TOUGHMAN 2025 Athlete Guide

The TOUGHMAN 2025 Athlete Guide is now available, containing essential race day information and rules. Since there will be no pre-race briefings to keep on schedule, this guide serves as your briefing. Please note, TOUGHMAN is an all-weather event—be prepared for rain or shine.

Schedule

Friday, Sept. 12

Lake Welch, Harriman State Park
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Packet Pickup for All Races
2:00 pm and 4:00 pm: USAT Head Official Talk
Registration Tent, Lake Welch

Saturday, Sept. 13

Lake Welch, Harriman State Park
5:00 am – 6:45 am: Olympic Transition Open and Body Marking
5:00 am – 6:00 am: VIP Race Day Packet Pickup Only
7:00 am: Olympic Triathlon and Olympic AquaBike Start
7:00 am – 10:30 am: Park closed to traffic
Please note: Lake Welch Parkway will be closed to traffic; enter via Route 106.
10:00 am: Transition Open for Bike Removal ONLY (No earlier)
11:00 am – 11:40 am: Olympic Finish and Awards Ceremony
8:00 am – 6:00 pm: Race Vendor Expo

Sunday, Sept. 14

Lake Welch, Harriman State Park
5:00 am – 6:30 am: VIP Race Day Packet Pickup Only
5:00 am – 6:45 am: Transition Open and Body Marking
5:00 am – 3:00 pm: VIP Tent Open
6:30 am – 6:50 am: Swim Warm-Up Allowed
6:45 am: Opening Ceremonies on the Beach
Please note: Main entrance closed to traffic; enter via Route 106.
6:45 am – 1:00 pm: Transition Closes — All athletes head to the beach
(Transition will reopen after last runner leaves)
7:00 am: TOUGHMAN Race Begins
7:30 am: Duathlon Bike Start (Time Trial Format — 3 riders every 5 seconds)
8:00 am – 3:00 pm: Race Vendor Expo Open
10:45 am: Male Winner Expected
11:20 am: Female Winner Expected
12:30 pm – 3:30 pm: Post-Race Food
1:00 pm: Awards Ceremony Begins
3:15 pm: Race Ends
4:00 pm: Festivities Conclude

Races Distances

Each race will have open racking. For Aquabike your FINISH time will be calculated as the time when you CROSS into T2, BUT we encourage you to leave the transition area and come down the Finish Chute so that our announcer can announce your name and you can get a Finishers photo post race. This is where we can cheer for your accomplishment.

Olympic Races

Saturday, September 13, 2025
Lake Welch Beach
Stony Point, NY

TOUGHMAN Olympic Triathlon
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km
TOUGHMAN Olympic Aquabike
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km
Walk 100 yards through finish chute to be awarded your metal.
TOUGHMAN Olympic Duathlon
Bike 40km, Run 10km
TOUGHMAN Olympic Relay
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km

Collegiate Races

Saturday, September 13, 2025
Lake Welch Beach
Stony Point, NY

TOUGHMAN Collegiate Triathlon
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km
TOUGHMAN Collegiate Duathlon
Bike 40km, Run 10km
TOUGHMAN Collegiate Aquabike
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km
TOUGHMAN Collegiate Relay
Swim 1.5km, Bike 40km, Run 10km

Long Course Races

Sunday, September 14, 2025
Lake Welch Beach
Stony Point, NY

TOUGHMAN Long Course Duathlon
Bike 56 miles, Run 13.1 miles
TOUGHMAN Long Course Triathlon
Swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56 miles, Run 13.1 miles
TOUGHMAN Long Course Aquabike
Swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56.1 miles, Walk 100 yards through finish chute to be awarded your metal.

Packet Pick-up

Friday, 9/12, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Packet Pickup for ALL RACES
Location: Registration Tent, Lake Welch, Harriman State Park

Saturday, 9/13, 5:00 am – 6:00 am: VIP Race Day Packet Pickup ONLY
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Bag Pickup for Sunday Races ONLY
Location: Registration Tent, Lake Welch, Harriman State Park
Racking of Long Course Bikes allowed.
Please note: Absolutely no swimming will be allowed on Saturday at the race site, as the course is being set up.

Sunday, 9/14, 5:00 am – 6:30 am: VIP Race Day Packet Pickup ONLY
Location: Registration Tent, Lake Welch, Harriman State Park

Important Packet Pickup Information:

  • You must pick up your own packet – NO ONE ELSE can pick it up for you.
  • You need a PHOTO ID to collect your packet. If you are a USA Triathlon member, you must bring your membership card or show it on your phone. If your card is lost or expired, bring a copy or renewal receipt from usatriathlon.org.
  • Relay teams do not have to pick up packets together. The team captain cannot pick up packets for the entire team. Each team member must pick up their own packet.
  • Wristbands must be worn from the time you pick up your packet until after the race is over. No exceptions.

Additional Info: We will gladly exchange your T-shirt size after the race on Sunday. Please stop by the Registration Tent with your current shirt for exchange.

Race Packet

Enclosed in each athlete’s packet

The wristband grants you

Race Day Marking

Post Race Food: Your racing bib has a tear off for the post-race food to be redeemed at the bbq area.

Safety Pins: Pins are available at Packet Pick-up in the event you need them, but are not inside your packet.

Race Day Checklist

Transition Area

Swim

Lost and Found

TOUGHMAN Triathlon is not responsible for lost or stolen items. We will offer a lost and found box for items turned in at the Volunteer Tent.

bIKE

Run

Transition Area

  • Transition closed from 6:45am–10:00am on Saturday and 6:45am-1:00pm on Sunday.
  • Open Racking
  • Extra equipment is not allowed in transition (e.g. bike trainer)
  • Check bike, pump tires. Mechanics will be available next to the transition
  • Bike must have a BIKE FRAME NUMBER attached in order to enter transition
  • Spectators are NOT allowed in the transition area
  • To remove your bike from transition, your bike ticket must match bike number

Expo

  • 9/12 Friday: 12pm-5pm
  • 9/13 Saturday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
  • 9/14 Sunday: 8:00am – 3:00pm
  • Products will be available to purchase, view or sample (bring cash and credit card)
  • TOUGHMAN Shop will have adult and children’s apparel as well as cowbells and accessories.
  • Look for “Make-a-Sign” tent at the Expo where your family can make signs to cheer on race day.

Swim

Saturday, September 13

Lake Welch, Harriman State Park
5:00am: Transition opens. Olympic Rack Bikes
Head to the beach.
6:15am: Opening Ceremony begins
6:45am: Transition Closes
7:00am: Olympic Swim Start (8 Waves, 1st and 2nd waves are College)

  • Guests can be with you on the beach for ceremony, but not in the swim corrals.
  • Swim start is a land start.
  • Freshwater swim with current to bring you into shore.
  • Turnaround will be marked by a GREEN buoys is for the Olympic Swim.
  • Paddle boards, jet ski, kayakers and a marine patrol boat in water for assistance/guidance/emergency.
  • If you have problems in the swim, call to a kayaker who will get you to a boat (you will DQ if taken aboard), but not DQ if you just hold on, to catch your breath.
  • Swim finish marked by a huge TOUGHMAN inflatable arch and ambulance flashing lights.
  • LABEL YOUR WETSUIT WITH YOUR NAME before Race Day. Black wetsuits all look alike in transition.
  • Swim cut off is 1 hour 10 mins for the Olympic from when you enter the water.*

TRANSITION – T1

  • Carpet and fencing will mark the path from the beach to the transition area.
  • Kiddy pools available to wash your feet.
  • Volunteers will peel off your wetsuit if you want: lay down on designated area and your wetsuit will be removed (speeds up your T1)
  • Helmets must be worn at all times from leaving transition to returning to transition. Helmets must be buckled before exiting T1
  • Walk or jog with your bike in the transition lanes to the designated Bike Mount area before riding
  • T1 Cutoff is 10 mins after last swimmer exits water
  • Nutrition available: Water ONLY
Olympic Wave Cap Color Wristband Time
College Male
1
Light Blue
Green
7:00 am
College Female
2
Red
Green
7:03 am
Aquabike
3
Purple
Purple
7:06 am
M 25-29
M 35-39
4
Blue
Red
7:09 am
M 30-34
M 50-54
M 55-59
5
White
Red
7:12 am
F 30-34
F 34-39
M 17-19
M 20-24
M 60-64
M 65-69
M 70+
6
Yellow
Red
7:15 am
Relay
7
Gold
White
7:18 am
M 40-45
M 45-49
7
Gold
Red
7:18 am
F 17-19
F 20-24
F 25-29
F 40-44
F 45-49
F 50-54
F 55-59
F 60-64
F 65-69
F 70+
8
Pink
Red
7:21 am
Duathlon
N/A
Yellow

Sunday, September 14

Lake Welch, Harriman State Park
6:45am: Transition closes. Head to the beach.
6:45am: Opening Ceremony begins
7:00am: Race begins!
12:10pm: (or 5 hours after the last wave started their swim) – the bike cut off is enforced: all remaining cyclists on the bike course will be pulled via a sag vehicle and returned to transition*

  • Guests can be with you on the beach for ceremony, but not in the swim corrals.
  • Swim start is a land start
    Freshwater swim with current to bring you into shore.
  • 12 large buoys that you will keep on your left
    Turnaround will be marked by a YELLOW buoy.
  • Paddle boards, lifeguards, and a marine patrol boat in water for assistance/guidance/emergency.
  • If you have problems in the swim, call to a kayaker who will get you to a boat (you will DQ if taken aboard), but not DQ if you just hold on, to catch your breath.
  • Swim finish marked by a huge TOUGHMAN inflatable arch and ambulance flashing lights.
  • LABEL YOUR WETSUIT WITH YOUR NAME before Race Day. Black wetsuits all look alike in transition.
  • Swim cut off is 1 hour 10 mins from when you enter the water.*

TRANSITION – T1

  • Carpet and fencing will mark the path from the beach to the transition area.
  • Kiddy pools available to wash your feet.
  • Volunteers will peel off your wetsuit if you want: lay down on designated area and your wetsuit will be removed (speeds up your T1)
  • Helmets must be worn at all times from leaving transition to returning to transition. Helmets must be buckled before exiting T1.
  • Walk or jog with your bike in the transition lanes to the designated Bike Mount area before riding.
  • T1 Cutoff is 10 mins after last swimmer exits water
    Nutrition available: Water ONLY
Half Wave Cap Color Wristband Time
Elite
M 35-39
M 25-29
1
Light Blue
Blue
7:00 am
Aquabike
2
Purple
Purple
7:05 am
M 30-34
M 50-54
M 55-59
3
Gold
Blue
7:10 am
F 30-34
F 34-39
M 17-19
M 20-24
M 60-64
M 65-69
M 70+
4
Red
Blue
7:15 am
Relay Teams
5
White
White
7:20 am
M 40-45
M 45-49
5
White
Blue
7:20 am
F 17-19
F 20-24
F 25-29
F 40-44
F 45-49
F 50-54
F 55-59
F 60-64
F 65-69
F 70+
6
Pink
Blue
7:25 am
Duathlon
N/A
Yellow

Bike

Long Course Bike

T2 - TRANSITION

BIKE COURSE AND PROFILE

Please keep in mind these following safety tips, to ensure that everyone maximizes their bike goals and we minimize any accidents or injuries:

  1. Stay to the RIGHT, unless you are passing. There are some narrow sections with two-way traffic where this will be very important. Slower cyclists need to be aware that there will potentially be faster cyclists that will need to pass. Please give them plenty of room to your left.
  2. Faster cyclists passing on the left should provide a friendly warning.
  3. Earphones are not allowed and illegal per USAT rules.
  4. No riding 2-3 aside —this is a race not a ride.

Run

Long Course Run

  • Follow cones and arrows at ALL times on the run course and obey all course marshal directions.
  • Aid stations at least every mile on the run course.
  • Dispose of gel packets and cups near the aid stations (Remember, throwing any trash on the course not designated as an aid station is subject to a USAT penalty)
  • There will be 2 lead cyclists for male and female lead runners.
  • There will be portojohns at approx. the 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 11 mile marks.
  • Over 300 volunteers on the run course will cheer you on and entertainers to keep you motivated.
  • Total race cutoff of 8hrs from your entrance into the swim.*
  • Nutrition available: Water, Gatorade Endurance, Hammer Gels
  • *We reserve the right to remove an athlete from the course and DNF the athlete if our course staff determines that there is no possibility of you finishing the discipline or race before the posted cut-off times based on your location, the time and average speed to that point.

Finish Line & Athlete Recovery Zone

As you cross the finish line, you enter the Athlete Recovery Zone where you will receive your finisher’s medal, have your chip removed, and be offered bananas and bagels. Photos are taken of all athletes crossing the finish line, and catchers are available if you need medical assistance. Nutrition is provided, including water, Gatorade Endurance, bagels, fruit, and bars. Please leave the Recovery Zone as soon as possible to allow other athletes to come through.

You will also have the opportunity to take individual athlete photos at our Media Backdrop next to the awards stage prior to the Awards Ceremony. Medical support is available on-site through the White Plains Hospital Mobile Trauma Unit, along with our Medical Team and EMS.

VIP Tents

Post-Race Food

Awards

21+ Beer Garden

POST RACE

Spectators