LOCATION
Madison, WI
With one of the oldest and most beloved Ironman races in North America, Madison is a popular destination for triathletes across the Midwest—but that’s not the only thing the lake city has going for it. “Madison is definitely the ultimate USA triathlon town,” said two-time Ironman Wisconsin winner Linsey Corbin. “A lot of it boils down to the community. I have yet to attend an event in Madison that the town doesn’t go all-in for.”
Home to the University of Wisconsin, Madison has a diehard tri community that comes out in full force (and in costume) for local races—no matter the weather. Yes, winter is a thing in Wisconsin and you have to deal with snow, but it makes you hardier. As local Elisavet Paplomata said, “It offers an opportunity for cross-country skiing and snow-shoeing, both of which are great off-season activities.” And if you’re a real Wisconsinite, you just bundle up and train in the snow anyway. Then, in the summer, when the triathlon community is on-season, the city is sports crazy—it’s even home to the Crossfit Games!
You’ll find athletes every day of the week running around Lake Monona or along the Mendota lakeshore path. Or try the very popular UW Arboretum. One of the biggest tri attractions are all of the lakes that surround the town, with group swims in the summer from a number of beaches. Head just out of town to Devil’s Lake for a picturesque Wisconsin training day. But beyond the community vibe, the training appeal of Madison is in the biking options. With miles of empty rolling farm roads, the area is a hub for cyclists from around the region. Head out to Verona and make a stop at the Wisconsin Brewing Company—no training in Wisconsin would be complete without beer and cheese. Hit New Glarus (also home to a brewery) or Mount Horeb or take the free Merrimac Ferry with your bike for a complete farmland adventure.
Trek’s headquarters are just outside of town, in Waterloo, and one the largest triathlon shops, Endurance House, has a spot right in Madison, meaning there’s no end to the resources available for group rides, runs, swims, or mechanical help. If the facilities (and beer and restaurants, like popular spot Ian’s Pizza or farm- to-table locale Graze) aren’t enough, Milwaukee is nearby and Chicago is a little over a two-hour drive away for bigger events, like the Chicago Triathlon.
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