Sea to Summit

 

The Sea to Summit is not your traditional triathlon. This is an amazing day: combining the elements of a long-distance triathlon with the challenges of an adventure race. This largely self-supported event consists of a 1.2-mile swim, a 95-mile bike ride, and a strenuous 5.5-mile run/climb up the tallest mountain in the Northeast U.S. The 2024 race starts at 5:30 am, Saturday July 27 in the coastal village of South Berwick, Maine and ends atop Mt. Washington in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. You'll be ready for that post-race turkey dinner.

We must place strict qualification restrictions to be sure all athletes finish safely during daylight. Required is the completion of either:

   -  a 140.6 (“Ironman”) triathlon in 13:49 or less 

  -  or a 70.3 distance triathlon in 6:19 or less

These qualifying events must have been completed after Jan. 1, 2018.  For long triathlons of slightly different distances, calculate your finishing time against these standards. Prior S2S athletes who have finished within the time restriction are pre-qualified.

The race directors may allow entries for athletes who have completed other recent races of similar difficulty if they are convinced the athlete likely has excellent swim proficiency as well as the ability to reach the checkpoints before the cut-off times (see below). Athletes must be 18 years of age or older.

Each competitor must designate a support person (porter) who is in good health and will be present throughout the race including; at the race start, drive the course (although not behind or alongside the athlete) to the base of Mt. Washington, take away his/her racer’s bike at T2, meet the athlete at the top of the mountain (accessible by toll road) and chauffeur the athlete away from the post-race party.

Each competitor and support person must attend the virtual pre-race meeting at the start of race week (date and time TBA). Additional questions can be addressed at packet pick-up at the Spring Hill Recreation Center, South Berwick, Maine on Friday, July 26 from 4 to 6 pm. There is no day-of-race packet pick-up. The porter will, like the racer, receive a race shirt, bike bottle and entry to the post-race party and dinner.

125 athletes. Please note the event has sold out quickly in past years.

This is an adventure triathlon and — for most competitors — a personal journey. While the race organization does provide lifeguard support during the swim which meets USAT standards as well as professional mountaineering guides stationed at various points on Mt. Washington, you and your porter/support crew are largely responsible for your well-being during the race. You must follow all rules of the road and have done the pre-race planning so as to not get lost!

Please note: water temperature for the swim segment is expected to be slightly below or slightly above USA Triathlon's wetsuit-allowable limit of 78 degrees. If the temperature is above 78, athletes who wear wetsuits will not be eligible for age group awards.

With a 5:30 am start, all athletes must finish the swim by 6:30 to be allowed to continue as an official racer. Other cut-offs: conclusion of bike at Wild Cat Ski Lodge: 1 pm; arrival at Hermit Lake mid-mountain: 2:30pm; arrival at summit: 4:30pm. Under no circumstances will the athlete be allowed to proceed as an official racer if they miss a cutoff time. Should they proceed, they will be considered to have left the event, with no further assumption of responsibility by the event organizers. All vehicles are ordered off the mountain by toll road staff at 6 pm, and it’s a long walk down.

The after-party is held at the Wildcat Ski Area Lodge located at T2. The racer and his/her porter dine without additional charge, Friends and family members may purchase turkey dinner tickets for $35 each. Kids eat for free.

A distinctive finisher award is given to all the athletes who make it to the summit under the 11-hour allotted time. Also, the top three male athletes and the top three female athletes will receive awards. First place male and female age group winners will also be awarded. Age groups: 29 and under; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-plus — both male and female.

No transfers or substitutions will be allowed. There will be no refunds but deferments are allowed for a fee up to 60 days prior to the race. A wait list will be started once registrations reach 125 athletes. As slots become available, athletes will be contacted in the order that they signed up on the wait list. Each athlete on the wait list must have met the qualification standards.

There is no rain date for this event. Race management reserves the right to modify or shorten the race course in case of inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances. This has happened before — including the 2017 and 2021 events — and athletes should be aware of and accept that possibility.

This race will be a USA Triathlon sanctioned event. This benefits the athlete by providing additional insurance coverage in case of injury. Please enter your USAT annual membership number or purchase a 1-day membership during check-out.