GREAT BUCKEYE CHALLENGE at BUCK CREEK STATE PARK
July 28, 2024
– The State of Ohio Multisport Series continues with every fun Great Buckeye Challenge featuring a triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike for all ages and experience level. The Great Buckeye Challenge is a spectacular venue located at the beautiful Buck Creek State Park in Springfield, Ohio.
Triathletes will be treated to swim course in the beautiful Buck Creek Lake. Duathletes will start off with an out and back run on the rolling paved trails in the park. The bike course are described as rolling on mostly winding country roads surrounding the park. The final run is an out and back run that features a long section alongside the Buck Creek dam levy.
Buck Creek State Park is highlighted by clear water, a country feel in an urban setting, and nicely paved course. The park offers some of the finest outdoor recreation in southwest Ohio including boating, hiking, camping and fishing.
“Skip the Tee, Plant a Tree” Program
We can live without a t-shirt, but we can’t live without trees. This year, when you register for our multisport races and certain trail runs at Ohio State Parks, you will have the option to select “Tree” over a “T-shirt size.”
When you select “Tree,” instead of a t-shirt, we will donate the cost of your t-shirt to the Ohio State Park Foundation.
UPCOMING RACES:
May 18, 2024
Three Rivers Gravel Grinder - 28 & 40 Mile Gravel Bike Race
June 2, 2024
Deer Creek Triathlon, Duathlon & Aquabike
June 8, 2024
Big Darby Creek 12-HR, 8-HR, & 4-HR Endurance Trail Run
June 16, 2024
Pleasant Valley Triathlon, Duathlon & Aquabike
July 13, 2024
Queen City Trail Scramble (5K, 10K,15K, 25K, 50K)
July 14, 2024
Queen City Triathlon, Duathlon & Aquabike at Caesar Creek State Park
July 28, 2024
Great Buckeye Challenge at Buck Creek State Park
August 10, 2024
Last Buckeye Standing Ultra Backyard
August 10, 2024
The Buckeye Moon Trail Runs
August 18, 2024
Maumee Bay Triathlon, Duathlon & Aquabike
August 24, 2024
Homer Gravel Grinder - 21, 30 & 60 Mile Gravel Bike Race
August 31, 2024
Tri-the-Heights Youth Triathlon
September 8, 2024
Portage Lakes Triathlon, Duathlon & Aquabike
September 22, 2024
The Ohio Fall Challenge at Deer Creek State Park
October 5, 2024
The Dirty Yeti Gravel Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike
October 12, 2024
Deer Creek Trail Runs - 5 Miles, 9 Miles & 18 Miles
Race Packet Pick-Up
Buck Creek State Park Beach Area – Sunday, July 28 5:45 AM – 7:15 AM
There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION — packet pickup ONLY
AWARDS
All finishers will receive a handsome finisher amenity.
- Top 3 Male, Female, & Non-Binary OVERALL FINISHERS in the Mini, Sprint & Olympic triathlons and duathlons races will receive a commemorative award.
- Top 3 Male and Female OVERALL Finishers in the Collegiate (Mini, Sprint & Olympic) will receive a commemorative award (See Note 1).
- Top 3 Male and Female OVERALL Finishers in the High School Division – Triathlon & Duathlon (Mini & Sprint) will receive a commemorative award (See Note 1).
- TOP OVERALL Division FINISHER (1st Place) in each AGE GROUP, 1st RESPONDER, CLYDESDALE, ATHENA & PARATRIATHLON** Categories/Divisions – Male & Female in the Mini, Sprint and Olympic triathlons will receive an award commemorating their finish.
- Top OVERALL Relay team in each distance will receive a commemorative award.
- Top OVERALL Male and Female Finisher in the Aquabike,
- There are no awards for the Elite/Open divisions, outside of finishing in Top 3 Male & Female Overall Race Distance Finishers.
** HFP Racing supports the USA Paratriathlon Classifications. If you have any questions or require any special assistance, please contact us at customerservice@hfpracing.com.
Note 1: Athletes must register and select to participate in special Collegiate, High School, and First Responders divisions and not in the “standard” age group categories for each distance. If register in the Mini, Sprint & Olympic standard age group categories you will not be scored in the Collegiate, High School and First Responders Divisions
Race Distances
- Mini Triathlon: 250y Swim – 8 mi Bike – 2mi Run
- Mini Duathlon: 2 mi Run – 8 mi Bike – 2mi Run
- Sprint Triathlon: 750m Swim – 21k Bike – 5k Run
- Sprint Duathlon: 5K Run – 21 Bike – 5k Run
- Olympic Triathlon: 1500m Swim – 42k Bike – 10k Run
- Olympic Duathlon: 5k Run – 42k Bike – 10k Run
- Aquabike Distances are identical to the selected triathlon distance for swim and bike (Ex/Sprint Aquabike 750m swim+21K bike)
Relays
For those who prefer to race one element of the triathlon or duathlon we offer a relay division for our sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and duathlons. Relay teams consist of three (3) members (1 swimmer, 1 biker, 1 runner), each member will complete one segment of the race (2 members for duathlon teams). Each team member will exchange their timing chip bracelet at their assigned bike rack. There are NO age groups in this division.
About the State of Ohio Multisport Series
Welcome to Ohio’s premier multisport series.
Throughout the summer, the series visits seven beautiful venues across the State of Ohio – from North to South. Each venue features an exciting course and scenic view of the park. Each event in the series will feature a triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike in beautiful venues. So whether you’re racing to be a series champion or giving multisport racing a try for the first time, the State of Ohio Series is for YOU! It’s ALL ABOUT FUN!
In 2024, we are excited to announce that all series races will be scored for series points! With 7 multisport races throughout Ohio, there are more racing options for more athletes to win their division on the State of Ohio Triathlon, Duathlon and Aquabike Series Cup!
In addition to our standard divisions, in 2024, we have added additional divisions Collegiate, High School, and First Responders (Police, Fire, EMS, & Military).
Please see Terms & Conditions before registering.
| Race | Thru 2/28/24 | 3/01/23 to 3/31/24 | 4/01/24 to 5/31/24 | 6/01/24 - Race Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Tri/Du/Aquabike | $65 | $75 | $85 | $100 |
| Sprint Tri/Du/Aquabike | $85 | $90 | $100 | $115 |
| Sprint Tri/Du Relay | $95 | $100 | $110 | $135 |
| Olympic Tri/Du/Aquabike | $95 | $100 | $110 | $130 |
| Olympic Tri/Du Relay | $120 | $130 | $140 | $165 |
* Prices above reflect cost for USAT Annual Members and all participants MUST have a valid USAT license (annual or one-day).
If you are not a USAT member, adults may purchase a one-day membership or an annual membership during the registration process. Youth (17 & under) may purchase an annual membership as well.
FAMILY PLAN IS BACK!
If you register for a Sprint or Olympic distance race, your 13-18 year-old can participate for no entry fee except applicable USAT licenses in the Mini distance. Use code “FAMILY2024” when you check out your 13-18 year old. You must register your youth in the High School Division. There is no retroactive application of discount.
REGISTRATION NOTES
- Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Fees listed above do not include the online TriRegistration processing fee.
- There is NO RACE DAY REGISTRATION.
- USA Triathlon Rule 3.2a. All age group athletes must participate and compete in the age group division corresponding to the athlete’s age on December 31 of the year of the event.
- If using a discount or sale code, only one code can be used per transaction.
RACE PACKETS
Official Race T-shirt (if registered at least 20 days prior to event date), Goodie Bag, Post Race Food & Beverages, and ALL finishers will receive a handsome Finishers Medal (including all relay team members).
Great Buckeye Challenge Weekend Schedule
| Sunday, July 28 |
|---|
| 6AM-7:15AM – Adults Race Packet Pick-Up |
Great Buckeye Challenge Start Times
| Sunday, July 28 |
|---|
| 5:45–7:15am– Transition area open |
| 7:30am - Olympic Triathlon & Aquabike Waves |
| 7:55am – Sprint Triathlon & Aquabike Waves |
| 7:55am – All Duathletes (Mini, Sprint and Olympic |
| 8:15am – Mini Triathlon & Aquabike) Waves |
[cgv race-rules]
COURSE MAPS
MINI TRIATHLON & DUATHLON
The mini distance triathlon will start off with a 250-yard counter-clockwise swim (in waist deep water along the beach), followed by a 8mi bike out & back course and finishing with 2 miles out and back run on the bike trail. Duathletes will start off with a 2-mile run.
Mini distance – Interactive Bike Course – Click HERE
Mini distance – Interactive Run Course – Click HERE
Click an image to enlarge.
SPRINT TRIATHLON & DUATHLON
The sprint distance triathlon features a 750 meter counter-clockwise rectangle swim along the beach, while the duathletes are running a 5k on the bike trail, followed by a 13.6 Mile bike course through the countryside surrounding the park and finishing with a 5k run on the bike trail before returning for a grand finish at the park.
Sprint Distance – Interactive Bike Course – Click HERE
Sprint Distance – Interactive Run Course – Click HERE
Click an image to enlarge.
OLYMPIC TRIATHLON & DUATHLON
The Olympic distance triathlon features a 750 meter 2-lap counter clockwise rectangle swim along the beach, while the duathletes are running an out & back 5K on the bike trail, followed by a 2-lap 13.6 mile bike course through the countryside surrounding the park. Olympic athletes will finish with 2 laps on the out & back 5k run on the bike trail before their grand finish!
Olympic Distance – Interactive Bike Course – Click HERE
Olympic Distance – Interactive Run Course – Click HERE
Click an image to enlarge.
ABOUT THE VENUE
Buck Creek State Park
1976 Buck Creek Ln, Springfield, OH 45502 | Website | 937.322.5284
Buck Creek State Park lies in a fertile agricultural area, rich in Ohio’s history. The park’s recreational facilities center around the 2,120-acre lake, offering endless water-related opportunities. Visitors enjoy the many wetlands, broad meadows and wildlife at this diverse 1,896-acre park.
This spectacular venue is located at the beautiful Buck Creek State Park in Springfield, Ohio. Triathletes will swim on courses paralleling the beach, a followed by challenging bike courses in Clark County and finishing with run courses on a bike course and a gently rolling bike trail.
Nearby Attractions
For more nearby attractions, please visit the Springfield Tourism Website here.