_ The 2023 Lake Wildwood “Make or Break at the Lake” Triathlon:

Lake Wildwood Association is a private, gated recreational community that is centrally located between Chicago and Peoria, just north of Varna, Illinois. The Association boasts two lakes - the largest, Lake Wildwood, is 220 acres and offers boating (including water sports), fishing and swimming. Lake Tanglewood is 18 acres and is strictly a fishing lake located near our private campground.

Scroll down for important information about parking/LWW access, Lacon Bridge closure, important dates, and both the Swim Clinic (in-person at LWW) and General Clinic (online)

Triathlon Details:  
Swim: 750 Meters
Bike: 15.5 Miles
Run: 3.1 Miles (5K)

Packet Pickup Details:
Saturday before the race, 4PM-6:00PM, at the Coffee Hub.  (318 5th Street in Lacon, IL)
Race Day, 6:30AM-7:30AM, at the race site.

Race Day Schedule:
7:30 - Packet Pickup & Body Marking Closes
7:45 - Transition Closes
7:50 - Pre-Race Briefing
8:00 - Triathlon Starts
TBD - Awards Ceremony

Wave Schedule - Triathlon
Check back close to race day

Key Deadlines
July 19th - Must register by this date to be guaranteed a race shirt
August 6th - Last day for registration
NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION!

SWAG! - All Participants will receive:
Swag bag
Custom race t-shirt
Custom finisher medal
Colored swim cap (triathlon swim participants only)
Post-race party with music
Post-race beer, food, refreshment ticket (must be 21+ for beer or Lake Breeze drink) 
Participants are welcome to enjoy the afternoon at East Beach with their families after the race and post-race party!

Parking - Please Read
We are staging this event in an area of our community that is most convenient for our triathlon participants while also being respectful of our resident members.  In doing so, there is limited parking near the event venue so we can only permit one vehicle per participant.  If, however, you have a need to bring multiple vehicles the day of the event we will do our best to accommodate. Simply send an email to [email protected] so we may discuss your situation.  Lake Wildwood is a private gated community so unregistered vehicles will not be permitted access. 

Lacon Bridge (Illinois River at IL-17) - The Lacon Bridge will be closed for construction during the time of the triathlon and those coming from Peoria and other areas west of the Illinois River will need to cross either in Peoria (south of Lacon bridge) or in Henry (about 8 miles north of the Lacon bridge).  Please factor this into your arrival time on race day.

Wetsuits
If lake water temperatures are below 78 degrees (F) you may wear a wetsuit for the swim portion, otherwise, if water temperature is over 78 degrees (F), you may choose to wear a wetsuit, but you will be ineligible for awards.


Access To Race Site
Because Lake Wildwood is a gated community, participants are unable to access the race site prior to race day.  However, most of the bike course is outside the gated portion and accessible.