A Comprehensive Regional Race Guide: Water Sports & Multi-Sports

Racers take off from the start for the Chattajack at Ross's Landing. The annual race includes all manner of water-based paddling craft, from standup paddleboards to canoes and surfskis. Racers travel 31 miles along the Tennessee River, from Ross's Landing to Hales Bar Marina near Nickajack Lake. (Staff photo by Doug Strickland)
Racers take off from the start for the Chattajack at Ross's Landing. The annual race includes all manner of water-based paddling craft, from standup paddleboards to canoes and surfskis. Racers travel 31 miles along the Tennessee River, from Ross's Landing to Hales Bar Marina near Nickajack Lake. (Staff photo by Doug Strickland)
photo Swimmers float in the water just before the start of the Swim the Suck. (Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter)

WATER

FEBRUARY 24-25

Nantahala Racing Club's Glacier Breaker

(Bryson City, N.C.)

Celebrate the beginning of the spring paddling season with this family-friendly slalom and downriver race on the Nantahala River, suitable for all ability levels. The NRC's Slalom Series is a great introduction to racing for all ability levels.

nantahalaracingclub.com/events/nrc-glacier-breaker

MARCH 23-25

Nantahala Racing Club's US Open Slalom & Downriver

(Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City, N.C.)

nantahalaracingclub.com/event/us-open-slalom-downriver

APRIL 28

Choo Choo Chase Paddle Race

wildtrails.org/choo-choo-chase-paddle-race

MAY 19

Black Warriors SUP Championship

(Tuscaloosa, Ala.)

This is part of the Paddle the Southeast's Southern Stoke Paddle Series.

southernstokerace.com

MAY TBA

Nantahala Racing Club's Slalom Racing Series

(Bryson City, N.C.)

nantahalaracingclub.com/events/nrc-slalom-series

JUNE 24

Stand Up for the Hooch

(Chattahoochee River, Atlanta, Ga.)

This is part of the Paddle the Southeast's Southern Stoke Paddle Series.

southernstokerace.com

JUNE TBA

Chattanooga Rat Race

This open water swim in the Tennessee River offers downstream current and the option of 2.4 or 4.5 miles.

chattanoogaratrace.com

JULY TBA

Junior Whitewater Olympics

This event, showcasing freestyle, slalom and downriver competitions, is for whitewater kayakers ages 18 and under.

(Nantahala Outdoor Center, Bryson City, N.C.)

nantahalaracingclub.com/event/junior-olympics

AUGUST 4

Livin LushCup

(Knoxville, Tenn.)

This is part of the Paddle the Southeast's Southern Stoke Paddle Series.

southernstokerace.com

AUGUST 25

Gun Island Chute SUP Cup

(Montgomery, Ala.)

This is part of the Paddle the Southeast's Southern Stoke Paddle Series.

southernstokerace.com

AUGUST TBA

NRC Slalom Racing Series

(Bryson City, N.C.)

nantahalaracingclub.com/events/nrc-slalom-series

SEPTEMBER 29

Lake Murray Classic

(Columbia, S.C.)

This is part of the Paddle the Southeast's Southern Stoke Paddle Series.

southernstokerace.com

OCTOBER 10

Snail Darter 1-Mile Sprint

cowsswim.com

OCTOBER 13

Ocoee River Race

(Ocoee, Tenn.)

facebook.com/events/1755899424712383

OCTOBER 13

Oconee Classic

(Lake Oconee, Ga.)

This is part of the Paddle the Southeast's Southern Stoke Paddle Series.

southernstokerace.com

OCTOBER 13

Swim the Suck

Registration for this 10-mile swim through the Tennessee River Gorge opens at noon Feb. 1 and typically sells out within minutes. You feeling lucky?

swimthesuck.org

OCTOBER 27

Chattajack

Registration opens May 1, and typically fills up fast for this 31-mile paddleboard/kayak race through the "Grand Canyon of the South."

chattajack.com

OCTOBER TBA

NRC Slalom Racing Series

(Bryson City, N.C.)

nantahalaracingclub.com/events/nrc-slalom-series

NOVEMBER 3-4

Head of the Hooch

headofthehooch.org/category/2018-hoth

MULTI-SPORT RACES

FEBRUARY 10

Bays Mountain Duathlon – run+bike

(Kingsport, Tenn.)

trisignup.com/Race/TN/Kingsport/BaysMountainDuathlon

FEBRUARY 24

Run. Bike. Leap. – run+bike

(Birmingham, Ala.)

facebook.com/events/352972735064975

APRIL 28

Homestead Hammer Adventure Triathlon – paddle+bike+run

(Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville, Tenn.)

facebook.com/events/1884312938566025

APRIL 28

Lake Guntersville Duathlon – run+bike

(Guntersville, Ala.)

facebook.com/events/276542296167304/?active_tab=discussion

APRIL 28

XTERRA Ft. Yargo Off-Road Triathlon – swim+trail run+mountain bike

(Fort Yargo State Park, Winder, Ga.)

goneriding.com/index.php/events/2018-events/triathlons/xy

MAY 13

Tri Chewacla Sprint and Olympic Distance Triathlon – swim+run+bike

(Chewacla State Park, Auburn, Ala.)

triauburnal.com/triathlon-events/tri-chewacla-triathlon

triauburnal.com

MAY 20

Sunbelt Bakery Ironman 70.3 Chattanooga – swim+bike+run

ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman-70.3/chattanooga.aspx

MAY TBA

Lake Guntersville Olympic Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(Guntersville, Ala.)

lakeguntersvilleolympicdistancetriathlon.com

JUNE 2

Cumberland Mountain Triathlon – swim+run+bike

(Cumberland Mountain State Park, Crossville, Tenn.)

facebook.com/events/191539378099546

JUNE 2

River Rock Road Adventure Triathlon – paddle+run+climb

This is part of the Paddle the Southeast's Southern Stoke Paddle Series.

southernstokerace.com

JUNE 3

XTERRA Knoxville Off-Road Triathlon – mountain bike+trail run+climb

(Knoxville, Tenn.)

dirtybirdevents.com/xterra-knoxville-triathlon

JUNE 9

Buster Britton Memorial Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(Pelham, Ala.)

team-magic.com/events/116

JUNE 14

XTERRA Tsali Off-Road Triathlon

(Tsali Recreational Area, Bryson City, N.C.)

goneriding.com/index.php/events/2018-events/triathlons/xt

JUNE 24

Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon – swim+bike+run

team-magic.com/events/117

JULY 21

Dalton Parks Triathlon – swim+bike+run

runforgod.com/races

JULY 22

Music City Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(Nashville, Tenn.)

team-magic.com/events/119

JULY 29

XTERRA Panther Creek Off-Road Triathlon – mountain bike+trail run+climb

(Panther Creek State Park, Morristown, Tenn.)

dirtybirdevents.com/xterra-panther-creek-triathlon

JULY TBA

Renaissance Man Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(McFarland Park, Florence, Ala.)

This race also has the option of a duathlon consisting of the 40k bike ride and either the 10k run or 1.5k swim.

shoalstri.com

AUGUST 4

Mountain Lakes Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(Guntersville, Ala.)

team-magic.com/events/115

AUGUST 18

XTERRA Auburn Off-Road Triathlon – swim+mountain bike+trail run

(Chewacla State Park, Auburn, Ala.)

triauburnal.com/triathlon-events/xterra-auburn

AUGUST 25

Cedars of Lebanon State Park Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(Lebanon, Tenn.)

team-magic.com/events/120

AUGUST 25

Noli Triple Threat – paddle/mountain bike+obstacle course+run

(Erwin, Tenn.)

nolitriplethreat.com

AUGUST 26

Rocketman Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(Huntsville, Ala.)

This is a USAT Sanctioned Olympic Distance Triathlon.

teamrockettri.org/rocketman

SEPTEMBER 8

Frantic Frog Sprint Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(Scottsboro, Ala.)

scottsborotrisport.org

SEPTEMBER 30

Little Debbie Ironman Chattanooga – swim+bike+run

ironman.com/triathlon/events/americas/ironman/chattanooga.aspx

OCTOBER 14

Toughman Tennessee Half Triathlon – swim+bike+run

(Lenoir City, Tenn.)

toughmantri.com

NOVEMBER 10

Rope Mill Dirty Duathlon and 3.3 Mile Trail Run – mountain bike+trail run+mountain bike

(Rope Mill Park, Woodstock, Ga.)

mountaingoatadventures.com/ropemill

NOVEMBER TBA

Pangorge – paddle+canyoneering+mountain bike

pangorge.com

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