Terra Lake Park, Johnston, IA

August 16th, 2025 | 8:00 AM

A Championship Event- Open to All (No Qualification Required)

This year's event will have early packet pick-up the day before the event. Join us the Friday afternoon before the race to pick up your packet, check out your transition spot, and find some new RipRoar swag for the season. Packets will include a swim cap, bike number, race bib, and $10 in RipRoar Rewards (use your RR Rewards for $10 off at the Merchandise tent.)

After you pick up your packet, join our COURSE TALK (Friday, August 16th from 5:00-5:30 p.m.) where triathletes of all ages and ability levels can learn about how triathlons work - all about transition, gear, and the course that you’ll race the next day! 

At 6:30 a.m. on race morning, the transition will open for all athletes.

It is RipRoar’s policy that all athletes (including intermediate and junior division athletes) must set up their bikes, and transition areas between 6:30 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. on race morning. All bikes must be racked by either the seat of the bike or by using a kickstand. Please note that we do not allow bike stands in transition due to space. Parents are welcome in transition prior to the race, but will not be allowed in during the running of the events. Don’t worry- RipRoar staff and volunteers are trained and ready to help all athletes as they work their way through transition.

Athletes will be lined up based on their assigned bib number. We assign bib numbers based on age and sex so that all athletes competing in the same division are grouped together. The order of athletes within these divisions is solely at the race director’s discretion and will not be lined up based on swimming ability.

The RipRoar finish line is unlike anything else, especially during the junior division event. Our belief is a straightforward one: triathlon is a hard sport, and we want to positively reinforce a child’s desire to do hard things. Therefore, we build a massive finish line chute, line it with red carpet, and strongly encourage all athletes and spectators to help make it something special. If we all do our part, we can get these kids addicted to the feeling of crossing difficult finish lines.

Triathlon represents a big challenge for our athletes and we give out big hardware. Every finisher regardless of place will receive a super sweet finisher medal. In addition, we highlight the top five boys and top five girls from every age (6, 7, 8, etc). The award ceremony is held approximately 20 minutes following the final finisher crossing the line. During this time we invite all athletes to remove all their items from transition. Those looking to leave the venue are welcome to do so.

Swim

OPEN WATER IN TERRA LAKE

JUNIORS: 50 METERS

INTERMEDIATES: 100 METERS

SENIORS: 200 METERS

Bike

CLOSED LOOP ON PIONEER PKWY

JUNIORS: 2 MILES

INTERMEDIATES: 4 MILES

SENIORS: 6 MILES

Run

TERRA LAKE PARK TRAIL

JUNIORS: 1/2 Mile

INTERMEDIATES: 1 MILE

SENIORS: 2 MILES

Divisions & Distances

Race Weekend Timeline

The Course

The Swim: 

Our Championships swim course takes place in the brand new Terra Lake. All athletes will complete just one lap of the swim course, which is adjusted between each race. Unlike other RipRoar swim courses, the depth of Terra Lake does not allow athletes to touch. There will be plenty of lifeguards stationed in the water - remember it's NOT illegal to get assistance during the race, however it is illegal to use a flotation device. 

The Bike: 

The Championships bike course takes place on Pioneer Parkway, just outside of Terra Lake park. Seniors will complete 3 laps, Intermediates 2 laps, and Juniors one full lap before re-entering the park. No vehicular traffic will be allowed on the 4 lane boulevard, separated by wide grass medium which makes this course especially wide open, and great for spectating. Pioneer Parkway will close at 7:30 a.m. for all race activities and re-open as soon as the last athlete has excited the course.

The Run: 

The run course, sponsored by Certified Piedmontese Beef, utilizes the Terra Lake Park paved trails as well as small grass sections and is the most spectator-friendly run course on the calendar. Parents can watch as Seniors complete two laps next to the lake and Intermediates complete 1 out and back. Juniors will run an amended out and back course before heading into the loudest finish line on the calendar. 

It takes more than just a few extra hands to build our revolution in each community we arrive in. We have two shifts: one for race day, one for set up day. Sign up here and join our team!

Ready to join us at the start line? The TRIBE has athletes of all talents and backgrounds. If this is your first triathlon or your thirtieth we will do everything possible to get you from the start line to the finish.

Youth triathlon survives off of the support and generosity of businesses and individuals in the communities we travel to. All RipRoar races are supported by Youth Tribe 501c-3. Consider giving today to keep youth triathlon going into the future.

Event Sponsors + Supporters

Shout out to our local partners helping to grow triathlon with RipRoar + The Youth Tribe.