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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:

  1. Swim: the field starts in the water or from the shore and completes the swim leg, often shared with the host triathlon.
  2. Transition (T1): athletes move from the water to the bike, swapping wetsuit and goggles for helmet and shoes.
  3. 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

Browse the full, current list of aquabike races by location and date using the Aquabike tag on our events listing.

Upcoming races

  • Challenge Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee 2026 [challenge-walchsee.com] [Register at active.com]

    at 8:00 AM

    A dreamlike backdrop, a demanding course, thousands of enthusiastic spectators along the route, top stars from all over the world, – these are only some of the attributes that can be used to say what

    the event of the CHALLENGEKAISERWINKL-WALCHSEE is about.

    The stunning Kaiserwinkl-Walchsee region in Tirol is one of the most beautiful triathlon destinations on the planet. Will we see you there?

    Event details and schedule

    Five reasons to Race

    • CHALLENGEKAISERWINKL-WALCHSEE, taking place one of the most beautiful areas of Tyrol in Kaiserwinkl, is one of the largest triathlon events in Austria and part of the international CHALLENGEFAMILY race series.

    • The water of the lake Walchsee is crystal clear and has drinking water quality, the bike course leads through the romantic area of Kaiserwinkl with spectacular views of the mountain range of the famous Wilder Kaiser. The run course also offers spectacular views of the Wilder Kaiser mountain range and Lake Walchsee.

    • The area is not only known as a holiday destination, but also for the warm and hospitable people, Triathletes are cordially welcome everywhere.

    • True to the motto of the CHALLENGEFAMILY race series “We are Family”, the traditional Junior Challenge will once again offer the kids the possibility to show off their talent. With the Challenge Women, Aquabike and Aquathlon, there will be offered additional highlights.

    • The event is a triathlon festival for the whole family.

    Aquabike Aquathlon Run Triathlon

    Walchsee
    Dorfstrasse 1, Walchsee, Tirol, Tirol, 6344, Austria
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps
  • Clear Lake Sprint and Olympic Triathlon [ruble.racing] [Register at active.com]

    Sat, Jun 06, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    3rd year Olympic and Sprint Triathlons held at Clear Lake Beach in the town of Clear Lake Indiana - and includes Duathlon, Aquabike, and Relay options*** The Swim is in large clean and scenic Clear

    Lake with a beach of nice sand and a gradual smooth entry - followed by a unique stair climb up to transition The Bike is flat to rolling course(olympic hillier than the Sprint) using a large part of the old TSRA Triathlon and Pokagon Triathlon bike courses. The run is flat and fast with a lot of wind protection along Clear Lake on town roads with great community support and encouragement. Clear Lake pub provides a nice spread of coffee and breakfast foods for purchase at the race site as well Sprint Tri - 500 yard lake swim; 12 mile bike; 3.1 mile Olympic Tri - 1650 yard swim; 24.8 mile bike; 6.2 mile run See all of the 'Ruble Racing' 2026 events at --> www.rubleracing.org if you'd like to register for 3 or more events at once contact [email protected] for a discount code to do that

    Event details and schedule See www.ruble.racing for event schedules

    Aquabike Duathlon Olympic Sprint Triathlon

    Clear Lake Pub and Beach
    630 E Clear Lake Dr, Fremont, Indiana, 46737, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps
  • TRI for Real Triathlon #1 [totalbodyfitness.com] [Register at active.com]

    Sat, Jun 06, 2026 at 8:00 AM

    Tri for Real Triathlon #1

    Tri for Real Triathlon Series is back in 2026 on June 6th, July 11th, and August 8th.

    Back this year is the TRI for REAL Olympic-distance Championship! Race all three events

    in the Series to be eligible for Championship prizes in each five-year age group for men and women.

    Event details and schedule

    TRI for Real Triathlon

    Rancho Seco Park, Herald

    The TRI for REAL Olympic-distance Triathlon & Aquabike are sanctioned by USA Triathlon. The Super Sprint Triathlon is NOT sanctioned.

    Back this year: Tri for Real Finisher Gear.

    These races are held at Rancho Seco Park in Herald, California. The course has a 1.5 k swim - 40 k bike - 10 k run. Included for each athlete is a swim cap, post race refreshments, plus a commemorative Finisher piece.

    Distances

    Tri for Real Triathlon 1.5K swim-40K bike-10K run

    Aquabike 1.5K swim-40K bike

    Real Super Sprint Triathlon 200 yd swim-4 mile bike-1 mile run

    Start Times

    Real Super Sprint Triathlon 7:30 am

    Tri for Real Triathlon - 8 a.m.

    Aquabike - 8:10 a.m.

    Relay Teams

    Relay Teams are available for this year's event.

    Packet Pick Up Information

    Race packets will be available race morning from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the race site. There is a $15 park entrance fee per vehicle.

    Start Times

    Real Super Sprint Triathlon - 7:30 am

    Tri for Real - 8 am

    Aqua Bike - 8:10 am

    Entry into Rancho Seco Park is closed from 7:30 am to 8 am due to Super Sprint Triathlon bike course closure. Vehicles can park and walk in approximately one mile or wait until the road opens at 8 am.

    TRI for Real Series Champions

    Race in all three TRI for Real Triathlons - June 6th, July 11th, and August 8th to be eligible for Age Group Series Champion Awards.

    Race for FREE Information

    Our Race for FREE Athlete Volunteer Program offers a chance to get involved with multi-sport events, have fun, and earn a $50 TBF Racing Volunteer voucher good towards entry fees at any of our events this year. Each volunteer shift is 4 hours. We ask volunteers to reserve a volunteer position at any of our events by emailing: [email protected] as our volunteer positions will fill up quickly.

    Refund and Transfer Information

    TBF Racing has a No Refund policy on all of our events. A Refund requested prior to race week will be given a TBF Race credit for the amount of the entry fee minus a $25 processing fee. Credits are not given during race week. Race transfers are allowed from one TBF Racing event to another within a one-year time frame. There is a $25 transfer fee. Participant transfers are allowed for this event, with a $25 fee. Transfers are not allowed during race week. ALL TBF Racing events are held Rain or Shine.

    Aquabike Triathlon

    Rancho Seco Park
    14440 Twin Cities Road, Herald, California, 95638, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps
  • Epic Races' Island Lake Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Jun 06, 2026 at 7:30 AM

    Triathletes throughout Michigan have long considered the Island Lake State Recreation Area, home of the Island Lake Triathlon, an epic training destination, ideal for any athlete preparing for a

    multisport event. Set within a 4,000-acre park in Livingston County that offers an “up north” experience without leaving southeast Michigan. The terrain is a mixture of open brush land to mature hardwood forest, with some pockets of open meadows mixed in with a paved road of rolling hills weaving throughout. You’ll swim the clear waters of Kent Lake, bike the park’s rolling, tree-lined hills, then run the panoramic final leg towards the lakeside finish line!

    Island Lake Tri features 7 different events:

    Olympic Triathlon — 1500 meter swim, 24-mile bike, 6.2-mile run

    Sprint Triathlon — 750-meter swim (32 lengths in a standard metric pool), 12-mile bike ride, 3.1-mile run

    Mini-Sprint Triathlon — 400-meter swim (16 lengths in a standard metric pool), 12-mile bike ride, 1.5-mile run

    Olympic Aquabike (swim bike done) — 1500 meter swim, 24-mile bike ride

    Sprint Duathlon (run bike run) — 1.5-mile run, 12-mile bike ride, 3.1-mile run

    Olympic Relay — team up with one or two friends to complete our Olympic Triathlon together

    Sprint Relay — team up with one or two friends to complete our Sprint Triathlon together

    Certification

    USA Triathlon Official Sanctioned Event

    Course

    Please note that in the interest of safety, all courses are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the race director.

    OLYMPIC BIKE COURSE

    OLYMPIC RUN COURSE

    SPRINT AND MINI SPRINT BIKE COURSE

    SPRINT RUN COURSE

    MINI SPRINT RUN COURSE

    Post-Race Party

    Stick around post race for food and festivities! Our Epic staff and volunteers will be cooking up pancakes, breakfast burritos, and more for race participants.

    Zero Waste Policy

    The event is a Leave No Trace event. Learn more about our race-day recycling and composting efforts here. Want more information about running a great race and leaving no trace? Visit https://happyplanetrunning.com.

    → Read the Island Lake Tri sustainability report here!

    1 Miles Aquabike Cycling Duathlon Run Swim Trail Triathlon

    6301 Kensington Rd., Green Oak Charter Township, Michigan, 48116, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps
  • Annie Oakley Buffalo Bill Triathlon & AquaBike [runsignup.com]

    Sat, Jun 06, 2026 at 7:00 AM

    Main Race page: https://bbscendurance.com/annie-oakley-buffalo-bill-wild-west-triathlon/

    The Annie Oakley Buffalo Bill Triathlon & AquaBike will be held at Meeman Shelby Forest on Saturday June 6,

    2026 starting at 7:00am.

    We are super excited to be back at Shelby Forest for a 2nd year.

    Triathletes will receive a custom Tee, finishers medal, hamburger and hot dog lunch including water melon, chocolate milk and ice cream from Prairie Farms, and beer by Hookpoint Brewing.

    Event participants will receive a chance to win a Giant bike and bike gear, compliments of sponsor Bikes Plus. Participants must be present to win.

    The transition area will be located on the grassy area near the Nature Center at Poplar Tree Lake.

    Packet Pickup

    Friday, June 5, 2026 - 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Packet Pickup and Registration Located at Bikes Plus 7124 Stage Road #115, Bartlett, TN 38133

    Saturday, June 6, 2026 - 5:45 a.m. – 6:55 a.m. Packet Pickup and Registration Located at Race Site

    Body Marking: athletes will self body mark their own number with black permanent marker. Your race number right and left outer shoulder, right and left outer thigh, age or R for rely on left calf.

    Chip Pickup: Race Morning by transition area. Bring your bib to pick up your chip.

    Rent a wetsuit for the event here

    Important Information

    • Your Photo ID is required to get your packet (unless you are a minor then your guardian will need to present identification) No one else can get your packet, not even relay team members. You can get your stuff but not all of your team's stuff.

    • Weather: we will race if it is sunny, cloudy, or rainy but we will delay for lightning. No cancellations nor refunds.

    • Water will be available at each mile of the run course and finish line.

    We are still looking for a few good volunteers. If you have a family member or friend who would like to join us have them contact us. Volunteers are invited to join in the post-race food, & beverages

    10k 13k 20k 25k 30k 40k 51k Aquabike Cycling Duathlon Run Swim Triathlon

    Millington, Tennessee, 38053, United States
    OpenStreetMap Google Maps

Find an aquabike near you

Browse upcoming races filtered by this format.

Browse races

FAQ

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.

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