Swim. Bike. Run. Shop? May 2nd in Morris Is Going to Be a Blast.

The 40th Annual Tinman Triathlon is here — and the whole town is showing up to celebrate.

Four decades. FORTY YEARS of athletes diving into the pool, cranking through west-central Minnesota on two wheels, and sprinting across the finish line on the University of Minnesota Morris campus with everything they've got left. That's not just a race; that's a tradition worth being part of.

The 40th Annual Tinman Triathlon goes down on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, and registration is open right now. So if you've been waiting for a sign — this is it. Go register.

40 Years of Athletic Tradition

The Tinman Triathlon continue to be a Morris tradition, bringing participants of all levels. It's challenging enough that crossing the finish line feels earned, welcoming enough that first-timers don't feel like outsiders, and community-rooted enough that you'll probably spot a familiar face in the next lane before the gun goes off.

Based at the Regional Fitness Center on the UMN Morris campus, this race draws athletes from all over the region who've come to love it as the perfect season opener. The pool swim means no open-water jitters. The bike and run courses push you without breaking you. The volunteers are genuinely awesome. And afterward? Snacks, refreshments, and the kind of post-race buzz that only happens when you actually did the thing.

Pick Your Challenge

Two courses. One epic day. You can race solo or round up a crew for a relay team of two or three, because everything's better with friends. Just know: all participants must finish within three hours, and you've got to be at least 16 to race.

Here's How Race Day Goes Down

🏊 Swim | Cougar Sports Center Pool

The race kicks off in the Sports Center's beautiful 8-lane pool. Olympic athletes dive in first; Sprint competitors follow once the Olympic swim wraps up. Wetsuits are welcome, you'll share a lane with a few similarly-paced swimmers, and circle swimming keeps things smooth. Everyone gets grouped by ability, so it's a fair fight from the first lap.

🚴 Bike | Highways 59 and 10

Shake off the water and hit the road! It's an out-and-back course along Highways 59 and 10 — 12 miles for Sprint, 19 for Olympic. Helmets are required (no exceptions), and the smooth roads plus open prairie scenery make this leg genuinely fun. Put in the work and enjoy the view.

🏃 Run | Pomme de Terre River Trail & Beyond

Legs burning? Good — that means it's working. Olympic runners follow the gorgeous bike trail along the Pomme de Terre River for a full 10K before finishing on campus. Sprint athletes tackle a 5K loop up the Highway 329 and past the West Central Research and Outreach Center and back. Both courses finish in the RFC lower lot, where the loudest cheers are waiting for you.

Getting to Morris

Morris is located in west-central Minnesota — 50 minutes west of Interstate 94 on Minnesota State Highway 28 (Sauk Centre exit), or 50 minutes south of Fergus Falls on U.S. Highway 59 (I-94 exit #61). The UMN Morris campus sits on the east side of town, accessible via U.S. Highway 59.

Race headquarters: Regional Fitness Center, 626 E. 2nd Street, Morris, MN 56267

But Wait. There's More to May 2nd

Race morning + main street afternoon = one seriously good Saturday. Plan to stay, eat lunch, explore, and make a full day of it in Morris.

Ready? Let's Go.

Registration is open now. Whether this is your very first triathlon or your tenth Tinman, the 40th edition is going to be something special. Don't sit this one out.

See you at the starting line. And the finish line. And definitely downtown after.