_The 2023 Heartland Triathlon:

Celebrating 16 years of racing in Central Florida, join us for the 2022 Heartland Triathlon, featuring Sprint and Olympic distance triathlon, duathlon and aquabike! SUPER EARLY BIRD pricing is in effect with lower prices throughout. We can't wait to see you again!! Thank you all who attended and made 2021 such a fun, successful event!

You’ll come for the fast-paced Heartland Triathlon, but you could end up staying for the slower-paced quality of life that is Sebring and surrounding areas.

The heart of Heartland Triathlon weekend is City Pier at 315 W. Center St. in Sebring. Nestled among Altvater Cultural Complex, Highlands Little Theatre, Sebring Public Library, Sebring Historical Society and Sebring Civic Center, the transition area parallels Lakeview Drive and is accompanied by an expo representing multi-sport interests.

On the bike, our triathletes get a taste of our rural lifestyle as their ride takes them from Sebring’s center and circumnavigates Lake Jackson clockwise bringing them to U.S. 27 then back onto Lakeview Drive then further north through the citrus groves that breathed life into Highlands County. A brief ride up “killer hill” as our amateurs affectionately dubbed it in 2006 and the cyclists return south toward Lake Jackson for the fast ride to T2.

With helmets off and visors/hats on, the running leg provides the final kick through Sebring’s historic and beautiful downtown include the famous Circle Park that is the epicenter of Sebring. Runners coming down Center Street into the  finish line chute are greeted with cheering crowds and one of the best emcees in the business to call out their bib number, or even their name.

As Highlands County’s geographic center, Sebring is the county’s largest community, boasting attractions such as Sebring International Raceway, Military Sea Services Museum, Children’s Museum of Highlands County and more.To the north, Avon Park’s attractions include recreation opportunities at Avon Park Air Force Bombing Range ( for civilians, active duty and retired military) and Avon Park’s Depot Museum is a popular attraction with residents. Lake Placid, about 15 minutes south of Sebring, is known as the Caladium Capital of the world but is also loved as the Town of Murals. Lake Placid is home to Lake Istokpoga, Florida’s fifth largest freshwater lake.

All three of Highlands’ bigger communities are known for the down-home downtown “Main Street, Anywhere, USA” feel, from historic architecture to friendly faces and warm welcomes.
 
Local cyclists, runners and swimmers consider themselves fortunate, if not privileged, to reside in what is slowly emerging as the new Mecca for individual, outdoor recreational pursuits.  Less traffic means safer roads for cycling and running. In addition, a recreation trail of more than 13 miles circumnavigates Sebring’s Lake Jackson (in which you’ll begin your favorite triathlon or aquabike) and extends west across U.S. 27 to Highlands Hammock State Park. Don’t even get us started on the lakes … too many to list!