The Great River Challenge

The Great River Challenge, Off-road Triathlon takes place at Northfield Mountain Recreation Center in Northfield, MA. It is a non-traditional paddle-run-bike event offered in Long Course and Short Course formats. Long Course combines a 5.5-mile paddle on the Connecticut River, a 4-mile trail run (with about 700 ft of climbing), and a 7.5-mile mountain-bike leg on single-track trails.

Short Course reduces to a 4-mile paddle, 2.5-mile run, and 3.75-mile bike. The hilly, off-road course winds through local trails, including a mass-start paddle from the river near Captain Kidd’s Island. The event emphasizes safety, water stations, and chip-timed results, with options for relays and juniors. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.