 100% of the donations from Tri Millennium will go to support this important work. For more information, visit bsmgr.org.
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Sat, Jul 25, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
PACKET PICKUP / REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Registration is digital. There are no paper applications nor is cash accepted. Everyone must sign up online. Online registration closes at the start of the race. Please have the following items easily accesible to maintain the efficiency and speed of Packet Pickup:
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Required: Athletes may only pick up their own packets. Under no circumstances may an athlete pick up a packet for another person.
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Required: Proof of ID
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Required for Annual Members Only: USAT Membership ID
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Optional: Email Confirmation Bar Code per registrant (Printed or Digital) to scan
WHERE AND WHEN
The race will take place Saturday July 25th, 2026 - 8:00 a.m. sharp.
All events start and finish at Laurel Lake Club House 201 SW Lakeshore Dr. Millville NJ 08332.
10% discount for all Law Enforcement Officers, enter coupon code: lawenforce26 when registering.
Field limited to the first 300 entrants, sign up early!
SWAG
T-Shirts
Finisher Medals
ITINERARY
Saturday
6:30 am - 7:45 am - Check-in, Packet Pickup, and Race-Day Registration online only if available (prices increased)
7:45 am - Pre-race briefing at Transition Area, after the briefing we will require ALL SWIMMERS to cross over the Swim timing mat before we can start the race
8:00 am - Races start (waves based on # of entrants)
Super Sprint Triathlon will start shortly after the last wave
DISTANCES
The swim is in a clean freshwater lake, the bike is 2 loops on rural roads, the run is around the lake in rural neighborhood & trail.
Sprint Bike = 2 Loops
Super Sprint Bike = 1 Loop
Sprint Run = 3.5 Miles
Super Sprint Run = 1 Mile
Triathlon Distances
1/4 mile Swim, 13.6 mile Bike, & 3.5 mile Run
Duathlon Distances
2 mile Run, 13.6 mile Bike, & 3.5 mile Run
Aquabike Distances
1/4 mile Swim & 13.6 mile Bike
Super Sprint Triathlon Distances
200 yard Swim, 6.8 mile Bike, 1 mile Run
Aquathlon Distances
1/4 mile Swim & 3.5 mile Run
AWARDS
No double-dipping or duplicate awards, awards may vary based on event, category, attendance, etc.
Triathlon Awards & Divisions (Sprint & Super Sprint)
Overall: Top 3 Male & Female Overall Individuals
Age Group*: Top 3 Male & Female Individuals in the Age Group Division
14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 & Over
Clydesdale* & Athena*: Top 3 Male(220+ lbs) & Female(165+ lbs) Individuals in the Clydesdale/Athena Division
Adaptive*: Top 1 Male & Female Individual in the Adaptive Open Division (Physically Challenged/Intellectually Disabled)
- You can either compete in the Age Group, Clydesdale, Athena, or Adaptive Open division.
Non-Binary: Top 1 Non-Binary Individual
Relay Teams: Top 1 Male Relay, Female Relay, Mixed Gender Relay, & Adaptive Relay (At least one relay member is Physically Challenged/Intellectually Disabled)
Duathlon Awards & Divisions
Overall: Top 3 Male & Female Overall Individuals
Age Group*: Top 3 Male & Female Individuals in the Age Group Division
14 & Under, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 & Over**
** If there are less than 50 registrants as of June 22, age groups will be in 10-year increments
Clydesdale* & Athena*: Top 3 Male(220+ lbs) & Female(165+ lbs) Individuals in the Clydesdale/Athena Division
Adaptive*: Top 1 Male & Female Individual in the Adaptive Open Division (Physically Challenged/Intellectually Disabled)
- You can either compete in the Age Group, Clydesdale, Athena, or Adaptive Open division.
Non-Binary: Top 1 Non-Binary Individual
Relay Teams: Top 1 Male Relay, Female Relay, Mixed Gender Relay, & Adaptive Relay (At least one relay member is Physically Challenged/Intellectually Disabled)
Aquabike Awards
Overall: Top 3 Male & Female Overall Individual
Age Group: Top 3 Male & Female Individuals in the Age Group Division
14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 & Over**
** If there are less than 35 registrants as of June 22, there will only be overall awards
Aquathlon Awards
Overall: Top 3 Male & Female Overall Individual
Age Group: Top 3 Male & Female Individuals in the Age Group Division
14 & Under, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80 & Over**
** If there are less than 35 registrants as of June 22, there will only be overall awards
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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Refreshments will be provided at the end of the race
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Split results will be available on website on race day
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Race scored by DQ Events
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Event promoters have the right to alter or cancel events for any reason
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All races will be held rain or shine under guidance of local safety protocol
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Transfers, Deferrals, and Refunds are only allowed through Runsignup as specified, no exceptions
USAT INFORMATION
All multisport participants must have an active USAT Membership that has not expired before the conclusion of each registered event and must follow all USAT rules and guidelines. If you are not already a member, when registering for each individual event you will be prompted to become a member and pay the respective membership fee.
Memberships range from single-event memberships to multi-year memberships; click here for more information.
Common Rules and Information
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ALL athletes are required to show photo ID. NO ID, NO RACE, NO EXCEPTIONS!
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Youth (17 and under) athletes without an ID must be accompanied by a parent/guardian with a photo ID
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Annual members are required to bring their membership card every time they compete in a USAT Sanctioned event.
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You can download and print out a temporary membership card: https://membership.usatriathlon.org/Member/ViewMemberCard
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Athletes may only pick up their own packets. Under no circumstances may an athlete pick up a packet for another person.
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No drafting: a maximum of 15 seconds will be allowed to complete a pass through the draft zone of another athlete
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Headphones are prohibited
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No riding in transition at any time
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Helmets/Chin straps must be worn securely fastened at all times while in possession of your bike. This means before, during, and after the event. This also means from the time you remove your bike from the rack at the start of the bike leg, until after you have placed your bike on the rack at the finish of the bike leg.
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Verbal or physical abuse of others is not acceptable or tolerated. Participants shall refrain from unsportsmanlike conduct at all times while at the event and during competition, including the use of abusive language; violent acts; intentional misconduct; or any intimidating behavior directed toward, including but not limited to participants, officials, event staff, volunteers and spectators.
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Sat, Jul 25, 2026 at 7:30 AMSee full details
Dragon Fly Triathlon & AquaBike will host the Mississippi Age Group and High school State Championship
State championships will have the following qualification criteria for Age Group Nationals:
State championships will qualify the top 35% or top five (5) finishers in an age group (whichever is greater). You may only qualify for Olympic-distance Nationals by placing in the Olympic-distance State Championship race or Sprint Nationals by placing in the sprint distance State Championship race.
High School Championship Awards:
1st Overall High School Club (based on score - lowest score wins)
1st Overall High School Club Participation (highest participation number wins)
¨ High School State Championships Exemption: All high school athletes who finish any of the State High School Championships will automatically qualify for Sprint-distance (pending they are at least age 15 as of December 31, 2026.)
Club State Championship Awards:
1st Overall USAT Club (based on score - Lowest score wins)
1st Overall USAT Club Participation (highest number of participation wins)
Scoring will follow standard cross-country scoring, in which the lowest point total among qualifying teams will be the winner.
¨ Host nor athletes need to do anything to confirm their qualification. USAT will notify athletes of qualification after Host submits results through the sanctioning process.
The 36th Annual DragonFly Sprint and Olympic Triathlon will have two distances to choose from 1500 meter swim, 40K Bike, 10K run and 750 meter swim, 20K bike, 5K run. The DragonFly Triathlon is located at Cypress Point on the Lower Lake at Sardis Lake Reservoir. The swim is always cool, refreshing and you will have a sandy beach entrance and exit. The bike course goes through farm land and is flat, flat, flat! The run is on pavement for 2 miles and on trails.
Race day registration is available but get there early!
Finishers Medals for all, pizza, watermelon, chips & ice cream by Prairie Farms; this will make a great early summer triathlon for your 2026 season.
Awards to overall Female and Male, Age Groups and Relays.
Packet Pickups & registration
Thursday July 23rd, 2026 -3:30 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Located at Bikes Plus - 7124 Stage Rd #115, Bartlett, TN 38133
Friday July 24th ; 4:00 pm-6:00 pm
Dragon Fly Sprint Triathlon Race Site
Cypress Creek Point
Lower Lake Sardis
Sardis, MS 38666
Saturday July 25th; 6:00 am -7:30 am
Dragon Fly Sprint Triathlon Race Site
Cypress Creek Point
Lower Lake Sardis
Sardis, MS 38666
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Sat, Jul 25, 2026 at 8:00 AMSee full details
The Shell Lake Lions Club is hosting two events at 8 AM on Saturday, July 25th, 2026 at the Shell Lake beach. Timing services are provided by Duluth Timing and Events. There are 2 events. The triathlon, a traditional swim/bike/run. Participants may also choose the duathlon, a run/bike/run event. Both events will run concurrently. Individual or teams may enter either event.
Medals will be given to all participants. The triathlon course is a 1/3 mile swim, a 15 mile bike and 3.4 mile run. The duathlon is a 2 mile run instead of the swim, a 15 mile bike and 3.4 mile run.
The Shell lake area has a great lake to swim in, great roads to bike and great roads & trails to run.
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Sat, Jul 25, 2026 at 9:00 AMSee full details
First Responders "Bring in the Backup" Triathlon represents all branches of the Military, Firefighters, Nurses, EMS, Dispatchers, Corrections, and Law Enforcement. The First Responders will lead off the race, followed by all other race participants as 'backup' to support the First Responders. We look forward to seeing everyone on Saturday, July 25th, 2026 at Northwood, Iowa (Swensrud Park) Swimming Pool for this patriotic themed racing event. You do not have to be a First Responder to participate in the race.
The First Responders Triathlon welcomes athletes of all abilities. The goal is to get active and have a good time at a fun event. The Triathlon Race is a Sprint Distance Triathlon consisting of 150 meter swim, 10.4 mile bike ride, and a 5k run. The swim is held at the Northwood Pool. The bike course is on a public highway with rolling hills for most of the course. The 5k run is mostly flat, with one gradual hill.
**Athletes are able to compete in the triathlon as an individual or in a 2-3 person relay team. Duathlon is an individual event. Aquabike is an individual event. The Duathlon replaces the swim with a 1.5 mile run, followed by the same 10.4 mile bike ride and 5k run. Aquabike consists of a 250 meter swim and the 10.4 mile bike ride.
Proceeds raised from the triathlon will be donated to Worth County Sheriff's Office, Northwood Fire and Rescue Department and the Future First Responders Scholarship for students at Northwood-Kensett.
Also, there is an optional donation page through the signup process. This year we honor 2 First Responders families with a donation:
On December 11, 2006, 23-year-old Marine Lance Corporal C.J. Miller of Greenfield, Iowa, was killed by an IED in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Miller was assigned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. He was described as selfless, optimistic, and filled with a deep sense of duty to both God and country. C.J. willingly chose to put others ahead of himself. A 2001 high school graduate, Miller played football and wrestled. Before joining the Marines, he served as an assistant wrestling coach. He showed great respect for others, referring to those older than himself as “Mister.” Fellow coaches said students looked up to him. In 2006, C.J. was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V,” and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
On November 2, 2016, Urbandale Police Department Officer Justin Martin was sitting in his patrol car when a subject approached the vehicle and opened fire without warning, shooting into the driver's side. Officer Martin died from his wounds. Martin graduated from Rockwell City-Lytton High School in 2011. In 2015, he graduated from Simpson College and became a police officer with the Urbandale Police Department. He achieved the highest honor in scouting which is an Eagle Scout, and he was a football player for Simpson College. Those who knew him described him as a kind, gentle, and compassionate person who was deeply committed to serving the public.
The entry fee will provide each athlete their race entry, a race t-shirt, a race medal, timing of all events, some prizes, and refreshments to race participants. Trutimeracing will have extensive breakdown of each athletes racing times. A t-shirt will be provided to athletes who register on or before July 16th, 2026. To guarantee yourself a shirt please sign up by this date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an aquabike?
An aquabike is a two-discipline multisport race made up of a swim followed by a bike, with no run. It is often offered as a division alongside a triathlon, sharing the same swim and bike courses.
How far is an aquabike race?
Distances vary by event because the swim and bike legs are usually inherited from a host triathlon. Common formats include sprint (about a 750 m swim and 20 km bike), Olympic (about a 1.5 km swim and 40 km bike), and long course (about a 1.9 km swim and 90 km bike).
How is an aquabike different from a triathlon?
A triathlon is swim, bike, and run, while an aquabike drops the run entirely. The bike leg is the final leg, so the finish line is the end of the ride rather than the end of a closing run.
What is the difference between an aquabike and an aquathlon?
An aquabike is swim then bike, while an aquathlon is swim then run with no bike. Both keep two of the three triathlon disciplines, but they swap which two.
Is aquabike good for beginners?
Yes. Because it removes the run, aquabike is a gentler entry into multisport and a popular choice for strong swimmers and cyclists, as well as triathletes who cannot run because of injury.
How do I find an aquabike race near me?
Use our event listing filtered by the Aquabike tag to see upcoming races by location and date.