If you want to race in a fall triathlon after September, you’re going to have to head south. After all, the water starts to get a bit chilly in October. Here are some relatively nearby triathlons to train for (and a couple destination competitions), whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned veteran: Oct. 3-4: Giant Acorn triathlons, Bumpass, Va. Organizers are offering two triathlons: An Olympic-distance triathlon on Saturday (1,500-meter swim, 40K bike, 10K run) and a sprint triathlon on Sunday (750-meter swim, 20K bike, 5K run). The website points out two strong reasons to sign up for these triathlons: Lake Anna is heated, so the water is usually in the mid-70s, and you can eat Brunswick stew afterward. Info: www.setupevents.com. Oct. 3: Lake Royale Sprint Triathlon, Louisburg, N.C. This triathlon northeast of Raleigh consists of a 500-meter open water swim, 15-mile bike and a 3.1-mile run. Total Immersion will offer a free swim clinic on Friday to teach proper technique. Info: www.fsseries.com. Oct. 11: Richmond Sprint Triathlon, Midlothian. An easy drive down I-95 — assuming little traffic — this race may be the closest you can stay to Washington in the fall. The swim is 400 meters in a 50-meter pool, with a 20K bike and 5K run. It’s a fundraiser for the Massey Cancer Center. Info: richmondsprinttri.racesonline.com. Oct. 11: Cape Henlopen Triathlon and Duathlon, Lewes, Del. Here’s a chance to go north — and east — for a triathlon. The Cape Henlopen Triathlon is on the Atlantic, meaning a 0.25-mile ocean swim. That is followed by a 15-mile bike and 5K run. The duathlon substitutes a 1.5-mile run for the swim. Info: www.piranha-sports.com. Oct. 17: Pumpkinman Triathlon, Las Vegas. If you don’t want to go south, go west — to Las Vegas. The Pumpkinman offers sprint, Olympic and half-Ironman triathlons, not to mention Lake Mead water that is still in the 70s. Both before and after, you can hit Vegas’ blackjack tables and rest your legs. Info: www.bbsctri.com. Oct. 17: Emerald Isle Triathlon, Emerald Isle, N.C. This triathlon is on North Carolina’s “Crystal Coast,” the barrier islands between the Outer Banks and Wilmington that are a six-hour drive from Washington. This is a sprint triathlon, with an ocean swim, 20K bike and a 5K run. Since it’s at the beach, the bike and run will be mostly flat. Info: www.emeraldisle-nc.rg. Oct.25: Great American Cooter Triathlon, Inverness, Fla. What a great name for a triathlon. This is a sprint triathlon in downtown Inverness, with a 0.25-mile lake swim, a 12-mile bike and 3-mile run, both on Florida’s Rails to Trails. Info: www.drcsports.com. – Cathy Gainor
