At the break of dawn athletes start boarding the Vista Star cruise ship, the flagship vessel of the Vista Fleet. After being driven out to an anchor spot, athletes “Escape from the Vista Fleet” in a time-trial fashion into the Bay of Lake Superior. Long course athletes will swim a 2 loop, 1.2 mile course, and 41.5 athletes will swim a three-quarter, .5 mile course. The swim course follows the Northeastern break wall offering spectators a fantastic view of swimmers. All Athletes swim through a slip between Pier B hotel and Bayfront Festival Park before exiting the water at a boat ramp.

     The bay, where the swim is held, is enclosed from the main body of Lake Superior. As a result temperature variations and waves are typically diminished.
     Drawing athletes of all abilities, for many the Superior Man is their first long distance triathlon. Most athletes who haven’t competed in this race are intimidated by the swim. While you’ll want to be prepared, past participants have found both the jump from the Vista Fleet cruise ship and the swim in Lake Superior to be more manageable than expected. Water temps have averaged in the low to mid 60’s (as a comparison that is warmer than most early season MN Triathlons.) It is possible that athletes will face strong currents and high waves. Athletes should still be prepared for challenging swim conditions. Wetsuits are required.

Superior_Man_Maps_Long (2017 swim, bike, run, and transition maps). These maps have been updated as of 8/15/17. 

Superior_Man_Maps_Short (2017 swim, bike, run, and transition maps). These maps have been updated as of 8/15/17.

We do our own independent lab testing through Era Labs leading up to the race to verify that the water is safe to swim in on race day.

Rent a Blueseventy Reaction wetsuit for the 2017 Superior Man Triathlon!

Don’t have a wetsuit lined up yet for the Superior Man? Our swim course is wetsuit mandatory!

Details:

$40 – Rent from the Superior Man Tri Wetsuit Rental Site (click here). Limited quantity and sizes available.
Easy wetsuit pick up available on Saturday, August 26 during packet pickup (1-6 PM) at the Duluth Running Co. expo booth
Wetsuit return is on Sunday, August 27 near the finish line at the finish area. Wetsuits are expected back by 4 PM on race day. Late returns can be brought to Duluth Running Co. A $5 applies for all late returns.